PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Tue 23 January 2018 : Hanoi arrival @22:25 (AC6984) (-) | Guide and driver
Arrival in Noi Bai airport , you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The check-in is available at 2 pm. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 . Wed 24 January 2018 : Ha noi free (B) |
Freetime for your own activities.
Day 03 . Thu 25 January 2018 : Hanoi city tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Then back to the Old Quarter for a 1.5 hour walking tour, then you will have a deeper insight of local daily life . We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.
Day 04 . Fri 26 January 2018 : Hanoi - drive to Sapa - Heaven Gate - Silver Waterfall (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the early morning, you will takek 6-hour drive to Sapa. On arrival, check in hotel & have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, met up at your hotel by local guide and driver then depart for the Silver Waterfall. The Silver Waterfall is located about a half hour from Sapa town which offers stunning views over surrounding mountains and lush forests belonging to Hoang Lien National Park. You are advised to stop by a farm for a cup of tea and talk with people to understand their local life. Then we continue our drive uphill to the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy fantastic view over the valley! Overnight in Sapa
Day 05 . Sat 27 January 2018 : Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai (B, L) | Guide and driver
We will arrive in Lao Cai around 6:00am and continue to Sapa, situated 40km from Lao Cai, by private car. The day is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sa Pa valley. Start by road that descends in the wake of the street Cau May (6 km) En route, admire the rice terraces hidden behind mist of the morning, a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Follow a small track and cross Muong Hoa River and pass well tended rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Continuing through the colorful rice terraces you will reach the village of Ta Van Giay. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River you will cross a small suspension bridge, roughly 2km from the settlement. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings. These engravings depict some beautiful images of man, stilt houses and some beautiful decorative patterns. We lunch in a home in the village. After lunch the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest nearby a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa for overnight
Approx: 1-hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.
Day 06 . Sun 28 January 2018 : Sapa - Bac Ha market - drive to Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, drive to Bac Ha by car to visit Bac Ha market. This is the biggest local ethnic market of the region and takes place every Sunday. Tribal people from surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Most still use horses to carry their loads, which means an early departure to get to the market in time.
If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend, you will frequently meet locals in their colorful costumes heading to the markets as this is the best time for youngsters to find a partner to marry. Spring in Sapa, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February), is therefore a very joyful time despite the cool temperatures. This is the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting. Have lunch, then driving back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 07 . Mon 29 January 2018 : Hanoi- Tam Coc (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the morning, our car and guide will pick you up to travel to Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam, about a two-hour drive from Hanoi. On arrival, you will visit two temples, one of them dedicated to Emperor Dinh and the other in memory of Emperor Le, followed by a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst’ hills, There, you will be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the caves. After the boat trip in Tam Coc, the rest of day we will cycle along winding roads passing lotus ponds, temples and cottages, typical of Vietnamese countryside to visit Bich Dong Pagoda situated on a hillside. Overnight in hotel in Tam Coc.
Day 08 . Tue 30 January 2018 : Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast depart to Halong Bay, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk. Lunch will be served while the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef and served on deck. A peaceful night on board in your private cabin.
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose & weather condition on that day
Day 09 . Wed 31 January 2018 : Halong - Hanoi - flight to Hue (VN1545 HAN HUI 1915 2030 by Asiatica) (B) | Guide and driver
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor. A 3-hour drive will take you back to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where you check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 10 . Thu 01 February 2018 : Hue- Thuy Bieu village (B, L) | Guide and driver
Start the day with a visit to Hue Imperial City, the remaining vestiges of Hue's citadel, including: Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh. Then, we will take a boat trip on poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601 - the symbol of Hue city. Cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid back village situated on the bank of Perfume River known for its green tea fruit orchards. Arrive in the village, and join our cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes with our chef’s instruction, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by lush trees. The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage will refresh them after a day of sightseeing. Back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Day 11 . Fri 02 February 2018 : Hue- Danang- Hoian (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, drive on the Mandarin road, a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beaches and lush tropical forest. Take some photos en route of Danang Beach and visit Marble Mountain, Cham Museam before arriving in Hoi An’s ancient town. Check-in hotel then have lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, explore Hoi An ancient town, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Following the tour you will stop over at Reaching Out tea house, a tranquil oasis in the center of bustling Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 . Sat 03 February 2018 : Hoi An - Tra Que - Cam Thanh village (B, L) | Guide and driver
Breakfast at the hotel, then ride bicycles to Tra Que Village.
Tra Que is renowned for its aromatic herbs especially for mint and basil. The basil leaves, which are smaller than usual, are endowed with a strong and special aroma. You will have the opportunity to discover the life of the farmers by introducing you to their techniques of culture. Lunch with the inhabitant.
Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduce to the history there.
Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river, Fisherman will teach you how to catch the crabs (02 paxs/ boat ). Embark on the boat, enjoy the folk songs show by local people there.
After that, learn how to make funny tools by water coconut leaf
Continue to the ancient town, experience the daily life of fisher man along Thu Bon River
Get on Bach Dang wharf, take a bicycle back to Hotel.
Local guide bids farewell to guests. Drop off at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hoian
Day 13 . Sun 04 February 2018 : Hoi An - Danang - Saigon - city tour (VN117 DAD SGN 1015 1145 by Asiatica) (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, at 8AM, you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival, check into hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. The Saigon city tour then continues along Dong Khoi Street, where the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, are situated. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. You will then visit The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 14 . Mon 05 February 2018 : Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B, L) | Guide and driver
Leaving the bustling city of Saigon behind, you depart to the Mekong Delta considered Vietnam’s biggest rice basket. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre and embark your boat to cruise along Bến Tre River, a tributary of the great Mekong, to explore the local lifestyle and the daily hustle and bustle. Stop at the brickfield belonging to Mr. Tu Lo to see how bricks are made by hand in Vietnam and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making this local candy and other souvenirs. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow amply in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or go by tuk-tuk through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon you will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm tree. Cruise back to the pier and disembark. Drive to Can Tho for the night.
Day 15 . Tue 06 February 2018 : Can Tho - flight to Phu Quoc (VN8014 VCA PQC 1225 1320 by Asiatica) (B) | Guide and driver
Early morning (from 5 a.m), take a boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market- the biggest and busiest floating market in Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit the market as it is crowded with hundreds of sampans that offer fruits, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. You will earn a great opportunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fruits. Leave the market, transfer to airport to take flight direct to Phu Quoc. Pick up then transfer to your hotel in Phu Quoc. Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Day 16 . Wed 07 February 2018 : Phu Quoc free time (B) |
Free time to explore Phu Quoc island
Day 17 . Thu 08 February 2018 : Phu Quoc free time (B) |
Free time to explore Phu Quoc island
Day 18 . Fri 09 February 2018 : Phu Quoc free time (B) |
Free time to explore Phu Quoc island
Day 19 . Sat 10 February 2018 : Phu Quoc free time - fly to Saigon (VN1824 PQC SGN 0850 0955 by Asiatica) (B) | Driver
Free time to explore Phu Quoc island till transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. Pick up & overnight in Saigon
Day 20 . Sun 11 February 2018 : Saigon departure (to Taipei @13:35) (B) | Driver
You are free until transfer to the airport at 10AM for departure flight
End of our services!