Accommodation

13 nights in hotels, resorts and lodges as well as on a junk Saigon by night by Vespa Accommodation - Tirant Hotel Day 1 - Topas Riverside Lodge Day 2 - Topas Ecolodge Day 3 - Topas Ecolodge [CONSEQUENTIAL Overnight] Day 4 - Tirant Hotel [CONSEQUENTIAL Overnight] Day 5 - Junk Treasure Day 6 - Junk Treasure [Sequence Overnight] Day 7 - Tirant Hotel [Sequence Overnight] Day 8 - Vinh Hung Riverside Resort Day 9 - Vinh Hung Riverside Resort [Follow-up Overnight] Day 10 - Mekong Riverside Resort Day 11 - Mekong Riverside Resort [Follow-up overnight] Day 12 - Eden Star Saigon Hotel Day 13

Meals

Daily breakfast, 10 x lunch, 10 x dinner

Guide

Guaranteed performance of all dates water puppet theatre performance in Hanoi German-speaking local tour guide

Others

Adventure trip with maximum 12 guests Touring minibus with air conditioning Late check-out on departure day Herb gathering with the Red Dao in Nam Cang Visit to the Center for Cultural Heritage in Hoi An Lantern workshop in Hoi An Entrance fees 197 m² rainforest in your name

Flights

Scheduled flight with Vietnam Airlines (fare N) to Hanoi and back from Saigon, subject to availability Domestic flights with Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi to Da Nang and from Da Nang to Saigon Price includes scheduled flight from/to Frankfurt

Transport

Rail&Fly in 1st class DB to the airport and back (https://www.bahnanreise.de/geltungsbereich) 3-day cruise on a junk in Halong Bay Moped tour in Hanoi, jeep tour in Hoi An, trips by motorboat, rowing sampan and bicycle in the Mekong Delta

Not included:

Others

Departure airport: DE from 200 € / AT from 350 € / CH from 350 € Seat reservation on long-haul flight: from 70 € Scheduled flight in Premium Economy Class: on request Scheduled and domestic flights in Business Class: on request

Optional

Insurance

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Let’S Go To Vietnam!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Let’S Go To Vietnam!

Ready for an adventure? Well then, here you go, you’re flying to Vietnam!
Day 2 Day 2: Welcome To Hanoi Capital City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Welcome To Hanoi Capital City

After landing in Hanoi, your tour guide will be waiting for you. After you have fortified yourself with a tasty breakfast, you will already plunge into the morning hustle and bustle of the capital and can collect first impressions during an exploration tour. Just imagine that in this city alone live about seven million people! Among other things, you will see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. After that, you deserve a break: rest a little in your accommodation and switch to vacation mode, if you haven’t already done so. In the afternoon, your personal moped driver will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. After a short introduction, it’s helmet on and off you go! You will discover another side of the metropolis, off the beaten track and mingle with the people of Hanoi. Learn the stories behind the scenes and tiny alleys. Explore local markets and enjoy a Vietnamese coffee. Why not try the famous egg coffee? The recipe for the perfect egg coffee is a well-kept secret; it tastes a bit like liquid tiramisu.

Meals
Included meals are breakfast and a typical Vietnamese dinner at a very nice restaurant.

Accommodation
Tirant Hotel
Tirant Hotel is located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi and just a stone’s throw from the "Lake of the Returned Sword". The modern hotel offers comfortably furnished rooms with wooden floors and warm colors, as well as a restaurant. Highlights include the Skyline Lounge on the ninth floor, where you can enjoy great views of the city while sipping a refreshing drink, and the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool.

Notes
The driving distance is approximately 55 kilometers. The driving time is about 2 hours. By moped you will be on the road for another 20 kilometers. The driving time is about 1 hour.
You will be able to check into your room at the Tirant Hotel around 2 pm. Earlier check-in is not possible. However, you can freshen up and change after breakfast at the hotel.
Day 3 Day 3: From Hanoi To The Secluded Mountain Village Of Nam Cang In Sapa Valley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: From Hanoi To The Secluded Mountain Village Of Nam Cang In Sapa Valley

The road to the northern mountain region takes you past countless rice fields and terraces, while the mighty Red River is your constant companion - a great sight that makes the journey itself an experience. You’ll cross the many tributaries before reaching the Thanh Phu bridge around noon and being taken to Nam Cang village in the Sapa Valley. After moving into your accommodation rooms, you will be served a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you will embark on an exploration tour of the charming village, home to the Red Dao people, who are very skilled in making herbal medicine, herbal bath extracts and embroidery. Nam Cang is located in the most remote area of the Sapa Valley, and the Red Dao women wear very colorful and diverse traditional costumes. After a tour of the village, you will go to a forest accompanied by a villager. Here you will collect herbs for the famous herbal bath treatment. Back at your accommodation you will have the opportunity to relax. Refreshed and with new spirits you will enjoy your dinner. Take the opportunity to interact with the villagers and listen to the traditional music played by a local women’s group.

Meals
Meals included are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodation
Topas Riverside Lodge
Topas Riverside Lodge is idyllically located in the remote mountain village of Nam Cang in the Sapa Valley. Built in traditional style, the wooden house is located right next to the river with the forest starting behind it. From the veranda on the upper floor you have a great view of the breathtaking landscape. Originally built by one of the oldest Red Dao families of Nam Cang, the lodge is now run as part of Topas Ecolodge. You’ll stay in simple but cozy rooms with wooden as well as rattan furniture, mosquito nets, and updated bathrooms. Enjoy the peace and seclusion in one of the two natural outdoor river pools, a traditional herbal bath, or indulge in culinary delights in the restaurant. All dishes are prepared in traditional village style using open fires and woks.

Notes
The driving distance is about 275 kilometers. The driving time is about 5 hours.
We recommend you to pack a small travel bag with only the most necessary things for the three nights in the Sapa Mountains. The main luggage can be safely stored in the hotel in Hanoi. Don’t forget your swimwear! The swimming pool at Topas Ecolodge is heated and weather permitting, it can be used even in winter. However, the chances in January and February are rather low.
Day 4 Day 4: Continue Through The Sapa Highlands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Continue Through The Sapa Highlands

After waking up to the sounds of nature, you will start your day with a lovingly prepared breakfast. Today’s hike begins in Nam Cang village with an easy walk along a quiet road. Later, you will reach a hiking trail that winds between beautiful rice fields. From here you have a spectacular view over the rice terraces. It goes through bush forest and on some steep paths back to the lodge. A transfer will take you to your accommodation. Once there, you can relax and let the impressions of the last few days sink in with a cup of ginger tea.

Meals
The included meals today are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodation
Topas Ecolodge
Topas Ecolodge is located on a mountain in the Sapa highlands with great views of valleys, rice terraces and villages. You will stay in comfortably furnished bungalows with private bathrooms. From your balcony and from the heated swimming pool, open from March to December, you can admire the beauty of the surroundings. Responsibility and sustainability play a major role in both the construction and management of the lodge. The restaurant building, for example, was built by a local family.

Notes
The driving distance is about 25 kilometers. The driving time is about 1 hour. You will be on foot for about 3 hours, partly on dirt roads. About 30 minutes the hike leads uphill.
Please take a daypack with you for the hike. So that it is not too heavy for you, we recommend that you only pack the necessary things. The rest of your luggage will be transported by vehicle. If you don’t want to participate in today’s hike, you can go ahead with the bus that transports the luggage. In case of bad weather, you will visit Nam Nhiu village by bus. However, even in good weather, the trails can be slippery, so we recommend good footwear.
Can’t get enough? Our additional recommendation:
In the afternoon, join your guide for an easy two-hour hike to the nearby village of Thanh Kim.
Day 5 Day 5: On The Way In The Valley Of The Golden River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: On The Way In The Valley Of The Golden River

After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to the village of Ta Van in the Golden River Valley. On the way, enjoy the view of the valleys, where numerous villages and fields are located - always in the background: the impressive Fansipan. In the village of Ta Van you will be warmly welcomed by members of the Dzai. Mrs. Sung, a Hmong and your hostess for the next hours, will receive you and you will first visit the small school in Ta Van. Together with her, you will then hike to the nearby village of Lao Chai, where she makes her home. The trail runs mainly uphill and along rice terraces with a great mountain panorama. In Lao Chai you will meet other members of the Black Hmong. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with the friendly inhabitants and watch the women weaving and dyeing. A light lunch and batik demonstration await you at Mrs. Sung’s house. Afterwards, walk back to the main road and get back on the tour bus for the return trip to your accommodation.

Meals
The included meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch will be with a local Black Hmong family in Lao Chai village. With this visit you make a small contribution to the improvement of the local living situation, as the hosts earn an additional small income.

Accommodation
Topas Ecolodge [CONSEQUENTIAL Overnight]
Topas Ecolodge is your accommodation today as well.

Notes
The driving distance is about 20 kilometers. The driving time is about 40 minutes. Today’s hike will take a total of 2 to 2 ½ hours. Most of the hike is in the valley on paved trails. From Ta Van village to Mrs. Sung’s house, it is about 500 meters uphill on a paved path.
Today’s hike is not strenuous, but the paths are sometimes slippery in the rainy season. Therefore, please wear walking shoes or sneakers with good tread.

Attendance at school cannot be guaranteed, on days when there are no classes, for example, it is cancelled.
Day 6 Day 6: Sapa, Ta Phin And Back To Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Sapa, Ta Phin And Back To Hanoi

You start the day relaxed and have time to stroll through Sapa and the market. The city is known for a street scene with many different ethnic minorities. Women from the Hmong, Dao or Dzai people are omnipresent here and proudly wear their colorful costumes and beautiful silver jewelry. Afterwards you will visit Ta Phin, another village of the Red Dao. You will explore the village during a short tour and you can marvel at the unique landscape once again. Then you will say goodbye to the mountain scenery and make your way back to Hanoi.

Meals
The included meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodation
Tirant Hotel [Consequence B&B]
Tirant Hotel is again your accommodation in Hanoi.

Notes
The driving distance is about 310 kilometers. The driving time is about 6 hours.
Day 7 Day 7: From Hanoi To The Bay Of The Undermerged Dragon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: From Hanoi To The Bay Of The Undermerged Dragon

You will continue to Halong City, where you will board a junk around 12 noon. As the highlight of the day, you will glide with the so-called dragon boat through the famous Halong Bay, which is distinguished by its unique beauty and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Legend has it that the countless islands and rocks, some of which rise several hundred meters out of the water here, were once created by a giant dragon who, in his efforts to defend the land, cut deep furrows in the ground with his tail, which were later filled with water when the dragon dived down into the sea. Suddenly the name of the bay makes sense - Ha Long means "submerging dragon". In the evening, anchor at one of the bays. Enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful scenery and let the day end comfortably on the sun deck. If the situation allows it, the captain will sit down at your table in the evening and tell you about his experiences in Halong Bay.

Meals
The included meals today are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Accommodation
Treasure Junk
Cruising through Halong Bay on the junk Treasure is a sublime feeling. The three orange sails tower high, white hull gleaming on the water as the ship glides past the silent needle rocks. The Treasure is based on the traditional junk shape and offers you every comfort: You will spend the night on board in comfortable two-bed cabins, each with its own shower and toilet. On the sundeck there are deck chairs where you can relax, in the morning with a cup of coffee, in the evening with a sundowner.

Notes
The cruising distance is about 165 kilometers. The travel time is about 2 ½ hours in the bus.
We recommend you to pack a small travel bag with only the most necessary things for the two nights in Halong Bay. The main luggage can be safely stored at the hotel in Hanoi.
Can’t get enough? Our additional recommendation:
Take a short kayak tour of Halong Bay in the late afternoon and, with a little luck, watch the fishermen at work. The kayak tour is free of charge for you.
Day 8 Day 8: On The Way In Halong Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: On The Way In Halong Bay

Let yourself be awakened by the splashing of the water and greet the morning with a view of the enchanting island landscape. During a Tai Chi lesson on the deck of your junk, you will be initiated into the secrets of this inner martial art originating from China and should thus also get rid of the last morning tiredness. Time to take a closer look at the bizarre rock cones, which have been formed by wind and weather over thousands of years, in a kayak. Paddle in hand and cast off! In the afternoon you will visit a floating fishing village and a fish farm, where the fishermen will show you how they cast their nets. Why don’t you give it a try - maybe you’ll make "the big catch"! Enjoy the tranquility on the water and let this magical environment lull you into a relaxing trance. Before dinner, the chef will show you how to expertly prepare the delicious Vietnamese summer rolls Goi Cuon or fried spring rolls. It’s all in the technique, so pay attention!

Meals
Included meals today are breakfast, lunch barbecue on the junk and dinner.

Accommodation
Treasure Junk [Followed by overnight].
The junk Treasure offers you a bed on the water today as well.
Day 9 Day 9: Back To Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Back To Hanoi

You continue gliding through the seemingly endless Halong Bay until you reach the Tuan Chau marina again around noon. From there, you will take the direct route via the new highway to your hotel in Hanoi. In the evening, experience an amazing puppet show that only exists in Vietnam in this form: Water Puppet Theater. The puppeteers are in the water and let their puppets perform scenes from the country life as well as mystical dances. The performance is accompanied by a small orchestra, including the Dan Bau, a one-stringed box zither. Then it’s Hanoi on your own: stroll through the beautiful Old Quarter and be captivated by the hustle and bustle of the city.

Catering
Breakfast for the first hunger as well as an early lunch as brunch are included in the price and take place on board the junk.

Accommodation
Tirant Hotel [Consequence B&B]
Tirant Hotel is again your accommodation in Hanoi.

Notes
The driving distance is about 165 kilometers. The travel time is about 2 ½ hours by bus.
Day 10 Day 10: Flight To Da Nang And Hoi An Port City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Flight To Da Nang And Hoi An Port City

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport and fly south to Da Nang. From here you will drive to the picturesque old port city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 16th century, Hoi An was the most important trading port in Vietnam. Trade between China and Japan was conducted here. This period and French colonial rule have left their mark and so the town is best known for its countless colonial houses, all a unique blend of French, Japanese and Chinese culture. You’ll stop at the Center for Cultural Heritage. Over a cup of tea, you’ll learn exciting facts about the architecture and preservation of these old buildings, and how a project supported by Chameleon will preserve Hoi An’s Old Quarter. The art of lantern making, brought to Hoi An by the Chinese a few hundred years ago, is also famous for this region. Today, the small town exports over 100,000 of these colorful lanterns around the world every year. During a workshop you will make your own paper lantern under expert guidance, which of course you can take home.

Catering
Breakfast is included in the price.

Accommodation
Vinh Hung Riverside Resort
The Vinh Hung Riverside Resort impresses with its great location directly at the Thu Bon River and in short distance to the old town and the night market of Hoi Ans. Surrounded by palm trees, the resort is a true oasis of well-being, to which the large swimming pool in the tropical garden also contributes. The cozy rooms are stylishly furnished, and from your balcony you have a beautiful view of the garden or the pool. The hotel offers a daily "weekly market" in the early evening, where you can sample Vietnamese delicacies for free.

Notes
The driving distance is about 70 kilometers. The travel time is about 2 hours by bus.
Day 11 Day 11: Cam Kim Island Half-Day Trip
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Cam Kim Island Half-Day Trip

Today you will explore the unique beauty of Cam Kim Island in jeeps. After crossing the Thu Bon River, you’ll stop at some friendly local families along the way and learn about traditional mat making, farming, and visit an old house. On the way towards the coast, we will stop again at a local market and then have an exquisite coffee to see the art of the local community. The mangrove area of water coconut palms in Cam Thanh is our next destination. To counteract the shrinkage of this beautiful biotope, Chameleon guests have planted trees over many years. Meanwhile, the project has been successfully completed and a considerable area of mangroves could be reforested. Look forward to a trip in a typical bamboo boat through the mangroves - a unique experience! In the afternoon, a city tour of Hoi An will take you to the Japanese Bridge, which at that time connected the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the city to the right and left of the river banks, the Quan Cong Temple, the Phuoc Kien Pagoda and the famous Diep Dong Nguyen trading house.

Meals
Breakfast and lunch are included in the price.

Accommodation
Vinh Hung Riverside Resort [Consequence B&B].
Vinh Hung Riverside Resort will be your accommodation today as well.

Notes
The driving distance is about 40 kilometers. The driving time is about 1 ½ hours by jeep and about 30 minutes by boat.
Day 12 Day 12: Flight To Saigon And Continue To Mekong Delta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Flight To Saigon And Continue To Mekong Delta

The Hoi An stage ends at Da Nang airport, where you will board your flight to Saigon. But more highlights are already waiting for you: By bus you continue directly to Cai Be in the famous Mekong Delta. The Mekong River has traveled over 4,000 kilometers from its source somewhere in the highlands of Tibet to here and flows into the South China Sea. The delta is by far the largest and most productive rice-growing area in the country. It consists of nine estuarine branches and is crisscrossed by countless river courses, canals and swamps. Here, the otherwise so lively Vietnam shows its serene side. On the banks, people go about their daily work. Freighters and passenger ships, small motorboats and rowboats ply the channels. The Mekong River is the lifeline of the region and keeps everything flowing.

Meals
Included meals today are breakfast and dinner.

Accommodation
Mekong Riverside Resort
Mekong Riverside Resort is idyllically located in the middle of a tropical garden and right on the river near Cai Be. The air-conditioned bungalows on stilts are comfortably furnished and all have a balcony overlooking a man-made lake and the garden. Relaxing hours are promised by the large swimming pool as well as a spa area. Savor delicious Vietnamese and international dishes at the resort’s restaurant and treat yourself to a drink at one of the bars.

Notes
The driving distance is approximately 150 kilometers. The travel time is about 4 hours by bus.
Day 13 Day 13: Green And Water-Rich Mekong Delta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Green And Water-Rich Mekong Delta

In the morning light, you will board a motorboat and travel upstream along the Mekong River to Cai Thia. Here you will start your hike along the Cai Thia Canal. You will visit the local church and the My Luong temple on the river. Afterwards, you will change to a sampan and continue on the small waterways into the Mekong Delta. You will visit a local rice paper factory and learn more about the production. By bike you will continue through small villages and along country roads to the mango village of Hoa Loc. The local mango is one of the most famous mango species in the Mekong Delta due to its aroma and sweetness. On the way, you will take a tea break with a local family and be invited for a snack. Later, on An Binh Island, you’ll stop for lunch, and while you’re enjoying it, you’ll listen to a musical performance. Then you’ll continue your boat ride on the Mekong River, stopping along the way at small family-run businesses that make coconut candy, rice popcorn, and pottery. Afterwards, you’ll return to your accommodation and have time to relax or enjoy the sunset with a drink at the bar. Your dinner will be served later aboard your motorboat as you leisurely cruise along the mighty Mekong River.

Meals
Meals included are breakfast, a traditional lunch with a local family on An Binh Island and dinner during the boat trip on the Mekong.

Accommodation
Mekong Riverside Resort [Consequence B&B].
Mekong Riverside Resort will bed you in soft pillows today as well.

Notes
Travel time is about 2 hours by boat and 1 to 2 hours by bike.
Day 14 Day 14: Mekong Delta And Saigon Water Labyrinth
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Mekong Delta And Saigon Water Labyrinth

Welcome another morning in the Mekong Delta and don’t miss the magical atmosphere at sunrise. Take a motorboat across the river to Tan Phong Island. Here, you will transfer to a rowboat and glide into the narrower channels to enjoy the rural atmosphere and peaceful tranquility. You’ll see houses traditionally built of wood and palm fronds, and watch farmers at work. Engage in conversation with them and learn how they catch fish. With a few more experiences under your belt, get on your bike and explore the island on land. In a family business you will learn how to weave furniture and baskets from water hyacinths. After lunch, it’s time to say goodbye to the Mekong Delta as you head back to Saigon. The largest city of Vietnam presents itself to travelers as a lively, cosmopolitan economic metropolis. Here you will encounter typical French colonial architecture in the main post office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and in the city hall, whose architecture is strongly reminiscent of European castles. You’ll catch a glimpse of the majestic statue of the Virgin Mary in Notre Dame Cathedral before being taken to your hotel. For the last evening we have organized something very special for you: You will experience the Saigon nightlife by Vespa tour. Your driver will take you to places that are mostly visited by locals and show you a completely different Saigon, off the beaten track. You will stop along the way and have the opportunity to sample various local delicacies. A great ending to an eventful trip. Hold on and let’s go!

Meals
Meals included are breakfast, lunch and a slightly different farewell dinner.

Accommodation
Eden Star Saigon Hotel
Eden Star Saigon Hotel is located in the lively city center, within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, stores and the varied Ben Thanh Market. The cozy rooms are decorated in French-Vietnamese style. Take a fresh dip in the rooftop swimming pool with great views of the city, and relax at the poolside bar or spa area.

Notes
The driving distance is approximately 120 kilometers. The driving time is about 3 hours.
The Vespa drivers are very experienced and drive very carefully. You don’t have to be afraid. You will sit in pairs on a scooter, one passenger behind each Vietnamese driver. Don’t miss this excursion, it is suitable for every age group and a unique experience.
Day 15 Day 15: Saigon And Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Saigon And Departure

Your last day of the group tour in diverse Vietnam begins. You continue your exploration of Saigon and first visit the historic Reunification Palace. Once known as the Presidential Palace, the end of the Vietnam War was sealed here. Later, in Chinatown, you’ll visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, also known as the "Women’s Pagoda." The pagoda is dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau, the patron saint of sailors. Opportunity for last purchases you have at the Binh Tay market, which was built in the 1880s by the French and where mainly the locals go shopping. Then you will be transferred to Saigon airport for your flight back home.

Meals
Breakfast is included in the price.

Notes
The driving distance is about 25 kilometers. The travel time is about 2 hours by bus.
For your last day in Saigon, we have arranged a late check-out so you can freshen up before your departure in the evening. Your room will be at your disposal until 6 pm.
Day 16 Day 16: Back Home
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: Back Home

Perhaps a little wistful, but certainly full of anticipation for your home, you land and travel on to your hometown.

+13

16 days tour

Sapa Experience

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sapa Experience

Day 1: Let’S Go To Vietnam!

Day 2: Welcome To Hanoi Capital City

Day 3: From Hanoi To The Secluded Mountain Village Of Nam Cang In Sapa Valley

Day 4: Continue Through The Sapa Highlands

Day 5: On The Way In The Valley Of The Golden River

Day 6: Sapa, Ta Phin And Back To Hanoi

Day 7: From Hanoi To The Bay Of The Undermerged Dragon

Day 8: On The Way In Halong Bay

Day 9: Back To Hanoi

Day 10: Flight To Da Nang And Hoi An Port City

Day 11: Cam Kim Island Half-Day Trip

Day 12: Flight To Saigon And Continue To Mekong Delta

Day 13: Green And Water-Rich Mekong Delta

Day 14: Mekong Delta And Saigon Water Labyrinth

Day 15: Saigon And Departure

Day 16: Back Home

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