Classic Vietnam: Sapa to the Mekong

Main Destination Vietnam from $1,934.10 USD 16 Days Tour

Seeing all of Vietnam could take a lifetime, but this epic two-week adventure packs the country’s highlights into a journey you’ll never forget. Trek Sapa’s jaw-dropping terraces, sail past limestone karsts in Halong Bay, and dive into the bustling energy of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Wrap up your trip in the lush Mekong Delta, staying at a local guesthouse where you’ll connect with your hosts and cook mouthwatering meals together. Vietnam’s diversity is unmatched, and this adventure lets you experience it all.

Travel Style

Classic

Service Level

Standard

Physical Grading

3 - Average

What's Included

Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Sa Pa Cooking Demonstration, Sa Pá
Your Discover Moment: Hoi An
Your Local Living Moment: Cai Thia Mekong River Visit, Mekong Delta. Sa Pa Cooking Demonstration. Sa Pa trekking. Lao Chai Village. Supan Village. Ta Van Village cultural visit. Traditional Wax Technique workshop. Sin Chai Village and Red Dao ethnic village. Bamboo Paper Making. Free time in Sa Pa town. Free time in Hanoi. Halong Bay caves entrance. Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner. Thien Mu Pagoda Visit. Imperial Citadel and Royal Tombs. Free time in Hoi An. Oodles of Noodles cooking experience. Cu Chi Tunnels guided tour. Free time in Ho Chi Minh City. Ben Tre Mekong River cycle. Cai Thia rice paper and cooking demonstration. Pottery Brick Village cycle. Free time in Mekong River Delta. Cai Rang Floating Market. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Ta Van Village cultural visit, 2-day Sa Pa trekking, Bamboo Paper Making, Sail on a junk boat through Halong Bay, Explore romantic Hoi An, People-watch in hectic Ho Chi Minh City, Experience local living in the Mekong River Delta, Visit floating markets.

How large will the group be?

Max 16, Avg 12.

What meals are included in this trip?

12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners

What are the modes of transportation on my trip?

Train, air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, cycling, walking.

Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Where will we stay during the trip?

Hotels/Guesthouses (12 nts), sleeper train (2 nts multishare), junk boat (1 nt).

Itinerary

Day 1

Hanoi/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.

Day 2

Sa 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.

Day 3

Sa 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.

Day 4

Sa 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.

Day 5

Sa 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.

Day 6

Hanoi/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.

Day 7

Ha 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.

Day 8

Huế

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.

Day 9

Huế/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.

Day 10

Hoi 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.

Day 11

Hoi An

Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.

Day 12

Hoi 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.

Day 13

Ho 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.

Day 14

Ho 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.

Day 15

Mekong 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.

Day 16

Mekong 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.

Is travel insurance required for my trip?

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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