11-Day Trekking Tour of Vietnam's Hidden Gems and History

11 days Free CancellationMeet on location or pickupInstant confirmationGuided Operated by Up Travel Vietnam

Why we love it?

This 11-day tour through Vietnam offers a blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and historical exploration, starting with trekking the rice terraces and visiting ethnic villages around Sapa, including Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai. You will experience local life through a homestay with the Dzay people and explore Cat Cat Village near Fansipan Peak. The journey continues with a visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda, known as the largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia, followed by a boat ride through the caves and waterways of the Trang An Landscape complex. The itinerary includes comfortable transfers and expert local guides, with meals provided on most days. This tour suits travelers interested in combining outdoor adventure with cultural encounters in northern Vietnam’s scenic and historic sites.

Inclusions

  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Entrance fee
  • English-speaking local guide
  • Tissues and water on coach
  • Service charges and government tax
  • 10 nights in carefully selected home stay in Sapa and 3-star hotels in Hanoi

Exclusions

  • Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price
  • Vietnam visa fee
  • International flights (to/from Vietnam)
  • Domestic Flight Tickets
  • Additional meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Personal expenses (shopping, phone calls, extra beverages, etc.)
  • Christmas, other holidays or New Year's Eve Gala Dinner (if applicable)
  • Others not mentioned in the itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1
  • Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, our local driver will greet you and  transfer you to your hotel for check-in (available from 2:00 PM).

    ­Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure—explore the city, relax, or try local cuisine.

    Our Services:Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

    Meals: None

    Tour Guide: None

    Transfer: Private car

Day 2
  • 7:00 AM

    7:00 AM – Your adventure begins! Our friendly guide  will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi, and we’ll set off for Ninh  Binh—a scenic 120 km journey through the Vietnamese countryside.

    9:00 AM –  Time for a quick 20-minute break to stretch your legs, grab a coffee,  or snap some photos of the beautiful landscapes along the way.

    10:30 AM – Explore the magnificent Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia! Marvel at its  impressive records, including the 500 Stone Arhat Statues, a 36-ton  bronze bell, and a breathtaking 100-ton Buddha statue.

    12:30 PM – Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring local specialties like goat meat, fried rice, and more. Vegetarian options are always available!

    1:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Discover the stunning Trang An Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. Famous for its mesmerizing caves and waterways, this area was even  featured in the movie Kong: Skull Island! Hop on a boat and glide  through enchanting caves like Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dark Cave), and Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine Cave), surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil rivers.

    4:00 PM – Take a leisurely 45-minute bike ride through the peaceful  countryside, getting a glimpse of local village life and the serene  beauty of rural Vietnam.

    4:45 PM – Hop back on the bus for a comfortable ride back to Hanoi.

    7:00 PM –  Arrive back in Hanoi, where we’ll drop you off at your hotel or our  office, wrapping up an unforgettable day of culture, nature, and  adventure!

    Our Services: Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Tour Guide: English-speaking local guide

    Transfer: Group transportation

Day 3
  • Ideal for travelers seeking an authentic Sapa experience, this  tour combines one night in a traditional hill tribe homestay with one  night in a Sapa town hotel – offering both cultural immersion and  comfort at a great value compared to overnight train options. Enjoy free  time between activities to discover Sapa's hidden gems, with the warm  hospitality of local people.

    Note: The  homestay night may occur on either day depending on group size and  availability. Your tour leader will confirm the schedule during your bus  journey.6:00 – 6:30: Picking up from hotel in the old quarter or bus station, get on sleeping bus and depart to Sapa.

    7:30 – 11:45: Following the Highway to Lao Cai city with the comfort break

    11:45 – 13:15 : Bus on the mountain road approaching to Sapa Town. On the way you can see beautiful view, the valley with terraces field.

    13:15 - 13:30: Arrive Sapa Town with colorful traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic People.

    - Welcome drink and itinerary briefing

    - Enjoy the lunch with local Vietnamese dishes, check-in procedures

    14:15: A short drive to Y Linh Ho then trek through the rice terraces and  along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the  spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain. You approach Ta Van  village where Zay Ethnic People inhabits in late afternoon.

    Trekking distance is about 9 kms and it lasts for 3.5 hours

    17:45:  Check in homestay; get to know the family of Dzay People. Spend time to  enjoy the mountain life on Sunset. You may attend cooking local dishes  with the family and enjoy dinner in peace. In the evening, you can join  the local bar nearby with music and socialize with other tourists then  overnight at homestay.

    Our Services:Accommodation: Homestay

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

    Tour Guide: English speaking guide

    Transfer: Sleeping bus

Day 4
  • 8:00 AM: Wake up to a homemade breakfast prepared by your host family, fueling up for another day of adventure.8:45 AMContinue your trek through vibrant rice paddies - perfect for stunning landscape photos.
    Walk through a peaceful bamboo forest
    Stop at a scenic viewpoint overlooking Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dzao ethnic group.
    11:00 AMCross the picturesque Giang Ta Chai Bridge to meet your bus.
    Trekking details: ~4 km (about 2 hours) of moderate walking.
    12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Return to Sapa Town where you'll enjoy:A refreshing welcome drink at your hotel
    A delicious Vietnamese lunch
    Time to check-in and freshen up
    2:30 PM: Take a leisurely walk to Cat Cat Village (home of Black H'mong people), nestled in a valley below Fansipan Peak. Your guide will introduce you to:Traditional local lifestyles and crafts
    The historic French hydroelectric station
    A charming waterfall - great for photos!
    Note: Includes some uphill walking to meet your return transport.4:30 PM: Arrive back in Sapa Town.Enjoy free time to explore before dinner.
    Overnight at your hotel with optional evening activities.
    Our Services:Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Tour Guide: English-speaking local guide
    Transfer: Group transportation

Day 5

7:30 AM – 12:00 PM:

Day 6
  • Enjoy some free time until our driver arrives at your hotel to take  you to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our car  will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Your room will be  available from 2:00 PM onwards.

    Meals today are at your own arrangement.

    Overnight stay at the hotel. ­

    Our Services: Accommodation: Hotel in Da Nang

    Meals: Breakfast

    Tour Guide: None

    Transfer: Private car

Day 7
  • 7.45-8.15 AM

    7.45-8.15 AM: Picking up at Da Nang City and leaving for Hue City

    Sightseeing: Lap An Lagoon, Lang Co Beach With more than 10km of white sand beach and blue sea water, Lang Co  Beach is an ideal place for relaxing, swimming, and taking photos.

    10:45 am: You will visit the Khai Dinh Tomb. The tomb had elements of Eastern art mixed with Western designs.

    12:00 pm: Having a nice lunch with Hue cuisine and resting at a beautiful restaurant.

    1:00 pm: You will continue visiting Hue Imperial City—the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings with Ngo Mon Gate, Library, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, etc.

    3:00 pm: Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda associated with the culture and history of Hue.

    3:45 pm: Return to Da Nang

    6:00 p.m.: We will drop you off in Da Nang.

    End of services

    Our Services: Accommodation: Hotel in Da Nang

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Tour Guide: English speaking guide

    Transfer: Group transfer

Day 8
  • 8:00 AM: The driver and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Danang.

    The first stop is the Son Tra peninsula, nicknamed "Monkey Mountain" by American troops. The national park stands 693 meters above sea  level, and its location on a peninsula affords breathtaking views of the  surrounding sea.

    While there, Linh Ung Pagoda,  home to the tallest statue of the Goddess of Mercy in Southeast Asia,  will be one of your unforgettable memories. The 67-meter-tall statue is  located on top of a lotus-shaped platform and features 21 miniature  Buddha sculptures.

    Next, you'll be impressed by the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave. Admire beautiful caves and historic Buddhist pagodas, spend time  exploring and absorbing knowledge about religions, and gain insight into  the differences between Buddhism and Hinduism.

    Move to the Stone Carving Village of Non-Nuoc, where you can admire stone-fine art and buy some nice souvenirs.

    11:30 AM–12:00 PM: Enjoy local cuisine at a local restaurant before visiting Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and Hoi An Ancient Town.

    1:00 PM: Continue your adventure with Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle and  spend your time enjoying the peaceful, green space of Coconut Forest  and the hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing,  especially basket boat rowing.

    2:15 PM Then Hoi An Ancient Town welcomes you to visit Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Ancient House, the Japanese Bridge, the Museum, etc. Shopping at Hoi An Central Market. Walk around the historic old town and be amazed by the influences from  China, Japan, and Vietnam. Have dinner with special food in Hoi An.

    Free your time with the night market and enjoy the shimmering space of Hoi An.

    6:00 – 6.30 PM: Enjoy your time with the boat ride on the Hoai River and release the flower lanterns to pray for good luck for you and your family. You will immerse  yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street. Free your time  with the night market and enjoy the shimmering space of Hoi An.

    6.45 PM: Finally, you'll be transferred back to your hotel. End of services

    Our Services: Accommodation: Hotel in Da Nang

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

    Tour Guide: English speaking guide

    Transfer: Group transfer

Day 9
  • Enjoy a delicious breakfast before making your way to Danang International airport for a quick flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC),  the largest city in Vietnam. Although a tour guide will not accompany  you during the transfer, we will ensure that you're well taken care of.

    Once  you land, our friendly driver will be waiting for you at the airport.  They will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel  for check-in, making sure you arrive safely and comfortably.

    Kindly  be informed that at Ho Chi Minh Airport, the designated parking areas  for vehicles are situated approximately 150 meters from the arrival  gate. Our guide will be readily available to assist you to our vehicles.  We appreciate your understanding regarding the short walk involved in  this process.

    Our Services: Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

    Meals: Breakfast

    Tour Guide: None

    Transfer: Private car

Day 10
  • 06:45-07

    06:45-07:00 - Morning pickup from your Ho Chi Minh City hotel (Exact time depends on your hotel location)

    Morning: Historic Cu Chi Tunnels

    07:00-08:30 - Scenic drive to Cu Chi district

    08:30-09:00 - Introductory documentary about tunnel construction

    09:00-11:30 - Tunnel exploration featuring: Underground living quarters (kitchens, bedrooms)

    Military facilities (field hospitals, command centers)

    Hidden trap doors and defensive systems

    War-era snacks: tapioca & herbal tea tasting11:30-12:30 - Local Vietnamese lunch

    Afternoon: Mekong Delta Experience

    13:00-16:30 - My Tho river adventure: Scenic boat cruise on Tien River (Dragon/Unicorn/Phoenix/Tortoise islands)

    Traditional sampan ride through narrow canals

    Village bicycle tour (optional)

    Visit coconut candy workshop

    Seasonal fruit tasting with honey tea

    Southern Vietnamese folk music performanceEvening Return

    17:00-19:00 - Comfortable transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City

    Evening - Free time for dinner & exploration. Overnight at your hotel

    Our Services: Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Tour Guide: English-speaking local guide

    Transfer: Group transportation

Day 11
  • On this day, you are free at  your leisure until being picked up and transferred to the airport  (without guide) for the departure flight. Meals on your own. End of  services.

    Our Services:

    Accommodation: None

    Meals: Breakfast

    Tour Guide: None

    Transfer: Private car

Please Note

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets 1. We will provide you the instructions through e-mail or WhatsApp the day prior the tour. 2. Once reaching our meeting point, kindly look for our tour guide holding a red flag with company logo

Know Before You Go

  • Public transportation nearby
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Infant seats available

Cancellation Policy

Fully refundable until 2 days before start

Non-refundable after 2 days before start