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.

Overnight in HCMC.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS (B/L) 

After breakfast make the 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. Lunch will be catered at a local restaurant specializing in southern food.

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 famous Dong Khoi area, home to the legendary Continental Hotel, made famous by Graham Greene in the Quiet American, and lots of popular restaurants, bars and boutiques. Overnight in HCMC.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA – CAN THO (B/L/-)

After breakfast, leave behind the hustle and bustle of Saigon to delve into the Mekong Delta, a patchwork of emerald greens and the rice bowl of southern Vietnam. After 2 hours drive, arrive Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu Bridge, hop on a private motorize and cruise through the waterways and cannel of the Mekong delta to visit fruits orchards and learn about the local cottage industries like brick kiln-making, coconut processing, sleeping mats. Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, passing by green rice fiends and vegetable plains. Lunch is served in local restaurant.

After lunch, experience a rowing-boat ride along beautiful water palm creek before continuing by the motorized boat back to the pier. Then continue driving to Can Tho City. Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.

DAY4: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)

Cruising 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/L/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 local 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 local 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 local fishermen. Continue riding bicycle to the wharf and back to Hoi An by boat.

Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 6: HOI AN – DANANG – HUE (B)

Free morning at leisure.

In the afternoon, you travel to the ancient capital of Hue along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of Vietnam and over the glorious 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. Overnight in Hue.

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. The talent chef leads you to visit a traditional Garden house in Phu Mong village to show you different kinds of tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs. Come back to restaurant and start to put your hands-on cooking then enjoy the dishes that you’ve cooked.

Next, 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. Overnight in Hue city.

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 local 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.

Overnight in Hanoi.                

DAY 9: HANOI (B/L)

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 local 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. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 10: HANOI – VAN LONG NATURAL RESERVE – HANOI - TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B/L)

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 overnight train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on train, 4-berths sharing cabin, soft beds, air-conditioning

DAY 11: LAO CAI – KERMIS – SAPA (B/L)

Upon arrival, welcomed by local guide and have breakfast in local restaurant. Then, depart to 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 local game or try local 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. Lunch in local restaurant.

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

• Option 1: Saturday: Replace Bac Ha market with a trip to Can Cau
• Option 2: Tuesday: Replace Bac Ha market with a trip to Coc Ly, where you can enjoy a cruise on the River Chay.

DAY 12: SAPA – SOFT TREK TO MINORITY VILLAGE (B/L)

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. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 14: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE (B/L/D)

After breakfast, drive 3.5hours to Halong Bay, this has been recognized by UNESCO twice as a World Heritage Site of outstanding natural beauty. Board your cruise ship at around midday, enjoy the welcome activities, and check into your cozy cabin for the trip. Enjoy a delicious lunch served onboard as the cruise ship sales by magnificent karst formations as it heads into the deeper regions of Halong Bay. Enjoy dinner onboard and then sit back in the evening and take in the Bay at night, participate in night fishing.

Overnight on boat.

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 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. Free for rest of day.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 16: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)

Depart back to airport for departure.

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