View Route Map 
Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival (no meals)
Our guide will welcome you at the airport Noi Bai airport and then be transferred to your hotel in the center of city. Hanoi, a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called "city of lakes". Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay Mau Lake...As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike... You will visit our legend/history about Hoan Kiem lake (the lake of the Restored Sword), our architectural and our way of with small street and its name (Old quarter if time permits). Attend the performance of Water Puppet show - an unique Vietnamese arts.
Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Fullday tour (B)
Today enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip. Visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In the evening, attend the famous performance of water puppetry.
Overnight in Hanoi
Please note, you may as well visit Uncle Ho in his museum (Mondays and Fridays closed). Most of our clients do not wish, but we leave it open...And not to forget...Uncle Hoe travels for abt 2 to 3 months yearly to Russia - for a new make over: it might be he won't be residing when you are there...
Day 3: Hanoi – Bat Trang Pottery village - Overnight to Sapa (B)
Visit Bat Trang pottery village in the morning. Bat Trang, which translates as 'bowl-making village' became famous for its bricks and for its bat dan, a type of bowl popular in the Red River Delta. Bat Trang was so well known that its bricks. The village's ceramics were finished with five types of glaze: iron brown, blue and white, ivory, moss green, and cracked. The most typical designs, and the ones that are most popular to this day, involve a combination of white and deep cobalt blue.
In the afternoon, at leisure for own activities (late check out subject to the supplement cost below)
At 20:30, pick up at hotel, transfer to Hanoi Railways Station for Train to Lao Cai (4 person compartment sharing). Overnight trip.
Day 4: Lao Cai – Sapa – Lao Chai/Ta Van - Sapa (B)
Arrive at Lao Cai Train station at about 05.00. Take a transfer to Sapa.
Having breakfast and relax before explore Sapa Town. At a elevation of 1600 meters, Sapa is a delightful old French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnams' northwest, close to the Chinese border. The region is home to many ethnic minorities groups all wearing their traditional and colourful attire.
Hike down to Lao Chai village to visit the Tay and Day tribes. Continue along the bottom of the Sapa valley to get to Ta Van village, which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area. Today you will spend abt 4 hours hiking. It depends on you if you want to hike more or less. At least you can see one village - it is a must (!), once in this region! Return to Sapa by motorbike or jeep.
Overnight at hotel
Day 5: Sapa – Ta Phin - Lao Cai (B/L)
After breakfast check out and get ready for the trip. Drive to the direction of Ta Phin village (abt 40 minutes)- home to the Red Dao people. Here you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families of Black Hmong and Red Dao that live in the area. This will be about a 2 hour hiking experience. Pinic lunch.
The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves. Continue drive to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi by 4 berth compartment train. Overnight trip.
Overnight train.
Day 6: Hanoi Arrival - Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Arrive in Hanoi early morning. Refresh, bring you back to the shape! and have breakfast at hotel
09.00 am pick up you at your hotel in Hanoi. Travel to Ha Long city for about 3 hours drive.
PROGRAM WITH BAI THO TRADITIONAL WOODEN JUNK
13:00: Experience our fresh sea food set lunch while cruising
Heading to Bai Tu Long Bay
15:00: Visiting Vung Vieng floating fishing village
Unique trip by traditional rowing boat to visit one destination with two great sites as Vung Vieng – floating fishing village and Thung Cave (Cao Cave)
16:00: Free to swim at blue and clear sea water
Heading to Ho Đong Tien (Fairy Lake) area to anchorage.
17:30: Enjoy trim class of flowers from fruits and roots
18:30: Relax and enjoy sunset with cocktails.
19:15: Enjoy set fresh sea food dinner
20:30: Film collections.
Overnight on boat
PROGRAM WITH BHAYA CLASSIC CRUISE
12.00 - 12.30 Check-in at Bhaya Café, Halong City. Embark on Bhaya Classic for a Welcome Cocktail followed by a cruise briefing.
13.00 - 15.30 Savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as Bhaya Classic heads to Bai Tu Long Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) Islets and Vung Vieng fishing village.
15.30 - 17.00 Visit the fishing village by tender (30 minutes each) then return to the vessel for free time at your leisure or join one of the following optional activities: Discover the fishing village by local rowing boat
Kayak into the village or swim near the boat
Optional onboard activities: Sunbathing, traditional massage, etc.;
Trip by tender to an isolated pristine beach for swimming, snorkeling, etc.
17.00 Bhaya Classic cruises through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien.
Happy Hour & Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck.
19.30 Sumptious Seafood Set-dinner onboard.
21.00 Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program.
Overnight aboard Bhaya Classic
PROGRAM WITH GINGER CRUISE
Arrive at pier just before 12.00. Welcome by Ginger staff and embark with the shuttle boat for short transfer (approximately 5 minutes) to the Ginger. Welcome drink is served.
13.00-18.00: Enjoy lunch on board while the Ginger cruise Cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay, passage into the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth.
After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with Halong Ginger golden sails, go swimming on a quite beach at Soi Sim Island or sunbathing on the sundeck.
At sunset time, kayak or simply take a bamboo row boat to discover Hang Doi with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Later afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village.
18.30-21.00: Back on board Halong Ginger, enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at Ginger restaurant.
Day 7: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi - Hue (B)
PROGRAM WITH BAI THO TRADITIONAL WOODEN JUNK (B/L)
06:00: Sunrise time
07:30: Breakfast.
08:30: Visit Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprise) with English speaking guide
Book and magazines collections
10:30: Transfer to Cua Vang restaurant for set asian lunch
11:00: Enjoy lunch
PROGRAM WITH BHAYA CLASSIC CRUISE (Brunch)
06.15 Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served.
07.00 Bhaya Classic weighs anchor to cruise through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves, Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet, etc.
08.30 Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot).
09.30 Return to Bhaya Classic. Buffet brunch is served onboard. The vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor.
11.00 Disembark at Bhaya Café
PROGRAM WITH GINGER CRUISE (Brunch)
06.30: Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Coffee or tea is served.
08.00-09.00: Visit beautiful limestone Sung Sot grotto.
09.00-11.00: Buffet brunch is served while enjoy last glimpse of the Halong Bay.
11.30 onward: Time to say good bye to Halong and back to Hanoi.
Return to Hanoi by private car, arrive in Hanoi about 16.00 pm then heading to airport for afternoon flight to Hue
Meet on arrival, transfer to hotel for check in
Overnight at hotel
Day 8: Hue (B)
Take a scenic boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda.
You will visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, King Tu Duc’s tomb (Tu Duc is a king but also a poet, so his mausoleum is a poet garden), King Minh Mang tomb (typical formal oriental style designed). Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue – My Son - Hoi An (B)
The car will drive you to Danang. You will travel through Hai Van pass, and Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. Passing Danang, the car will continue to My Son -One of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area is My Son, Vietnam's most important Cham site, and as of 2000 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the centuries when Tra Kieu (the known as Simhapura) served as the political capital of Champa, My Son was the site of the most important Cham intellectual and religious centre, and also may has served as burial place for Cham monarchs. My Son is considered to be Champa's counterpart to the grand city of South-East Asia's other Indian-influence civilisation: Angkor (Cambodia), Bagan (Myanmar), Ayuthaya (Thailand) and Borobudur (Java).
Back Hoian and explore Hoian charming town on foot.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Hoi An – Leisure time – fly to Saigon (B)
Leisure time
Transfer to Danang airport for evening flight to Saigon
Meet on arrival Saigon, transfer to hotel for check in
Overnight at hotel
Day 11: Saigon – Fullday tour (B)
In this, the largest of Vietnam’s cities, you will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere, and there is something invigorating about it all. Constrasting images of the exotic and mundane abound. There are the street markets, where bargains are struck and deals are done; the pavement cafes, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets with a melodious thumping beat; and the sleek new cafes and pubs, where tourists chat over beer, pretzels, coffee and croissants. A young office worker manoeuvres her Honda Dream through rush-hour traffic, long hair flowing, high heel working the break pedal. The sweating Chinese businessman chats on his cellular phone, cursing his necktie in the tropical heat.
Visit to Thien Hau pagoda, Notre Dame cathedral, former post office, former Presidential Palace, War Museum, China town with Ben Thanh market
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Day 12: Saigon - Mekong Delta (Cai Be floating market) - Saigon (B)
Cai Be Floating Market is a famous place in Mekong Delta, here the Tien River forms the border between Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre Provinces. Every day, approximately 400 -500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other products anchor a long the banks of the river, waiting for traders and customers. The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a high pole in front of the boat as a sample to attract customers from a distance.
Our car will pick up at your hotel in early morning. Upon arrival at Cai Be, embark a private boat to cruise around Cai Be Floating Market to see local people being selling, buying, exchanging goods from their boats. Visit local garden and house to see orchard, rice crisped producing process, etc.. Cruise along river to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural natural setting of Mekong Delta region. About 3 pm, the boat will arrival at Vinh Long Market, walking around to explore Vinh Long Market. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh with stop at bonsai garden. Arrival at your hotel in the late evening.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 13: Saigon – Cu Chi tunnels – Tay Ninh - Saigon (B)
Drive a long way on the country side of Vietnam to Tay Ninh, 100 km from Ho Chi Minh city. On arrival to the head quarter of Cao Dai religious, you will have a chance to witness the daily ceremony at Cao Dai Holy See, and meet followers come to attend the ceremony wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity and Buddhism. Continue the trip to Cu Chi, visit the incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. Overnight at Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)
Free time for shopping or optional visit before transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure.
|
Español
Français
Summer Promotion 2010