Charming Central Vietnam
Destination: Phong Nha – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – My Son
Discover the beauty of central Vietnam by many exciting ways:
- Explore Phong Nha Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, renowned for its stunning natural formations and rich biodiversity.
- Discover Vietnam’s history at the Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc Tunnels, which symbolize the country’s reunification era with their poignant reminders of the past.
- Visit Hue’s Imperial City, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Khai Dinh Tomb, experiencing the grandeur of Vietnam’s imperial history.
- Marvel at Marble Mountain and Son Tra Peninsula’s breathtaking views.
- Participate in basket boat rides and crab catching in Cam Thanh Coconut Forest.
- Wander through the ancient streets of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Delve into My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO site that houses ancient Hindu temples of the Champa civilization.
7 days
Classic ,Family ,Active & Nature
Easy
Phong Nha
Da Nang
CEN0701
5 – 70 years old
DAY 1: Arrival in Dong Hoi – Phong Nha (ESG/-/L/D)
- Arriving at Dong Hoi Airport. Depending on your arrival time, our English-speaking local guide (ESG) and driver will welcome you at the airport, then transfer to a local restaurant for your lunch.
- 14:00: Check in at Chay Lap Farmstay or similar accommodation. Take a short rest.
- 15:30: An afternoon boat exploration of Phong Nha Cave is a captivating journey through Vietnam’s natural beauty. Drifting along the Son River, surrounded by limestone karsts, you will enter the cave’s darkness. Inside, illuminated by soft lights, intricate rock formations create a breathtaking spectacle. Navigating deeper reveals stunning stalactites and stalagmites, unveiling nature’s mesmerizing artistry at every turn.
- 17:00: Return to Chay Lap Farmstay. Overnight stay in Phong Nha.
Inclusion:
- Good air-conditioned private 7-seat car (2-3 pax) / 16-seat minivan (4-7 pax) / 29-seat coach (8-14 pax) as per the above itinerary.
- 02 bottles of water (500ml) per person per visiting day.
- English-speaking local guides (04 days) as mentioned in the above itinerary.
***Surcharge (if any):
-
- Thailand/French-speaking local guide (USD 6/day/group)
- German/Mandarin-Chinese/Korean-speaking local guide (USD 25/day/group);
- Spanish-speaking local guide (USD 45/day/group).
- Accommodation (R.O.H) including breakfast with free bicycles at Chay Lap Farmstay, Hoi An.
- Phong Nha boat trip.
- All entrance fees for sightseeing: Phong Nha Cave, Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hue Citadel, King Tu Duc’s Tomb, King Khai Dinh’s Tomb, Thanh Tien & Sinh Villages, Marble Mountain, Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, Hoi An Old Town, My Son Sanctuary.
- Ticket for traditional music show on the Huong River.
- Coffee at Hai Van Pass.
- Night cruise ticket on the Han River (Da Nang).
- Night boat in Hoi An with floating lanterns.
- Boat trip in Cam Thanh Coconut Forest.
- Hoi An Memory Show
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner): 06 lunches on days 1,2,3,4,5,6 (USD 9/pax/lunch) + 04 dinners on days 1,2,3,5, (USD 10/pax/dinner)
- Seafood dinner on day 4: USD 20/pax.
Exclusion:
- Bank transfer fees
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels
- Surcharge for peak seasons and mandatory dinners at hotels (if applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Vietnam visa (passport must be valid for over 6 months with 3 blank pages)
- Personal expenses.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, and beverages during meals
- Entrance fees for Debay Wine Cellar and Wax Museum in Ba Na Hills
- Airfare (if applicable)
- Tips for guides and drivers (suggested amount: $3-5 per person per day).Tipping is optional and should reflect the quality of service received.
Children Policy:
- The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults.
- For infants (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost.
- 04 – 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate.
- 04 – 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate.
- 04 – 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate.
Payment & Deposit Terms:
To ensure that all parties meet their respective obligations, we outline our standard payment terms below:
Deposit: A confirmation and invoice will be sent to the customer within 24 hours of receiving the booking. A deposit of 50% of the total tour cost, or full payment, is required, depending on the specific tour arrangements and terms outlined in the invoice. Payment can be made through any of our online payment methods.
Final Payment: The deadline for the remaining balance will depend on the services booked and will be communicated by our travel consultant and via the invoice during the booking process.
Cancellations & Refund Policy:
Each local supplier and partner has its own specific cancellation terms, which will determine the applicable cancellation fees. Detailed information about these policies can be found on the individual service pages, particularly under the Rate & Availability section. If a customer decides to discontinue the tour midway, no refunds or exchanges will be issued. Additionally, no compensation will be provided for any services that remain unused during the tour.
Tours (from 4 days above)
- More than 90 days before arrival date: FREE of charge.
- From 60 to 89 days before arrival date: 20% of total rate.
- From 30 to 59 days before arrival date: 30% of total rate.
- From 15 to 29 days before arrival date: 50% of total rate.
- From 7 to 14 days before arrival date: 70% of total rate.
- Less than 7 days before arrival date or No show: 100% of the total rate.
Short Tours (1 – 3 days)
- More than 7 days prior: 50% of total rates.
- From 4 to 7 days prior: 70% of total rates.
- Less than 3 days prior or no show: 100% of total rates.
Important notes:
Immigration process:
- For visa-on-arrival: Present a valid passport and an entry letter (if any) to the customs officer for visa stamping.
- For e-visa holders: Present your valid passport and e-visa (or a printed copy) at the immigration checkpoint. No stamp is required.
Weather:
- Best time to visit: With long periods of sunshine, clear blue skies, and many attractive festivals, the best time to visit Central Vietnam—Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An—is during the dry season, which runs from February to June. From July to early October is also a good time to visit, as service costs are slightly lower than during the peak season, and the chance of rain or storms is relatively low. However, be prepared for hot and humid weather during this summer period. Late October to January is the rainy and stormy season, so if you’re traveling during this time, be prepared for potential weather-related disruptions to your itinerary.
- Pack Accordingly: Pack lightweight clothing for heat and a raincoat or umbrella for the rainy season.
Note when checking in for domestic flights in Vietnam:
- When checking in, please bring: Passport (valid for more than 06 months). For expatriates and foreigners entering with a separate visa, please bring your passport, visa, and customs declaration when traveling
- You should be at the airport 90 minutes before departure time and carry light luggage, not too bulky.
- Please bear the incurred costs and responsibility if you have a request to change the itinerary, flight date and time, or if there is incorrect information according to the regulations of the airlines.
- Do not leave sharp objects, knives, scissors, etc. or liquids in your hand luggage. All power banks should be placed in hand luggage.
- Self-consciously preserve your luggage during the trip (at hotels and attractions). Keep all important documents related to immigration procedures, such as airline tickets, passports, cash, and valuable personal items, in the safety box provided at your hotel. Avoid leaving them in your room or locking them in your suitcase in case of theft. Consider taking photos of all identification and important information to save on your phone for easy access if needed.
- Vietnam Lovely Travel will not be responsible if the carrier and aviation security refuse to transport due to error in the above information.
- Some order and details in the program may change to suit the objective situation (weather, traffic …).
- You should bring special medicine (according to a doctor’s prescription) if you are being treated for a chronic illness.
Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling in Vietnam?
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Vietnam Lovely Travel are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your tour guide on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
Money matters:
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveler is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while traveling.
- Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the currency of Vietnam
- ATMs: Check if your card is compatible with local ATMs before traveling to Vietnam. Using an ATM card will help ensure safety during your travel. Yet, you should also bring a little cash to pay for services, shopping activities, dining demands,… when needed.
- Scam alert: Be careful of street vendors and local markets using similar colors of 500,000 VND and 20,000 VND bills to scam visitors.
- Counterfeit money: There are some counterfeit banknotes in circulation in Vietnam, particularly for the 500,000 VND, the biggest Vietnam currency note, so you should only exchange money at reputable places or ask for your tour guide experiences.
- Keep small bills on hand: Many vendors and small businesses may not have change for larger denominations, so it’s helpful to keep smaller bills on hand.
- Notify your bank: If you plan to use your credit or debit card in Vietnam, notify your bank beforehand to avoid any issues with your account being flagged for suspicious activity.
- USD to VND current exchange rate: 1 USD ~ 24,000 – 25,000 VND (change cash in jewelry shop, the exchange rates are often better than in a bank or at the airport)
- QR code transfer: accepted in Vietnam
- Are credit cards accepted widely in Vietnam?
USD and Major credit cards are widely accepted by large shops, hotels and restaurants in Vietnam. However, they may not be accepted by smaller vendors such as small family restaurants, market stalls or in remote towns and rural areas. Make sure you carry enough cash for purchases, since credit cards aren’t always an option everywhere in Vietnam.
Dining: Please inform the tour operator or tour guide in advance if you have any dietary requirements and/or food allergies.
Phone and internet access:
- With the modern world you may want to bring along tablets or smartphones for the children to document their adventure – there are a wide variety of apps out there which we suggest downloading before you depart. There will be opportunities to charge (just make sure you bring the correct adapter) and there will be wi-fi available in most of the hotels/restaurants on the tour, although it will probably not be at the speeds you are used to at home and it won’t be available everywhere.
- E-sim can be a good option for you (less than 10 USD/sim card).
Electricity and adapter: 220V – 50Hz. If you are using different ones, our local guide can help you buy an adapter for not more than 1 USD.
Accommodation:
- Check-in from about 14.00 to 15.00 (can be later in the weekend day, peak season or at 5-star accommodation) and check-out before from about 11.00 to 12.00.
- Early check-in & late check-out will be confirmed according to room availability at that time and the hotel charges.
- Amenities: toothbrush, towel, hair comb, iron, etc., are available in all hotels.
Laundry: You may get better rates outside the hotels, but be careful with expensive clothes, as outside services can sometimes harm the quality of your clothes.
Shopping: At local markets, you can bargain for 10-30% off when buying local goods.
Safety: For safety, keep your pocket/purse in front of you in crowded places.
Time schedule:
- Normal office working time or opening time in Vietnam: 8am-5pm (Mon to Fri); Sat: most offices close
- Shops/restaurants/theaters are mostly opening: 8am-10pm everyday.
Is tipping compulsory in Vietnam?
Tipping isn’t mandatory or customary in Vietnam, but a small tip is appreciated by restaurant staff, drivers, and other service workers, especially if the service was particularly good.
Nguyễn N
Great Experiences19/10/2023
If you don't book a tour, you probably won't learn about these cave activities (such as kayaking on the Son River, exploring Phong Nha Cave, visiting Thien Duong Cave, etc.) and other beautiful attractions in central Vietnam. Thank you to Vietnam Lovely Travel Company for organizing a trip for my family with such professional and thoughtful services.