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Authentic Vietnam
Highlights of tour:
Trekking to Fansipan, contact with minority people, discover the Imperial city of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, the Mekong Delta & live in an authentic life of Vietnam.
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Welcome to Vietnam, arrival at Hanoi airport, after immigration and customs formalities, you’ll be met by your personal guide and driver, then transfer into the city. Upon arrival, check-in to hotel.
A cyclo (rickshaw) trip around with 36 streets of Hanoi ancient town gives you a chance to explore the different local way of life.
Enjoy the Water Puppet Show in the evening.
Welcome dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 2: Hanoi-Lao Cai (B,L,D)
All day city tour Hanoi to visit: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, President Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, West Lake, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda. After lunch at local restaurant, Visit a complex of the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (Jade mountain Temple), But Tower (Pen – shaped tower), Dai Nghien (Ink Stand), the Red – painted wooden The Huc Bridge…
Transfer to Hanoi station for overnight train to Sapa. Overnight on train.
Day 3: Lao Cai-Coc Ly-Sapa (B,L,D)
You arrive in Lao Cai early morning. After breakfast and a little break in a local restaurant, transfer to Coc Ly market (Open every Tuesday morning) by car, arriving in time to enjoy the very colorful H’mong market in Northern Vietnam. This weekly outdoor gathering isn’t just a chance to buy and sell goods; it’s also the social highlight of the week for ethnic groups from all over the area. Lunch at a local restaurant. After the market, you will take a boat for a nice cruise on Chay River. Transfer to the old French hill station of Sapa in the afternoon. Overnight in Sa Pa.
Day 4: Sapa (B,L,D)
(Easy trek / 4 hours)
After breakfast at a local restaurant, we go to Lao Chai village (08kms from Sapa), which is inhabited by the Black Hmong hill tribe.
We trek through terraced rice fields, follow the buffalo paths… in the village from Lao Chai to Ta Van, the only village in the Sa Pa valley where the Giay minority lives. In Ta Van we enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our guide in a local house. After lunch we continue our walk through the bamboo forest before reaching Giang Ta Chai, where we have the opportunity to meet the Red Dao minority people. A vehicle will be awaiting us in Giang Ta Chai and take us back to Sa Pa. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Sapa-Tram Ton-2.400m (B,L,D)
You are having a couple of interesting days waiting ahead. You travel by car toward the Silver Waterfall where you will be able to take a short walk to the waterfall. You will then drive further to Heaven Gate, the highest peak of roads in Vietnam. From there you can see Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina mountains as well as enjoy stunning views. The trek will be relatively soft until lunchtime. After a couple of hours of hiking, you will have a break at a nice spot in the forest and enjoy a good lunch. With new energy you start ascending as well as descending towards the campsite. En route you have many opportunities to enjoy the scenery and magnificent views to Sapa area and beautiful landscape of Lai Chau province. You will arrive to the campsite at 2900m ASL in the late afternoon. Now it is time to relax and enjoy a well prepared dinner. Overnight in tent.
Day 6: 2.400m-The Top of Fansipan-2.400m (B,L,D)
After having breakfast, you climb to the top, where you can celebrate your victory. From there, you can enjoy the best view to beautiful sceneries. You will then trek through rainforest to go back to the campsite for lunch. After lunch, you start your journey back. Dinner & overnight in tent.
Day 07: Hanoi – Ha Long (B,L,D)
Arrive in Hanoi early morning. After breakfast at a local restaurant, you’ll be driven about 4hrs to famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay. Embark at the cruise, welcome drink followed by cruise briefings. Check in your cabins.
Enjoy a great set lunch as you cruise among beautiful islets (Indochina studio, Am Island…). The Bai Tu Long bay area has the wild beauty with the panoramic natural views, making it unforgettable to tourists.
Visiting the Vung Vieng village by rowing boat – the famous pearl-growing village and the fishing tanks of the local people. Tourists can observe the process of feeding pearl as well as the life of local people on the surface of Halong bay. Free leisure for your swimming & kayaking and treasure the wonderful beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay at the sunset, admire the striking islands and islets. Stay overnight on board.
Note : The cabins on board are simple, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower. This is a join-in cruise (possibility to book a private junk).
Day 08 : Ha Long – Hanoi – Hue (B,L,D)
Early morning, you are invited to join a Tai Chi demonstration taking place on the top deck of the junk.
Continuing the cruise toward Cong Do area. Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Co Cave (Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son). You can revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long bay from above, as well as the glorious long white sand of Hon Co Island.
Lunch on board while the cruise come back to the pier. You will disembark the Junk and transfer to Ninh Binh, stop on the way to visit Pho Minh pagoda. Arrive Ninh Binh late afternoon and drop off at hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ninh Binh
Day 9: Ha Long-Ninh Binh (B,L,D)
You will begin this morning with a sunrise breakfast before your exploration of Luon Cave (Tunnel cave) by sampan. Then continue to visit another part of Bay (Bai Tu Long Bay). Lunch on board. You will disembark the Junk and transfer to Ninh Binh, stop on the way to visit Pho Minh pagoda. Arrive Ninh Binh late afternoon and drop off at hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ninh Binh.
Day 10: Ninh Binh-Hanoi-Hue (B,L,D)
In the morning, you will start cycling to Tam Coc. Enjoy the gorgeous limestone karsts and rolling green fields, which gave the area the nickname “Ha Long Bay of the rice paddies”. You will climb aboard a tiny boat for a peaceful cruise up the river to Tam Coc, the “three lagoons”. Then continue to cycle to Dinh & Le Temples, the ancient Capital of Vietnam through pleasant mountain scenery and beautiful villages. Transfer back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Free at leisure until transfer to Hanoi Station for overnight train SE1-19:00 to Hue.
Note: This day, you will have 01 room at a hotel for washing after cycling before transfer back to Hanoi.
Day 11: Hue Visit (B,L,D)
Arrival in Hue in the morning, after a breakfast a local restaurant, you will take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda. Then visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Tu Duc & Khai Dinh. Afternoon, visit the majestic Imperial Citadel of Hue and finish the day with a visit to Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
Day 12: Hue-Hoi An (B,L,D)
Drive to Hoi An via scenic Hai Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit. Stop at Lang Co to stretch your legs and enjoy the white sands of this peaceful beach. Arrival the ancient town of Hoi An. Afternoon, explore the old port town’s narrow cobblestone streets and visit historic sites including a traditional Chinese trading house, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 13: Hoi An-Da Nang-Saigon (B,L,D)
Morning, you’ll be transferred to Da Nang airport for your flight to Sai Gon. Upon arrival in Sai Gon, you’ll be driven hotel. After lunch, you will immediately begin your exploration of Sai Gon, the economic powerhouse of Vietnam. You will visit the Reunification Hall and the former US Embassy. Historically, both buildings symbolize the deep scars of this war-torn country. You also have the chance to see the War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and general post office which was reportedly designed Gustave Eiffel. Walk amongst the frenzied merchants and buyers of Cho Lon market and visit Thien Hau Pagoda. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Sai Gon.
Day14: Saigon-Cai Be-Vinh Long-Saigon (B,L,D)
Morning, we drive to Cai Be. On arrival, take a boat trip around the famous Cai Be Floating Market and visit local cottages making rice paper, pop-corn. The cruise is across the Mekong River and through the small canals, you can see the real daily life of the local people. Stop at a bonsai and fruit garden for lunch. Continue the boat trip to Vinh Long. Disembark and drive back to Sai Gon. Overnight in Sai Gon.
Day 15: Saigon Departure (B)
Free at leisure until transfer to Saigon airport for your international flight.
