VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS TOUR PACKAGE 9 DAYS: HANOI, SAPA, HALONG BAY, HOI AN & SAIGON

06:00 – 06:30: Greet the morning with sunrise views on the sundeck accompanied by tea, coffee, and light pastries. 

07:30 – 08:30: Excursion to Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang - Toi). Glide through the limestone cave archway on a traditional bamboo boat rowed by local boatmen or paddle by private kayak. 

09:30: Return to your cabin, freshen up, and pack your luggage. 

10:00: Check out of your private cabin. Enjoy a buffet brunch/lunch at the restaurant while cruising back toward the harbor. 

11:00 – 11:30: Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina and board your comfortable Limousine transfer back to Hanoi. 

15:00: Arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel. 

Evening: Free leisure time to explore the Hanoi Old Quarter: sip craft egg coffee along the Hanoi Train Street or enjoy chilled draft beer on lively Ta Hien Street. 

Overnight: Selected Boutique Hotel in Hanoi. 

08:00: Pick up from your hotel lobby and depart south through the Red River Delta for Ninh Binh Province (~2 hours). 

10:00: Step back into history at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Vietnam's 10th-century seat of power. Tour the historic temples honoring King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh. 

11:15: Proceed to Hang Mua (Mua Cave). Climb 500 stone stairs along the winding dragon ridge of Ngoa Long Mountain to the peak for panoramic 360-degree aerial views over the Tam Coc river valley and limestone karsts. 

12:30: Relish a traditional lunch featuring Ninh Binh regional specialties and vegetarian choices. 

13:45: Head to Tam Coc ("Halong Bay on Land"). Board a private, hand-rowed wooden sampan boat along the Ngo Dong River: 

• Drift through three massive natural caverns (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, Hang Ba) beneath ancient hanging stalactites. 

• Observe tranquil river life, emerald rice fields, and towering karst formations. 

17:00: Board your coach and return to Hanoi. 

19:30 – 20:00: Arrive back in Hanoi and drop off at your hotel. 

Overnight: Selected Boutique Hotel in Hanoi. 

06:30: Pick up at your meeting point in Hanoi and travel along the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway to Sapa (~5.5 hours) with a rest stop in Yen Bai Province. 

13:00: Arrive in alpine Sapa Town; check into your hotel and enjoy lunch featuring local mountain specialties. 

14:30: Begin a soft trek down to Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H’mong ethnic minority: 

• Walk past tiered rice terraces, traditional wooden homes, and handicraft weaving looms. 

• Visit the French-era hydraulic power station and the scenic Cat Cat waterfall. 

18:30: Dinner at a local restaurant in Sapa. 

Evening: Explore Sapa by night: wander around the Stone Church, visit the night market, or sample roasted corn and chestnuts by charcoal street fires. 

Overnight: Selected Hotel in Sapa. 

08:00: Breakfast at hotel, followed by transfer to the Sun World Fansipan Legend cable car station. 

08:45: Board the modern cable car soaring over the dramatic Muong Hoa Valley to reach the summit of Mount Fansipan (3,143m), the highest peak in Indochina. Admire mountaintop Buddhist pagodas, giant bronze statues, and panoramic views above the clouds. (Cable car ticket optional/excluded as per program terms). 

12:00: Return to Sapa town for lunch and complete hotel check-out. 

16:00: Board your transfer vehicle and journey back along the expressway to Hanoi. 

21:30 – 22:00: Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. 

Overnight: Selected Boutique Hotel in Hanoi.

Morning: Breakfast at hotel, checkout, and private transfer to Noi Bai Airport (HAN) for your flight to Da Nang (DAD). 

Midday: Meet your Central Vietnam driver at Da Nang Airport and transfer to hotel. 

13:00: Pick up for a cultural discovery tour: 

• Visit the sacred Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son): explore Huyen Khong Cave, Buddhist sanctuaries, and coastal viewing decks. 

14:30: Transfer to Cam Thanh Water Coconut Fishing Village. Board round bamboo basket boats (Thung Chai) to paddle through palm waterways, learn cast-net fishing, and watch a basket boat spinning showcase. 

16:30: Arrive in Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Tour the 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge (featured on the 20,000 VND bill), Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky Ancient Merchant House. 

Evening: Release floating candle lanterns (Hoa Dang) on the Thu Bon River for good luck, and explore the bustling lantern night market. 

19:00: Transfer back to Da Nang. 

Overnight: Selected Hotel in Da Nang. 

08:00: Pick up from hotel and transfer to Sun World Ba Na Hills (~35 km). 

09:00: Board the world-record single-track cable car system to the summit station. 

09:45: Walk across the world-famous Golden Bridge, held aloft by giant mossy stone hands. Explore Le Jardin D’Amour flower gardens, Debay Wine Cellar, and Linh Ung Pagoda. 

12:30: Grand International and Vietnamese Buffet Lunch at the mountaintop restaurant. 

14:00: Explore the French Village and enjoy indoor amusement games, 4D/5D theaters, and attractions inside Fantasy Park. 

15:00: Descend via cable car and return to your hotel in Da Nang. 

Late Afternoon: Free time to relax and swim at golden My Khe Beach. 

19:00: Group dinner at a dedicated restaurant in Da Nang. 

Overnight: Selected Hotel in Da Nang. 

Morning: Breakfast at hotel, checkout, and transfer to Da Nang Airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). 

Midday: Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport; meet your Southern driver and transfer to hotel. 

12:30: Depart by coach for the historic Cu Chi Tunnels (~1.5 hours). 

14:00: Explore the vast 220-kilometer subterranean network used during the Vietnam War: 

• Watch documentary footage explaining underground combat strategies. 

• Examine concealed trapdoors, bamboo booby traps, field kitchens, and secret command bunkers. 

• Experience crawling through a preserved tunnel segment. 

• Taste boiled tapioca with sesame salt and hot pandan tea (staple wartime rations). 

(Optional: Target shooting range with vintage firearms available at own expense). 

17:00: Depart Cu Chi and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Evening: Free leisure time to experience Saigon nightlife: stroll down lively Bui Vien Walking Street or explore central rooftop venues. 

Overnight: Selected Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. 

08:30: Morning guided city tour visiting Saigon's premier cultural landmarks: 

• Reunification Palace (Independence Palace): Historic landmark and seat of South Vietnam's government during the war. 

• Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office: Classic examples of French-colonial architecture. 

• War Remnants Museum: Exhibition of military equipment, historical photography, and wartime artifacts. 

12:00: Complete check-out; enjoy free time for last-minute shopping at Ben Thanh Market. 

Afternoon: Dedicated private transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) for departure flights. 

End of our Vietnam Highlights Tour with unforgettable memories!