Natural Vietnam: The Sights, The Sounds… 12 Days & 11Nights
Click here to download our 2014-2015 Brochure for Natural Vietnam 
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Welcome to Hanoi! The capital city of Vietnam which is over 1000 years old! You will be greeted with a warm smile from out 4UTOURS INTERNATIONAL local expert as soon as you come out of the baggage claim and customs area. Your luggage will be taken care of and you will then be driven to your luxury hotel while you get an introduction to the motorbike frenzy from the comfort of your luxury transportation. We know traveling is tiresome so take the rest of the day to rejuvenate and prepare for Day 2.
DAY 2: HANOI
Your day of adventure will start with an early morning cyclo tour to enjoy the fresh air around Hoan Kiem lake and through the old quarter. Back to the hotel for breakfast before driving to the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
We will continue on foot to the nearby mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and visit the former president’s house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. Visit the small but iconic One Pillar pagoda before heading to the house of a water puppet craftsman who is a seventh generation puppet master - Mr. Liem, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the art of puppet making, has created a new puppet model that allows one person to control many puppets at the same time. After lunch at one of Hanoi’s hot spots we will learn about this traditional form of storytelling and discover how the puppets are made from a true artisan.
DAY 3: HA NOI – HA LONG BAY
After breakfast, travel through the Red River Delta to beautiful Ha Long Bay, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World! You won’t believe what the locals transport on their motorbikes! The scenic drive will pass through Vietnam’s majestic countryside filled with rice paddies and farms before arriving to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay has more than 3000 limestone karsts, which in 500 million years’ time, the wind and waves have sculptured into fantastic and breath taking shapes. No matter what the weather is, Ha Long Bay is always enchanting and mystical! Easily one of the most romantic places on the planet! You will make your way on to your luxury junk boat where you will stay overnight and cruise through Ha Long Bay. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity for kayaking around a floating village and swimming in the crystal clear water of Ha Long Bay. You will have an amazing lunch and dinner onboard as you relax and rejuvenate the mind body and soul.
DAY 4: HA LONG – HANOI
Wake up stress free and enjoy the sunrise and Tai Chi class on the sundeck
You will get the opportunity to climb the Surprise Cave which is located in one of the karsts! All of this happens before breakfast! As the ship is cruising back to the harbor you will enjoy breakfast as you look out into the awesomeness of Ha Long Bay. You will leave Ha Long Bay with a new found feeling of serenity and peace. We will transfer back to Hanoi. If you missed any photos of the countryside on the way to Ha Long Bay, you will have another opportunity to take the classic “National Geographic Shot.” We will arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon and then you will have the rest of the evening of free time for exploring the city, shopping, or even relaxing with a massage!
DAY 5: HANOI TO DANANG
We will start our tour and discovery with a trip to the airport for a morning flight to Danang. Upon arrival in Danang, you will be transferred to our garage in to get fitted for our bikes and take a nice cycling ride along the scenic coast on a flat road to the ancient town of Hoi An, 16 km. We will have a support car is always available for you if you need any support at any time
We will check into the luxurious hotel and take a good rest after that amazing ride, here you can swim, hang out on the beach or take a stroll around the beautiful ancient city at night.
DAY 6: HOI AN
Today, our nature discoveries will immerse us in the life and culture of the rural Vietnamese.
Starting the day by biking into the countryside of Hoi An, exploring the narrow country roads. Along the way see water buffalos, rice paddy fields, organic vegetables farms and the friendly locals carry everything possible on the back of their motorbikes. Learn how to spread a traditional Vietnamese fishing net, called a ro, from a small round bamboo basket boat (a thung chai) which Vietnamese fishermen have employed for centuries to support their trade. We will visit a water palm area surrounded by coconut trees whilst learning about the history of this unique area before enjoying a seafood lunch onboard a boat. We will go back to the hotel and rest up before having dinner with traditional central Vietnamese cuisine!
DAY 7: HOI AN
On this day, you will have a few options (please let us know in advance). You can take a rest and just relax by the pool and beach or you can have the option of Rock Climbing or Snorkeling.
Rock Climbing Option:
You will be transferred back to Danang to the picturesque Marble Mountain area. If you are beginner, the guides will top rope your first climb after giving you a class on safety, the proper knots you need to know how to tie and basic climbing techniques.
For the more experienced climber, these beginner climbs are a great way to warm up and stretch out, particularly if you haven’t been on the rock for a while.
From this point on it’s all up to you, and how hard you want to push it. For those looking for a mega-pump, the climbs can be pushed all way to the 5.11+ range. For those looking for a leisure day, take your time on the easy climbs; enjoy being outside and take lots of breaks.
After a great morning of climbing enjoy a picnic lunch of fresh veggies and fruits, baguettes with an assortment of toppings and a French-style pastry to satisfy your sweet tooth. The afternoon can be continued with some more climbs or explore some of the local caves and temples. This option will return you to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon. The rest of the evening is on your own to relax and explore this charming little town.
Snorkeling & Excursion in Cham Island:
Cham Island is a cluster of 8 small islands 18km off Hoi An‘s shore line. Coral gardens surround each of these islands making it the perfect place for snorkeling & scuba diving. Our tours run from February through to end of September (weather permitting) with top season starting from mid-May until beginning of September.
We will depart from hotel at 8.30am for private speed boat to Island. Once arrival to the islands, get ready for snorkeling on coral reef and sightseeing of the island. Enjoy the light snack available on board while snorkeling. After a local BBQ lunch on the island, relax on beach, swimming or trekking along the coast & discover authentic fishing village in the afternoon before returning to the mainland. You will return to the hotel in the afternoon around 3pm and be able to relax by the pool at sunset. Rejuvenate the body and soul with a nice walk along the beach.
DAY 8: HOI AN – NHA TRANG
Have time to rest up or explore the town before we head to Danang to go to the airport for our flight to Nha Trang. Once you arrive in Nha Trang, a car will pick you up to transfer us to Whale Island Resort which is located 30 sea miles north from the city. This resort is in the middle of an stunning archipelago in a wild and natural environment. The area is small, feel free to explore on your own with a nice hike around the area. Tonight we will have a beautiful dinner at the resort. If you are interested in Diving & Snorkeling next day for the next day, please make sure to register on today. (Payment on spot)
DAY 9: WHALE ISLAND
Today is a full day to recover and rejuvenate the body and mind. Take in a massage and have a beautiful spa day, hang out in the water, go diving or snorkeling, or just hang out on the beach drinking cold drinks and stare out into the ocean and just relax your mind. Today is a great day to let the body recover after all of the activities we have been doing.
DAY 10: NHA TRANG - SAIGON
Today we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Saigon. Upon arrival to the city, we will have an orientation tour which will include a photo stop at the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the General post office. Our dinner will include a romantic and lively cruise along the Saigon River on one of Saigon’s best boutique dinner cruise ships. Saigon is a beautiful city in the evening, after dinner why not go for a stroll around the city or head up to the Rooftop of the Rex Hotel and enjoy the festive music and environment!
DAY 11: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA
This morning we will have an exciting day, it is the last day of the tour program but it is a full and wonderful day! We will have an early departure into the Mekong Delta. On arrival, we will board a boat for a 30-minutre cruise up a small river to your starting point for our bicycle tour. This leisurely 7km cycling trip takes you along shady back roads over tiny canals, past fruit gardens and sleepy villages. Along the way we will stop at some traditional workshops which make turmeric spring roll paper and roof thatching made from the water palm tree.
During the mid-morning, we will arrive at a family run orchard where diverse tropical fruits are grown.
After we will relax while enjoying the view from a small sampan boat as you are paddled slowly along tropical canals.
We will disembark and continue cycling 24 kilometers to a stunning 100-year old house, which is architecturally a mixture between traditional Vietnamese and European designs. Here a traditional local Vietnamese lunch will be served consisting of dishes only found in the Mekong Delta. After your meal, we will head back to Saigon for an afternoon arrival to our hotel. This has been a long day of cycling an exploring. Pack your bags and get organized and have a nice dinner. Head up to the top of the Bitexco building for a drink and you can see all the river channels that come in and out of Saigon.
DAY 12: TOUR DEPARTURE
Today is your departure day. Your day is free until your scheduled departure time. You will be escorted to the airport for your departure flight with one of our 4UTOURS INTERNATIONAL teammates. Take home what you have discovered on this trip and let your friends and loved ones know of a different way of life you have witnessed. The discovering doesn’t stop; it is only put on hold until your next trip! Safe Travels and a pleasant journey ahead. Thank you for choosing 4UTOURS INTERNATIONAL!
