Tour | Highlight Adventure of Vietnam | Topas Travel | TP- HAV (2023)

Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, a Topas representative will welcome you to the land of the ascending dragon before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is at leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, wandering the crooked alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and the promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Experience the morning like a true Hanoian at Hang Be Market, one of the Old Quarter’s liveliest “wet” markets. Wet means fresh, so expect picture-perfect mountains of vegetables, a rainbow of exotic, tropical fruits, and fish that couldn’t be fresher (because it’s still alive and kicking). Then, head into an alley and pull up a tiny plastic stool for a breakfast bowl of bun ca and ca cuon (a noodle dish served with fried fish, plenty of vegetables, and usually a broth).
Once you’ve had enough to eat, head to the Citadel, a true testament of Vietnam’s strength, resilience, and beauty. Marvel at the ancient architecture while strolling past leafy gardens and learning about the Citadel’s central position of power, of which it maintains even to this day. Then, head over to the superb Vietnamese Women’s Museum, an essential stop on any visit to Hanoi. Explore the heroines of Vietnamese society, especially in regard to ethnic minorities, war, and modern exhibitions before heading back to the Old Quarter for a tasty lunch on one of the most famous food streets in Southeast Asia.
Finally, spend the afternoon at a local café soaking up the atmosphere of a favourite Vietnamese hobby, drinking coffee with friends. Surrounded by businessmen and giggling teenagers, take your pick of local drinks, although we suggest trying the quintessential Hanoi speciality, egg coffee, a decadent drink brewed with Robusta beans and whisked together with chocolate powder and egg whites.
The rest of your day at leisure until your overnight train departure to the valleys and mountains of Sapa. Settle in to your cozy bunk bed and let the clickety-clack of the railroad tracks lull you to sleep.

Your train arrives to Lao Cai Station in the early morning hours, around 5am. From here, a car will transfer you the remaining 30 minutes up the mountain to the hill-station of Sapa, where you will have breakfast.
Then, the fun really begins! Trek downhill from Hang Da, a Black Hmong Village, taking in the beautiful mountain vistas on the way to Hau Chu Ngai, another Black Hmong Village. Browse their hand-embroidered textiles and visit their homes before moving on to Thanh Phu of the Tay minority group in the valley. The trek continues to My Son, where the Xa Pho, one of the most isolated groups in Sapa, live. The trek ends in Nam Cang, a Red Dzao Village, which is also coincidentally where the accommodation for the night is, the boutique homestay styled Topas Riverside Lodge.
The Red Dzao are noted as great healers, so this is a great opportunity to try traditional methods such as herbal baths made with herbs plucked from the mountainside, either before or after dinner.
Note: Due to the high altitude, the morning walk may shift to the lower valley of Lao Chai and Ta Van if the weather is too foggy to see anything.

Enjoy your breakfast with a warm cup of tea before you start the tour. Your trek begins with an ascent to a small Blue H’mong village. The Blue H’mong mostly lives in the other side of Hoang Lien Mountain Range and only in the deepest part of Sapa Valley, they are found inhabiting in two small villages. You then take a descent to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu, having beautiful views of high mountains, waterfalls and deep valley. You enjoy your lunch at a nice break place.
In the afternoon, you will turn into a small dirt trail and soon be inspired by the marvelous view of the rice valley dotted with bamboo huts, which used by local farmers as overnight lodge in harvesting days. Passing the rice terraces and a pretty river you will walk on a quiet road for a while before arriving back at Nam Cang village. Relax and enjoy the tranquility of the mountain at the lodge.

Discover the jungle on a gentle hike this morning. See where the villagers plant cardamom along with other herbs and spices that can fetch a good price in the local markets, and make your way to the local stream, dipping your toes in or going for a final swim.
Enjoy the scenery, which is notably wilder than yesterday’s before heading back to the lodge through the forest for lunch. Then, say good-bye to your host family and depart for Topas Ecolodge by private transfer. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure at this certified Unique Lodge by National Geographic.

The day is yours at leisure until a mid-afternoon departure for Hanoi via the Topas Mountain Express. Sunbathe and splash in the pool, sample delicious cuisine at the restaurant, breathe in the fresh mountain air from your bungalow’s patio, or indulge in some locally-inspired treatments at the wonderful spa on site.
Check-in to your Hanoi hotel in the early evening, free to discover Hanoi on your own.

Spend your day at leisure until a late afternoon flight to central Vietnam’s – Dong Hoi. Upon arrival, check in the farm stay and explore the village area on your own.

Depart for Tan Hoa this morning between 7:30-8:00, located around 70km north of Phong Nha. After a tour briefing, start an uphill rocky trek leading into the jungle. A similarly steep descent leads into a valley, where your camp-site for the night will be, next to a natural swimming pool.
Spend the evening enjoying the dinner prepared by your porter team, playing cards, chatting, or listening to the jungle.

Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and enjoy a hearty lunch before taking up the trail again, largely made up of a jumble of rocks to pick your way over, with the help and direction of the guide and safety team.
The huge entrance is at the head of the valley. As you enter the cave, you will see many unusual cave features such as a ceiling dome and multiple layers of rock, giving the walls a striped appearance. Climb up a 10m ladder with help from a safety rope, and a short distance later you will see the end of the cave, and an opening into the jungle. Continue into the jungle valley and trek for around 30 minutes to the second cave. A small opening with swirling striped patterns on the walls drops into a much larger passageway filled with calcite formations.
Turn around and retrace the journey back to the entrance, across the jungle through the first cave down the rocky valley and enjoy a picnic lunch. Refreshed, it’s then time for the big hill back up and down to the road for car pickup and return to the office for a shower. Transfer to your hotel in Phong Nha, arriving around 18:00.

Enjoy your last morning in Quang Binh before catching the train to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer to Hoi An. The rest of your day at leisure.

Hop onto a bicycle and explore the countryside surrounding Hoi An, crisscrossing vibrant rice paddies and streams before reaching the traditional village of Cam Kim. Deep in the countryside, these locals make handicrafts from wood and sleeping mats from rattan.
Continue on the dirt roads until you reach Cam Thanh village, another picturesque village that survives off farming. Feeling brave? Hop onto a water buffalo and plough through the paddies! Then stop for lunch on the hidden side of An Bang beach, a spotless strip of yellow sand that meets calm and shallow waters. Enjoy lunch with a local family, and rest.
After lunch, you can enjoy a quick fishing trip with a local fisherman before heading to an organic vegetable garden in Tra Que village and returning to your hotel.

Free day at your leisure to enjoy the hotel facility or walking around ancient town for souvenir.

A mid-morning flight transports you from Ancient Town to the glitz and glamour of Ho Chi Minh City. Time to explore Vietnam’s southern metropolis. Start by exploring the heart of Ho Chi Minh City by delving into the striking Reunification Palace. This is the former presidential palace and is one of Vietnam’s most storied pieces of architecture. Then head to the Post Office, a colonial-era masterpiece, before gawping at the Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral’s red bricks make it a unique structure in Vietnam. Visiting the War Remnants Museum is an important activity when visiting Ho Chi Minh City, as it details the atrocities of war and the human spirit to rebuild in the aftermath. After this sobering experience, you’ll return to your hotel.

After breakfast, we will head up to Cat Tien National Park and spend half day mountain biking outside the Park. We have chance to visit local village, plantations, rice filed, dirt road cutting through the jungle and rocky downhill section. This biking challenge will take you 3-4 hours before getting back to the lodge.

Get ready to discover the real wild jungle on that difficult route by passing by small streams, hilly paths and volcanic rocks. Starting from the long house, you will trek with your guide deep into Cat Tien national park to see the diverse flora and fauna of this jungle, then end up at the crocodile lake where you will have a rest for lunch.
Your journey is keep moving by hopping on the canoe, cruising along the lake, you can see the various bird species, crocodiles and much other wildlife.
End your day by take a jeep ride to the long house. The rest of your day at leisure.

Enjoy your free time at the park until our driver takes you back the metropolis. Upon checking in, you can explore the city on your own.

Savor your last moments in Ho Chi Minh City until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward booked travel.