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Essential Vietnam
Highlights of tour:
Contact with minority people, explore the mythic Ha Long bay, visit the Imperial city of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, the Mekong Delta & discover the daily 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. On arrival, check-in to the hotel.
A cyclo (rickshaw) trip around with 36 streets of Ha Noi 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…
Station for overnight train to Sapa.
Day 3: Lao Cai-Bac Ha (B,L,D)
We arrive in Lao Cai early morning. After breakfast at a local restaurant, transfer to Bac Ha, visit Bac Ha market (Open every Sunday morning) where do business of many tribes as H’mong, Tay, Dzao… We arrive in time to enjoy this very colorful ethnic 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. After the market, check in at the hotel. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, a short trekking to visit some ethnic village around Bac Ha town. Overnight in Bac Ha.
Day 4: Bac Ha – Sa Pa (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to the old French hill station of Sapa in the morning. Check in at the hotel upon arrival. Afternoon, 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 lives. Return to Sa Pa for dinner and night.
Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai – Ha Noi (B,L,D)
In the morning, visit local market of Sa Pa. Transfer to Cat Cat village, walking through the magnificent landscape, where we have the opportunity to meet the H’mong minority people. Come back to Sa Pa, washing before transfer to Lao Cai Station for overnight back to Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi-Ha Long (B,L,D)
Arrive in Hanoi early morning. After breakfast at a local restaurant, you’ll be driven about 3hrs to famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay. Here you’ll board a charming Junk where you’ll have lunch as you set sail for Titop Island. Spend the afternoon sailing through the 3,000 limestone pinnacles piercing the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most incredible natural wonders and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You’ll anchor at Titop this evening before an on-deck candlelight dinner featuring gourmet cuisine. Overnight on a Junk
Note: The cabins on board are simples, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower. This is a join-in cruise.
Day 7: 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 a rustic rowing boat. 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 in Ninh Binh late afternoon and drop off at hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ninh Binh.
Day 8: Ninh Binh-Hanoi-Hue (B,L,D) flight
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 Dinh & Le Temples, the ancient Capital of Vietnam through pleasant mountain scenery and beautiful villages. Transfer back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Transfer to the airport, flight to Hue. On arrival, welcome by our local guide, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue Visit (B,L,D)
In the morning, 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 10: Hue-Hoi An (B,L,D)
Drive up 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 at 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 11: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (B,L,D)
This morning, we drive to My Son sanctuary and visit this set of ruins from the ancient Cham Empire, build between 4th and 14th centuries AD. Return to Hoi An by boat cruise on Thu Bon River. Afternoon is reserved for a cooking class. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: 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 into town to 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 once 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. Overnight in Sai Gon.
Day 13: Saigon-Cai Be – Can Tho (B,L,D)
Morning we drive up 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. We cruise across the Mekong River and through the small canals to 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 to Can Tho, biggest city of Mekong region. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 14: Can Tho – Saigon (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel; visit the Cai Rang floating market. From the early morning, the waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables, plants, foods, etc… Sellers hang a sample of what they have from the top of a long pole so that buyers can see from a distance what they are selling. 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.
