Journey highlights:
• Blend in the scrambling alleyways of Hanoi’s timeworn Old Quarter
• Into the unseen hill tribes’ life in Sapa
• Explore Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands on a traditional junk boat
• Soak in the beautiful landscape of Thuy Bieu village in the outskirt of Hue on a bicycle
• Admire the beauty of partially ruined Hindu temples in My Son Sanctuary
• Have fun snorkeling with wooden boat trip in the coastal town of Nha Trang
• Enjoy the tranquility of the delightful highland city of Da Lat
• Discover the story of Saigon, from city of conflict to a modern metropolis
• Squeeze through the famous Vietnam War-era tunnels at Cu Chi
• Get active through the canals in the water base land of Mekong Delta
Day 1 - Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to our beautiful Vietnam! Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Check-in and spend the rest of the day free to relax in your room or stroll down the Walking Street to enjoy the ambience of the capital of Vietnam.
Meal: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2 - Charming Hanoi sightseeing - Night train to Lao Cai (B,L)
After breakfast, set out for a full day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his traditional stilt house and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. After that, visit Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. Have lunch with Pho bo Hanoi or Hanoi Noodle soup with beef and served with Hanoi flavorful spring roll.
In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum where you can learn about the customs and culture of Vietnam’s 54 diverse ethnic groups.
Finish your day with a walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best-reserved secrets, a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the city that still serves egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy that we will sample whilst admiring the hustle and bustle of the city center below. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits!
Early this evening, ready to transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for your overnight train trip heading to Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight train to Lao Cai
Day 3 - Sapa: Unseen hill tribe villages (B,L,D)
Upon arrival in Lao Cai station, you will meet private local guide and driver. They will bring you to a hotel nearby where you can freshen up in a day-use room and enjoy breakfast before trekking.
After breakfast, you will be collected by your private guide. Starting from Sapa, you will trek via Y Linh Ho through beautiful scenery to the Black H'mong Village of Lao Chai, located at the bottom of the valley, a few hundred meters lower than Sapa in terms of altitude.
Along the way you will have plenty of opportunities to take photos of this breathtaking scenery and chat with the locals. After a few hours trekking, we will reach the bottom of the valley where some stalls are available that serve tea and fruit; this is a perfect spot to rest and enjoy picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, continue your trek for 1,5 hours, through local villages, and arrive at the charming village of Ta Van, located in the valley of Muong Hoa. Here you will be greeted by the host family.
This evening you have dinner and enjoy talking with them, and of course spend the night in their home.
Notes:
* Trekking distance is 12km/5 hours and the grade is easy to moderate. This trek is adjustable, and can be shortened or lengthened, to your liking.
* For those who do not wish to experience a “homestay” we can go back to town and stay in a hotel with additional charge.
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and optional dinner at home stay
Accommodation: Local house in the village
Day 4 - Sapa for further discovery – Overnight by train to Hanoi (B,L)
Rising to the sounds of the Ta Van Village, enjoy breakfast that is prepared by the host family, after which you will bid a farewell. From Ta Van we trek along the edge of paddy fields, passing a bamboo forest and the hill to the Red Dao tribe in Giang Ta Chai village. Make a quick stop by a waterfall where you can relax for a while. Continue your trek to the main road, here you are picked up by your private vehicle again and driven back to Sapa town.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight train to Hanoi
Day 5 - Hanoi - Fascinating Halong Bay (B,L,D)
When arriving in Hanoi early in the morning, you will be picked up by your local tour guide and transferred to a day room in a hotel near the station to take a shower and relax after the rail journey.
After breakfast, depart Hanoi through the Red River Delta for Halong Bay (3.5 hours driving). Upon arrival, embark on the cruise then start cruising among the limestone islands. Keep cruising to the quiet area while enjoy breath-taking seascape along the way, until enjoy sunset party on sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Dinner is served around 19.00 then it’s time for you to socialize with other guests, to take part in board games, fishing for squid or just to laze around.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Day 6 - Ha Long - Back to Hanoi the capital (B)
Early this morning, start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt. Then, breakfast will be served on board while you immerse into the peaceful morning of Halong Bay. After check out of your cabin, continue your cruise exploring the Bay. While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the cooking class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Disembark around 12.00 then your driver will wait for you to take you back to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 7 - Hanoi - The royal ancient Hue (B,L)
You will have free time until being transferred to the Noi Bai airport for a flight to Hue, which is known as the ancient romantic city and famous for its magnificent architecture including the Citadel, palaces, pagodas and royal tombs built under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty against a poetic background of greenery on the banks of the Perfume River.
Hue was recognized as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1993. Hue has represented the cultural and spiritual center of Vietnam since ancient times. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to hotel in Hue. The rest of day is free time at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 8 - Explore the former capital of Vietnam (B,L)
Today you will travel by private vehicle to an icon of Vietnam and as potent a symbol of Hue as Thien Mu pagoda. It is famous for its seven storeys, and dedicated to a Manushi-Buddha. After your visit, board a local boat to the peaceful outskirts of Hue, where you will then start cycling on a leisurely tour to Thuy Bieu village. There are plenty of opportunities to admire the quiet and superb landscapes of Hue: rice fields, fruit tree orchards and vegetable gardens, communal houses, primary schools and a valley of cemeteries. Along the cycling route, visit a homemade incense-producing household and observe the daily life of the farmers as they perform their strenuous work with seemingly incredible joy and enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to greet those you meet along the way. Then, you’ll head to Tu Duc Mausoleum, one of the most beautiful tombs of Hue. It was inspired by the concept of tranquility and is a model of Vietnamese traditional art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial period before returning to the city center.
In the afternoon, have a closer look at the home of the royal family with a visit to the impressive Citadel. Round off your day with a walk around Dong Ba Market for a glimpse of local life. Back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 9 - Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B,L)
In the morning, we will drive over the mighty Hai Van Pass, take in the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and famous Long Co fishing village. On the way, we also visit the Cham Museum where remains evidence of the fascinating Champa civilization and then visit the Marble Mountain, which is a maze of caves and temples, hidden with five sacred marble rocks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 10 - Hoi An: Excursion to My Son Holy-land (B,L)
This morning, we will travel more than 60 km to visit My Son Holy land, which is another UNESCO Heritage and considered as one of the best-preserved Cham centers in Vietnam. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. This site is a must-see for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam. Back to your hotel and spend the rest of time at your own leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 11 - Hoi An - Nha Trang (B)
After breakfast at hotel, you will be free until we transfer you to Danang airport to take a short flight to Nha Trang, which is famous for seaside resorts, palm-lined white sand beaches and clear turquoise water. Especially, Nha Trang is heaven for those who are interested in snorkeling and scuba diving. Our guide will pick you up at Nha Trang airport and transfer to hotel for leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang
Day 12 - Nha Trang snorkeling (B,L)
This day, we will have a boat trip to explore Nha Trang bay and snorkelling. Then we visit around the bay and islands. Afternoon you enjoy a city tour with highlights like Long Son pagoda, Thap Ba Ponaga Tower, Dam market, Nha Trang Ocean institution. Return to hotel by late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang
Day 13 - Nha Trang - Da Lat (B)
After breakfast, ready for your transfer departing Nha Trang for Da Lat. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, setting out for a walking tour via Xuan Huong Lake, to Da Lat market where you can see hundreds different kind of highland vegetable, fruits, artichoke tea, coffee and packaged highland fruit jams. We come back to hotel via the Old Catholic church of Da Lat. The rest of day is then free at your leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Da Lat
Day 14 - Da Lat (B,L)
Enjoy breakfast at hotel and then start exploring Da Lat attractions: Truc Lam pagoda-the best-known Buddhist monastery in Da Lat and the Crazy House. Lunch is served at local restaurant. Return to your hotel in the afternoon, and enjoy your time at leisure or you may discover this peaceful town yourself.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Da Lat
Day 15 - Da Lat - Untold story of Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
After breakfast, we check out hotel and transfer to Da Lat airport for a brief flight to Saigon.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be greeted by your guide and then drive to start a half-day sightseeing tour of Saigon straight away. Commence with the Reunification Palace, then War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral – built between 1877 and 1883. This is one of the best samples of classical French colonial architecture. In addition, we also visit another sample of French colonial architecture - the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation; therefore, only outside visit is allowed. You may ask your guide to switch to a visit of Tan Dinh church and Tan Dinh market next door.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 16 - Back to the history: Cu Chi tunnels (B,L)
Having breakfast at the hotel then the trip will be continued to Cu Chi Tunnel system that was created to assist the Vietnamese Revolutionists against the French in 1948. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, etc. Especially, you will have the opportunity to take part in the unique experience of guerillas living underground during the war, with a crawl through 20/30/50 meters of the tunnel system. We then come back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon and spend the rest of day free.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 17 - Into the Mekong Delta: Ben Tre home stay (B,L,D)
Today, we will depart Saigon to Huu Dinh Market – Chau Thanh district – Ben Tre province. Arrive and set out for a walk in the flower fields and feel the daily life of the people in coconut origin where you can weed, fertilize and harvest with the local peoples. Visit the handicraft workshop by bus and walk in to the paddle pier. To take crowing-boat through the coconut’s stretches that you feel the daily life of the people at riverside. Stop to visit the Thanh Thuy coconut’s gardens where you can pick up and enjoy coconut water and tropical fruit. Then, take the motor-cart on the village road with the vast garden of coconuts and coca. Enjoy lunch with featured dishes of Mekong River region at the garden of Mr.10 Ưa (Thuy Uyen restaurant). Check in homestay.
This afternoon, you will walk on the village road, join garden (weed, fertilize, water for the coconut, cocoa, grapefruit’s garden...) with the local peoples, then visit a local workshop how to see making paper rice or to plant a tree for souvenir and you might join dinner cooking with the local people and enjoy dishes which you have just made.
In the evening, talk with the village elders who will share with you about "long-hair army and the Dong Khoi revolution of Ben Tre province in 1960“ or boat trip in the Ba Lai legend river to watch the fireflies (fire-butterfly).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Local house in Ben Tre
Day 18 - Further Southern: Ben Tre - Can Tho (B,L)
After breakfast, visit the local market by bicycle and see how exchange products at countryside. Then, say goodbye to your host and take boat trip along Ba Lai Legend River with the coconut’s stretches to see how local people fishing on the river. Stop to visit the coconut coir manufacturing facility. Continue cruising on Ba Lai River for relax tension. Wander and watch the local people’s daily activities on the river and feeling the daily life of the people shaped along riverside. Then, visit to know more about the coconut processing workshops located along river. A bus will then pick you up to visit the Ben Tre coconut candy workshop - specialty of native coconut where you can enjoy the delicious coconut candies; then meet up your local driver to transfer to Can Tho. Arrive and check in at the hotel then stay free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho
Day 19 - Can Tho - Back to the bustling Saigon (B,L)
This morning, we will visit one of the most legendary floating markets, which named 'Cai Rang'. We board our boat and commence our journey along the Mekong River, observing ‘true life on the river’, the hustle and bustle of families carrying out their morning chores and the locals heading our way to the markets to pick up their daily supplies. After lunch, we drive back to Saigon and the rest of day is your own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 20 - Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and you are free on your own until transferred to Tan Son Nhat International airport for your departure flight onward home or other destinations.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour ends.
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