Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival
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 6.30. 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 .Have a picnic lunch on the way . 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.
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. 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.
8.30 am pick up you at your hotel in Hanoi. Travel to Ha Long city for about 3 hours drive. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. Passing Dog Island, Incense Urn Island, Ga Choi Island, FInger Island, Hoa Cuong Island, and visit Surprise cave and short swim at Titov beach (if weather permitted). Have dinner on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing and later over night on board.
Day 7: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi - Hue (B/ L)
In the morning, cruising to Bai Tu long bay, Fire Island, Bo Nau Island, fishing village. Having lunch on boat and arrive at Ha long wharf about 12.00 noon. 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: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. This day you will a boat trip exploring the vibrant floating market of Cai Rang and Phong Dien, whose the trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item. After an impressive boat trip, you are back to Ho Chi Minh via My Tho with stop over a Bonsai garden.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
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.
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