D1 Arrival in Saigon. Arrive Saigon Airport pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Continental hotel. Relax in the morning after your long flight. The afternoon you will have an in depth tour of Saigon. Overnight at Continental hotel.
D2 Tay Ninh- Cu Chi. (B) Four people on Full Tour. Drive to Tay Ninh to the Great CaoDai temple (a mixture of Buddhism, Confucius, Taoism, Hinduism and Christian). We see the noon mass at the temple (appox.1 hour). Afternoon we visit Cu Chi, a fabulous tunnel. You will have an opportunity to get the unique experience of guerillas living and fighting underground during the war (a crawl through 50 – 100 meters out 200 km of the tunnel system is unforgettable). Local rice paper workshops, nice paddy fields are pleasant sights on the way. Overnight at Continental hotel.
D3: Saigon- Can Tho. (B-L-D) Dep., Sai Gon at 8h00 head south to Cai be. On arrival walk through the village streets and watch locals making manioc chips before boarding a boat for a journey through the town's floating market. Cruise through the secluded canals to an island where we stop to enjoy seasonal fruits before our boat takes us to Vinh Long where we get back on the bus for our trip to Can Tho to stay overnight.Overnight at Victoria Can Tho hotel.
D4: Can Tho. (B) An early start for a boat trip to Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets. We stop for a walk on a quiet country road to take in the magnificent scenery and get close to the locals as they go about their daily routine. We try a xe loi, the local colonial-era cab pulled by motorbike, on a country road. In the afternoon, you will be free at leisure to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere at the hotel.Overnight at Victoria Can Tho hotel.
D5: Can Tho- Saigon. (B-L) In the morning, drive from Can Tho back to Saigon. In the afternoon, you will visit War Remnants Meuseum, the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon City Hall and the historic Central Post Office and the China town.Overnight at Continental hotel.D6: Saigon- Hoian. (B-D) You will be picked up at your hotel at 9h30 to transfer to Saigon airport to get a flight to Danang (VN324- 13h40- 14h50). You local guide in Hoian will pick you up in Danang and take you to Hoian.In the afternoon, you are free to enjoy the swimming pool or take a walk in the old town of Hoian or relax on the white sand beach of Cua Dai.Overnight at Vinh Hung resort.
D7: Hoian. (B) Free day in Hoian to enjoy the beach or shopping in the old town.In the evening, embark a cruise on the wooden junk for a dinner while cruising on Thu Bon river passing the town in the light of colourful lanterns.Overnight at Vinh Hung resort.
D8: Hoian- Hue. (B) In the morning, you will transfer to Hue, with a great chance to visit the Marble mountain and Cham Scupture musuem and drive over the stunning Hai Van pass. Check into Asia Hotel.In the afternoon, you will take a Dragon style boat trip on Perfume river to visit the ancient Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) pagoda. Hue is also very famous for its historical relics including King’s tomb. Your boat will stop by Tu Duc tomb, one of the nicest King’s tomb which is set in hamony of Earth, Heaven, Green trees, Water and monuments. You will take a small walk to a smaller tomb of Dong Khanh before your bus pick you up to go back to your hotel.Overnight at Asia hotel.
D9: Hue- Hanoi. (B)
This morning take you to the Forbidden Purple City, the former living place of the Royal family during the Nguyen dynasty in from 19th century to mid 20th century. Althought most of palaces were distroyed during the American War (Vietnamese War) especially in Tet offensive (1968), this place still worth a visit with many palaces and temples. Your guide will help you to understand more about this period in Vietnam history as well as the daily life of the Royal family.Afternoon fly to Hanoi (VN 244- 14h40- 15h50). Your friendly Hanoi guide will meet you at Hanoi airport and transfer to Hanoi down town. Overnight at Majestic Salute Hotel.
D10: Hanoi City tour. (B-L) After breakfast in your hotel you will be met by your guide at 8:00am for an insightful city tour to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda (ad 1049), and The Temple of Literature (ad 1070). Following lunch, you will visit the Ethnology museum which will give you an overview of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam including the Thai people who you will meet in Mai Chau and Hmong, Dzao, Dzay… people who you will meeting in Sapa. After that, you will take a fascinating 2 hour tour of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter by Cyclo. The history of the Old Quarter dates back some 2000 years with it’s 36 narrow streets each named after the trade or merchandise made and sold there. With various influences in the architecture and the many temples dedicated to the patron saint of each guild, this is truly a shoppers and photographers delight. You’ll have free time to have dinner before taking the train to Lao Cai. Overnight train to Hanoi on Victoria Express- Superior cabin for 4 people.
D11: Sapa trekking tour. (B-L-D) You will arrive in Lao Cai at about 6h00 and transfer to Sapa. The bus ride up hill to Sapa takes a little over an hour giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. Leave your luggage in the hotel and your guide will take you to a local restaurant for breakfast. Start a short ride (30 minutes) to the Golden Stream valley, stop at Lao Chai village (Black H’mong hill tribe). The trekking tour is very interesting as you’ll challenge yourselves by balancing on the rice terraces passing villages of H’mong people and Dzay people in Ta Van village. You will visit a few shools on the way and one of them, in Lao Chai village was built with the big help from Handspan Travel and Southest Asian School Foundation. After a picnic lunch, you will walk down to and along the stream to get back to the main road where your driver is waiting and take you back to the comfort of Victoria Sapa hotel. Overnight at Victoria Sapa hotel.
D12: Sapa trekking tour. (B-D) After breakfast, your guide will meet you (at around 9h00) and take you to Sapa market where it is quite busy today as local hilltribes from villages come to sell and buy. Start a trekking down hill to Cat Cat Waterfall and the nearby Black H’mong village. The 3 hour trekking is not very difficult as you mostly going down hill on steps. After that, our driver will take you back to town and you’ll have free time to explore the town by yourselves.In the afternoon, you will take a short ride to Ta Phin village of the Red Dzao. The insightful trek of 8km around this verdant valley offer you a chance to visit a few Hmong and Red Dzao hill tribes. Bus ride back to Sapa. Early dinner before drive to Lao Cai.Overnight train to Hanoi on Victoria Express- Superior cabin for 4 people.
D13: Hanoi- Halong (B-L-D) 8h30: Drive to Halong City (3.5 hrs) thru the Red River Delta with its verdant farmland dotted with local villages. Arrive at 12:00pm. Transfer to the Dragon's Pearl Junk, enjoy a lunch with fresh seafood as you embark on a 4 hr cruise into the bay to see the incredible Karst formations such as Lion, Tea Pot, and Toad... Cruise further past the Tam Cung cave's gate, Dau Nguoi (Human Head) islet, and then visit the Sung Sot (Amazing) cave. There will be lots of time for swimming and sun bathing. Cruise to a quiet firth and enjoy a great sunset dinner, relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.
D14: Kayaking in Halong Bay (B-L-D) After breakfast, transfer to the kayaking area where you'll be given a basic paddling lesson by our expert who'll show you how to paddle safely at your comfort. After that, you and your guide will explore the mystical bay. There will be a lot of swimming, visiting beaches or a lagoon cave (depending on tidal conditions). Return to the Dragon's Pearl to enjoy a savoury sunset dinner and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.
D15: Ha Long – Ha Noi (B-L-D) Early risers will enjoy a refreshing swim in a quiet firth. Brunch buffet will be served from 9:00am-11:00am. You'll continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations like Trong (Drum) cave, Yen Ngua (Saddle) islet, Ham Rong (Dragon's mouth) islet, Am (Tea Pot) islet, Mat Qui (Monster's face) islet, former "Indochina" movie's studio. Check out procedure (9.30am-10.30am). Arrive at the habour by 12pm, transfer to the pier and board the private coach back to Hanoi.Farewell dinner at Wild Rice restaurant.Overnight at Majestic Salute hotel.
D16: Free in Hanoi (B) Free in Hanoi until your flight out of Vietnam Trip ends.
Land Price per person: AUST $2250 TWIN US$2560 SINGLE SUPPLE
D1 Arrival in Saigon.
D8: Hoian- Hue. (B)