Day 1 Arrival Hanoi
Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel at the city centre. In the afternoon explore a little of downtown or enjoy a traditional music performance, and a good, light-hearted introduction to the country’s culture.
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Day 2 Hanoi Orientation (B)
"On this insightful day through Ha Noi’s busy tree lined boulevards, you’ll explore such interesting and historic sites as The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One pillar pagoda and Temple of Literature. The interesting Museum of Ethnology is also on the list, which give you an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups in anticipation of your trip to Sapa. In the afternoon, take your time to discover the city daily life in whatever you fancy. The Old Quarter is a maze of shopping streets and restaurants with a hotchpotch of architecture - traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans' workshops and cottages. Take a break with at a hidden cafe and enjoy a panorama of Hoan Kiem lake. Transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Sapa"
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Day 3 Sapa (B/L/D)
"On arrival at Lao Cai Station at around 6am See the Vietnam / Chinese border before having breakfast at a local restaurant. Continue to Sapa just 40km on a mountains road from the border. Sapa is at an elevation of 1,650m was found by the French in 1903 and set in a beautiful valley with magical surroundings. Various hilltribes live around this area including H'mong, Red Zao, Dzay, Tay and Xa Pho. Once in Sapa check into your hotel before going to the Sapa market meet the hilltribes and see their local crafts. Take an afternoon easy hike to the Cat Cat stream and waterfall. Take a short walk from the marketplace passing some French ruins to catch a glimpse of the Peak of Fansipan the highest peak of Indochina at 3,143m. Continue down the path to see a Hmong Village experience their village life before continuing to some cascades and pass the old French Power Station. There is the option of continuing of foot closer to the Fansipan Mountain for better views, before returning to Sapa for dinner."
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Day 4 Sapa (B/L/D)
Drive to the town of Taphin, hike through paddy fields to reach H'mong and Red Zao communities. They are experts in dying and embroidery using silk threads. Outfits worn by these ethnic tribes contain silver coloured beads and their health is said to be equal to the weight and number of beads she carries. Head back to Sapa for lunch and a rest before visiting Lao Chai only 10km away from Sapa walk 3km to the Tavan village and see H'mong, Tay and Dzay communities on route. Return to Lao Cai Station to catch the overnight train back to Hanoi.
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Day 5 Hanoi (B)
"Free Day to relax and enjoy Hanoi "
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Day 6 Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Depart at 8am from your hotel in Hanoi to Halong Bay. Halong bay was the first place in Vietnam to gain world heritage status in 1994. There are nearly 3,000 limestone and dolomite islets and rock sculptures covering 1,500 km². After 3 hours driving and viewing simple, country side, rice paddy life, arrive at the at port. Board your boat an authentic Chinese Junk and start your amazing cruise through this World Heritage Site. Lunch is served onboard, a selection of the freshest seafood. Visit "the amazing cave", followed by a swim in the tranquility of Halong Bay and its emerald water. Cruise further into a quiet area where we will anchor and stay overnight. Dinner and relax as the sun sets. Then you are free to swim in the phosphorous water, retire to your cabin, or fall asleep under the stars amidst the magic of Halong on the top deck.
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Day 7 Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/D)
Wake up early in the morning for a great sunrise and a breath of fresh ocean air. Breakfast is served on boat then we do a leisurely cruise through thousands of seemingly never ending islands, great opportunities to capture some amazing photographs. Stop to visit a floating fishing village and listen to some legendary stories of the fishermen's daily life. Take one last swim in the middle of the bay to refresh before cruising back to the Halong city pier. By noon we will be ashore and break for lunch at a local restaurant. Then hit the road back to Hanoi and boarding the Reunification Express to Hue.
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Day 8 Hue (B/L)
On arrival in Hue check into your hotel and have the morning free to relax. Hue was the previous capital of Vietnam and was the site of bitter fighting during the Tet Offensive in 1968 where it was captured by the North Vietnamese for 25 days. On returning to take the city the Americans virtually destroyed it after 10 days of bitter conflicts, but the city has now largely been rebuilt, although the Imperial city suffered virtual destruction. After lunch visit the Royal Citadel which was built in 1801 since its construction, the citadel has been altered by various Emperors however large parts have been destroyed particularly the Forbidden Purple City which is contained within the Citadel and the Imperial city. The Citadel is nearly 10km in circumference and the walls are 6m high and 20m thick it even includes a moat 23m wide and 4m deep, a truly magnificent piece of engineering. Return to your hotel and evening free to relax
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Day 9 Hue (B/L/D)
A Full day sightseeing around Hue with a boat trip to see Thien Mu Pagoda, Hon Chen Temple, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb and Dong Ba market before returning to your hotel. Thien Mu Pagoda Located on the southwest bank of the Perfume River, this is the home of the Buddhist Monk who burnt himself to death in protest of the Ngo Dinh Diem regime. This pagoda has been adopted as the symbol of Hue City. Tu Duc Tomb Tomb of the former Emperor of Vietnam at each meal he would have a choice of 40 dishes. He had over 100 wives but no children Tomb of Minh Mang Ruled from 1820-40, his actions upon the Catholic missionaries may have persuaded the French to send their military to Vietnam this tomb overlooks the lake of Tranquility an extremely scenic place to visit.
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Day 10 Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/L)
Drive to Danang City with stopovers at Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach for sightseeing. Visit the Marble Mountain, China Beach and Cham Museum before arriving Danang. After lunch in Danang, drive to Hoi An to visit this ancient town the rest of the day free to spend shopping or strolling around.
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Day 11 Hoi An (B)
Free Day in Hoi An
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Days 12 Hoi An - Nha Trang (B/L)
Transfer to Danang for the early morning train to Nha Trang arrive early evening at this beach resort the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the sea.
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Day 13 Nha Trang – Whale Island (B/L/D)
Transfer to the secluded Whale Island. Here you will have two days to swim, catch the sun and laze away on the beaches there are also coral reef that you can snorkel at.
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Day 14 Whale Island – Ho Chi Minh (B)
After lunch transfer back to Nha Trang for the overnight train to Ho Chi Minh.
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Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free day for your own activities.
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Day 16 Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Ho Chi Minh City Tour and the Cu Chi Tunnels, spend the day exploring the financial Capital of Vietnam formerly known as Saigon. Visit the Reunification Palace, the War Museum, the Jade Emperor Pagoda and Notre Dame Cathedral. After lunch visit the Chu Chi Tunnels. The tunnel system covers close to 200km and went right under the US air base. The tunnels used to span from Close to the Cambodian border right to the edge of Ho Chi Minh City a show of the Vietnamese will and determination the tunnels even included schools and field hospitals.
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Day 17 Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho (Mekong Delta) (B/L)
Early morning start to Cai Be / the heart of Mekong Delta. On arrival, board a Sampan for a cruise on the Mekong River and its many canals and tributaries to Vinh Long. Visit Cai Be floating market, see old colonial buildings and try a local lunch. An afternoon cycling, roam this village and explore the local handicraft shops, stop at Vinh Long market. Early afternoon head to Can Tho, the main town of the Mekong Delta where you will spend the night.
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Day 18 Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
After breakfast, board a Sampan to visit Cai Rang floating market, a family run noodle / making factory and witness the rural life and the beautiful vegetation along the riverbanks. Discover Can Tho's market and have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
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Day 19 Depart Vietnam
Transfer to the airport for your return flight
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