DETAILED PROGRAM
Day
01:
Hanoi
(D)
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities with romantic boulevards and gorgeous colonial buildings. The rest of the day is free for your own shopping and exploration.
Day
02:
Hanoi
(B,L)
A full day spent for visiting Hanoi – the politic, economic and cultural capital of Vietnam. Starting with Museum of Ethnology ( closed on Monday) where offer informative and well-documented display on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, include elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes,. The display continues on to the garden outside with fascinating examples of minority housing from the Kinh’s to the ones of the ethnic groups in Central Highlands. Leave it behind, we come to visit the Temple of Literature- the combination of the Confucius Temple worshiping Confucius which was built in 1070 and the first Royal National university in Vietnam in 1076. Considered as “an escape” from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history. In the afternoon, a walk around the alleys of Hanoi Old Quater, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple or Jade Mountain temple situated in the heart of Hanoi. Transfer to Hanoi station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.
Day
03:
Lao Cai - Bac Ha
(B,L)
Arrive at Lao Cai train station around 6:00 am. We then drive 3 hours to Bac Ha town- home to multi ethnic groups (100 kms from Lao Cai) passing the beautiful mountainous road with breathtaking view. Breakfast at local restaurant. Morning visit to Bac Ha market – the biggest ethnic in the region. Taking place every Sunday, Bac Ha market is not only a place for people selling and buying good but also the place for exchanging culture. After lunch, stroll around to visit Thai Giang Pho inhabited by the colorful H'mong ethnic people. Overnight at the hotel in Bac Ha.
Day
04:
Bac Ha - Sapa
(B,L)
After breakfast, drive to Sapa- the town in cloud. Arrive in Sapa around noon & check in the hotel. In the afternoon, walk on a steep path to Cat Cat village inhabited by H’mong ethnic group. You will have chance to learn more about their unique customs and habits. Don’t forget to check out its handicraft shops where you can find many kinds of brocade and silver jewelry which are made by the skillful H’Mong women. Stop at the foot of a small waterfall and the old Hydro Electric Power Station built by the French during the colonial era in Vietnam. Back to Sapa for overnight.
Day
05:
Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi
(B,L)
Full day spent for visiting Sapa famous for it pleasant climate, picturesque scenery and vibrant ethnic markets. Descend into the Muong Hoa valley to visit Lao Chai village home to Black H’Mong and Ta van village home to Dzay people. You can capture the beautiful scenery of terraced rice fields, stream winding its way through the lush hills and mountains… Evening transfer to Lao Cai for the night train to Hanoi. Overnight in the 4 soft berths cabin.
Day
06:
Hanoi - Duong Lam ancient village - Hanoi
(B,L)
Upon your arrival in Hanoi, our car and guide pick you up at your hotel then depart to Duong Lam Ancient Village. Upon arrival, visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu hamlet - the only hamlet that has original entrance gate remaining intact. Continue strolling around the village to discover the daily life and farming activities with a stop in two ancient houses: the biggest was built 200 years ago and the oldest dated back to 400 years ago.
After lunch, visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, which are dedicated to two Vietnamese national heroes Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung. Relax your soul when entering Mia Pagoda which was built in 15 th century and admire its valuable heritage with 287 statues of all sizes, among which are famous sculpture work of Buddha in the Himalayas and the statues of the Eight Vajra Deities.
Drive back to Hanoi and overnight in the hotel.
Day
07:
Hanoi - Tam Coc - Bich Dong
(B,L)
After breakfast, we drive to Tam Coc also called « Ha Long bay on land ». On the way, stop to visit Hoa Lu- the ancient capital of Viet Nam during 10th century. Arrive at Tam Coc, get in a small rowing boat to discover an outstanding karst waterscape on Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc as its name means « three caves », adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes like gemstones. On rowing, you will see the peaceful scenery of rice paddies along the river banks. After lunch, cycle on the winding road, passing the rice field and lotus pond, typical of Vietnamese countryside, then pay a visit to Bich Dong pagoda situated on a hillside. Back to Tam Coc for overnight.
Day
08:
Tam Coc - Ha Long bay
(B,L,D)
After breakfast, depart to Ha Long bay, passing the beautiful scenery with rice field, winding river and quaint villages. Arrive at Ha Long Tourist Wharf around noon. Embark the wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat cruises to visit numerous islands and limestone outcrops rising from the emerald water. Dinner with fresh seafood prepared by our experienced chef. A sweet night on board in your private cabin.
Day
09:
Ha Long - Hanoi
(B,L)
Enjoy the breakfast and admire an incredible sunrise on the Halong Bay as the boat cruises to Luon Cave and Halong floating village, then back to the habour for transfer to Hanoi. On the way back ,stop at Phu Lang pottery village in Bac Ninh province. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day
10:
Hanoi - flight to Hue
(B)
Morning drive to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue - a poetic city which used to be the capital of Nguyen dynasty well- known for its Royal Citadel monuments and tombs. Arrive in Hue around noon & check in the hotel.
In the afternoon, cycle to Hue Imperial City - visit major vestiges of Vietnam's last royal town, including: Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace & Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh). Overnight in the hotel.
Day
11:
Hue
(B,L)
Depart from the hotel in the morning to visit Tu Duc royal tomb - one of the most beautiful examples of royal architecture during the Nguyen dynasty. Cruise along Perfume River, on route visit Thien Mu pagoda ( Heavenly Lady Pagoda), then drop in Thuy Bieu – Eco- village, an ancient village situated on the bank of Perfume River. Lunch in the village
The afternoon spent for biking through the village tranquil settings, passing several communal houses, ancient temples and especially the gardenhouse - a unique feature of Hue countryside. After a full day of walking & biking, relax with medical herb water treatment for your foot and excellent blind massage. Back to the hotel for overnight.
Day
12:
Hue - Danang - Hoi An
(B)
Morning drive on the Mandarin road – a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beachs and lust tropical forest. Take some shots on route before visiting the Museum of Cham Sculpture - with many precious antique artifacts of the former Cham Kingdom on display. Transfer to Hoi An ancient town, once an important international trading port and now a charming riverside town. Free time to explore the old town at night, a little Disneyland of Vietnam. Overnight in the hotel.
Day
13:
Hoi An
(B,L)
In the morning, explore Hoi An ancient town and its major attractions: Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese street, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An market and ancient port. Finally, we visit Phuc Thanh’s pagoda – the oldest pagoda of Hoi An (1454), built with Chinese bonze.
In the afternoon, drop in the Kim Bong carpentry village, well- known for wood carving (including cabinet making and ship building) and traditional sophisticated products. The village was stablished in the 15th century and reached its peak in the 18th century. Free time to discover by your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
14:
Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang
(B)
Morning transfer to Danang airport for flight to Nha Trang city. Gorgeous beaches, white sand, endless sunshine and sparkling azure water are waiting for you. Overnight in the hotel.
Day
15:
Nha Trang
(B)
Full day for your relaxation on Nha Trang beach. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day
16:
Nha Trang
(B)
Full day for your own exploration of Nha Trang beautiful coastal town. Overnight in the hotel.
Day
17:
Nha Trang - Sai Gon
(B,L)
Morning transfer to Cam Ranh airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly named Saigon or "Pearl of the Far East"). Full day spent for visiting the vibrant city situated on the banks of Saigon River famous with wide elegant boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. The « must – visit » list includes : Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Hue Avenue, Reunification Palace (Presidential Palace), Notre Dame Cathedral (built in 1877) and the Central Post Office. Wrap up the day by visiting and shopping in Ben Thanh Market – the busiest business centre in the Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.
Day
18:
Sai Gon - Cu Chi - Tay Ninh - Sai Gon
(B,L)
In the morning, depart to Cu Chi district for visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, which is 60 kilometers North West of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The Cu Chi Tunnels system was created around 1948 to assist Viet Minh in their combat with the French. Construction and enlargement continued during American bombing age and it became a underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories & field hospitals. It could house up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years, even getting married & raising children. During the Vietnam - American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a free fire zone yet was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been opened up for visitors to crawl it and understand more about the war.
Transfer to Tay Ninh to visit Cao Dai Temple with the exotic daily mass done by the Caodaiism followers at noon. Cao Dai is a combination of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, native Vietnamese spiritualism, Christianity and Islam with 3 saints being whorshipped: Sun Yat-sen, Victor Hugo and Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm and many others.
Transfer back to Sai Gon. Overnight in the hotel.
Day
19:
Sai Gon - Ben Tre - Can Tho
(B,L)
Leave the bustling city of Saigon behind, we depart to the Mekong delta considered as Vietnam’s biggest « rice basket». Arrive at Hung Vuong pier( Ben Tre town), embark and cruise along the Bến Tre River – a tributary of the great Mekong River to explore the local lifestyles and their daily activities. Stop at a brick – field belonged to Mr. Tu Lo to see how Vietnamese people made brick by hand and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making the candies and other souvenirs. We then have an oppotunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and variety of tropical fruit that are widely available in Mekong Delta orchards. Walking or cycling through the coconut groves and green rice fields to soak and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere.
The afternoon begins by a boat trip (with small rowing- boat) through a maze of waterways shaded by two rows of palm tree. Cruise back to the pier and disembark. Transfer to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day
20:
Can Tho - Sai Gon
(B,L)
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 oppotunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fruits. Leave the market, we get back to Sai Gon. On the way back, stop at Binh Thuy old house( 5kms from Can Tho city) and Long Dinh mat weaving village where you can see how to make a mat - a very popular item closely associated with Vietnamese culture. Back to Sai Gon for overnight.
Day
21:
Sai Gon
(B)
Free time for shopping or exploring by your own before transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight off. The hotel room is available until noon only.
HOTELS LIST
|
Cities
|
Hotel
|
Star
|
Night
|
|
Hanoi
|
Medallion Hanoi Hotel
(11 Ma May, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi)
|
|
3
|
|
Sapa
|
Standard Sleeper on Night Train to Sapa
(Hanoi - Lao Cai/Lao Cai - Hanoi)
|
|
2
|
|
Bac Ha
|
Thien Thanh Hotel
(Bac Ha, Lao Cai)
|
|
1
|
|
Sapa
|
Sapa Boutique Hotel
(18 Phanxipang, Sapa, Lao Cai)
|
|
1
|
|
Tam Coc
|
Nam Hoa Hotel
(31D, Minh Khai, Nam Thanh, Ninh Binh)
|
|
1
|
|
Halong
|
Halong Emotion Cruise
(Bai Chay, Halong)
|
|
1
|
|
Hue
|
Festival Hue Hotel
(15 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hue)
|
|
2
|
|
Hoi An
|
Thuy Duong 3 Hotel
(Ba Trieu, Hoi An)
|
|
2
|
|
Nha Trang
|
The Light Hotel
(86B Tran Phu, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa)
|
|
3
|
|
Saigon
|
Tan Hai Long hotel & spa
(14-16 Le Lai, Dist 1 Ho Chi Minh City)
|
|
3
|
|
Can Tho
|
Kim Tho Hotel
(1A Ngo Gia Tu, Can Tho)
|
|
1
|
Important Notes:
1. Asiatica Travel only organize private tour for a group of minimum 2 people.
2. The cost varies, depending on the number of participants and tourist season.
The price depends on number of participants and tourist season.
Contact our consultant for details on our services.
Includes:
- Hotels first class 3 stars (base on 2 persons/room) as mentioned in the program.
- Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner)
- Air-conditioned private vehicles for all transportations
- English speaking local guides
- Boat trips as mentioned in the program, sharing comfortable boat in HaLong Bay with private cabin.
- Domestic flights (Hanoi – Hue and Danang - Saigon) in economic class with airport' tax
- Entrance fees.
Excludes:
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visas to Vietnam
- Tips and personal expenses such as: laundry, telephone, drinks…
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Bank charges relating to the payment
- Other services that are not clearly mentioned in the "Price includes".