Vietnam's endless miles of breathtaking beaches, scenery, soaring mountains swathed in fog-shrouded forests, and evocative green rice paddies beckon travelers in search of natural beauty. Meanwhile, its colorful cultural diversity reflects the collective resilience of a people who have retained their national identity and triumphed despite centuries of external domination

 

Day 01:  Arrival Hanoi

Greet and meeting at the aiport. You will be transfer to the hotel in Hanoi

This afternoon is your leisure time.

Tonight, we enjoy the puppet show followed by the dinner in Hanoi.

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

( Dinner included)

 

Day 02:  Hanoi city tour - train to Sapa

Morning, we visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh. The complex also contains the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the founding of the city in the 11th century. From here we visit the impressive Museum of Ethnology, the finest museum in Vietnam. This museum is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. Lunch at Cha ca la vong restaurant. Afternoon visit Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university, dating back to the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucius. We follow this with a walking tour of Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the focal point of the city. The Old Quarter with its bustling streets are home to hundreds of small thriving businesses, each street denoting its trade, such as Tin Street or Fish Street. Tonight, we overnight on boat to Sapa.

 ( Breakfast and lunch included)

 

Day 03: Sapa village

The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa.  The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, we will check in to hotel, we have a freshen up, and have  breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. At 10am from hte hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.

Overnight at the hotel in Sapa

( Breakfast and lunch  included)

 

Day 04: Sapa  -   Hanoi

Following breakfast at the hotel we embark on a lovely  walk  that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village.  Afternoon, transfer to the railway station for the local train back to Hanoi.

Overnight on board.
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 05: Hanoi - Halong bay

Pick up at the railway station for a four-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Arrival in Halong City we transfer to  a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site.

12h30: Board Junk, check-in registration

13h00: Have lunch with welcome wine.

14h00: A fantastic cruise in Ha Long bay

15h00. Optional  visit to Thien Cung cave , Dau Go cave, round over Tuan     Chau island,  or  Sungsot cave

Optional swim at lovely beaches.  Afternoon tea with pastries on the sundeck or in the restaurant and drink  before dinner

 18h00: Junk cruise ankor by the lagoon

19h00: Enjoy 4 course diner and overnight on Junk.

(Breakfast,lunch and Diner included)

 

Day 06: Halong bay  -  Hanoi

Rising to the sound of ocean coming to life for another lovely day. We breakfast over sunset:

07h30 : Junk boat once again sets sail through breathtaking secluded Halong bay

08h00:  Enjoy breakfast while cruising

9h00 :   Visit Bai tu long Bay , Teapot island , Chopstiks island , Bai tho mountain.

11h00 : Return to Halong city and have lunch on board.

12h00 : Back to Halong wharf and disembark
Transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

(Breakfast  included)

 

Day 07: Hanoi  - Hue

Today, take the flight to Hue at flight VN 245  1240/1350

Arrival Hue, you will be pick up to the hotel in Hue.

This afternoon,  we explore the city of Hue.The Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City are the highlight of this small city. Built in the19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. In the surrounding countryside there is the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pogoda. One of  the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue

( Breakfast included)

 

Day 08: Hue - Danang  - Hoian

Be ready for the trip to Hoian , an old trading town is our destination. On the way we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. We then go on to Hai Van pass and stop at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city.Following to our way down the other side and into Danang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. We will spend the rest of  the afternoon exploring and relaxing.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoian.

(Breakfast,lunch and dinner  included)

 

Day 09: Hoian

Hoi An is a delightful small town easily explored by foot. More than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feeling of centuries past and is a favorite with all travellers. You can spend your time walking around the historic town soaking up the atmosphere, exploring the fascinating local market or hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 kms away. Have a whole new wardrobe tailored or improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoian

 (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

 

Day 10: Hoian - Danang - Saigon Cuchi Tunnels

Today, take the flight VN 325  1330/1440 to Saigon.

Pick up at the airport, transfer to the hotel for luggue lelf, we drive west to Tay Ninh , the head quarter of Cao Dai region. On arrival, we attend the fantastic mid-day temple service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. On the way back, we also make stop for an interesting visit to Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and shools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war.

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

(Breakfast included)

 

Day 11:Saigon - Mekong Delta

Heading out of town we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up. This thrilling excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving on an island. Here we have opportunities to visit some fascinating local industries, stroll around an orchard and taste many seasonal fruits. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda. Return to Saigon.

Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

 ( Breakfast   included)

 

Day 12: City tour  -  Siemriep

Today the guide will take you a city tour around Saigon, to enjoy the most exciting city of Vietnam and delicious food here. Visit independence palace, China town and  BenThanh market.

Afternoon, drive to visit the Cuchi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon  all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s,  let the Viet Minh  and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area.  It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers.  In places, it was several  stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth,going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible.  But even so, the planning and construction was incredible.  People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters.  They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke.  There were also hidden  trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back.  And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors.

Tranfer to the flight VN 849   1835/1935 to Siem Reap

Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

( Breakfast  included)

 

Day 13: Angkor Wat

Visit Angkor Thom temples: Victory Gate, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace, Takeo and TaProhm. Lunch served at local restaurant. Afternoon enjoy the spectacular architecture and sculprure of the World Heritage at Angkor Wat and view the sunset over the Angkor complex on the top of Phnom Bakheng Mt.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

( Breakfast  included)

 

Day 14: Angkor Wat

Enjoy Angkor Wat Sunrise and spend the whole morning to explore the greatest fine-art of Angkor Empire at Banteay-Srey temple. Lunch at local Restaurant. Afternoon visit the grand circuit of temples: Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srong, Neak Poan, Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Preah Khan.

Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

( Breakfast  included)

 

Day 15: Departure

Leisure time until transfer to the airport to your departure flight.

( Breakfast included)

 

 

Trip includes

English speaking guide

All accommodation on doube/twin basis with daily breakfast

Meals as indicated

All transfers/ transport

Tours with entrance fees, boat cruise, speedboat and  transfers during guided time

Train with A/ C- Soft sleeper

Trip excludes

Airfares & airport taxes

Flight from Hanoi ? Hue// Danang ? Saigon// Saigon- Siem Reap: US$ 340 per person

Domestic airport taxes

Visa and visa arrangement

Travel insurance

Meals not indicated

Other personal expenses

Tips and gratuities

 

Trip cost : in US$ and  per person based on 2 people traveling together
US$ 1797  per person

Accommodations

 

City/Destination	Hotels
Saigon	Renaissance *****
Hanoi	Melia hotel *****
Halong	Junk ****
Hue	Saigon Morin hotel*****
Hoi an	Golden sand resort *****
Sapa	Victoria Sapa hotel****
Siem Reap	Victoria Angkor hotel****