Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
Unlike most of the transfer from Hanoi to Central Vietnam cities of Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, Dong Ha, Dong Hoi by flights, train or sleeper bus, transfer from Ha Noi to DMZ (Hue, Hoi An, Dong Hoi, Da Nang) by private land transfer using private car/minivan is another option that not many travellers thought of. However, if you're type of travellers who like off-the-beaten-track, unusual, uncommon and unique itinerary from North to Central Vietnam, this is an option that shouldn't be missed out. This kind of transfer is very suitable for you to discover the 'authentic' Vietnam's region of North Central, a.k.a. North Vietnam's panhandle as its shape was described during the bombing operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968) of Vietnam war.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
This southbound trip will bring about a deep understanding of Vietnam history from ancient Dinh dynasty in Ninh Binh to Ho Dynasty and Le dynasty in Thanh Hoa to Nguyen Dynasty in Hue. You'll discover about the southwards expansion of Vietnam from North to South into Champa kingdom territory (from Quang Binh province to Binh Thuan province along central coast of Vietnam), about the North-South division (at Gianh river) of northern Trinh lords and Southern Nguyen lords under Revival Le dynasty and the division of North and South during Vietnam war (at the DMZ). This area is also birthplace of many revolutionary leaders like Ho Chi Minh, Vo Nguyen Giap or Le Duan. To make it more interesting, this tour also features visits to Trang An scenic landscape, Phong Nha cave which are World Unesco Heritage Site in this region. Add to its uniqueness for foodie travellers, we'll try all local delicious specialties of each province we'll pass by. It's cơm cháy of Ninh Binh province, nem chua of Thanh Hoa province, cháo lươn of Nghe An province, cu đơ of Ha Tinh province, khoai deo of Quang Binh province, bánh lọc of Quang Tri province and many many royal cuisines in Hue and Hoi An which are dubbed as Vietnamese mecca city for foodie travellers.
Day 1: Ha Noi - Ninh Binh
Pickup from Ha Noi (hotel, airport) going Southbound to Ninh Binh to visit Trang An scenic landscape complex - a world UNESCO heritage site renowned for its boat cave tours. Take a boat tour to discover the beautiful scenic landscape of Trang An. Back to Ninh Binh city, on the way we will take a look at Hoa Lu ancient capital - the capital of Vietnam in 10th and 11th century before moving to Phat Diem Cathedral - a catholic architecture resembles a buddhist temple whose history associated with the Operation Passage to Freedom after the Geneva accord signed in 1954. The largest numbers of Catholic refugees came from Phat Diem diocese with the highest percentage of Catholics in Vietnam. This cathedral was described as "more Buddhist than Christian" by novelist Graham Green in his novel-turn-movie the Quiet American. Overnight in Ninh Binh city.
Day 2: Ninh Binh - Thanh Hoa/Sam Son
Pickup from Ninh Binh hotel going Southwest to Vinh Loc district of Thanh Hoa province to visit stone Ho Citadel - the unlikely UNESCO site in Thanh Hoa where the Ho Dynasty (1400-1407) placed Vietnam's capital during the turbulent period of Vietnam history transition from Tran Dynasty to Le Dynasty.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
Have lunch at local restaurant then keep going to Lam Kinh relic. Lam Kinh is the homeland of Late Le Dynasty, the birthplace of National Hero Le Loi and the beginning place of Lam Son Uprising to fight Ming invaders in the early 15th century. Drive all the way to Sam Son beach town for hotel check-in. You will have your afternoon and evening swimming and relaxing by the beach of Sam Son - one of the most popular beach in North Vietnam. Overnight in Sam Son beach town. (You can choose for overnight at Thanh Hoa city upon request)
Day 3: Thanh Hoa - Vinh/Cua Lo
Pickup from your hotel in Sam Son town - Thanh Hoa province heading South towards Nghe An province - homeland of Vietnam's father Ho Chi Minh. You will go past many cement factories along the way from Ninh Binh to Vinh. On arrival Vinh city, we'll have lunch break before going to Ho Chi Minh's hometown of Lotus Village (Lang Sen in Vietnamese) near Vinh city and Ho Chi Minh house where he spent his childhood.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
Drive all the way to Cua Lo beach town - another popular holiday destination for Vietnamese tourists - for hotel check-in. Bonus stop at Nguyen Du great poet memorial house upon request. Time for swimming, relaxing and eating seafood at Cua Lo beach. Overnight in Cua Lo town. You can also opt-in for overnight at Vinh city.
Day 4: Vinh/Cua Lo - Phong Nha/Dong Hoi
Pickup from your hotel in Cua Lo town driving Southbound towards Ha Tinh province. Turn right at Nghe town of Can Loc district towards Dong Loc junction - a strategic road T-junction at the beginning of the Ho Chi Minh trail which was extensively bombed by American forces during the Vietnam War. The site is now mainly remembered for the memorial to ten young unmarried girls aged 17–22 who were youth volunteers helping with logistics at the T-junction in July 1968.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
Keep going Southwards to Quang Binh province, you'll pass by the Ngang pass which marked the former boundary of Champa and Dai Viet (then Vietnam polity) until the 15th century when the Vietnamese pushed south and conquered the Cham lands piecemeal. Ngang pass is very well known in Vietnamese literature, its beauty having been sung in many poetry works. After Ngang pass, we keep going to General Vo Nguyen Giap burial site at nearby Vung Chua. This location was chosen by General Giap for his perpetual life after his death in 2013.
Continue southbound along Highway 1 to Gianh river - a physical border between the Trinh Lords and Nguyen Lords under the Revival Le Dynasty (1533 - 1789). Turn right after crossing Gianh river towards Phong Nha town for hotel check-in. Overnight in Phong Nha town - Bo Trach district of Quang Binh province. (You can also opt-in for the overnight in Dong Hoi city)
Day 5: Phong Nha/Dong Hoi - Hue/Dong Ha
Morning pickup from your accommodation going to Phong Nha visitor center for taking a boat cruise along the Son river to Phong Nha cave - a unique underground river cave with amazing chambers, stalactites and stalagmites. You will have ample time sitting on the boat admiring the patterns of karst rock formations and strolling inside the cave with lots of photo opportunities.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
Take boat cruise back to Phong Nha visitor center, our private vehicle will take you to Quang Tri province and turn left to the coast to see Vinh Moc tunnel - a refuge underground village hideout for the local civilians and soldiers to avoid American bombing during the peak time of Rolling Thunder operation. Keep going to DMZ Hien Luong Bridge/ Freedom Bridge/Bridge of No Return, you'll take a look at UN building, frontline flagpole, memorial statue of border police, museum, ... then strolling across the Ben Hai river/17th parallel in South Vietnam. Hopping on car for our drive toward Dong Ha city for lunch break.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
After lunch, we will continue our tour with visit to Mine Action Visitor Center - a museum-like of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) collected around the DMZ in Quang Tri province. Next stop is Quang Tri citadel where hold the 81-day fierce battle between North and South Vietnam in blazing summer of 1972 Easter Offensive. Upon request Bonus stop at La Vang cathedral - Our Lady of La Vang - a pilgrimage site for the catholic in Vietnam whose location is believed to have Marian Apparition in 1798. Drive all the way to Hue city. (You can also opt in for overnight in Dong Ha city)
Consider to do this day as a separate day tour Dong Hoi - Phong Nha cave - Vinh Moc tunnel - DMZ - Hue.
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
Tour price: $US 499/pax (at least 2 paxs required)
Inclusive:
- Private vehicle (car/suv/van/minivan) with driver
- Private guide
- All entrance fees to attractions listed
- Toll fees
- Bottled water
Hanoi to DMZ private tour and transfer (or DMZ to Hanoi)
For any further queries, please contact us via email (vinadmz@gmail.com) or Whatsapp +84.947.019.119 (Tam Le) or fulfil the contact form below. We will tailor-made tour to meet your needs.
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