EXPLORING VIETNAM FROM THE NORTH - THE CENTRAL - THE SOUTH - 12DAYS

779$

Day 1 : Hanoi - Arrival 

Arrival in Hanoi. We welcome you at the airport and transfer you to hotel. It's your leisure time after check - in at the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi


Day 2 : Hanoi city tour

About 8:00, our guide and driver will come and pick you up to visit Hanoi city.
You will start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-palace. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live in the past. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.
Continue your visit to the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam’s first University constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Have lunch at a local restaurants.
Afternoon, proceed to visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.
After that, we will take you to Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water and visit Ngoc Son Temple. (Read more about these attractions)
Enjoy an hours of cyclo tour around the bustling old quarter to see the ordinary life of Vietnamese people in Hanoi.
At 06.00pm, drop you off at hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner and a short while to explore the streets of Hanoi on your own.
Evening, around 21h00, Our tour assistant pick up from your hotel to go to Tran Quy Cap train station. He will lead you to your cabin on the train. The train departs and sleep the night on train.
Overnight on train.

Day 3 : Hanoi - Sapa trekking tour ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

Arrival at Lao Cai station at 6:00 am. Pick up at Lao Cai Station then transfer to Sapa.
Have breakfast before the trip starts. Drive to Y Linh Ho and start Trekking downhill to Muong Hoa Valley through rice paddies and small hamlets to learn the life of hill tribes here. Communication exchange with local people in Lao Chai village. Cook & have lunch at local family, continuing trekking through villages and rice terraced fields to Ta Van village settled by Dzay ethnic people which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area.a
Dinner and overnight in Sapa hotel.

Day 4: Sapa - Cat Cat Village – Night Train /Limounsine shuttle bus to Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel then we embark on a lovely walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong hill tribe’s minority people. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way and share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.
Bus back to Sapa. Check out the hotel. Have lunch at the local restaunt.
Afternoon, Free to visit sapa town and go shopping. Dinner on guests account. Transfer to Lao Cai for overnight train back to Hanoi.
Overnight in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.
( If you take a limounsine shuttle bus. In the afternoon, the bus will pick you up at 15:00 in your hotel to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at 21:00. Check in hotel, Overnight in Hanoi)

Day 5 : Hanoi - Halong bay cruise ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

Arrival in Hanoi. Breakfast at hotel then transfer to Halong bay.
Around 08.00, Our guide Pick you up at your hotel and go to Halong bay on a shuttle bus. Take a rest at Humanity center and enjoy local specialties.
Arrival in Halong at 11.45. The captain and crew welcome you aboard. Savor the delicious lunch as boat pass through thousands of Islands and Islets with different shapes.
After lunch, explore the biggest and the most amazing cave in Halong Bay – Surprise Cave. Then Kayaking for an hour around the fishing village and discover the life of community there. Then back to boat for Sunset Party, get to calm, clean water place for swimming.
Enjoy the dinner In the evening, free time for entertainment with the funny plays such as squid fishing, karaoke program, stars watching on sundeck… Spend romantic night on board. 
Overnight on board.

Day 6 : Halong bay – Hanoi - Airport ( Breakfast, Lunch )

In the morning, breakfast, fruits, coffee and tea are served on board. Cruise further and stop-over at a pearl farm to sea real peace cultivated by local fisherman.
After that, we continue cruising further, go throught many islands and islets to discover the hidden charm of the bay.
Join a cooking class opened right on the cruise for all the people are interested in cooking, especially cooking Vietnamese food.
Cruise back to the prier while having lunch. Say goodbye to the crew and disembark. Get on bus to go back to Hanoi. Transfer to airport for Flight to Hue
Overnight at hotel in Hue


Day 7 : Hue - Hue city tour ( B, L )

Around 8.15, you will start the tour by visiting Thien Mu Pagoda. To visit this pagoda, you will get a boat trip on Perfume River (called “Huong” River in Vietnamese). After the boat trip which takes around 45 minute, you arrive the Pagoda.
Thien Mu Pagoda was built on a hillock overlooking the Perfume river. This pagoda is an icon of Vietnam and the symbol of Hue city.
9.30, finish your visit at Thien Mu Pagoda, get on the car waiting outside to visit the Citadel (also called “The Imperial City”). It is a walled palace within the citadel of the city of Huế, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The building was built in 1362, and took 203 years to complete.
10.45, your next visit will be at Hue Royal Antiques museum. The Royal Antiquities Museum displays a huge collection of ornaments, furniture, jewelry, clothing, and other items relating to royal life during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). It is housed in the former Long An Palace, which is widely considered to be one of Vietnam’s most beautiful palaces. You have 20 minute for exploring the Museum before visit Dong Ba Market. This is Hue’s largest market, selling anything and everything.
12.45, arrival at a nice local restaurant. Enjoy your lunch and take a rest.
13.45, we leave the restaurant for the tomb of King “Minh Mang”. King “Minh Mang” was the second emperor of the Nguyen dynasty of Vietnam, reigning from 14 February 1820 until his death, on 20 January 1841.
15.00, Continue your visit at the Tomb of King “Khai Dinh”. King “Khai Dinh” was the 12th Emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty in Vietnam, reigning from 1916 to 1925.
16.00, we go back to Hue city and drop you off at your hotel. Then our driver transfers you to Hoi An.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 8 : Hoi An - My Son sanctuary ( B, L )

At 8.00, Our guide picks you up at hotel and leave Hoi An for visiting My Son Holly Land – the ruins of Cham people and was an imperial city during Cham dynasty. Here you can have more chance to explore and understand of technique of Old Cham people in making red bricks to build Tower which still now a secret to everyone, you can see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works. It also surprises for those who are curious with architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Moreover, you have chance to enjoy traditional music performed by Cham girls in their colorful uniforms.

Afternoon, we will discover the city of Hoi An by foot. The historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city from the 16th to 18th centuries is now a beautiful city that can’t be missed while touring the South East Asian region.
While walking through the city, we will visit:
Hoi An’s Colorful Local Market
Tan Ky Old House
Fu Jian Assembly Hall
The 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge

Also, you will have chance to see local residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An’s burgeoning textile industry.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 9 : Hoi An - Danang airport - Ho Chi Minh city ( B, L )

Morning, your leisure for relaxation in Hoi An. Transfer to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh city. We welcome you at airport and transfer you to hotel. It's your leisure time after check - in at the hotel

Afternoon: leave Ho Chi Minh for Cu Chi. Arrival at Cu Chi tunnel, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war).
Located 60km from Ho Chi Minh city, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. Today, ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a “Free Target Zone”.
Go back to Ho Chi Minh city
Overnight in your hotel

Day 10 : Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre - Can Tho ( B, L )

At 08:00, Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden.
After lunch, a boat ride to An Khanh, a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho.
Check into your hotel on arrival at Can Tho. Free to explore the city on your own and visit a village on your own, meet the local people.
Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.

Day 11 : Mekong delta - Phong Dien - Cai Rang - Ho Chi Minh city.

Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to visit Cai Răng floating market (& Phong Dien is optional), which are the liveliest in the whole religion.
Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a “Monkey bridge” which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. Back to Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 12 : Ho Chi Minh city tour - Departure flight ( B, L )

Morning: Ho Chi Minh City tour. We start the trip by these famous places: Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, followed by exploring the Reunification Palace, and the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum. (Drop you off at Ben Thanh Market for shopping if we have enough time).
After finish the tour, transfer to airport for your departure flight. 

Tour price includes:
Domestic flights.
Boats in Hue and Mekong Delta.
Kayakking: Safe, clean and beautiful.
Room on boat in Halong bay with Air Conditioner.
Train tickets: Ha Noi – Lao Cai and return.
Meals mentioned (B,L,D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
Transfer and transport as per itinerary.
English speaking guide.
Mentioned accommodations
Entrance and sightseeing fees.

Excludes:
Drinks
Your personal expenses.