Overnight international flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, airport reception and transfer to the hotel in a private vehicle. Depending on the arrival time, spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Morning tour of the Ho Chi Minh Complex with a private guide. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked and visit the nearby Ho Chi Minh Museum - an extraordinary tribute to the life of the "father of the country." Carry on to the Governor's Residence, a fine example of Hanoi's French architecture, followed by a stop at the One Pillar Pagoda to hear the legend of its construction.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a private afternoon tour of the Hanoi City highlights. Marvel at the tree lined streets on the way to the Opera House and pass by Hoan Kiem Lake en route to one of the city's fascinating museums of choice: the Museum of History of Vietnamese Military, Vietnam History Museum, or Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, for a quick escape from the busy streets. Afterwards, enjoy a private guided walking tour of the Ancient Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets District, where travelers will find a nice mix of ancient homes, temples and small shops.

Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed for maintenance on Mondays and Fridays from September to November annually.
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Take a morning excursion outside of Hanoi to the surrounding countryside with your private guide. Rich in Buddhism, the north of Vietnam is home to the country's most colorful and revered pagodas and temples. The Thay Pagoda (Master's Pagoda) is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Hanoi. While a temple is a place to worship the dead, a pagoda is a place to worship the Lord Buddha. Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved lacquer and gold statues of Buddha in his past and present form, as well as the colorful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar.

Only 6 kilometers (4 miles) away lies Tay Phuong Pagoda, situated at the top of a small hillock. Built in 1794, the pagoda is famous for its vast display of finely carved wooden statues of former monks from the 18th Century. Afterwards, transfer to the Hanoi railway station for your overnight train to Lao Cai, which usually departs at 9:15 pm.
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Upon arrival at the Lao Cai Station in the early morning, be met and transferred to the hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, enjoy a privately guided walk through Sapa's colorful market and stroll down into the valley to visit the small community of Cat Cat. The H'mong that have settled here are a shy and private people, but are welcoming to visitors. A short trail leads off to a waterfall nestled in the ravine below.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel with the private guide and transport. En route stop at Ham Rong Mountain. One will have a chance to climb up the San May (Cloud Yard) to enjoy the panorama of the town of Sapa and to visit the beautiful orchid gardens. Additionally, Ham Rong Mountain has numerous caves and stones in extraordinary shapes to explore.
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Enjoy a full day privately guided walk with packed lunch to Dao, Giay and H'mong settlements in the Lao Chai and Ta Van Ray districts. The walk is moderate to intermediate and descends into a scenic valley of cascading water crossed by suspension bridges. Lao Chai is a village of the Black H'mong ethnic group. Located 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Sapa, it is quite approachable for travelers coming from Sapa who do not have much time. Once in the village, travelers will be welcome at any of the houses of the hospitable residents. One can interact with them and learn about their culture and customs. Next, visit the Giay people of the Ta Van Village to further the experience with the local people.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take the van about 10 kilometers (6 miles) to Ban Ho. Take time to enjoy the picturesque scenery along the way, a mountainous area of stunning natural beauty and diverse ethnic minorities. Trek down the hill to enjoy the fantastic open views in Ban Ho, the beautiful valley where the Tay people reside. Return to Sapa in late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.
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Today visit the Ta Phin Village with a private guide and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. While hiking 15 kilometers (9 miles) to Tha Phin, one will see local people working in the terraced paddy fields or traveling back and forth between the market and their homes. After a long day of walking on the windy roads and hills around Sapa, one can soak their bones and muscles in a traditional Red Dao herbal bath at Ta Phin. In the evening, transfer back to the Lao Cai railway station for your overnight train back to Hanoi.

Note: If one does not wish to trek this far, Yampu can adjust the route and length of the trekking to suit travelers wishes and level of fitness. An alternative 2 kilometer (1.2 mile) trek is available. Please ask a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
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Early morning arrival in Hanoi between 4:20 am and 6:55 am. After a relaxing breakfast, depart Hanoi for an approximately 3.5 hour drive directly to Halong Bay. Upon arrival, board the boat and begin the cruise. While the junk is passing many islets, rocks, caves, floating villages and beaches on Halong Bay, your lunch will be served onboard with fresh seafood.

After lunch, cruise to the inside of the magical landscape of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Binh Phong Mountain, and Sung Sot Cave. Enjoy a swim, weather permitting, and cruise to a secluded lagoon to anchor for the night. Dinner is served on board. After dinner, relax on the deck. Drink service is available on board (at one’s own expense).
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Before breakfast, take the opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Afterwards, cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay before returning to the wharf. Disembark from the boat for the return drive to Hanoi with lunch at a local restaurant en route. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to the hotel for check in.

Take a private guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, which was built in accordance with strict principles of geomancy in the early 19th century, when the Nguyen Dynasty ruled Vietnam from Hue. The Emperor constructed this mighty citadel as a place where he could both live and rule. The resulting Imperial Citadel was modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, but suffered much damage during years of war. Many of the pavilions, bridges, libraries and great halls are now being carefully restored with help from UNESCO. Marvel at the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years. Afterwards, visit the Dong Ba Market and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. ...read less

This morning, visit the Thein Mu Pagoda with a private boat and guide. Built in 1601 between a river and a pine forest, the "Heavenly Lady Pagoda" is one of the oldest and most attractive religious buildings in the country. Among the many interesting artifacts housed at the complex is the car that transported the monk Thich Quag Duc to the site of his self-immolation in 1963 Saigon.

Continue by boat to the less visited, yet most majestic of all of Hue's tombs - the tomb of Minh Mang. Built around 1840, this tomb is well known for its harmonious blend of architecture and the natural landscape. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and the remainder of the day at leisure.
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Take a morning transfer from Hue to Hoi An in aprivate vehicle. The overland journey will take through the most beautiful scenery in Vietnam as explorers traverse the Hai Van or “Cloudy Pass.” There will be plenty of photo opportunities and stops at beaches en route.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (included) and continue to Danang. Upon arrival, visit the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains. A climb inside through the hundreds of natural caves and grottoes is a must! Afterwards, continue to Hoi An and check into the hotel.
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After breakfast, take a walking tour of Hoi An, visiting ancient merchants' houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colorful riverside market. The architecture of this quaint town offers a fascinating combination of traditional Vietnamese structures with Chinese and Japanese influences.


Continue on to visit a family-run lantern making business. This work is simple, and travelers will have the opportunity to design one’s own lantern, from making the frame to gluing the cloth. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon River to Thanh Ha pottery village. Return to the hotel for the evening.
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Transfer to the airport for a flight to Dalat. Upon arrival, airport reception and private transfer to the hotel for check in. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy Dalat.

After breakfast, be picked up for a full day tour of Dalat. Begin with a visit to Datanla Falls and Tuyen Lam Lake by cable car before heading to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Prenn Falls, Chinese Pagoda, Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Bao Dai Summer Palace. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Dalat Flower Garden, Minh Tam Flower Garden, Lam Dong Museum, Dalat's famous 'crazy house', the valley of love, and Hill of Dreams Park. Return to the hotel for the evening.

Today, transfer to Lat village by car to explore the scenic highlands around Dalat. Start by trekking up to the highest peak of the Langbian Mountains and a picnic lunch will be served along the way. Trek along the mountain side to the second peak and the former 'Radar Peak', with amazing panoramic views of Lake Dankia to the north and Lat village and Dalat city center to the south. The trek continues down to the Lat Minority Village to explore their unique lifestyle before traveling back to the city by car.

Early this morning, depart Dalat for an approximately 4 hour drive to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in a private vehicle. Then, begin a privately guided morning exploration of the countryside, which is dotted with palm trees and fruit orchards. Board a small motorized boat for a delightful look into the nearby rural areas. Visit the household bakery that supplies the surrounding villages with delicious French style baguettes and then continue along the village path to the home of a family that weaves mats from local growing rushes.

As the day continues, pass through a fruit orchard that boasts a plentiful supply of tropical fruits, which one can sample at a nearby riverside cafe. Time permitting, have the chance to visit the local market at the village hub, where the townswomen gather every day to barter. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Nha Trang for an afternoon on the beach.
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Enjoy a morning cruise on the turquoise waters of the South China Sea with a private guide. This craft is a simple, but safe and comfortable, reconverted fishing boat. Off the shore of Nha Trang lie numerous islands, some inhabited and many dotted with idyllic fishing villages. Take a brief stop at one of these villages, Bai Tru, and wander around at will. The local people are very friendly and hospitable to visitors. Young children will ferry travelers between the boat and shore by coracle, the round bamboo boats so commonly used in coastal Vietnam.

If one so desires, take the opportunity to swim and snorkel in some of the secluded bays around the area. Afterwards, a feast of local specialties will be prepared and provided for lunch on board or at a local beach. Transfer back to the mainland to enjoy the remainder of the day on the beach or explore the town.
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Morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, enjoy an afternoon tour of China Town with a private guide. Cholon, which literally translates to "big market", is the focus of the Chinese community in Saigon. See the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Saigon Post Office. Continue on to visit the impressive Thien Hau Temple dedicated to the goddess of the seas, who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. Here, huge coils of incense hang from the ornate ceiling, and can burn for up to three months at a time. Visit Binh Tay Market and the surrounding area, which bustles with trading activity. Return to the hotel. ...read less

Morning city tour with a private guide. In this essential highlight tour, visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Take the opportunity to see a delightful performance of water puppetry in the grounds. Then visit the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the center of city, the "wedding cake" styled Hotel De Ville, and Dong Khoi street, formerly the center of haute couture in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) when it was known as Rue Catinat.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a privately guided half day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast underground network of tunnels was first built as a defense against the French, and later expanded during the American War. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare. Marvel at their ingenuity and resilience as you see secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.

The more adventurous travelers may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. The guide will advise of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering. Some are easily accessed by stairs. Yampu recommends good walking shoes and sun protection for this tour and advise you may get a little dirty! Return to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.
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Transfer approximately 3 hours in the private vehicle to the Mekong River town of Cai Be. Board a motorized sampan for an introduction to life on the river with a private guide. Cai Be is known for its large floating market, where displays of food produce are hung from the bamboo poles over the host boat in order to attract customers.

From here, the journey continues across the upper reach of the river to a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Barges ply the route, overloaded with rice husks used as fuel for the region's numerous brick kilns. Depending on the season, a sample of local tropical fruit will be served with lunch in a local farmer's home before Returning to the craft for the leisurely cruise to Vinh Long. From here, drive and ferry to the Delta's economic hub city of Can Tho. Check into the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
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Early morning cruise with a private guide to Cai Rang, which is a bustling market town. Enjoy a sampan ride through the colorful congestion of women and children jostling for space and vying to sell their goods. Return to Can Tho town to visit their museum and a Khmer pagoda in Can Tho City. After lunch at a local restaurant, depart the town for a visit to the Bang Lang Stork Garden and the Binh Thuy Ancient House. Return to the hotel.

Private morning transfer to Chau Doc near the Cambodian border. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route and in the afternoon visit Sam Mountain, a popular pilgrimage center for many Vietnamese and home to a collection of ornate and colorful temples and pagodas. Climb or drive to the top of the hill for an unparalleled 360-degree vista of nearby Cambodia.

The Mekong River at this point is decorated with hundreds of floating homes, each a self-contained farm where local families raise and sell fish to passing boats. With a private guide, take the opportunity to visit some of them before returning to the hotel in Chau Doc for the evening.
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Private transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) for a flight home or the Yampu Tours add-on of choice.