Charming Vietnam

Your guide & driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to visit the historic Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, followed by the architectural treats of French Colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the magnificent Post Office building. After lunch, in a Vietnamese restaurant, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 200km, from Saigon to the Cambodian border and is three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centre and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels are a major tourist attraction, providing a unique experience and understanding of what underground life in the Vietnam conflict must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise you would not be able to enter them!).  Return to HCMC late in the afternoon for your overnight stay.

Morning depart to My Tho, the closest Mekong Delta City where you will see part of the picturesque natural setting of Vietnam. On arrival, take a boat ride on Tien River toward Tortoise Island. On the way, view the fishing port, stilt houses, boat building workshops, and the other islands such as Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn. You will also have chance to taste a variety of fruits while listening to southern Vietnamese folk music" performed by the locals. After lunch in the orchard, the amazing rowing boat trip on the small canal is something unique you should not miss. Return to HCMC for your overnight stay. Rest of the day is free for shopping in Ben Thanh Market.

After breakfast, the morning is free to explore HCM Market before transferring  to airport for a short flight to Nha Trang. On arrival, you will visit Long Son Pagoda, Ponagar Tower and Ocean Institute. Overnight in Nha Trang.

You will spend a full day swimming or being at your own activities. Overnight in Nha Trang.

You will take a morning flight to Hoian that was a major trading centre dating back to the 16th century. It has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere of tiled roof houses with narrow streets, still virtually intact. The houses are constructed of rare timer and decorated with lacquer panels and pillars carved with ornamental designs.

After lunch at a local restaurant, an afternoon tour includes Ancient Street, Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Hung Old House, Phuc Kien Temple and Hoian Museum. Rest of the day is free at your own pace. Overnightin Hoi An.

Today you have a choice of activities. Just let the tour guide know which activity you wish to do. Your group may split across both activities depending on each individual’s choice.

Option A: Vietnamese Cooking Class

After a tour of the morning market and some shopping for the ingredients required, take a boat to the Red Bridge cooking school and restaurant.

The cooking class is suitable for all levels and ability, it will be a fun morning and we get to ‘enjoy’ our efforts in the restaurant for lunch. Return to your hotel at approximately 2.00 pm.

Option B: My Son Sanctuary

After breakfast, depart on a half day tour of ‘My Son Holy land”. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious ruins dating back to the 4th century, comprising more than 70 architectural remains. These include temples and towers with distinctive and complicated red brick designs. The most important features of “Cham” architectural design are the towers built to reflect the divinity of their kings. The “Cham” architecture in My Son is one of the main attractions of Danang. Return to Hoian for Lunch. Arrive back at the hotel approximately 2.00pm.

In the afternoon, you will have free time for shopping or taking in the beautiful scenery along the Thu Bon River and Cua Dai beach.  Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, take a breathtaking journey over the Hai Van Pass which brings you to Hue. On arrival, you will visit Thien Mu pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb and and Imperial City, which served as Vietnam’s capital from 1802 to 1945 under 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty. Famed for its beautiful architecture, citadels and palaces, set along the banks of the Perfume River. After dinner, you will take a boat on Perfume River to enjoy the Traditional Folk Music. Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, you will take a morning flight to Hanoi. You will visit Ethnology Museum, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison known as the “Hanoi Hilton” by the American pilots in the 1960’s and 70’s, Cathedral, Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evening, enjoy Vietnam‘s famous Water Puppetry show in a theatre near Hoan Kiem lake. Overnight in Hanoi.

Today your guide and driver will take you to Duong Lam ancient village in Son Tay Town.

On arrival, explore the Mong Phu village with its old houses made of red literate and rammed soil. Most of the original village architecture still remains such as the village gate, the communal well and the temple courtyard. It is great to take a walk and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and to experience the daily life there. It’s also an opportune time to meet and interact with the local people.

Enjoy lunch at the local ancient house in the village. After resting, continue driving to visit Mia Pagoda (another hamlet in Duong Lam village), which was built in the 15th century. Admire 287 statues of all sizes, with famous sculptures such as the statue of Buddha in the Himalayas and the statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. In the afternoon you will have free time to prepare for your overnight train journey to Sapa.

Arrive at Lao Cai station at 6: 00am, transfer  to Sa Pa town. Check in at the hotel to freshen up, before starting our 3 hour easy walk around Cat Cat village.

Here you will learn about the ancient culture of the Black H'Mong minority people, see their homes and explore their way or daily life. Also enjoy the majestic scenery of the mountains and rice fields along the way.

Return to Sa Pa township for lunch before continuing on to visit Ham Rong, known as “Dragon’s Jaw”, to get an over view of the Sa Pa township. Stop along the way to visit the Europe Flower Garden and Orchid Garden. In the evening, take your time to enjoy the many small bars and restaurants in Sa Pa.

Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast, you begin your walk to Lao Chai village, home of the Dzay minority and the village of the Red Dzao in Ta Van.

You will also have a chance to visit Sa Pa’s ancient carved rock field located in the Muong Hoa valley that Ta Van consumes.

The 4 km by 2 km field includes 159 slabs of ancient carved stone. It was discovered in 1925 by V. Goloubew, a French scholar. Among the patterns carved on the rocks are circles, parallel lines, squares, rectangles, human figures and writings. The secrets of the stone field are being researched by scientists and historians who are now studying the meanings of the carvings and odd patterns on the rocks.

Continue back to the main road to meet our coach and transfer back to Lao Cai station. You will have dinner in Lao Cai at a local restaurant prior to taking a night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Arrive at Hanoi Railway Station early this morning. Enjoy breakfast prior to driving to Halong Bay.

On arrival, board on your boat and enjoy a welcome drink on the vessel. The cruise will head toward the Cave of Surprise which will be visited via small sampans. Once there, enjoy a walking tour through the cave before returning to your boat. Depending on the weather there may be time to swim at Titop Beach before heading to Trong Cave where you can enjoy dinner. Overnight on boat.

Following breakfast, you will visit Luon Cave by small sampan then continuously pass the area where the scenes of the famous film “Indochina” were filmed. See the famous islets along the way such as Teapot Islet, Marker Islet, Fire Islet, and Dove Islet. After lunch on board, arrive at the wharf where your coach will return you to Hanoi for your overnight stay. This evening you may wish to explore the “old quarter” of Hanoi at your leisure.

Today after breakfast, spend your last minute shopping or being at your own activities till transferring to the airport for your flight home. End of services.