The Cultural Highlights of Vietnam: 13-Day Tour Including Golden Bridge Visit
Discover all the incredible sights of Vietnam including the newly opened and much-talked-about Golden Bridge on a comprehensive 13-day tour from south to north, featuring Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An Old Town, Da Nang and the Ba Na Hills. Includes 12 nights of accommodation (your choice of three, four or five-star), domestic flight from Da Nang to Hanoi, daily breakfast and select lunches and dinners, airport transfers and exciting insider experiences with an intimate group of max. 10 people.
Day 1: Da Nang – Arrival
Today, you’ll arrive at Da Nang Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Da Nang
Day 2: Hue, Imperial City
You’ll head to Hue this morning—along the North coast of Da Nang—to the top of Hai Van Pass where bunkers remaining from the war can be explored. Upon arrival in Hue, you will visit the Citadel, Hue’s prime attraction, which contains the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Emperor’s Private Residence.
Following the morning’s activities, you will have a short break for lunch and afterwards take a boat trip on the Perfume River with a stopover at Thien Mu pagoda. From here, you’ll visit the serene Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and built on principles of feng-shui.
Overnight: Da Nang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Ba Na Hills
Today, you’ll head to Ba Na, which is 1,487 meters above sea level and known as the second Da Lat or Sapa of Vietnam. The tour begins with visiting Golden Bridge which is a 150-metre long pedestrian bridge with two giant stone hands supporting the structure. It is designed to connect the cable car station with the gardens and to provide a scenic overlook and tourist attraction. Enjoy a ride to the top of Ba Na Mountain in one of the longest cable cars in the world, then hop on the hiking train to continue travelling in comfort. The Hiking Train transports travellers to several popular destinations including Linh Ung Pagoda, Le Jardin Garden and a complex of ancient villas. You will visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Tinh Tam Garden, Nghinh Phong Peak, Vong Nguyet Hill, etc.
In Da Nang you’ll visit the ravishing scenery or explore the inherent characteristics of the city. You will enjoy a blissful treatment by Massage Da Nang services where you’ll bath with medicinal herbs of Dao Do ethnic and unwind.
Overnight: Da Nang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Da Nang Discovery - Hoi An
Today, you will visit Ho Chi Minh and Fifth Military Zone Museum, Da Nang Museum, Cham Sculpture Museum. Continue to Thuan Phuoc Bridge at Tien Sa Port, a wonderful bridge in Da Nang City. The next stop is Dragon Bridge - a very unique and modern bridge.
After lunch, you will visit Marble Mountains (Vietnamese: Ngu Hanh Son; literally translating to “five elements mountains”) and head to Son Tra Peninsula. You’ll visit the spectacular Son Tra Quan Yin, or Goddess of Mercy statue and see the sheer size and beauty of the Lady Buddha up close as you learn the legend behind this patron saint of seamen.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Countryside Scooter Tour
The tour kicks off in style with coffee at local coffee shop in the centre of Hoi An. After that it’s time to hop on your scooter to start exploring Hoi An’s hidden gems and charismatic locals. You’ll drive past the old town to Cam Nam Island where you’ll visit some local houses and places where people live and work at places like the local ship repair yard, local shoes-making shop, rice cracker place and a lantern making house.
Afterwards, on a drive through the countryside, we’ll experience the resplendent beauty of the rice paddies, grazing buffalo and monkey bridges, all of which you can take photos of. You’ll cruise on to Tra Que Village, a beautiful herb and vegetable garden which supplies vegetables for the restaurants in the ancient town. At the end of the tour, guests can unwind at a stunning beach lounge overlooking one of the best beaches in Vietnam, An Bang Beach, with a refreshing drink.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Ao Dai Hoi An – Cyclo tour
Today, you’ll explore Hoi An in Ao Dai - a traditional Vietnamese costume. You will have the opportunity to wear the traditional Ao Dai styles and colours and embark on a tour that includes visits to Hoi An Museum, many of the town’s renowned Ancient Houses which boast remarkable architecture, Assembly Halls of Chinese influence, Art Craft Manufacturing Workshop, and of course the must-see Japanese Covered Bridge. These spots are considered typical architecture styles in Hoi An and reflect the cross-cultural influences among France, Japan, China and Vietnam. Sitting on a cyclo with the traditional long dresses, you’ll discover the city’s quiet and peaceful beauty.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Hoi An
At night, Hoi An’s ancient town transforms into what’s also known as lantern town. The night market is filled with beautiful handmade arts and crafts but the real charm lies in the colourful lanterns that adorn all the buildings and streets. You can capture some unforgettable shots when your boat passes through the Hoai river. Treat yourself to the spectacle of twinkling evening lights which rival the stars overhead. After that, you’ll enjoy the Water Puppet show in Hoi An before heading to a nice restaurant perched on the banks of Hoai River.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ha Noi
Today, you will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for a flight to Ha Noi. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Sapa
In the morning, you will be transferred to Sapa for lunch. After lunch, take a scenic one-hour drive up to the hill station of Sapa where you will take a short 30-minute journey south toward Muong Hoa Valley – a stunning place boasting the largest terrace rice fields in Sapa. If your visit is between May and October - the local harvest period - you will have a chance to see the local farmers in action. It is a great opportunity to take in the scenery and snap some great photographs. The walk takes you from Lao Chai Village of the Black H’mong Minority to the Ta Van Village of the Giay Minority with a stop at the local Catholic Church, taking in the different traditions, cultures and costumes of the two minority groups.
Overnight: H’Mong Catcat Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Sapa
Today you’ll enjoy a day of leisure to shop and discover Sapa town. As a tourist attraction in the northwest mountains of Vietnam, Sapa is an ideal destination for those who are looking for unique shopping experiences in an area of picturesque nature and rich ethnic cultures. Strolling around Sapa town’s placid streets, you will find some souvenir shops worth stopping at. In no time, you will become captivated by various handicrafts that are delicately designed in the style of minorities such as silver accessories, wooden souvenirs or clothes with colourful patterns. In the afternoon you’ll check out of the hotel and be transferred back to Ha Noi.
Overnight: Ha Noi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Hoa Lu – Trang An
Today you’ll visit Hoa Lu, the Ancient Capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th century, stood as the capital for 41 years (968 - 1009), the first 12 years of which were under the Dinh Dynasty of King Dinh Tien Hoang. This will be followed by a visit to the Le Dynasty which King Le Dai Hanh ruled for 29 years.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will take an amazing boat trip to visit Trang An Grottoes, which is known as Vietnam’s “Inland Ha Long”. With a gathering of 31 valleys and 50 cross-water caves, Trang An is home to 600 different species of flora and over 200 types of fauna, many of them rare and endangered. Rowing through Trang An Grottoes is a nice experience.
Overnight: Ha Noi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Ha Noi
Today, enjoy a day at your leisure to explore Ha Noi.
Overnight: Ha Noi
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast