"Best of Vietnam - 14 Days"

This well paced tour encompasses all the must see sights of Vietnam - Historic Hanoi, light adventure to the colorful land of hill tribes - Sapa, a cruise around spectacular Halong Bay, the ancient capital Hue, multicultural Hoi An, the mystical Mekong Delta and the bustling metropolis of Saigon.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: HANOI
Arrive Hanoi , Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport. Drive to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi .

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOURS - SAPA (B,D)
Enjoy 5 hour sightseeing tours to visit the city's landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature (First University built in the 11 Century), Hanoi Hilton Museum. Free walking around Hanoi old quarter for shopping and short visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy 1 hour cyclo tours around the Hanoi City's old quarters and the traditional water puppetry show. At 22:00 we go to Hanoi train station to board overnight train to Sapa.

DAY 3: SAPA (B,D)
The train arrives in Lao Cai at 06:00 am. Drive uphill to Sapa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa is the former hill retreat for French administrators when the heat in plain became unbearable. The remoteness and simple lifestyle of ethnic minorities are a highlight of Sapa although conditions are very basic. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. In the afternoon, we trek to Cat Cat village (2 km from Sapa town) where you will visit the village of Black H'mong hill tribes. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Sapa Valley. Back to hotel.

DAY 4: SAPA - HANOI (B,L )
This morning, trekking to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages inhabited by Black H'mong and Dzay ethnic minorities. Enjoy amazing and breath-taking landscapes of terraced paddies, green valleys and meet with friendly local people. Back to the hotel and free at leisure. In the afternoon, we transfer you back to Lao Cai station to take night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

DAY 5: HANOI - HALONG (B ,L ,D)
Pick up at Hanoi station at 05:00. Transfer to a mini hotel to refresh and have breakfast. 08:30 am, we depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting on Deluxe Junk cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise.

DAY 6: HALONG BAY - HANOI (B ,L)
Waking up and having breakfast served onboard. Continue cruising around the bay. Take sampan to visit Luon Cave and come back to the boat. Having brunch before disembarking and van will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Visit Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village on the way. Arrive in Hanoi at 04:00 pm. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 7: HANOI - HUE (B , L)
Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue

DAY 8: HUE (B)
Morning boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor's mausoleum. Over night in Hue.

DAY 9: HUE - DANANG - HOI AN (B,L)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter and try some of the local specialties. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 10: HOI AN (B)
Morning tour to visit local market and boat trip on Thu Bon River to visit handicraft villages. Back to hotel and you will be free at leisure on the beach or wandering around the town for the rest of day. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAy 11: HOIA AN - SAIGON (B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. We'll see the historic Reunification Palace and some great examples of French colonial architecture from the comfort of a cyclo. You will be free at the rest of day to make your own exploration to discover the city. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 12: SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA - CAN THO (B , L)
Leave your hotel at 7.30 for a 3-hour drive to Cai Be with stop en route at Trung Luong Bonsai garden for a tea break. Upon arrival, board a motorized boat to visit the popcorn cake, rice paper making family before visiting the lively floating market of Cai Be. Then continue by boat towards Vinh Long province to see the diverse fish traps in order to learn a kind of lazy fishing. After cruising along small shady canals, we step ashore and take a chance to watch a typical and interesting music show of the Mekong cultural life. Lunch is at the home/ bonsai garden. Afternoon, take a walk for about half an hour to enjoy the rural peaceful atmosphere of the countryside life, on the way we can also stop en route to learn more about fruit trees. Continue by boat to visit the brick and pottery factories. Back in the car at about 3 pm to drive to Can Tho. On arrival in the capital city of the Mekong Delta, do a walking city tour, including the local evening market to take photos of the busy trading activities before checking in the hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 13: CAN THO - SAI GON (B , L)
Early morning board for a 3-hour cruise to Cai Rang and Phong Dien, 2 big floating markets with stops at a Bun Tau noodle factory and a short trek before arriving at a rice-husking mill. You can even try passing one of the many fragile monkey bridges along the canals photo shot. At the floating markets, you will discover a typical way of displaying and advertising farm products of local people gathering on the Mekong river to trade their goods. Drive back to Saigon with a lunch stop at My Tho.

DAY 14: SAIGON DEPARTURE (B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport to take departure flight onward. End of service


* INCLUSION:
- Accommodation based on twin sharing occupancy
- Water puppet show ticket and cyclo tours in Hanoi
- Meals as indicated in program,B=Breakfast(13),L=Lunch(7),D=Dinner(3)
- Private transfers serving throughout the tours with professtional English or French speaking guide
- All entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated in the program
- Junk cruise in Halong bay
- Service charges, rooms tax and handling fees
- All domestic flight tickets
- 01 FOC based on twin sharing for every group of 15 full paying passengers

* EXCLUSION:
- Visa stamping fee
- Travel assurance
- Tips and gratuites
- Personal expenses and other services which are not mentioned in the program.
- International air tickets and airport departure taxes
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program

To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.

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Price/Person: 974 - 4330 DOL
Number of participants 2-15
Duration: 14 Days

Area: Vietnam
The Guide is able to understand this language also    
   english
   french

Special Hints: Let's discover the most beautiful site of Vietnam

edited at 27.01.07 | 08:43 AM
last update 27.01.07 | 08:43 AM

Guide details

Kim Tham

Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
Mr. Nguyen, with his passion for natural and cultural beauties of Indochinese Nations desired to bring these beauties to the world. In 1994, Indochina Holiday Travel was established. Since then, the company has been recognised as one of leading tours operators in Indochina.

Our team is qualified experienced and professional staff will help you discover a new, more meaningful way of traveling. More than just Green Travel; Eco-travel is mindful travel; personality fulfilling, challenging and enlightening. We like to call it travel with purpose - a personal purpose and a global one. With Indochina Holiday Travel, you will look at the world from a different vantage point and explore a more satisfying way to travel that can challenge you to rediscover your passions, learn about the places and people you visit, and help sustain the fragile environments, economies and disappearing cultures of the earth.

What we offer you? Luxury Private & Custom-designed tour packages; Adventure Tour; Eco Tour; ....


edited at 26.01.07 | 08:01 AM
last update 27.01.07 | 08:27 AM

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