SPECIAL TOURS VIETNAM

Place

Normal activities in classic tours

Extra thing in the same place

Optional activity at other places

Remarks

Hanoi

Trishaw ride, walk in old town, visits to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, Fine Art Museum, water puppet show, Tran Quoc pagoda

Shopping in the Old Quarter, enjoying ice cream and cozy atmosphere by the Hoan Kiem lake

Visits to famous Bat Trang ceramic village or Van Phuc silk village; visit minority villages in Hoa Binh; golfing in Chi Linh, Tam Dao, Dai Duong, etc.

Interesting to explore the old town on foot or by rickshaw

Halong

Bay cruise for 4 or 5 hours or over night aboard, excellent swimming except in winter

Tea time or happy hour aboard; kayaking

Cruise to Cat Ba island (about 6 hours), visit Mong Cai border

Delicious seafood and relaxing time

Sapa

Trekking to villages of the H’mong, Red Dao, or Giay peoples: Ta Phin, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Y Lin Ho, Ban Ho, Thanh Phu, Cat Cat, etc.

Swimming, fishing in rivers or lakes; climbing Phan-si-pan - the highest peak in Indochina

Visit colourful markets of the mountaineers in Muong Khuong, Bac Ha, Muong Hum, Coc Ly

Long bus trips between Hanoi – Sapa, night trains available

North-West (Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai)

Scenic North-West loop by landcruiser through passes, mountains, rivers, minority villages; visit historic vestiges in Dien Bien; Visit minority villages in Mai Chau

Short visits to minority villages on the way;

Trekking to minority villages near Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Phong Tho

Some rough roads,

Breath-taking sceneries,

Tourists are not warmly welcome at some villages as intruders

North-East (Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son)

Scenic North-West loop by landcruiser through passes, mountains, rivers, minority villages; visit Ba Be national park; Lung Cu northern tip and minority villages in Dong Van, Meo Vac; Historic vestiges in Pac Po; Ban Gioc waterfall;

Short visits to minority villages on the way; Visit Ky Lua market, Huu Nghi Border gate, Tam Thanh Pagoda in Lang Son etc.

Extra scenic ride to Hoang Su Phi; highlights for conifer collectors

Good roads but sole,

Breath-taking sceneries,

Minority people are still very shy, not touristy

Ninh Binh

Visits to Hoa Lu Temples, Bich Dong grotto; rowing boat trip through the Tam Coc caves; trekking in Cuc Phuong National Park

Walking, biking through rice fields; visiting interesting villages

Visit Phat Diem stone church; highlights for bird watchers

Very scenic boat ride in Tam Coc; adventurous treks in Cuc Phuong

Hue

Visits to the Forbidden city, Minh Mang tomb, Tu Duc tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Thien Mu pagoda, Dong Ba market, boat trip on Perfume River

Motorcycle or bike ride through villages and rice fields; cooking class on boat, Royal Feast, lunch ceremony at Tu Hieu Pagoda

Visit Thuan An beach, Lang Co beach, Thanh Tan hot spring, Bach Ma national park

Choose between similar tombs of Minh Mang and Tu Duc ; Relaxing and peaceful city and activities

Da Nang

Visit Cham Museum, Marble Mountains

Many photo stops on route from Hue to Da Nang

Visit Ba Na hills, Vietnam beach

Scenic drive, interesting marble stone handicraft village

Hoian

Walk in the ancient town, shopping, swimming, relaxing at the beach or café hangouts

Fantastic bike rides through rice fields and villages; boat trip through fishing villages, palm plantations

Visit My Son Holy Land – Cham ruins – a World Cultural Heritage; Cruise to Cham Island

Great cozy town with cheap and good food, shopping

Nha Trang

Great cruise on one of the most beautiful bays of the world, swimming, snorkeling, diving, seafood

Beautiful bike or motorcycle rides in the countryside; enjoy a pleasant healthy mud bath

On route from Hoian to Nha Trang, visit the My Lai Museum in Quang Ngai; Whale Island; Ba Ho Waterfall

Great swimming and snorkeling; Delicious seafood; relaxing beach massage

Da Lat

Visit the Golden Valley, Truc Lam Meditation Institute, Bao Dai Summer Palace, Waterfalls, Linh Phuoc pagoda, Valley of love, etc.

Horse ride, Dalat by night by bike, enjoy a drink at café hangouts; trek on Lang Bian mountains; visit minority villages; visit local work shops of making silk, wine, sweets;

Visit Cat Tien National park, Bi Dup national park; highlights for conifer collectors, bird watchers

Pleasant temperature round the year; beautiful landscapes; romantic city for honeymooners; paradise for flower and vegetable lovers

Central Highlands (Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong)

Visit Dray Sap waterfall, minority villages of Jun, Don, Dektu of Mnong, Ede, Banar groups in Dak Lak and Kontum; enjoy elephant rides; trekking in Jun village and Don village; historic vestiges in Ban Me Thuoc and Kon Tum

Dug-out ride in Lak Lake; swimming in rivers, lakes; enjoy traditional gong music, straw wine and festivals

Trekking to villages near Kon Tum and Pley Ku

Interesting minority villages, traditional music and festivals; enjoyable elephant rides; Not touristy

Mui Ne

Relaxing, swimming, walks on beach, sand dunes, enjoying seafood; etc

Visit Poshanu Cham temple, fishing villages, colourful harbours, fish sauce villages

Explore the scenic Suoi Tien Creek; climb Ta Ku mountain; cruise around the scenic areas by motorcycle

The beaches may become dirty or invisible due to the tides

HCMC

Visit   Notre Dam cathedral and central post office, War Museum, History museum, Reunification Hall, China town, Thien Hau Temple, Jade Emperor pagoda, Giac Lam pagoda, Cu Chi Tunnels; Rickshaw ride in the hustle bustle of the city;

visit a school or an orphanage; visit Dam Sen park; shopping at Ben Thanh market, along Le Loi street, Dong Khoi street, Le Cong kieu antique street; killing time by watching the chaotic traffic at many café hangouts; Enjoy choices of good international foods; enjoy massage and spa

Visit Can Gio eco-tourism park, Suoi Tien Amusement park; golfing in Thu Duc, Binh Duong, Long Thanh etc.; Boat trips on the Saigon River to Thanh Da island, Cu Chi tunnels, Can Gio park;

Cozy metropolitan city with great atmosphere, shopping, various choices of food

Mekong Delta (My Tho, Ben Tre, Cai Be, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Xeo Quyt, Phu Quoc island)

Fascinating boat trips on the Mekong River, through small canals, villages and orchards; enjoy lively floating markets, walks though villages and gardens; visit local houses and family workshops; enjoy delicious local food and tropical fruits; admire the people’s hospitality and friendliness, enjoy Sun-Sea-Sand on beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc

Terrific tuk tuk, bike, or motorcycle ride through villages, gardens, rice fields, bridges and canals; tasting Mekong Whiskey

Trip to Soc Trang and Tra Vinh to visit beautiful Khmer pagodas; visit bird gardens and nature reserves

Home stay is a really enjoyable and memorable activity; Boat trips to bird gardens or nature reserve are long and stiff; Express boats to Phu Quoc from Chau Doc and Rach Gia; border crossing to Cambodia in Ha Tien, Tinh Bien, Chau Doc

Tay Ninh

Cao Dai Holy See – a very colourful construction and interesting religion

Visit family work shops of making rice paper cakes, rice fields, rubber plantations on the way, etc.

Climb/ Cable car on the Black Lady Mountain; visit the former Headquarter of the Communist troops

Combined with the Cu Chi tunnels in 1 day trip