Vietnam basic excursion 16 days

Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, which is formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a sprawling metropolis that is home to over 5 million people and a fast-paced city full of contrasts as street vendors selling fruit and vegetables can be seen next to glitzy western-style bars and boutiques. Saigon’s history is only 300 years old. In 1859 the city was captured by the French and became the capital of Cochin China. From 1956 until its dramatic demise in April 1975 it was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is very much the heart of Vietnamese business and entrepreneurs. And yet the city still retains its connections to the past, particularly in Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown. Here dozens of elegant temples and pagodas can be seen. The French also left their mark with some fine colonial-era buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

 

Our city tour will help you to see the best of Saigon. In the morning we visit the historic Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, followed by the architectural treats of French colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. In the afternoon. In the afternoon, we drive to Cu Chi district, 50 km to the Northwest of Saigon City. On arrival watch a video presentation on the construction of the tunnels before making your way into the tunnels. Here you can spend around an hour exploring the maze of tunnels and also view the various mantraps on display and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. This unique experience gives a fascinating insight into what underground life in the war must have been like. The return journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Free time at leisure or shopping at Ben Thanh Market nearby. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

 

Pick up at hotel at 07:15 AM and transfer to Cai Be. Day private cruise excursion starts from Cai Be, departing from our own pier in Phu An hamlet at around 10.00 am. Upon embarkation on a private sampan boat, clients. The tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables. Your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During a 40 minutes cruise, you will be able to discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Visit at an ancient mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup a tea. Back on board, we will lead to you to observe the activity of the biggest rice stock market. Further, others stops will allow you to see a traditional bricks and tiles factory and how locals are using palm leaves for houses. Cruising 20 minutes further to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be beautiful church, we will have a visit at some interesting home factories to see how rice paste is made, but also rice cookies, coco candies, as well as longan fruits drying process. Lunch will await you at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. At 03:00pm, our car will transfer you back to Saigon. Today you will stay overnight at hotel in Saigon City.

 

 

 

Cruising down river and enjoying the village peaceful life along the banks of Cai River. The trip begins with a visit to the Po Nagar Temples, an outstanding example of Cham architecture, situated on Mount Cu Lao where you can have panoramic views of the surrounding. From here board the riverboat for the leisurely cruise cruise visiting Cu Lao Fish market. Take a horse carriage to visit a wide range of local handicrafts in production, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery that unfolds along the banks, experience and make acquaintance with local people in their natural scenery & daily life. Next stop will be a short visit to Pagoda Orphanage where it shelters and cares for over 120 abandoned, orphaned or street children. We will visit a family of local people and see a typical Vietnamese country house in the countryside. Transfer you back to the city. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang

 

Spend a day at leisure on your own in Nha Trang.

 

At leisure until we transfer you to the airport to take a short flight to Danang. This day ends with a room overlooking the ocean at Hoi An's Cua Dai Beach and a wonderful dinner at one of Hoi An's delightful restaurants. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

 

Spend a day at leisure on your own at beach resort in Hoi An.

 

At leisure and we will transfer you to the airport in Danang city for flight to Hanoi, 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. You will be transferred to your hotel in the city center to refresh. Tonight, we will experience a cuisine delights at Cha Ca La Vong restaurant or simply grilled fish. is the famous restaurant to many Hanoians as well as visitors from all over the world. Ambience atmosphere, simple meals but it was truly experience. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

Waking up and enjoy the sun rising 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 car will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Free at leisure or make your own exploration to the city. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

 

Free at leisure until transferring to Hanoi airport to take departure flight. Home sweet home. End of service.