Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Meals: N/A)
Our tour guide will meet and greet you upon arrival to Hanoi City- the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Restored Sword Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Much of the city was transformed by the French when it became a French protectorate in the 1880s and there are wide boulevards and large colonial buildings which are now home to government departments and foreign embassies. Transferring to your hotel in the city center to refresh. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tours - Sapa (Meals: B)
5 hour orientation city tour to visit interesting sites in the city like Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature "Vietnam's 1st University built in the 10th C". Break time for lunch and we will visit the Vietnam National History of Museum with good collection of prehistoric artifacts and everyday items of early history through eras and dynasties. Then we will take 1 hour by cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarters to experience daily life of people who are living in the oldest parts of the city, Enjoying the famous traditional water puppetry show in Thang Long Theatre where you will have chance to get a general picture of the daily activities typical to Vietnam's rural areas. At leisure for your own dinner and then we will transfer you to the station to catch night train to Sapa. Overnight on the train.
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa (Meals: B)
The train arrives in Lao Cai at 05:00 am. Drive uphill to Sapa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa is the former hill retreat for French administrators when the heat in plain became unbearable. The remoteness and simple lifestyle of ethnic minorities are a highlight of Sapa although conditions are very basic. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. In the afternoon, we trek to Cat Cat village (2 km from Sapa town) where you will visit the village of Black H’mong hill tribes. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Sapa Valley. Back to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)
This morning, trekking to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages inhabited by Black H’mong and Dzay ethnic minorities. Enjoy amazing and breath-taking landscapes of terraced paddies, green valleys and meet with friendly local people. Back to Sapa. In the afternoon, we transfer you back to Lao Cai station to take night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Meals: B, L, D)
Pick up at the station at 06:00 and we will transfer you to Halong Bay. We depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise.
Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Our driver will be awaiting for you at the pier and drive you back to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi - Hue (Meals: B, L)
Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue (Meals: B)
In the morning, we will take boat trip along the scenic Perfume River for sightseeing and next stop will be the famous Thien Mu pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor's mausoleum. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 9: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An (Meals: B, L)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous Sandy Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarters to see the town's landmarks of Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Temple and then we take a river trip and you will enjoy the scenery along the Thu Bon River and the general view of Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit ceramic village of Thanh Ha, carpentry village of Kim Bong and Dai Chiem Estuary. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An (Meals: B)
Morning tour to visit local market and boat trip on Thu Bon River to visit handicraft villages. Back to hotel and you will be free at leisure on the beach or wandering around the town for the rest of day. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An - Saigon (Meals: B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. The tour guide will pick you up at the airport we will visit some interesting sites and landmarks in Saigon City. First stop is Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral and short visit to French built Post Office nearby, and then we will proceed to see the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace. Touring the building and then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. Overnight at hotel in Saigon City.
Day 12: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Can Tho (Meals: B, L)
Leave Saigon for My Tho. My Tho is located on the northern banks of the Mekong river and is the closest town in the Delta area to Ho Chi Minh City, about 2 hours drive away. In the center of the town close to the river there is a large market that sells just about anything that can be eaten or is used in day to day business. Around the My Tho area you will find a maze of small canals that can be explored on one of the many organized boat tours. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River and visit an orchard on an island, with lunch en route. Continue driving to Can Tho. Check-in hotel and stay overnight in Can Tho.
Day 13: Can Tho - Saigon (Meals: B, L)
Early morning board for a 3-hour cruise to Cai Rang floating market - The Cai Rang Floating Market is one of several floating markets in the Mekong Delta. This market is where locals go to buy and sell a variety of fruits and vegetables from boats of all sizes. During the early morning market hours, larger sized boats anchor and create lanes that smaller boats weave in and out of. The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, and even smuggled goods like cigarettes. Sellers tie their goods to a tall pole so that buyers can see from a distance what they are selling. Other boats sell beer, wine and soft drinks to the merchants and the buyers. Touring the market to experience river lifestyles of local people. Transfer back to Saigon City with stopover in Mekong Rest Stop. Check-in hotel again and the rest of time at your own leisure. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Day 14: Saigon Departure (Meals: B)
Free at leisure or take tours around the city if time permits and then we will transfer you to the airport to catch your own international flight onward. End of service. |