The Best of Vietnam

Departure from your chosen airport with connecting flight(s) along the way.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will proceed through immigration and then collect your luggage. Your guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, just beyond the exit doors. Look out for the guide in a TourCompass uniform, holding a TourCompass sign, making it easy for you to spot them.

You’ll then be transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next few nights. Once you’ve arrived and settled in, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Why not take a leisurely stroll through the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, with plenty of time to soak up the sights and the myriad of new sounds? Hoan Kiem Lake is just a stone’s throw away, and a walk around it takes around half an hour – a refreshing break in the welcome shade of the grand old trees.

After breakfast, you check out and store your baggage at the hotel. An exciting guided sightseeing tour awaits, taking you to the greatest sights of Hanoi.

You’ll start by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which was built in honour of the Republic of Vietnam’s first president and national icon, Ho Chi Minh, who lived and worked in Hanoi for most of his life. The complex includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Da Binh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. We would like to inform you that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed for approximately two months a year due to renovation work.

A visit to the imperial citadel Thang Long is next. For more than a century, the citadel was a centre of political power, and today it is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

There will then be a lunch break when you’re served a light lunch consisting of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) or bun cha (Vietnamese meatballs with noodles).

You will also visit the Temple of Literature from 1070, which was Vietnam’s first university. The nation’s powerful officials, the Mandarins, were educated here in accordance with Confucian teachings.

Finally, you will also see the iconic Long Bien Bridge over the Red River, before enjoying a 30-minute cyclo tour through the narrow, chaotic streets and alleyways of The Old Quarter.

The sightseeing rounds off with a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a local café, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.

At the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel to pick up your bags. The guide will then drive you to the train station, where you take the night train to Lao Cai.

The night train departs from Hanoi at 10 pm and arrives in Lao Cai at 5.55 am the next morning.

For an additional fee, it is possible to book private transportation from Hanoi and Sapa instead of taking the night train. This option will include an extra night in Hanoi. Please contact us for a price.

You arrive in Lao Cai early in the morning. You are met by a guide who will drive you the rest of the way to the hotel in the small mountain village of Sapa, where a hearty breakfast awaits you. The drive takes around 75 minutes on small roads with hairpin bends.

Your room is ready for you the moment you arrive, so you can take a bath and unpack at your leisure.

Sapa is world-famous for its scenic nature, with grass-green, painstakingly-planted rice terraces, mountains and ethnic mountain tribes in colourful clothing.

In the afternoon, you are picked up by the guide and driven to the small village of Ta Van, scenically located in the Muong Hoa valley. Here, a scenic hike begins to the village of Lao Chai, which is inhabited by the black hmong minority. Be sure to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes, as the trails can be slippery in wet weather.

On the hike, you will experience the local life at close range. You might, for example, see men building houses, women embroidering and children playing or on their way home from school, and who greet you with a big smile when they see you.

The Hmong are famous for their colourful clothes, and here in Lao Cai you are introduced to Batik and have a chance to try your hand at the craft. As a craft, Batik has been threatened by modern means of production, but local initiatives such as this one in Lao Cai ensure that the tradition is passed on, so that it won’t become a distant memory.

The tour continues up a steep path between the rice terraces set out over the hillside slopes. You will see farmers ploughing their fields with their oxen. You arrive at Mrs Moo’s house. Mrs Moo never learned English at school, but speaks it fluently. She lives with her husband and children and runs a homestay. She tells you about life up here in the mountains while you rest your feet in a traditional herbal foot bath. Although she leads a simple life, it’s hard not to be a little envious of her view.

After a pleasant visit with Mrs Moo and her family, you head back to Sapa.

The day is spent at your leisure. You can choose one of our optional tours, go for a walk in the outskirts of the city or explore the small mountain village on your own.

The main street runs through the village, lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. When you reach the end of the road, you come to the local square, Quang Truong, where the catholic church is located. The square is a place where the locals often meet to hang out and play ball. Quang Truong also serves as a marketplace where the ethnic tribal people come to sell their wares.

On a clear day, you can enjoy a view of Vietnam’s highest mountain, Fansipan, its top often shrouded in clouds or fog. Weather-permitting, you can take the world’s highest and longest cable car up to the mountain. You will have the feeling of gliding through the clouds while enjoying the magnificent views of the Muong Hua Valley and the beautiful scenery of the Hoang Lien National Park.

In the evening you will be picked up and driven to Lao Cai, from where you will take the night train back to Hanoi.

The night train departs from Lao Cai at 9.30 pm and arrives in Hanoi at 5.30 am the next morning.

From Hanoi, your journey continues through the lush delta of the Red River towards Ha Long Bay, where you’ll board a mini cruise featuring two days at sea with one overnight stay. The drive takes approximately four hours, with a stop along the way for a refreshment.

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most striking natural wonders. Hundreds of verdant limestone karsts rise vertically from the sea, which shifts from a deep blue to a rich jade green as the months roll by. Cat Ba, the largest island, is home to several villages, while some of the smaller islands are inhabited by tiny fishing communities. For travellers, Ha Long Bay is first and foremost a world-class natural attraction, but for the Vietnamese, it is also steeped in myth and tales of dragons and legendary dramas. Covering an area of about 1,500 km², the bay has held a place on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1994.

You’ll arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, where you’ll be checked in and can unwind in the lounge before boarding your cruise ship.

Once on board, you’ll be welcomed with a refreshing drink while the crew provides a brief introduction to the upcoming adventure. After that, you can settle into your cabin and prepare for a delicious lunch featuring both Vietnamese specialities and international dishes. As you dine, the ship gently glides out into the emerald-green waters and you’ll be treated to views of some of Ha Long Bay’s most iconic limestone formations, including Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock Islet and Three Coconuts Island.

Later, the boat will dock at a local pearl farm, where you’ll gain an insight into traditional pearl cultivation. You’ll also have the chance to hop into a kayak and quietly paddle through the stunning natural scenery.

The journey continues to Sung Sot Cave, the largest and most impressive limestone grotto in Ha Long. Here, you will discover a magical interior landscape of stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years. We recommend sturdy, closed footwear, especially in wet weather.

Once back on board, you can unwind with a drink at the bar.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner featuring a selection of traditional dishes prepared by the ship’s own chefs.

The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you wish. Relax out on deck and soak in the vibrant colours of the sunset, or try your hand at squid fishing from the stern. When you’re ready, retreat to your cabin and drift off to the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the hull.

Please note: In the event of severe weather such as storms, the authorities in Vietnam reserve the right to close Ha Long Bay to boat traffic for safety reasons. This only happens a few times per year. In such cases, your mini-cruise will be replaced with a hotel stay and an excursion in Hanoi.

Begin your day by experiencing the gentle light of morning mist over Ha Long Bay. Join a refreshing tai chi session on the sun deck and awaken your senses to the tranquillity, stunning views and crisp sea air.

In the restaurant, you’ll be served coffee, tea and freshly baked bread.

The next stop is Ti Top Island, a small limestone island boasting one of Ha Long Bay’s finest sandy beaches. Here, you can take a dip in the emerald waters or climb to the top of the island for a breathtaking view over the bay.

Back on board, it’s time to check out. As the boat gently heads back towards Tuan Chau Marina, brunch is served. Take this opportunity to relax in the restaurant or soak up the last magical views of Ha Long Bay’s enchanting landscape from the deck.

Upon arrival at the harbour, you’ll be greeted by your guide and driver, ready and waiting to welcome you. From here, you’ll be driven back to Hanoi, where you’ll head straight to the airport for your onward flight to the imperial city of Hué.

In Hué, your local guide will welcome you in the airport arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish.

Hué was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, and the ruins of the city’s royal past can still be experienced in the Citadel and the Imperial City. Today you visit the citadel. Built at the beginning of the 1800s, it was modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. During the Indochina War and later, in the Vietnam War, many of its buildings were damaged by bombs. Today the area is being restored to its former glory with the aid of UNESCO donations. The sightseeing tour also includes visits to the stunning Imperial Tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda, and it concludes with a boat trip on the Perfume River.
The morning is at your disposal.

In the morning you drive a charming route from Hué to Hoi An. The route goes along the coast part of the way, then passes over the Truong Son mountains and through the world-famous Hai Van Pass, also known as “the pass in the clouds”.  You arrive at Hoi An in the late afternoon.

Hoi An is a wonderful experience and you cannot help but fall in love with the city. It is especially well-known for its charming architecture, impressive silk production, great tailors and its Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Flowing through the heart of the Old Town is the Thu Bon River, which is a glorious example of an international port dating back to the heyday of European and East Asian trading companies from the 16th to the 18th century.

Away from the river, you will find yourself in a maze of cosy, charming streets. Wherever you turn, you will see how the former colonial powers have each made their mark on the district. Colourful lanterns, Japanese houses, Chinese temples and French yellow merchants’ houses fill the cityscape. Shops, street kitchens, cafés and restaurants line the streets, where you can while away several hours connected to the city’s free Wi-Fi.

The fact that Hoi An’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site naturally makes it a major draw for tourists. The streets might be busy, but there is still a lovely calm to the area, and the district has managed to retain its authenticity and charm. It also helps that cars, scooters and motorcycles are denied access.

You spend three nights at this wonderful gem of a place, giving you plenty of time to enjoy and explore different parts of the city.

The days are spent at your leisure. Enjoy the beach, explore Hoi An, make an excursion to the temple region Cham, your options are many.

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport in Da Nang, before flying to Vietnam’s biggest city Ho Chi Minh City.

On your arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport, you will be met by a guide who will drive you to your hotel, which is located in District 1. District 1 is still known as Saigon and is considered to be the inner city, while District 2–11 is called Ho Chi Minh City.

The day is spent at your leisure, and you can explore the city on your own.

It might be something of a shock to come from the peaceful Hoi An to this hectic metropolis inhabited by some 10 million people and just as many scooters and motorcycles. Fortunately, you will be rewarded with an incredibly exciting and modern city. This is seen in the city’s buildings, which are a good mix of old and new – modern high-rise buildings in glass and well-preserved colonial buildings.

At your hotel, you are not far from the famous Ben Tranh Market, modern shops and shopping malls as well as the city’s many attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, the War Museum, the Opera House and the Saigon Skydeck skyskraper, from which you can look out over the whole city.

You spend the day at your leisure in Ho Chi Minh. You can choose to explore the city on your own – take a look at the various markets or eat your way through the delectable street kitchens.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven towards the Mekong Delta, south of Ho Chi Minh City. The Mekong River itself runs 4,500 km through 6 countries from its source to the delta south of Ho Chi Minh City. The delta is known as Vietnam’s pantry and is, as the nickname suggests, an extremely fertile place. The delta covers an area of almost 40,000 km², but the area covered by water depends on the amount of rainfall and the season.

You won’t get far from Ho Chi Minh City before you start seeing beautiful green rice fields. The climate here allows farmers to plant and harvest three crops a year.

Arriving in the small charming town of Cai Be, you board a boat that takes you around the lush Mekong Delta. Here, you can experience the locals with their boats filled with watermelons, coconuts, and pineapples, or patiently waiting for another fish to bite. The area was formerly known for its floating markets, but today, goods are sold on land.

Then, you visit a family that produces and sells various products made from water hyacinths. The tour also passes by a small home factory that produces “pop rice,” a local specialty in the Mekong Delta.

You now board a sampan, a traditional boat, and sail through the labyrinth of narrow channels in the charming delta before enjoying a late lunch in a beautiful old local house. Here, you will also be shown how to make the traditional Vietnamese pancakes, banh xeo.

Afterward, you are sailed back to Cai Be and from there, driven to Chau Doc.

Today, you’ll be experiencing the sounds, smells and beauty of the border town, and the minorities who live there.

Your guide will pick you up from the hotel, and the first stop is the Chau Doc market in the heart of the city. The locals come here to buy freshly caught fish, fresh fruit and vegetables and fragrant spices. Perhaps you should bring some home with you for your own kitchen?

Afterwards, you board a boat and sail along the Chau Doc River past colourful stilt houses and floating fish farms.

Chau Doc is a melting pot of cultures and faiths living in peace and harmony. You’ll visit the Cham people, an ethnic minority group that lives in stilt houses. The Cham people typically make a living from weaving and fish farming, which is both exported and sold locally. Here, you’ll learn about the exciting history and culture of the Cham people.

You will then return to the boat and sail to the 284-metre-high Sam Mountain, the highest mountain in the Mekong Delta. Along the way, you’ll pass the Vinh Te Canal, which was built by the emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty. The boat docks on the shore by Sam Mountain, where you’ll visit the temples Hang Pagoda, from which there is a nice view of the rice fields, and Ba Chua Xu, which pilgrims flock to.

The excursion rounds off with lunch before you return to the hotel.

It’s time to say goodbye to the delta. The trip takes you back to Ho Chi Minh City – a good 7-hour drive. Naturally, there are plenty of stops on the way. In Ho Chi Minh City you are driven directly to the airport and begin the journey home. You will fly home with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You will arrive at your chosen airport after a lovely holiday.