DAY 1
ARRIVAL INTO VIETNAM – HANOI NOI BAI AIRPORT (flight details tbc).
Meet you outside of the arrivals hall and private transfer to Hanoi city, which takes around 45 minutes.

DINING THE HANOI WAY!

Our evening walk and streetfood tour will introduce you to some of Hanoi’s finest local cuisine – Beef spring rolls – Pho cuon or Hotpot – Lau. The area around Yen Phu street is a popular street for dinner and late night eating out.

You will have the opportunity to see many other kinds of street foods that are only served after dark. Continuing our walk along one side of West lake seeing more and more people sitting on the grass mats by the lake eating Lau (Hot pot soup).

If you like we can stop to join them or we can continuing heading to a village that popular for Pho Cuon and Banh Pho, a fresh rice pancake, to roll beef and herbs in serve with tasty Hanoi style fish sauce and some pickled vegetables.
A delightful and very different Hanoi dinner!

Included: transport, tour guide, street food and snacks

DAY 2
ANCIENT VILLAGE CYCLING

This morning, we’ll drive west of Hanoi for around 1.5 hours to Duong Lam village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta where you’ll discover many hundred-year-old houses, in one of the few remaining ancient villages in Vietnam. This ancient village has a history dating back some 1,200 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area.

We’ll cycle along quiet lanes around the village and discover the daily life and farming practice of Vietnamese peasants along the terraces, with a stop in two ancient houses: the biggest ancient house was built 200 years ago and the most oldest surving house dates back around 400 years.

Lunch is taken in the village and you have time to soak up the local atmosphere and ways of life here. On the drive back to Hanoi, we visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, which are dedicated to two former kings from the 8th and 9th century, who were born locally. Return to Hanoi by late afternoon.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 3
HANOI CITY DISCOVERY

This day will take in the highlight sites and sights including: Streets of the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, One-pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and museums of interest.

Originally the streets of the Old Quarter teemed with many artisans manufacturing and selling their wares. The street names nowadays still reflect these specializations. We will explore this dynamic view of everyday street life on foot in the morning light – it is a photographer’s paradise… all kinds of portraiture, architecture and people at work – along with many street sellers and their wares.

The Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh is located in the centre of Ba Dinh Square, which is the place where Ho read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved in the cooled, central hall of the mausoleum, which is protected by a military honour guard. (inside mausoleum open Tue – Thur only). We continue to stroll through the beautiful gardens surrounding the mausoleum which have nearly 250 different species of plants and flowers, all from different regions of Vietnam. Also visit the simple ‘stilt house’ which Ho lived in and the unique ‘One-Pillar Pagoda‘.

The Temple of Literature was first constructed in 1070 and is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. Also here is The Imperial Academy – constructed in 1076, which was the first national university of Vietnam, it has preserved its ancient architectural style of many dynasties.

Depending on time available, some museums may also be visited – notable are: Hoa Lo (Hanoi Hilton), Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

This is a flexible full day of touring and you can discuss specific sites / sights and locations with your guide, depending on your own personal interests and pace.

In-city private car transfer to Hanoi Train station and check-in for your sleeper train.

Overnight train SP3 dep Hanoi at 22.00 and arrive Lao Cai 06.10 (next morning).

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, transport

DAY 4
LAO CAI AND SAPA

Train SP3 arrival in Lao Cai station at 06.10am

Meet your guide and driver for your private transfer to Sapa, which takes around 50 minutes.

The drive uphill on the Hoang Lien Son mountain to Sa Pa has outstanding views of valleys and terraced rice fields along the way.

After breakfast your guide will show you around for a brief introduction of this charming town. At the market, ethnic minority people of different groups wearing their traditional costumes made by themselves comes every day selling local products including vegetables, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and medicinal herbs etc.

Later you will follow the footsteps uphill to the top of Ham Rong Mountain beautiful scenery of the town and surrounding area.

NOTE: You may discuss with your guide the remainder of today’s (and following days’) activity in this region. We understand that guests have different walking/trekking ability – and we are able to remain flexible regarding grade and distance of all activity.

Included: continental breakfast, tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 5
TA PHIN VALLEY – SILVER WATERFALL – TRAM TON PASS

This morning, will visit Ta Phin commune 14 km southeast of Sapa town. Located in a large valley and surrounded by high mountains, which are covered by pine trees and forest, Ta Phin Commune is home to the Red Zao and Black H’mong ethnic groups.

Although living close to each other for years, these two ethnic peoples are very different and you will have the opportunity to discover how and why. Take a short drive to the centre of the valley and enjoy an easy walk following a village path around the valley, paying visit to H’mong hamlets, which are scattered from the bottom of the valley to the higher mountain slopes.

Continue your walk to the Red Zao village in which you will meet groups of women making handicrafts includes embroidered clothes, handbags etc. Transfer back to Sapa for lunch and noon break.

Afternoon, you will be picked up at about 14.00 and then drive uphill to see the Silver Waterfall and Tram Ton, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at 1,800 m above sea level. There are magnificent views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range as well as spectacular landscapes of the whole area.

Return to Sapa by later afternoon and remainder of the day is free and easy to relax.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, lunch, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 6
MONG HOA VALLEY AND NIGHT TRAIN

Today you will spend the whole day exploring the spectacular Muong Hoa valley, considered the most beautiful valley in the region.

We drive out of the town, following the only road built on the side of a mountain, overlooking the valley and magnificent landscapes composed of high mountains, deep valleys, river streams, waterfalls and terraced rice paddies.

Along the way, we will visit tribal villages such as Ta Van village (Zay minority), Su Pan village (Black H’mong minority and Ban Ho village (Tay minority)

We leave Ban Ho late afternoon for journey back to Sapa, before transfer to Lao Cai station for taking the night train to Hanoi which arrives in Hanoi early at 05.30 to 06.00 next morning.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, lunch, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 7
Train SP4 arrives in Hanoi Train station at 05.10.

We’ll meet you from the train and take you for breakfast in Hanoi.

After breakfast your guide will accompany you on the drive to your Halong Bay Cruise. This pleasant journey through the Red River Delta takes around 3.5 hours, with a refreshment stop along the way.

Halong Cruise Day 1: Hon Gai Harbour – Bai Tu Long Bay – Thien Canh Son Cave

12.00 – 12.30 : Embark at Hon Gai International harbour.
12.30 – 13.00 : Check-in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing.
13.30 – 15.00 : Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; admire the fascinating formations on the way.
15.15 – 15.40 : Explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.
15.45 – 18.00 : Enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach at Hon Co Island, swimming or kayaking.
18.00 – 19.00 : Back to junk for refreshing before having dinner on board.
20.00 – 21.00 : Relax, enjoy fresh air & overnight on board.

Included: tour guide, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, lunch, dinner

DAY 8
Halong Cruise Day 2: Vung Vieng Fishing Village – Hon Gai Harbour

07.30 – 08.00 : Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
08.30 – 09.30 : Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms.
10.00 : Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbour while an A la carte lunch is served.
11.45 – 12.00 : Disembark.
After you disembark your cruise, your private transportation will be waiting for you to direct to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport for your onward flight.

We’ll arrive at the airport in good time to check in for your domestic flight to Hue.

Scheduled domestic fight from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN) to Hue Phu Bai (HUI) airport (approximately 90 minutes).

Meet you at Hue Phu Bai Airport (HUI) and private transfer to your hotel in the city.

Included: breakfast, lunch, tour guide, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, economy class domestic flight, transport

DAY 9
THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF HUE

We begin with a discovery of Minh Mang tomb, which is 12km from Hue, on the west bank of the Perfume River. Begun in 1840, construction was not complete when Minh Mang died. His successor, Emperor Thieu Tri continued this task according to his father’s plans.

It took ten thousand soldiers and artisans to finish the project. Fully completed in 1843, the tomb comprises of about 40 monuments of various sizes which was designed on an symmetric axis running from Dai Hon gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the tomb.

Returning to the city, we’ll visit the private gallery and workshop of Mr Do Huu Triet to discover the ancient art of Phap Lam, an art-form that uses ceramic enamel to cover laminated copper.

Enter the ancient Hue Citadel and the Forbidden City.
The poetic and beautiful Hue of Vietnam was chosen to be the capital of the Southern Kingdom under Nguyen Lords’ Dynasty, and officially became the nation’s capital under Tay Son Dynasty, King Quang Trung. The citadel palace complex is located on the North bank of Huong River (Perfume River), inside Hue city.

It is a huge complex covering an area of 520ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The rule of the last Vietnamese Emperor lasted until the mid-1900s. At the time, the Purple Forbidden City had many buildings and hundreds of rooms. It suffered from termite and cyclone damage, but was still very impressive. Many bullet holes left over from the war can also be observed on the stone walls.

Conclude this spledid day with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, which overlooks the Perfume River and is the official symbol of the city of Hue. Thien Mu means “elderly celestial woman”, and refers to an old legend about the founding of the pagoda. From here, cruise back to Hue centre on the legendary Perfume River. The views on both sides of the river with the citadel, town, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples, provide good photo opportunities while enjoying this short 45 minutes cruise.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, transport

DAY 10
DIVIDED VIETNAM – DMZ

After breakfast, depart with specialist guide and driver to the former DMZ by private vehicle taking the route on Hwy 1 through Dong Ha and then on to the Ben Hai River (17th Parallel division).

Cross the river by the old footbridge and then on to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels. The tunnels were built to shelter people from the intense bombing of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county of Quang Trị Province in the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone.

The villagers initially dug the tunnels to move their village 10 metres underground but the American forces designed bombs that burrowed down 10 metres. Eventually the villagers moved the village to a depth of 30 metres.

It was constructed in several stages beginning in 1966 and used until early 1972. The complex grew to include wells, kitchens, rooms for each family and spaces for healthcare. Around 60 families lived in the tunnels; as many as 17 children were born inside the tunnels.

The tunnels were a success and no villagers lost their lives. The only direct hit was from a bomb that failed to explode; the resulting hole was utilized as a ventilation shaft.

Return to Hue by coast road and optional stop at Quang Tri Citadel if desired.

The Second Battle of Quang Tri began on June 28 and lasted 81 days until September 16, 1972, when the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) finally defeated the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) at the ancient citadel of Quang Trị and recaptured most of Quảng Trị Province.

During the battle, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, backed by the United States military, expended more than 80,000 tons of ordnance. When compared to its 1968 counterpart, 1972 is more wartorn with most of the city being reduced to rubble.

This was one of the last major battles of the pre-1973 withdrawal of US troops and was probably instrumental in convincing the US that they would unlikely to prevail over the NVA long-term.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, transport

DAY 11
BREATHTAKING VIEWS

Following National Highway 1 south to Hoi An is around 4 hours drive. We’ll stop by Lang Co Beach, followed by a scenic drive over the stunning Hai Van Mountain Pass. This is the highest pass in Vietnam (500m above sea level). The rugged pass is the final section of the Truong Son Range stretching to the sea.

Hai Van is translated “Sea Clouds”, since the peak of the mountain is in the clouds while its foot is close to the sea. The views over Lang Co Bay and Da Nang are stunning. We’ll make stops along the way for photos and refreshments as required.

HOI AN WALKING TOUR

Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port, with a number of foreign occupations. These included the Japanese and Chinese, and and also western (Dutch and Spanish) during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Today, this UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient town is home to well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, a quaint riverside and unique cuisines. The narrow lanes are ideal for a 3 hours walking tour to give you a glimpse of an ancient town with its illustrious past. You will visit the Japanese Bridge, the Assembly Hall of Chinese, an old merchant’s house – Tan Ky and have a visit to the colourful local market.

Included: tour guide, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, transport, entrance fees

DAY 12

Today is free and easy for you at your leisure.

DAY 13

Today is free and easy for you at your leisure.

DAY 14

Private transfer to Da Nang Airport (flight details tbc).

Your guide will be with you for this transfer.

Scheduled domestic fight from Da Nang (DAD to Saigon Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) taking approximately 75 minutes.

DOWN TO THE DELTA

Meet you at Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and we’ll drive around 2.5 hours south to the Mekong Delta town of Cai Be. Here we will board our private boat for the first glimpse of the Mekong and take a short cruise to our hotel, which is ideally situated on the banks of the Mekong River.

The remainder of today is free and easy for you to relax and enjoy the resort facilities and river views.

Included: economy class domestic flight, tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, private boat

DAY 15
CAI BE TO SAIGON FLOATING MARKET AND AN BINH ISLAND

An early start this morning will give you the best opportunity to visit the floating Market of Cai Be.

Leave your resort by boat for the short cruise to the market. Every day, approximately 400-500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other products anchor along the banks of the river, waiting for traders and customers.

Try your hand at bargaining with the locals and perhaps try some splendid fresh tropical fruits. Return to your resort for breakfast.

Then we’ll cast off again by boat for a meander on the Mekong. Visit local gardens and houses to see orchards, rice crisped producing process etc. We’ll have a local lunch featuring fare unique to the delta region. Cruise along the river and canals of An Binh island to see the peaceful and tranquil life of local villagers, admiring the marvellous natural setting of the Mekong Delta region.

Mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive back at the private dock of your resort, and the remainder of the day is free for you to relax by the pool or take a cycle ride around the quiet lanes of Cai Be.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, lunch, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, private boat

DAY 16
CAI BE TO SAIGON

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your resort, before the drive back to Saigon and check-in to your hotel.

EVENING STREET-FOOD AND DRINKS WITH THE LOCALS

Experience Saigon the local way!
You will ride on the back of typical Saigon transportation – the xe-om (motorbike)… With an experienced driver to get away from the main tourist spots and see the ‘real Saigon’. Our night time Vietnamese food tour will take us through Districts 1,3,5 and 10 of this energetic city. We will be visiting local Vietnamese Street food vendors on the pavement or in small local Vietnamese style restaurants so please be prepared to be outdoors in the open air for most of the tour unless the weather in Vietnam decides to not cooperate.

Guests will be paired with an English speaking Vietnamese guide from a local university who will be with them through the whole tour to help explain all of the Vietnamese food as you spend your evening in a unique and highly enjoyable way.

The atmosphere is light and fun with a focus on enjoying great Vietnamese food. It is truly like going to a dinner party with local Vietnamese, except this one moves!

Included in this small-group tour:
Unlimited Food and Drink, Helmet, Rain Poncho, English Speaking Drivers, Tour Leaders, Security and Support Team, $5,000 Accident Insurance Coverage

Tour starts at 18:00 and finishes around 22:00

Included: tour guide, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, private boat

DAY 17
SAIGON NOW AND THEN

We’ll begin with a short orientation tour (walking / driving) of Old Saigon Streets and Iconic Buildings. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville which are still two of the finest buildings in Saigon.
Wander up to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris. Then head across the square to the Central Post office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel before he had risen to fame for the Eiffel Tower.

Drive a short way to Cholon (China town). Nowhere epitomizes Cholon’s vibrant commercialism like Binh Tay Market. Cholon translates as “big market” and this is the areas biggest, covering a huge 17,000 square meters. Exteriors display one of the finest examples of early 20th-century Chinese-French architecture: multitier roofs adorned with dragons, mixed with mustard-hued halls and a central clock tower.
Around 2,300 stalls are piled high with a goods ranging from ironmongery and ceramics to wet noodles and live chickens. One section is devoted to incense, another to traditional medicine ingredients and there are basic food stalls serving dishes such as Cantonese roast pork.

Walk along to Thien Hau Pagoda. Cantonese founders dedicated this temple-pagoda in 1760 to Thien Hau, Goddess Protector of Seafarers, thanking her for safe passage across the South China Sea. One of Cholon’s most important pagodas, Thien Hau is also known as Women’s Pagoda because the Goddesses of Fertility and Mothers are worshipped here. It’s noteworthy, too, for its fine friezes, murals and glazed ceramic rooftop figurines.

Originally a Chinese satellite city of Saigon, the main city has now engulfed its little sister. Still, Cholon has a distinctive character and its people have played an outsized role in Saigon’s economy and history since the enclave was created.

Wartime Saigon
We begin this story with a visit to The Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war and reveals the history of Saigon during its turbulent recent past. This is the location where the two North Vietnamese army tanks crushed the gates of the palace on 30th April 1975 and signalled the end of the conflict, by taking the surrender from Duong Van Minh, who had been president of South Vietnam for only three days.

We’ll continue to visit the site of the wartime offices of the US Information Service (USIS). This is now The War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes). This museum is a disturbing experience. It graphically recounts the Vietnam War from the perspective of the victors. The Requiem gallery, depicting the images taken by many international War Photographers during the conflict, is especially graphic and moving.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, transport

DAY 18
UP-RIVER BY SPEEDBOAT TO THE CU CHI TUNNELS
Operated by Les Rives Speedboats
Small-group trip

This unique mode of travel to Cu Chi is an experience in itself. It’s timed to take advantage of being able to see the tunnels, before the big bus groups arrive,

Morning departure (exact pickup time tbc) , we’ll transfer you from your hotel to the river pier. Join your speedboat for around 1.5 hours fast cruise up river. Within 15 minutes, the banks of the river change from city sprawl to lush jungle. A light breakfast of sandwiches or pastries, fresh tropical fruits and Vietnamese iced coffee (Ca phe sua da) is served, as your guide explains rural traditions and aspects of riverbank life.

After a short documentary, your guide will lead you through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and the numerous sites, which show how the Viet Cong waged war.

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborate underground community made up of 250 km of tunnels and chambers below the city. The tunnels were dug with simple tools and bare hands during the French occupation in the 1940s, and further expanded during the Vietnam War in the 1960s to provide refuge and a defensive advantage over the American soldiers.

Despite all the bombings in their town, the Cu Chi people were able to continue their lives underground, where they slept, ate, planned attacks, healed their sick, and taught their young. Some even wed and gave birth underground, but over 10,000 lost their lives here.

Late morning, enjoy a delicious traditional Vietnamese lunch by the river, consisting of authentic fried spring rolls, chicken and beef dishes and soup.

After lunch, we’ll return by road to Saigon and back to your hotel by mid-afternoon and the remainder of today is free and easy for you.

Included: tour leader, entrance fees, lunch

DAY 19
DEPARTURE DAY

This morning – and depending on your departure flight time, we’ll visit Ben Thanh.

Ben Thanh Market has been the focus of the city’s commercial life since it was completed under French rule nearly a century ago. It has outgrown the main structure and now spills over into the adjacent streets.

It’s a great place to start an education in local cuisine – very local. It’s all there for you to see and sample for next to nothing. Pho, Bun – the full collection of tasty southern Vietnamese soups are on sale and much more.

It’s a great place to stock up on souvenirs, T shirts, bags, coffee and other local products that sell at higher prices in the city’s more upmarket shops. But even if you’re not on a shopping mission, Ben Thanh Market is a must see.

At a time to suit you, your guide will accompany you to Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) for for outbound flight.

Included: tour guide, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues