Vietnam Journey By Train

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   Arrival in Hanoi – City TourWelcome to Vietnam!  Upon yo...
   Arrival in Hanoi – City TourWelcome to Vietnam!  Upon your arrival flight, the tour guide will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport and it takes us 35 minutes to drive to the center of Hanoi. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only), the Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh temple, the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will see in our forthcoming days.    In the afternoon, we will start the city tour with a cyclo ride to visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi and drop off at Thang Long theatre for a water puppet show, a unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artist men and women stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. End of the show and transfer to hotel.  Overnight in Hanoi. Please note! -    Hotel check-in time is around 14.00 -    Depending on your arrival time, the program will be adjusted accordingly.  -    If the day falls on Monday, a visit to the Women's Museum will be arranged instead of the Ethnology Museum.  
2. Day 02

   Hanoi – Halong Bay/Lan Ha Bay cruise (B/L/D)
   If you wish to see how the Hanoi people rise and shine in the morning, wake up early and run to a lake close by your hotel, you can join an exciting scene of hundreds of locals, passionately attentive in their morning exercises of Tai Chi quan, jogging, martial arts, classical dance and so on. After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO since 1994 and 2006, and check into our overnight boat. Enjoy a trip on Halong with stops to visit caves or to swim and enjoy the sunset on the sea. Dinner with fresh seafood! Overnight onboard. *The itinerary above is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather conditions! Our guide will not escort you on board. There will be an English-speaking cruise manager who will take care of all passengers during the trip in Ha Long, accompanied by his staff.  
3. Day 03

   Lan Ha Bay/Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Overnight Train to Hue (B/BR)
   You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast, our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost every islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent of Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock, or Turtle islet, etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise is coming back to the pier. Drive back to Hanoi with a stopover at Bat Trang Pottery village. Transfer to the Ha Noi railway station to catch the night train to Hue (Departure: 19h40, no guide escort on train).  Overnight on train (tourist cabin – 4-berth sharing cabin with A/C).  
4. Day 04

   Arrival in Hue – City Tour (B)
   Light breakfast on board.  Arrive at Hue station at about 09h20. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. After a short rest, we will take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda.  Check-in hotel.  In the afternoon, we will explore the Imperial Citadel of Hue with a knowledgeable tour guide, uncovering the rich history and royal legacy of Vietnam's former capital. As you walk through the grand gates and past ancient palaces, temples, and pavilions, our local guide will bring to life the stories of the Nguyen Dynasty and the significance of this UNESCO World Heritage site.  Overnight in Hue.
5. Day 05

   Hue – Danang by Train – Hoian (B)
   Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, we will discover the charm of the city and the bustling Dong Ba market. Transfer to the train station to board the Heritage train (depart from Hue 14h35 – arrive in Da Nang at 18h00, no guide escort on train).  Upon arrival in Danang, pick up and proceed to Hoi An for an overnight.  
6. Day 06

   Hoian –...
   Hoian –
7. Day 00

   leisure (B)
   Breakfast at hotel.  Free at your leisure for your own activities (No services provided).  Overnight in Hoi An. Optional private tour for day 6:  Hoi An Ancient Town – Half day Morning walking tour of Hoi An to discover the historic town, which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Visit Hoi An's colorful local market, Tan Ky old house, Fukien Assembly Hall, and the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. Travelers can also see residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry. Back to the hotel. Tour prices included: All private transportation, all sightseeing tickets, an experienced English-speaking guide, and water during transfer. Tour prices not included: Tips, personal expenses and other expenses not mentioned in the program.
8. Day 07

   Hoian – Danang – Nhatrang by Train (B)
   Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Da Nang train station (train SE3 or similar to Nha Trang (depart at about 11h25 – arrival at 21h05, no guide escort on train).  Pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Nha Trang.  
9. Day 08

   Nhatrang beach relax (B)
   Breakfast at hotel.  Free at your leisure for your own activities. (No services provided) Overnight in Nha Trang. Optional private tour for day 8:   Ponagar Temples – Long Son Pagoda – Cathedral – around sightseeing/shopping – Half
10. Day 00

    a Trang city, a small city on the south-central coastline of...
    a Trang city, a small city on the south-central coastline of Vietnam, is a famous beach city in Vietnam. Travelers like to travel to Nha Trang, not only because of its beach, but also because of its historical relics from Cham civilization represented as Po Nagar tower, a sacred Hindu site dating back to the 7th century, Stone Church built in French colony time, and Long Son Pagoda - a Buddhist pagoda built in commemoration of the monks and nuns who died whilst fighting the Diem Government. Tour prices included: All private transportation, all sightseeing tickets, an experienced English-speaking guide, Tissues and water on the coach. Tour prices not included: Tips, personal expenses and other expenses not mentioned in the program.  
11. Day 09

    Nhatrang beach relax – Overnight Train to Saigon (B)
    Breakfast at hotel.  Free at your leisure for your own activities. (No services provided) Transfer to train station (train SNT2 to Sai Gon) – depart 20h00. Overnight on train (tourist cabin – 4-berth sharing cabin with A/C). Optional private tour for day 9:   Oceanographic Institute - Tranh Beach - Mun Marine Park - Fishing Village - Con Se Tre Village – Full day Start from your hotel to Cau Da port in the morning. The Oceanographic Institute near the Nhatrang Port is the first place to visit, where you can see the full collection of sea creatures of Nhatrang bay before embarking & cruising to the islands. Many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling, where you can see lots of colorful corals and fish. You will also be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nests from the boat. Then relaxing, swimming & doing water sports or other activities at Mot Island, Tranh Beach Island, or on a small island called “Mini beach”. Taking a fresh lunch at the island or Con Se Tre village. On the way back you will visit a fishing village before going to the shore. Tour prices included: All private transportation, Snorkeling kits, Private boat cruise (wooden boat), All sightseeing tickets (except for Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Mini beach), Vietnamese seafood lunch, Experienced English-speaking guide, Tissues and water on coach. Tour prices not included: Tips, personal expenses and other expenses not mentioned in the program.  
12. Day 10

    Nhatrang – Saigon – City Tour (B)
    Arrive at Saigon Station around 04:45. You'll be picked up for breakfast, followed by an early morning exploration of the city, including visits to local neighborhoods - perfect for capturing stunning photos of Saigon as it wakes up. Later in the morning, dive into the vibrant energy of the city with a tour of the bustling Old Colonial Residential Quarter, featuring iconic landmarks like the 19th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral and the beautifully preserved Central Post Office. Our last stop today will be the bustling Ben Thanh market – the icon of Saigon.  Later on, transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Free afternoon at leisure (No services provided). Overnight in Saigon. Note: Notre-Dame Cathedral is closed for renovation till 2027  
13. Day 11

    Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnel – City Tour – Saigon (B)
    Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departs to visit Cu Chi tunnels (70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh city), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. Return to Sai Gon. Afternoon visit the History Museum (closed on Mondays). Continue to Cho Lon and the bustling Binh Tay Market and discover Thien Hau temple and a lacquer ware factory. Overnight in Saigon.  
14. Day 12

    Saigon – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B)
    Breakfast at the hotel and check out, Morning transfer from Saigon to Ben Tre, a province near Saigon but full of the exciting life of the Mekong people. Being one of the mightiest rivers in the world, the Mekong flows into Vietnam at its lowest part before coming to the Pacific and leaving behind a hectic life of “Mekong people”. Upon arriving, go between coconut lines by boat to reach some gardened houses where people run their family factories producing candy, feed honey bees, or plant orchards. You can taste some wine or tea with honey right in the gardens here.  Drive to Can Tho city for overnight.  
15. Day 13

    Can Tho – Cai Rang – Chau Doc (B)
    Early morning, transfer to Ninh Kieu wharf to board for sightseeing the Cai Rang Floating Market which is the biggest and most colorful floating market in the Mekong Delta region. Come back to hotel for breakfast.  Check out hotel and head to Chau Doc. Along the way, we will visit the Binh Thuy ancient house. Upon arrival in Chau Doc, our first visit will be Tra Su cajuput forest, which is renowned for not only its almost-untouched natural beauty but also its sanctuary of flora and fauna. Take a boat trip into the forest and harmonize with nature. The impressive pictures of cajuputs, the fragrance of flowers and the music-like noise of birds, insects and animals will definitely make travelers not want to leave. From the observation post, the forest can be seen with an area of nearly 900 ha, home to many birds and animals, including some rare ones. Arrive at your hotel in Chau Doc, check in and relax.  Overnight in Chau Doc.  
16. Day 14

    Chau Doc – Saigon departure (B)
    Breakfast at hotel, Early morning, we will take a boat to visit Fish Farms, where fish are bred in cages suspended under floating houses on the Mekong River. Stop at an islet to visit a Cham minority group village where people are continuing their traditional simple life on stilt houses with fishing, weaving and practicing their daily Muslim ceremonies.  Drive back to Tan Son Nhat airport in Saigon for your departure flight. End of services.   Please note! -    Hotel check-out time is around 12.00.

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