Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi. Check into hotel. Relax and free. Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Have lunch at local restaurant before 1 hour Cyclo tour of the Old Quarter streets of Hanoi and Ngoc Son Temple. Drop off at Thang Long theatre for the water puppet show. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists - men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. End of the show and transfer to your hotel.
At 08: 30 pm our tour guide will pick you up at hotel lobby to go to the Hanoi railway station for the night train to Sapa. Overnight on train.
Day 3: Lao Cai Railway Station - Sapa (B, L)
Train arrives at Lao Cai Railway Station at 06: 00am. Transfer to Sapa by private van. Have breakfast at the hotel or at the local restaurant (optional). Relax. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for a short walk downhill to Cat Cat village, the village of H'mong tribe in the valley, which remains very generally uninfluenced by outside forces. Excellent views of the valley, the magnificent limestone and paddy fields of H'mong village. Enjoy visiting the local families and learn their customs. After leaving the village go further down into the valley, the Cat Cat waterfall will be visible. A "White curtain" cascade appears, surrounded by flowery valley and deep-green pines. The rocks near the river and waterfall provide a marvelous place for picturesque photos and sunbathing during good weather… Have dinner at restaurant. Then discover Sapa at night, see ethnic people activities and life in Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van Villages (B, L)
Breakfast before a private jeep transfers you to Lao Chai village, a village of Black H’mong. Short walk down to the river to visit a hill tribe house to see their living style and the local woman made their handicraft clothes. Further on along the road, the Tavan village where Dzay people stay can be seen. Visit the village and learn their customs. Return to Sapa in the afternoon. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa - Coc Ly Market - Hanoi (B, L)
Meet our guide at the hotel in the early morning for two hours to go to Coc Ly Market. It is the colorful market in a mountainous area where the Flower H’mong mainly gather to exchange their homemade products. After visiting the market we go on a boat on the Chay River with beautiful mountains on both sides. On the way we will have a short walk to Trung Do village (Tay). This is a unique opportunity for you to the see the traditional lifestyle of tribal minorities and their costumes and handicrafts.
The tour includes a boat ride and picnic lunch on the Chay River and a 2 hour trek through terraced rice fields. Turn back to Lao Cai railway station in the afternoon, catch night train back to Hanoi. Stay overnight on the train.
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong bay (B, L, D)
Train arrives in Hanoi around 06: 00am. Pick up at railway station and drive towards Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam‘s most scenic impressive sights. On arrival in Halong, we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. Along the trip we learn some kayak orientation and instruction in paddling techniques. We begin our first kayaking experience to discover the limestone karsts formations which are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Visit one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. At the end of afternoon, we return to our escorted boat for relaxation and dinner. The night paddle is available for kayaking fervor. Overnight on board.
Day 7: Halong bay - Hanoi (B, L)
After breakfast, we continue the half day kayak exploration and paddle from Luon Cave toward islets in the shape of Man’s head Island, Tortoise Island. Have lunch on the boat with boat crew before returning to Halong Port for vehicle transfer back to Hanoi. Check into hotel. Stay over night at the hotel.
Day 8: Hanoi - Traditional Village - Hue (B, L)
Today we will visit Van Phuc Silk village get to know the way to make silk and product in Vietnam. Return to Hanoi airport for the flight to Hue, the Old Royal city in 17th century in Vietnam. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at your hotel in Hue.
Day 9: Hue (B, L)
Our tour guide in Hue will greet you at the hotel lobby and tell you all about the history of the Old Royal City in Vietnam in 17th century. As Vietnam’s last feudal capital, the small and quiet city of Hue is widely known for magnificent architectures, pagodas and royal tombs laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. We spend this afternoon in Hue to see the massive citadel, which contains the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. After an impressive boat trip, we return to the town and enjoy a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass by many fantastic eating spots, ideal places for visitors to sample some local delicacies. The beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien Mu which now becomes the symbol of Hue, and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc are not to be missed. Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)
Upon leaving Hue we drive south to Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The scenic road hugs the coastline before crossing over the winding Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. We stop en route to visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang City, the China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Accommodation at your hotel in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An Walking Tour (B, L)
AM: Free on your own to discover ancient town with visiting Phuc Kien pagoda, Japanese bridge, old houses and noisy market near by Thu Bon River.
PM: Free at leisure for shopping or do other things of your choice.
Stay overnight at your hotel in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An - Da Nang - Kon Tum (B, L, D)
Free on your own for shopping or doing other things until time to transfer to Da Nang airport for the flight to Kon Tum. Pick up at aiport to Kontum to see the old battlefields around Dak To. Visit Sedang villages - Dakrijol and Dakripeng - and cross suspension bridges during this 4km walk. In the afternoon hike to Konchori and Konkotu village having time to swim in Dakbla River. In the evening enjoy traditional gong music of the Bahnar tribe before staying in a Rong House at Konkotu village. Another choice will be a trekking day to Konplong area with villages of different tribes, picnic lunch. Afternoon river raft down Dakbla river to Konkotu village. Accommodation at Rong house of Konkotu village.
Day 13: Kon Tum - Buon Me Thuot (B, L)
After breakfast, drive to Buon Me Thuot, is the capital of Dak Lak province, specialty for coffee. Check into hotel, transfer to Buon Don village for elephant riding (1 hour), free to wander around the village or make friends with the elephant until time to transfer to your hotel.
Day 14: Buon Me Thuot - Da Lat (B, L)
After breakfast at the hotel, private van ride up to Da Lat, a mountain-top town, long favoured as a destination of travellers. On arrival in Da Lat we start our tour taking us through plenty of the French colonial architecture to the summer residence of Vietnam’s last Emperor Bao Dai, who was forced to abdicate in 1945, shortly after the end of the World War II. The following sights are the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda and Hang Nga Guesthouse, known as the Crazy House because of its bizarre architecture. Accommodation at hotel in Da Lat.
Day 15: Da Lat - Nha Trang (B, L)
After breakfast we bid the Highlands farewell and take our bus for a drive to Xong Pha pass to Nha Trang, Vietnam’s premier beach city. There are many optional activities to pick up including a boat trip to one of the islands, a relaxing massage, a swim in the pristine waters, or a cool beer by the sea. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 16: Nha Trang (B)
Free at leisure on the beach or diving on the sea.
Breakfast and accommodation at hotel.
Day 17: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
The following destination of our trip is Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with motobikes and cars and numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés.
After an enjoyable visit to the busy Hoa Binh Market, we make our way downhill to Ho Chi Minh city, traveling through the many tea and coffee plantations. The drive is long, but views are fantastic. Along the way we make stops to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photos. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 18: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
The sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh begins with a visit to the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where everything and anything is for sale.
We then transfer out to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200 km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American war. Back to Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Can Tho (B, L)
The morning trip continues on the motorised boat to enter My Tho city to through Bao Dinh natural canal. Visitors then pay a visit to the My Tho street fruit market alongside the canal. Here they can join in with the daily activities of the local people and enjoy the atmosphere. Then take a cruise on the Tien river to the Qui (Tortoise island). On the way, they view the fishing port, stilt houses, boat building workshops, the other Dragon, Pheonix and Unicorn island. Lunch will be served right in the heart of the orchard to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music ", performed by the islanders. After visiting the coconut candy mill, the amazing rowing boat trip on the small canal is something visitors can not miss. Continue on to Ben Tre province - " the country of coconut ", to see a typical agriculture model call " Garden - Pond - Cage ", then enjoy the relaxing honey tea. Visitors' expectations will be fulfilled by a final boat trip back to My Tho on the Tan Thach natural canal, which is fully covered with water coconut before arriving at the hotel in Can Tho for the night.
Day 20: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh city (B, L)
After breakfast. Visitors first take the boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac river). The boat trip later takes you to the Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets, which are the most original ones and the most bustling places of the region.
Visitors will have most probably tried the Vietnamese vermicelli soup? So, they will now go and see how it is made. Visitors then roam into the village to get to meet the local people. Here, they have a chance to experience how to pass a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only one bamboo. Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B)
Free at leisure until time transfer to airport for flight back home.
End of services. Our staff will give you the warmest goodbye and hope to see you again. |
