Vietnam Budget Tour

Trip Highlights

• Experience a local homestay with the Giay ethnic minority in Sapa
• Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and engage in its outdoor activities
• Visit some of Vietnam's most renowned World Heritage Sites

Trip Summary

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Upon your arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our driver and taken to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to explore at your leisure. Meals today are on your own. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour & Night Train to Lao Cai

After a morning pick-up, embark on a Hanoi city tour, visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, The Presidential Palace, House on stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda). Next, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to experience daily life. After returning to the hotel, dinner will be at your leisure. Later, transfer to the train station for your overnight train to Lao Cai.

One Pillar Pagoda

Day 3: Lao Cai to Sapa - Trekking to The Village

Arrive in Lao Cai early in the morning and transfer to the stunning landscapes of Sapa, home to diverse Vietnamese ethnic groups. Enjoy a local breakfast before trekking to the beautiful Cat Cat village. Visit a waterfall and a nearby hydroelectric station, then trek through picturesque rice paddy terraces and along a river. Stop for lunch in Y Linh Ho village with the Black Hmong minority, before heading to Muong Hoa Valley and passing through Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of the Giay minority. Spend the night in a homestay with local families.

Y Linh Ho village in Sapa

Day 4: More Trekking – Sapa to Night Train Back to Hanoi

After breakfast, depart for Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dao minority. Trek through a bamboo forest in Hoang Lien National Park, visiting a scenic waterfall along the way. Enjoy a packed lunch before continuing to Su Pan, a village along the road. Return to Sapa by car, and have free time until you transfer to Lao Cai train station for your overnight train back to Hanoi. Dinner is at your leisure.

Giang Ta Chai village

Day 5: Hanoi to Halong Bay - Shuttle Bus - Group Tour

Arrive at Hanoi train station in the morning, check-in at your hotel, and have breakfast. Then, board a bus to Halong Bay, arriving around noon. Embark on a traditional wooden boat for a cruise, where you can relax, enjoy the scenery, and swim. Visit a floating fishing village, provided the weather allows. Meals are included. Overnight on board.

Floating Fishing village on Ha Long Bay

Day 6: Halong Bay to Hanoi

Awake to the soothing sounds of the bay and watch the sunrise. After breakfast, explore a stunning limestone grotto. Return to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay as you cruise back to the dock, then drive back to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Ha Long Bay in the morning

Day 7: Hanoi to Hue

In the morning, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport, take a quick transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Hue, visiting the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum, and Dong Ba Market. Dinner is on your own, with an overnight stay in Hue.

Meridian Gate Hue

Day 8: Hue to Hoi An

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before discovering the historical capital. Cruise along the Perfume River, stopping to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the ornate tomb of Minh Mang. Lunch at a local restaurant will be followed by an afternoon transfer to Hoi An, traveling over the scenic Hai Van Pass and visiting the Cham Museum and a handicraft village at the foot of Marble Mountain. Check into your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy some free time exploring the town. Dinner is at your leisure.

Thien Mu Pagoda

Day 9: Free Day in Hoi An

Enjoy a free day in Hoi An for shopping or exploring the charming ancient town. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoi An ancient town

Day 10: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for relaxation. The rest of the day is free, and meals are on your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon by night

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels - Group Tour

Enjoy a half-day tour to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, which played a crucial role during the Vietnam War. Observe the resilient landscape that masks a historically significant site. Begin with a video presentation on the tunnels, followed by an exploration through the tunnels themselves. Afterward, sample traditional tea and cassava, a staple for guerillas during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the remainder of the day at your leisure. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho to Ben Tre - Group Tour

In the morning, depart your hotel for My Tho, enjoying scenic views along the way. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a leisurely boat ride on the river, observing stilt houses, fruit orchards, and fishing communities. Continue to Tortoise Islet for lunch in an idyllic orchard garden, then ride to An Khanh in Ben Tre for a less touristy experience, enjoying seasonal fruits and honey tea while listening to Southern Vietnamese folk music. Visit a local family business that represents rural life and enjoy delicious coconut candy before heading back to Saigon. Return to your hotel with wonderful memories. Dinner is at your leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

My Tho - Vietnam

Day 13: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy some free time until your transfer to the airport for your flight home. Your trip ends here.

Flower floating market in Ho Chi Minh City