Offbeat Vietnam Package Tour – 8 Nights and 9 Days

Offbeat Vietnam Package Tour

8 Nights and 10 Days – A Journey Through Culture And Nature

Routing: Sa Pa – Ha Noi – Ninh Binh – Phong Nha – Da Nang

Tour Style: Nature, Culture & History Tour

Tour Start: Sa Pa / Tour End: Da Nang

Trip Duration: 9 Day(s) 8 Nights

An amazing and comprehensive Offbeat Vietnam Package Tour, combining the northern mountains, the cultural heart, the limestone karsts, the caves of the central region, and the coastal city! A package tour covering Sa Pa, Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha, and Da Nang is a fantastic “offbeat” mix as Phong Nha often requires an extra step to include.

 Trip Summary

Trip Details

Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – SAPA – CAT CAT VILLAGE –    

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam!

Upon arrival, our driver (without a guide) picks up from the hotel, then goes to Sapa.

09:30 Follow the highway to Lao Cai city with the first comfort break

11:00 Second comfort break at Lao Cai city before approaching Sapa

13:00 Arrive in Sapa Town with colorful traditional costumes of H’Mong, Dzao, and Tay ethnic People.

Lunch on your own.

14:30 Meet our guide and then transfer to Cat Cat village, which is home to Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station, stop for a photo with the bridge and waterfall, then you will walk uphill for the bus to pick you up to get back to Sapa in the afternoon.

The trekking distance is about 2.5 km, and it lasts for 2 hours

16:30 Come back to Sapa Town.

Overnight in Sapa.

• Inclusions: Private transfer, Local guide in Sapa, Entrance fees
• Meals: None

Day 2: SAPA – FANSIPAN – HANOI (B) –      

Breakfast at the hotel, then check out.

08:00 – The driver and our tour guide will take you to the Fansipan Cable Car Station. Enjoy a 20-minute cable car ride with breathtaking views over the mountains and Muong Hoa Valley.

09:00 – Arrive at an altitude of 2,800 meters. Enjoy sightseeing and taking photos. Visit the spiritual pagoda complex, then trek up 600 steps or take the Do Quyen Climbing Mountain Train (round-trip ticket included) to reach the summit of Fansipan, known as the Roof of Indochina.

Spend about 1.5 hours hiking, exploring, and taking photos.

Lunch on your own.

13:30 – Depart for Hanoi by private car.

20:30 – Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi. Check in and relax.

Overnight in Hanoi.

• Inclusions: Private transfer, Local guide in Sapa, Entrance fees
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: HANOI – NINH BINH – HOA LU – TAM COC – HANG MUA – HANOI (B)      

Have breakfast at your hotel.

8:00: Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel. We take you to Ninh Binh, about 120 km from the Hanoi Old Quarter.

9:00 – 9:15: Have a short break for 20 minutes to relax.

10:15 – 10:30: Arrive in Ninh Binh, then walk to visit Hoa Lu. This is the former capital of Vietnam. You will be impressed by the outstanding architecture when entering the temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century.

Lunch on your own.

Visit Tam Coc for 1.5 hours on the boat ride. During the boat trip, you will be surprised by the charming beauty here with paddy fields, river, water, cloud, sky, and a stunning cave system. All make a masterpiece which Vietnamese people call “Halong Bay on land”.

Get on the bus to go to Mua Cave ( Dancing Cave). Walking up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain and have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.

17:00 – 17:30: Get on the bus to return to Hanoi.

19:00 – 19:30: Arrive in Hanoi and get dropped off at your hotel. The trip ends!

Notes:

• Programs & schedules are subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions or external factors.
• On weekends, some roads will not allow vehicles to make room for the walking street, therefore, our bus will drop you off at the closest and suitable point in the Old Quarter instead.

• Inclusions: Private transfer, Local guide, Entrance fee (Hoa Lu, Hang Mua), Boat ride in Tam Coc
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: HANOI – CAT BA – LAN HA BAY DAY TRIP – HANOI (B/L) – GROUP TOUR      

Breakfast at your hotel.

7:00 – 7:30 Our bus and guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Cat Ba Island for your day cruise.

10:15 – 10:30 Reach Cat Ba Island, drive on a scenic coastal from Cai Vieng Port to Beo Harbour.

11:00 You’ll be warmly welcomed on board with a refreshing drink. The cruise staff will provide a brief introduction to the cruise itinerary, safety instructions, and important notes for the day. Cruise through the serene waters of Cai Beo Ancient Fishing Village, one of the oldest and most poetic fishing villages in Vietnam, with charming floating houses nestled along the limestone cliffs.

11:30 Savor a delicious lunch (Buffet lunch is served for group from 40 guests)

13:00 After lunch, the cruise sails to Viet Hai Port. Disembark and head to the pier, where you will take electric car/bicycle to the ancient Viet Hai Village. Experience a unique fish-foot massage, stroll through well-preserved traditional houses, or engage in conversations with local residents for a truly memorable experience.

14:30 KAYAKING – SWIMMING

Our Captain and Tour Guide will choose the best stop for the group to experience interesting activities: Swimming in the middle of the sea, boat- jumping, sliding down from the top deck to cool water, kayaking,….

(We highly recommend that you wear a life jacket when swimming/ kayaking/playing with water slide…for a safe journey)

15:40 The boat begins its journey back to Beo Pier. It is perfect time to relax yourself on the top deck with a cup of ordered drink.

16:15 Small sunset party is served with fresh fruit, biscuits & tea.

16:45 Return to Beo Dock, say ”Goodbye” Lan Ha Bay & Serenity Cruise team, and Get on the bus back to Ha Noi.

20:30 Arrive at Hanoi Old Quarter, end of unforgettable journey.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Important Notes:

– Cruise itinerary might be changed due to weather and other conditions without prior notice

– Swimming or kayaking activity may be not possible due to bad weather. Unused services are not subjected to a refund

– Lunch on the cruise is served with seafood, meats & Vietnamese rice. Request for food vegetarian should be informed at least 1 day before departure 

• Inclusions: Local guide, Shuttle bus, Boat Trip, Entrance fees
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: FLIGHT TO DONG HOI – PHONG NHA (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and freely relax.

3 hours before the flight time, pick up to the airport. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel in Phong Nha.

Overnight in Phong Nha.

• Inclusion: Private airport transfer
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: PARADISE CAVE – PHONG NHA CAVE – TRAIN TO DA NANG (B/L)

Have breakfast at the hotel.

08:45 – 9:00: You will be picked up at hotel in Phong Nha area around.

09:00 You will explore the most impressive Paradise cave – the longest dry cave in Asia.

12:45 Lunch at local restaurant. Vegetarian option available.

13:30 Visit Phong Nha cave (50 km about the city, 45 minutes driving). After 25 minutes on boat, visitors will arrive Phong Nha cave, and take a couple of hours to see the cave. This cave is called a water cave, and is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”.

16:00 – 16:30 Tour ends and return to the hotel.

18:00 Pick up to the train station for the nigh train to Da Nang (SE5 at 19:28). Upon arrival, pick up at the hotel for check-in and relax.

Overnight at the hotel. 

• Inclusion: Private transfer, Local Guide, Entrance fee, Train Ticket
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: DA NANG – MARBLE MOUNTAIN – BASKET BOAT AT COCONUT FOREST – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN – DA NANG (B)      

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing morning at your leisure.

13:00 – 13:45 – Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Da Nang and begin your sightseeing adventure with a visit to Ngu Hanh Son Mountain, also known as Marble Mountain. This cluster of five marble and limestone hills is a famous landmark in the region. You’ll explore the area’s caves, pagodas, and scenic viewpoints, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape.

Next, visit Non Nuoc Village, located at the foot of the Marble Mountains. The village is renowned for its stone sculptures and handicrafts. Here, you can admire intricate marble statues and other works of art created by talented local artisans.

15:30 – Continue your journey to the Coconut Forest in Cam Thanh, Hoi An. This area is famous for its lush mangrove forests and traditional basket boat rides. You’ll have the chance to navigate the waterways in a basket boat, a traditional Vietnamese vessel used by local fishermen. While riding, you’ll gain insight into the daily life of the villagers and their fishing practices. The boatmen will also perform some entertaining and magical basket boat maneuvers.

17:00 – Head to Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is famous for its well-preserved ancient houses, assembly halls, bridges, and temples. Stroll through the charming streets and soak in the atmosphere of this historical town. As the evening sets in, the streets come alive with colorful lanterns, creating a magical ambiance that transports you back in time.

Have dinner by yourself.

20:00 – 20:30 – After a delightful exploration of Hoi An, we’ll say goodbye and depart for Da Nang.

21:00 – 21:30 – Arrive back at your hotel in Da Nang. Rest and unwind for the evening.

Overnight in Da Nang. 

• Inclusions: Private transfer, Local guide, Entrance fees, Basket boat
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: DA NANG – BANA HILLS – GOLDEN BRIDGE – FANTASY PARK – DA NANG (B/L)     

Breakfast at the hotel.

8:00 Meet your guide and driver to head to Ba Na Hills. Take a cable car ride from Ba Na Hills station, and stop at Night station to visit Vong Nguyet Hills, Linh Ung Pagoda, and the Old Villas of the French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nghinh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden… Experience the Hill Climbing train (the first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar) and the flower garden Le Jardin D’amour.

You should not miss walking on the famous Golden Bridge, crossing through the foggy hills of the mountain, and witnessing the amazing and gorgeous view of Da Nang City.

Lunch in Bana HIlls.

In the afternoon, free to join games in Fantasy Park – the third largest indoor games zone in Vietnam with a series of interesting games: 4 – 5D film, skier, The Death Race, Dinosaur Park…

15:00 Take the cable car down from Bana Hills, then transfer to your hotel.

17:00 – 17:30 Arrive at your hotel.

Overnight in Da Nang. 

Note: Wax Statue Museum, France Wine Cellar entrance & wine, Roller Coaster game, Climbing game, or some games with prizes, 10D movie are excluded (expense is on your account). 

• Inclusions: Private transfer, Local guide, Entrance fees, cable car round trip
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: DA NANG – DEPARTURE (B) –  

Have breakfast at the hotel and freely relax.

Check out with your luggage and meet our driver (no guide) to take you to the airport for the flight. Sincere thanks for traveling to Vietnam with us. We trust that you have enjoyed your trip and look forward to seeing you again!

• Inclusions: Private airport transfer
• Meals: Breakfast

INCLUSIVE

• Hotel in double/twin/triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast
• All transfers and sightseeing tours on private basis with A/C unless specified it’s SIC/Group tour basis
• Experienced local English-speaking guide as per itinerary
• Entrance fees, boat trips, and excursions as per itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the program (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner) without drink
• 02 bottles of mineral water per person per day on the vehicle – on days of transfer and sightseeing only
• 24/7 hotline support

EXCLUSIVE

• Visa – as per country requirements
• International & Domestic flight tickets, all airport taxes
• Single Supplement, Early check-in and Late check-out, Hotel/room upgrade (If not mentioned)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Compulsory tipping for guides and drivers – minimum from: +/Group of 1-4 people: USD 4/traveler/day for the guide and USD 2/traveler/day for the driver +/Group of 5- 9 people: USD 3/traveler/day for the guide and USD 1.5/traveler/day for the driver +/For group of 10 people or above: USD 2/traveler/day for the guide and USD 1/traveler/day for the driver
• Any optional or extra activities not specified in the itinerary
• Wire fees, or bank transfer charges of all kinds
• Travel insurance (we highly recommend)
• Peak season or special event rates…
• Others not mentioned or specified above