VIETNAM IN DEPTH 12 DAYS 11 NIGHTS

Welcome to Vietnam!
Our local tourguide will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the centre of Hanoi to check-in hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Please note!
- Hotel check-in time is around 14.00
- Depend on your arrival time, the program will be adjusted accordingly.

It is your day to visit the Capital of Vietnam today. Let's start from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum close on Monday and Friday, all the afternoons and from Jun to Aug for annual maintainance), his simple house-on-stilts and the One-Pillar pagoda near Ba Dinh Square, where the most solumn ceremonies of Hanoi take place. Go on to the Temple of Literature, the very first high school of Vietnam Scholars.
In the afternoon, we will have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake), and at Quan Thanh Taoist Temple.
Our day end by a Show of Water Puppetry, a stage art created by the Vietnamese peasants. The show last more than an hour and is a wonderful opportunity to learn about some of Vietnam’s mythology, traditions and current customs in Vietnam.
Transfer to Hanoi train station for overnight train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on train (tourist cabin – 2-bearth sharing cabin with A/C).

You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Leaving your lugguage at hotel (standard check-in time is at 14:00).
Transfer heading northwards of Sapa along national road 4C to O Quy Ho with several stops for magnificent landscapes of Fansipan, Sin Chai valley and especially amazing flower and vegetable farms. Then turn right to follow a narrow road for half an hour getting through the wild region with thick rain forest covering walled-up mountains, passing several waterfalls before arriving to Ban Khoang, a village of the Red Zao ethnic peoples who live their unique way of life and well maintain their traditional values. The village looks prosperous thanks to the combination of wet rice cultivation on the terraced fields with cardamom farming under the shade of trees in thick forest. Spend over an hour walking to explore this remote village for a brief understanding of local life. Leaving Ban Khoang and process along the road for about 10km to Ta Giang Phinh valley inhabited by the Black Hmong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream.
Enjoy an hour lunch break on the bank of a stream before walking along village path which connects village to village to witness daily activities of local life such as plough and harrow the fields, growing, harvesting or doing some house work. In leisure months men often gather to built new houses or repair parts of old ones while women stay home making their traditional costumes. The walk ends in mid afternoon, picked up for the road ride back to Sapa.
Approx: 2-hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.
Overnight in Sapa.

Breakfast at hotel.
Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver, transfer south by car toward Muong Hoa valley to the trekking point. Hiking along a beautiful country road from Bridge 32 and trekking uphill on a large and rocky path for 2 hours along the narrow valley which runs between two high mountains passing two hamlets of the Black H’mong of Sa Pa Commune: Sau Chua and Sa Seng. The H’mong peoples here have just recently change their living way from sifting style into the sedentary one. So there are still a lot traces of the past time can be seen: rudimentary houses, stone wall around homes… Picked up and transfer back to Sapa.
In the to be arranged, the driver of deluxe mini-bus (shuttle bus) will come to pick you up back to Hanoi. Arriving in Hanoi by evening around 20:00, transfer to check in our hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Hanoi train station, pick-up and transfer to mini hotel (day-use only) for refreshment and relaxing after night train. After breakfast, we will head to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO since 1994 and 2006, and check-in our overnight boat. Enjoy a trip on Halong with stops to visit caves or to swim and enjoy the sunset on the sea. Dinner with fresh seafood! Overnight onboard.
*The itinerary above is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather conditions! Our guide will not escort you on board. There will be an English-speaking cruise manager who will take care of all passengers during the trip in Ha Long, accompanied by his staff.

Situated in the “Eastern Sea”, so you may guess how miraculous it is seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. The boat will take us to go about marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent, including the Fisherman’s Head, Turtle, the Sail, the Incense Burner Rock, the cute Sea Dog Rock or Cock Fighting Rocks and so on.
Return to the Wharf at midday to be back Noi Bai airport for your onward flight to Hue.
Heading straight to your hotel in Hue later on. Overnight in Hue.

Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. We will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum and Dong Ba bustling market.
Lunch at local restaurant
In the afternoon, we will depart from Hue to Hoian by the Hai Van Pass (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”) and enjoy the beauty of Lang Co Beach before reaching Hoian. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, we will go on to a farm of vegetables and herbs in Tra Que, a little charming village in Hoian’s suburb. In this small village, the new spirit of Hoian traditional foods like Cao Lau, Quang Noodles, Tam huu spring-rolls have been enlivened. Take a walk round the vegetable gardens and join the peasants in a sequence of planting Tra Que herbs, learn how to turn over the soil, fertilize it with weed from Tra Que local pool or harvest the vegetable and so on. After working time, the family owning the garden will teach you prepare and cook a delicious lunch with those foods typified for Central Vietnamese traditional recipes, using a lot of herbs in Tra Que.
This afternoon, it’s your time to explore Hoi An ancient town. Together with our guide in Hoian, we’ll walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, visit ancient houses and Trading Houses, pagodas and stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where we may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. Overnight in Hoian.

Breakfast at hotel.
At your leisure until your driver comes to meet and transfer you to Da Nang airport to take the departure flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, a local guide comes to meet and take you to hotel in Saigon for checking -in. The rest of day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Saigon.

After breakfast, we visit to Cu Chi tunnels – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, we're invited to enter a section of the tunnels to witness the secrets of the tunnels firsthand. Our guide will also show us various mantraps employed from this period, the remains of an American tank and numerous B52 bomb craters. There is also the opportunity to fire an M60, M16 or AK47 rifle at the range next to the tunnel complex (bullets to be purchased on spot). Return to Saigon for lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notredame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. End our tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.
Overnight in Saigon.

Early morning, transfer to Ben Tre. Arriving at Ham Luong dock, board the moto-boat & cruise along Ham Luong River, a tributary to the Mekong River. The cool breeze from the river and lush tropical islets along its banks will immediately get you excited to explore all the great things ahead.
Arrive and visit a various local workshop where you can find many wonderful examples or learn how local people use ageless techniques to create their crafts, including activated charcoal, dried coconut, handy coconut husk brooms. There are many family-businesses are using coir, or coconut fiber, to create amazing art, it’s time for you to learn and witness their skill. Drive around the village roads by “Xe Lôi” – a local motorized rickshaw then kayaking through the lush tropical canal. Lunch is served at a local host house.
Break time, treating yourself by cycling around the village or walking around to relish the beautiful countryside (this activity is optional if time available and will be done on your own). Visit the local fruit plantation, enjoy seasonal tropical fruits, and spend time relaxing while being rowed in a small boat slowly crossing the natural canals to get a sense of how truly beautiful this area is. Embark on the sampan and return to the dock then travel back to Saigon.

At your leisure until your guide comes to meet and transfer you to Siem Reap international airport to take the departure flight.
End of service.
Please note!
- Hotel check-out time is around 12.00.