Classic Vietnam: Sapa to the Mekong
16 days, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Hanoi/Sa Pá
Welcome to Vietnam! Join your group this morning for a welcome meeting before driving to Sa Pa, the trekking capital of Southeast Asia! This evening, join your group for a cooking demonstration and dinner.
Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 5:00 am on day 1 of your trip in order to meet your group to drive to Sa Pa.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Sa Pa Cooking Demonstration
Join a hands-on cooking demonstration, then sit down and enjoy the meal!
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Eco Farmer House (or similar)
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 2Sa Pá
Today starts your epic trekking adventure through Sa Pa. Trek for about 10 km today with a chance to rest and eat lunch part way. We'll hike through rice terraces, through local communities and have a chance to understand the unique way of life in Sa Pa. In the afternoon, we'll learn traditional wax and dying techniques used by the local villagers at Hmong Batik House.
Sapa Trekking Day 1
Start trekking through the breathtaking view of Lao Chai Village, in the heart of Muong Hoa Valley. This picturesque village spans over 29 square kilometers and is considered one of the big villages in the region. We'll trek 6.5 km to Supan, stop for lunch, then continue on for 3.5 km to Ta Van Village. This community offers a unique cultural experience and a glimpse into the daily life of different ethnic people in Sa Pa.
Traditional Wax Technique
In Muong Hoa Batik House, learn the traditional technique of using bamboo tools in hot wax. Then, with time permitting, learn the natural indigo dying process used by the local villagers.
Accommodation
Eco Farmer House (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Sa Pá
Start today with a visit to the Red Dao community in Sin Chai Village. We'll have a moment to admire this beautiful and unique community before starting today's trek. Have your cameras ready as we trek through this seemingly untouched landscape. After the trek, we'll drive to Nam Than Village for a hands-on bamboo paper making experience with the local community.
Sapa Trekking Day 2
Start today at Sin Chai Village, a community of the Red Dao ethnic group at the far end of the Sa Pa valley. Witness the beautifully embroidered garments, silver jewelry and intricate head pieces. Trek four about 2 hours through spectacular landscapes with no other tourists around.
Bamboo Paper Making
Get hands-on and learn to make paper from bamboo with local villagers in Nam Than Village.
Accommodation
Eco Farmer House (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Sa Pá
After breakfast, drive to Sa Pa Town where you will have the whole day at leisure to explore. Opt to enjoy the hot springs, get a massage, shop for souvenirs or visit the famous Fansipan Peak. This evening, catch an overnight train back to Hanoi.
Free Time
Enjoy a free day in this amazing place.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Sit back, relax and get some sleep during this overnight train journey.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Fansipan Peak
Fansipan Mountain offers absolutely jaw dropping views of green mountain slopes, swirling clouds and an incredible garden with a huge Buddha statue. Catch the mountain train from Sa Pa town up to top or take the famous cable car up.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Sa Pá/Hanoi
Rise early this morning as the overnight train pulls into Hanoi. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Hanoi. Meet up in the evening for an optional dinner with your CEO.
Free Time
Enjoy a free afternoon in Hanoi.
Accommodation
Chalcedony Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Hanoi/Ha Long
Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner.
Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.
In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Shared Van
Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.
Junk Boat
Skim across the water aboard this iconic traditional Asian sailboat.
Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Board a traditional junk boat at Ha Long Bay harbour and cruise out onto serene waters. Marvel at massive limestone karst mountains jutting out of the water, creating unforgettable spectacular scenery. Swim, kayak or go cave exploring on one of the islands, if conditions are right. Indulge in fresh seafood meals with a variety of dishes to sample. Drift to sleep in a cozy cabin on board.
On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Kayaking
10USD per personTransfer from boat to kayak in this guided water tour, giving you the chance to get even closer to the stunning natural surroundings.
Accommodation
Ha Long Bay Overnight Boat (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Ha Long/Huế
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.
Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Spend a few hours exploring this beautiful capital city. Visit some shops, have a bia hoi on a street corner or grab a coffee in a lakeside café.
Overnight Train (beds)
Drive about 15 mins to the station and then board the southbound train for the overnight journey.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour
Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a streetside bar to savour a draught beer like Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Huế
Pull into Hue early in the morning and dive right into the city, starting with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day, you are free to explore the city how you'd like.
Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.
While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Thien Mu Pagoda Visit
Visit Tien Mu, one of the tallest and, perhaps, most elegant pagodas in Vietnam, at seven storeys high. Take a step back in time touring this historic temple - built more than 400 years ago along the north shore of the Perfume River, it has been the site of many political protests.
Imperial Citadel Tour
Tour this one-time capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site. See the walled fortress and former palace, which has many palaces, gateways, courtyards, and gardens to explore. The Forbidden Purple City (modelled on China's Forbidden City) inside the citadel was once home to the imperial family and was significantly damaged during the Vietnam War.
Royal Tombs Visit
Visit the Royal Tombs along the Perfume River in Hue. Embracing the concept of Feng Shui, these tombs are extremely ornate and provide fantastic insight into the lives of the former rulers.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Hue Motorbike Tour
Grab a helmet, hop on a motorbike driven by your experienced local guide, and get ready for a crash course in authentic Viet culture. Spend the next four hours exploring the stalls of a local market, admiring the view of the Perfume River, learning to plough and make rice, creating your own incense sticks, and seeing the most iconic local sights. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Accommodation
Asia Hotel (or similar)
Day 9Huế/Hoi An
Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins.
Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.
With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like.
Accommodation
Uptown Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Hoi An
Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles
Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by our G for Good partners, STREETS International, this class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.
Free Time
Explore this charming city.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Bike Rental
Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
Tailor Shops
Go home with some new (handmade!) clothes from one of Hoi An’s famous tailor shops. Walk the streets lined with hundreds of local shops that turn out gorgeous suits, dresses, winter coats, shoes, purses – almost anything – in a day's time to create next season's wardrobe.
Thu Bon River Boat Trip
12USD per personThe Thu Bon River plays an important part in Hoi An's history and culture. Take a trip down the Thu Bon by river boat for an alternative tour of the city.
Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
6USD per personStroll through the narrow winding streets of Hoi An’s old town to see Chinese assembly halls, ancestral homes, The Japanese Covered Bridge, and well-preserved pagodas on this self-guided tour. Opt to try local delicacies and fusion food at one of the restaurants for which Hoi An is becoming famous.
Mỹ Sơn Excursion
38USD per personTravel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma. Please note this optional activity is a half-day and includes a guide, transportation, and the entrance fee.
Accommodation
Uptown Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Hoi An
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Free Time
Enjoy free time in this charming town.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Thu Bon River Boat Trip
12USD per personThe Thu Bon River plays an important part in Hoi An's history and culture. Take a trip down the Thu Bon by river boat for an alternative tour of the city.
Mỹ Sơn Excursion
38USD per personTravel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma. Please note this optional activity is a half-day and includes a guide, transportation, and the entrance fee.
Hoi An Cooking Class
35USD per personTake a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
Accommodation
Uptown Hoi An Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City
Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic and amazing city.
Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Accommodation
Amory Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City.
With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour
Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
Free Time
Get out and explore this frenetic city.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Ben Thanh Market
Wander this bustling market for more insight into Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and experience local living. Learn a little history along the way; Ben Thanh started as a cluster of street vendors selling wares by the Saigon River, and was formalized into a true market in 1859.
Cholon Visit
Take in the busy rhythm of daily life in Cholon, the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Tour the area full of teahouses, pagodas, and people, and learn a little more about the unique culture within the city.
Thien Hau Pagoda Visit
Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, a beautiful temple in the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Learn more about the customs associated with this 19th-century monument – it is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau (the 'Lady of the Sea') who is worshipped in Chinese communities throughout Asia by those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
Dam Sen Water Park Visit
4USD per personGet away from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City at this nearby water park. A lush setting and refreshing water make Dam Sen the perfect place for the whole family to cool off and have some fun—splash around or take a ride down one of the slides.
Giac Vien Pagoda Visit
Find this hidden pagoda behind some small alleyways – it’s a rare treat of a monument that has been spared the over-restoration that has been done to so many temples. Tour the inside of this 18th-century pagoda to see nearly 100 carvings of divine beings.
Reunification Palace Visit
2USD per personWander the historic halls of the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. This former home of the South Vietnamese president during the Vietnam War became the location of the end of the war when a North Vietnamese tank pushed through the palace gates on April 30, 1975.
War Remnants Museum Visit
2USD per personVisit the War Remnants Museum, a gut-wrenching but worthwhile experience that includes three storeys of exhibits and military hardware. Learn about the devastation that occurred in Saigon during the Vietnam War, a period that greatly contrasts the joy and liveliness of the Vietnamese people today.
Accommodation
Amory Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Ho Chi Minh City/Mekong River
Travel to the beautiful Mekong River Delta, south of Ho Chi Minh City, and experience the local way of living. Visit two of the main regions of the Delta, Ben Tre and Cai Thia. Cruise through the river in a traditional sampan boat, bike along the waterways and spend time with the family at your local guesthouse preparing a dinner of spring rolls and Banh Xeo before a lantern lit evening performance by the local villagers.
Ben Tre Mekong River Visit
Visit the Ben Tre region of the Mekong River Delta. Visit a coconut plantation, row a sampan down the river and cycle along the waterways.
Your Local Living Moment: Cai Thia Mekong River Visit
Visit the Cai Thia community of the Mekong River. Arrive by boat to a local home to observe how a traditional rice paper is made. Have a chance to try to make one for yourself. Continue by boat to your local guesthouse. Make a home cooked local dinner with our hosts. After dinner, use a lamp to walk through the dark to watch the local villagers' traditional music and performance.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Ut Trinh Homestay (or similar)
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 15Mekong River
Depart your homestay after breakfast and visit the community riverside market. From there, board a boat to arrive to the Pottery Brick Village, known as the Red Kingdom, and explore by bicycle. Then drive to the last region we'll visit on the Mekong Delta called Can Tho. Enjoy a free afternoon at leisure to explore the area. Opt to do some bird watching or visit the local town.
Pottery Brick Village Cycle
Take a boat to the Pottery Brick Village, Mang Thit, known as the the Red Kingdom. The cycle though the beautiful river side town. Ride through rice fields, plantations and local factories.
Free Time
Enjoy a free afternoon in the Can Tho region of the Mekong River Delta.
Accommodation
Mekong Silt Ecolodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 16Mekong River/Ho Chi Minh City
Wake up to watch the sun rise over one of the most unique parts of life on the Mekong River, Cai Rang Floating Market. Explore by land and boat before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Your tour finishes upon arrival to the city.
Please book departure flights no earlier that 5:00 pm on the final day of your trip.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Cai Rang Floating Market
Cai Rang Floating Market is one of the ten most impressive markets in the world, characterized by colorful boats selling tropical fruits and vegetables that are tossed from craft to craft and a little coffee vendor boat bounces in and out of the gaps, serving strong iced coffee to both vendors and customers. This market is considered a special gem in Vietnam, boasting the uniqueness of life on the Mekong River.