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Introduction:
Welcome to Vietnam... As we travel through the country, we look forward to sharing our passion for this beautiful destination with you. The 18 day trip will take you from  the colonial elegance of Ha Noi to the natural wonder of Halong Bay, up to the quiet mountains of Sapa, the imperial splendor of Hue, enchanting Hoi An, and rural scenery of Mekong Delta all combine to make this a most memorable trip. Finishing in hectic Ho Chi Minh City, don't miss the Ben Thanh market for some fantastic shopping....

HIGHLIGHTS

* Hanoi’s beautiful colonial streets and Water Puppet Show

* Boat cruise in spectacular Halong Bay

* Visit hill-tribal Montagnard villages and colorful market in Sapa

* Explore the Forbidden citadel and emperors’ tombs in Hue

* Visit the ancient trading town of Hoi An

* Homestay on the quiet backwaters of Mekong Delta

* The dynamic and vibrant city of Saigon and the former Viet Cong stronghold Cu Chi tunnels

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
 

Day 1 Hanoi arrival, Water puppetry performance

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to hotel in Hanoi.

The rest of your day is at leisure for independent exploration – just catch a sight of Hoan Kiem lake or explore the maze of streets in the city's fascinating Old Quarter where you are certain to find something unique to buy.

In the early evening we attend a performance of traditional water puppetry

Overnight at Hanoi A1 hotel in Hanoi

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Days 2-3 Hanoi free time

Today you are free on your own, there's a chance for more exploration. Why not head back to the Old Quarter, stroll the city's tree-lined boulevards or enjoy the tranquility of the lakes over a traditional Vietnamese coffee!...

Overnight at Hanoi A1 hotel in Hanoi

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Day 4 Halong Bay Cruise, overnight on boat (Join group tour)

This morning we take a 4 hour drive to Halong Bay. On arrival we board our deluxe junk, this traditional wooden sailing junk boat offers a unique way of navigating the limestone karsts of Halong Bay with all the comforts of a motorised, floating hotel. Once settled in, you start your cruise round the majestic Halong Bay, while enjoying a delicious lunch. After lunch you have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then, the captain will find a secluded spot where you can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck. In the evening the cook prepares a sumptuous meal as the boat weighs anchor in the heart of the bay.

Overnight on Amigo Deluxe Junk boat

Meal inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Halong Bay Exploration

After breakfast, you are transfered to a day – trip boat with private crew and another wonderful cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas to visit Tortoise island , Man's head island, Dong Tien Lake, Van Gia floating villages..., if the tides are low, we have a chance to visit Ba Ham Lakes, Three Peach Island. Lunch is served on board by your chef, your cruise continues as you move around the bay finding more secluded lagoons for swimming or kayaking. Late in the afternoon we return to the Amigo cruiser for the night

Overnight on Amigo Deluxe Junk boat

(Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)

Day 6 Return to Hanoi, overnight train to Sapa

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip or enjoy a morning view of the Bay's landscapes with a cup of tea. The boat keeps cruising to float fishing village for you to have a look of local people lives on water. We enjoy brunch on board and around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for your journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in Hanoi at around 3pm.

In the evening we board our overnight train for Lao Cai. We travel in air-conditioned comfort in our soft sleeper cabins!

Overnight: on train (First class, private cabin)

Meal inclusions: Lunch

Day 7 Bac Ha market

The train arrives in Lao Cai at about 6:00 am where our guide will welcome you. Look for the sign bearing your name when you exit the train station. We have breakfast in a local restaurant and then take a morning drive through the clouds by car to Bac Ha market (about 2 hours).

Just before reaching the market we will see colorful activity. Beautiful Flower Hmong people carrying hand crafted products or pulling dogs or buffalos, all on their way to the market. You are free to wonder around the market and become a part of the trading activities. Try some typical “Thang Co” at one of the market stalls for more of a traditional taste. In the afternoon we transfer to Sapa town.

Overnight: Holiday hotel in Sapa

Meals included: breakfast and lunch

Day 8 Sapa short trekking into villages

At an elevation of 1500 meters, Sapa was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French administrators in summer time. Just soak up the fresh climate by spending our time wandering this famous hill town. The ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Sapa and small vendors along the street selling local textiles and handicraft

On the morning of day 8 our guide will come to hotel and pick you up for a short walk along buffalo paths and trails 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. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore this fascinating hillside town.

Overnight: Holiday hotel in Sapa

Meals included: breakfast

Day 9 Sapa free time, overnight train back to Ha Noi

Wake up in Sapa town, breakfast at the hotel then enjoy the morning at your leisure, consider taking some exercise with a walk to Cat Cat Village, set in a beautiful valley just outside Sapa. Cat Cat is home to the H'mong people who originated from China about 3,000 years ago. The H'mong people are easily recognisable by their dark blue or black clothing, dyed using the juice of indigo plants, which are native to the area. H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair rolled up into a turban-like hat, while the men wear black skullcaps, long waistcoats and loose trousers.

In the afternoon we depart for the Lao Cai train station. We have dinner here before boarding the night train back to Hanoi.

Overnight: on train (First class, private cabin)

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Days 10-11 Hue Sightseeing

A short flight brings us to the imperial city of Hue, you are welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Founded as a royal city in 1687, Hue is the gateway to the treasures of Vietnam's royal past. Today Hue remains one of Vietnam's major tourist attractions. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen dynasty in a poetic background of greenery on the banks of the Perfume river. We have the opportunity with a guided tour to visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen emperors' tombs, the famed Thien Mu Pagoda and also enjoy a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. A coffee at one of the riverside coffee shops at sunset is also an experience not to be missed.

Overnight at Asia hotel in Hue

Meal inclusions: Breakfasts

Days 12-13 Hoi An free time, cooking class

Leaving Hue, our journey takes us south through rural countryside and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co before ascending the dramatic Hai Van Pass, past stunning rural and coastal scenery, to the town of Da Nang. We drive the short distance south to famous Sandy Beach and then to the enchanting town of Hoi An - declared World Heritage Site (approx. 4 hours). Once a thriving river port, the town's architecture has been preserved and restored. This small town is a favourite with Active Travel Indochina travellers, and wandering the streets and narrow alleyways brings hours of pleasure and discovery. Today's trade is in ceramics, wood-ware, paintings and tailoring. There is something here for everyone and it is the perfect place to pick up gifts for those at home. There are options here for a visit to the World Heritage My Son Sanctuary, the traditional handicraft villages of Kim Bong carpentry, Thanh Ha ceramics or simply lazing the day away on a nearby beach.

On day 10 we enjoy a cooking class at Hong Phuc restaurant, famous with grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves and spring rolls

Overnight at Hai Au hotel in Hoi An

Meal inclusions: Breakfasts

Day 14 Sai Gon (Ho Chi Minh City)

We are transferred to Da Nang airport for the flight to Sai Gon (1 hour). Our hotel is located close to Ben Thanh Market and the city's main shopping district, so there is much for you to discover on your own and you will have plenty of interesting and fun ideas. How about scooting off on cyclos to Cholon, the Chinatown area of Ho Chi Minh City for a spot of temple hopping? Or perhaps you'd like to visit the Vietnamese version of a department store for some shopping - the choice is yours!

Overnight at Tan Hai Long 1 hotel in Sai Gon

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Day 15 Mekong Delta homestay

On day 15 we travel south to Cai Be (approx. 3 hours), we board our waiting boats to cross the upper Mekong River and explore its intricate waterways. This is our introduction to a world where life depends on the river. We visit a fruit orchard where we can sample tropical fruits, before continuing on to visit some local cottage industries. Around sunset we make our way up one of the many canals to our homestay. Our treat this evening is a wonderful meal of Delta specialities before settling down under our mosquito nets for the night.

Overnight at homestay in Vinh Long

Day 16 Mekong Delta exploration, visit floating market, Cu Chi tunnels

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to visit a floating market. There will be hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostling for trade. Sellers advertise their wares by crying out across the waters.

Leaving the market, you will re-board our car and heading to the tunnels of Cu Chi. This former Viet Cong stronghold provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people. We return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon..

Overnight at Tan Hai Long 1 hotel in Sai Gon

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Day 17 Sai Gon free time

Overnight at Tan Hai Long 1 hotel in Sai Gon

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

Day 18 Departure

Today is your departure, you are free at your leisure until transferred to Sai Gon airport for the flight home.

Meal inclusions: Breakfast

TOUR ENDS.