DIVERSE VIETNAM

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1

  HO CHI MINH - ARRIVAL

  Arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam’s most evocative and largest City, meet and transfer airport to hotel before we start our Vietnam classic tour.

   

   
• Day 2

  HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (B)

  After breakfast we start our Vietnam classic tour by making a 70km journey north of the city to visit the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnels network, constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle against the French and then the Americans for independence and eventual reunification. The Cu Chi tunnels are a highlight of any visit to Southern Vietnam and they give a fascinating insight into the lives of soldiers during this difficult period of Vietnamese history. Drive back to HCMC city at noon time. 

  In the afternoon, visit the Chinatown, Ho Chi Minh City’s busiest and most bustling neighborhood. Explore the back alleys and market roads on foot. Continue to city downtown and take a stroll around the impressive old French-built post office and Notre Dame Cathedral before continuing to the City Hall area, another grand old colonial-era relic. Then you are free to explore the Dong Khoi area, home to the legendary Continental Hotel, made by Graham Greene in the Quiet American, and lots of restaurants, bars and boutiques. Overnight in HCMC.

   
• Day 3

  HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA – CAN THO (B/L)

  Leave Saigon behind, head out to un-touched areas not well-known by tourists in Ben Tre. Board the Apricot Cruise, featuring a new boat design open on all sides to allow the river breezes to flow freely. From the comfort of your Apricot Cruise, meander down the Mekong observing local life play out along the river banks. Stop at some local families and see how traditional methods utilize every bit of the coconut. Learn how to make local cakes, and why you don’t let a fortune-teller tell you what is supposed to happen in the future. 

  It is a full day of interesting experiences: boat rowing through winding water-coconut canals, bike riding along lush rural roads, sampling cakes, tea with honey, and enjoying lunch served with Mekong specialties at Apricot Riverside Restaurant. Join us, relax, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and have memorable experiences. Then continue driving to Can Tho City. 

   

   

• Day 4

  CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L)

  To continue our Classic Vietnam tour we will cruise along the small picturesque tributaries by rowing boat to visit the Cai Rang floating market. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the daily activities along the Mekong canals, visit a rice husking mill. Disembark at Ninh Kieu quay and visit an ancient house in Binh Thuy (10 km from Cantho city). Drive back to HCMC via My Tho. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 5

  HO CHI MINH – HOI AN – COUNTRYSIDE LIFE (B/D)

  After breakfast, driver takes you back to airport for 1 hour flight Danang city. Upon arrival, meet and transfer 38km further to Hoi An town.

  The afternoon, you start to cycle to Thu Bon wharf on Bach Dang street and take a ferry along Thu Bon River to Tra Nhieu fishing village. Here you will have a brief introduction to the history, traditional handicraft of the village such as: farming, fishing, poultry and livestock breeding, sleeping mat making. After that, you will be taken in a boat with fisherman to learn how to cast a net, catch fish, shrimp and crap. Have dinner with special dishes at the local house. Bid farewell to the fishermen. Continue riding bicycle to the wharf and back to Hoi An by boat.

  Enjoy Hoi An by night.

   
• Day 6

  HOI AN – DANANG – HUE (B)

  Free morning at leisure.

  This Vietnam Classic tour will bring you to the capital of Hue along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of Vietnam and over the Hai Van Pass (or the Pass of Ocean Cloud). Make a stop at the small fishing village of Lang Co, often referred to as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, then continue to Hue city. 

   
• Day 7

  HUE CITY & COOKING CLASS (B/L)

  Hue city is famed for its elegant royal cuisine. This morning, you join in a typical cooking class to learn some signature recipes - This is the highlight of our Vietnam Classic Tour. The talent chef leads you to visit the  biggest market  in Hue  named  Dong  Ba where  you can  see  all  the  typical features  of  a traditional  Vietnamese  market. Come back to restaurant and start to put your hands-on cooking then enjoy the dishes that you’ve cooked.

  You will continue the day with visit to the Citadel which including the Capital city, the Imperial city and the Forbidden City. Continue visit the intricately decorated tomb of Khai Dinh, which contains a beautiful altar and a bust of the king. Enjoy your night in Hue

   
• Day 8

  HUE – HANOI – HOMEHOSTED DINNER (B/D)

  Morning is free to relax.

  In the afternoon, head to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Disembark and then straight to your hotel in the city center. Check in and take a moment to relax after the flight because in the evening you’ll visit a typical extended family with at least three generations living together under the same roof. Join in with the cooking and then sit down to a meal of traditional northern cuisine. Enjoy some cultural exchange and seasonal fruits for dessert.

  Rest your night in Hanoi.  

   
• Day 9

  HANOI (B)

  Spend the whole day to explore Vietnam’s capital city. First visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work and also the museum dedicated to his memory. We continue visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Nowadays, students come and pray for a good luck in their exam.

   In the afternoon, visit the largest and most interesting Museum of Vietnam Ethnology. Return to city down town and discover the famed Old Quarter on foot. Walking through the hidden alleys, be amazed at the old style tube houses then visit the lively market and lovely peaceful temple Bach Ma. Next, hop on a traditional bicycle rickshaws move at leisure pace that’s perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Sit back and relax while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses. 

• Day 10

  HANOI – VAN LONG NATURAL RESERVE – HANOI – TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B)

  Today, you will take 2hours drive south of Hanoi to Van Long in Ninh Binh province. Visit Dinh and Le temples of the Ancient Capital Hoa Lu and then you will move to Van Long. Enjoy oxcart ride (or cycling option) through village to Van Long wharf. Take 2 hours traditional sampan boat trip along the Van Long River. Along the way you will see caves, green rice fields, limestone mountains and the rural life of the locals before returning to Hanoi at 6:00 pm. Leisure time.

  Evening, transferred to station to take an night train to Lao Cai - 4-berths sharing cabin, soft beds, air-conditioning (no guide on train).

   
• Day 11

  LAO CAI – KERMIS – SAPA (B)

  Upon arrival, welcomed by our guide and have breakfast in a restaurant. Then, we will continue our Vietnam classic tour by visit Bac Ha town to explore this fascinating Bac Ha dye market, one of the most popular in the region. Held only on Sunday, the market is a focal point for many of the region’s ethnic groups such as Flower H’mong, Tay and Thai. They come to trade wares such as silver jewelry and embroidered clothing, farm product, cow, horse, pig. This spectacularly colorful market is well-known for its many hand-made craft products. Your time to wonder around the market, take in the game or try rice wine. Then visit the H’mong people village nearby, walking through the village, invited by the local people to their home for a cup of tea and talk about their life, tradition. 

  Afternoon, drive another 2 hours to Sapa, check-in hotel and free for relax.  

   
• Day 12

  SAPA – SOFT TREK TO MINORITY VILLAGE (B)

  After breakfast, begin the day with a 3km trek through breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to Hmong minority. From here you can enjoy views over endless rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals used by the locals. Continuing trekking to Matra village, you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos. Trekking to the village of Ta Phin, you will be able to meet both Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities. The Red Dao is known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. Your guide will be able to introduce you to some Red Dao women who can tell you more about their many remedies. A Red Dao herbal medicine bath can be arranged for you to experience, so please ask. Transport will be provided from Ta Phin back to Sapa town. 

• Day 13

  SAPA – HANOI BY BUS (B)

  Free morning at leisure or explore more to Sapa at your own space.

  In the afternoon, take 5 hour bus drive to Hanoi City (no guide on bus). 

   
• Day 14

  HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE (B/L/D)

  After breakfast, take a drive to Ha Long Bay (without tour guide), one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO - This is the highlight of many Vietnam Classic tours. With thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy welcome drink before check in at your cabin. While the junk is passing many islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, your lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck. Later on, the junk moves a quiet area to dock for overnight stay. Dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board.

  Spend your night on board.

  Please note: 

  -Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or administration regulations.  

  -No guide from Hanoi to Halong

   
• Day 15

  HALONG BAY CRUISE – HANOI (B)

  In the morning you have the option of a sunrise tai chi class before enjoying some tea and coffee. Delve into and explore a Halong Bay cave before brunch, which is served at around 9am. As you enjoy your final meal onboard, the cruise ship heads back to the dock. Disembark at the pier and head back to Hanoi (without tour guide). Free for rest of day before the end of our Vietnam Classic tour.

   

   
• Day 16

  HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)

  Depart back to airport for departure.

 Price is in US dollars per person (adult rate), based on twin shared and non-commissionable.

PACKAGE PRICES

Low season: from May – Sep 2019 & May – Sep 2020 (Supplement for public holiday from 01 – 03 May & 28 Aug – 02 Sep might be applied)

High season: from Oct 2019 – Apr 2020 (Supplement for Christmas, New Year, Lunar New year and public holiday from 29 – 30 Apr might be applied)

A. CANCELLATION POLICY:

The cancellation charges below refer to the non-transferable fee that is charged to the group member who has cancelled their tour:

• More than 45 days before departure: No cancellation charge
• Between 45 and 30 days before departure: 10% of total tour cost 
• Between 30 days and 15 days before departure: 25% of total tour cost
• Between 15 days and 7 days before departure: 50% of total tour cost
• Less than 7 days before departure: 90% of total tour cost
• No-show at the airport on the day of arrival/departure: 100% of total tour cost

B. CHILDREN POLICY (land service only)

• Child from 1- 4 yrs:  Free of charge if sharing bed with parents 
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate