Itinerary
Fascinating Vietnam ( 15 days/ 14 nights)
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Our local guide and driver pick you up and transfer to your hotels in Hanoi and have a walk around Hoan Kiem lake area to catch a first glimpse of this peaceful city
In the evening, we'll have a special dinner out at a stylic restaurant, where our guide will summarize the itinerary for coming days.
Day 2: Hanoi city Tour and Night Train to Sapa (B)
All day Hanoi city tour with guide : the main boulevards of Hanoi, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son Temple, HoChiMinh Mausoleum, Museum of Ethnology and the famous One Pillar pagoda. Enjoy one hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter and stroll around an authentic local veggies market. Lunch at local restaurant. In the evening enjoy the incredible water puppet performance. Overnight train to Sapa
Day 3: Lao Cai - Hill tribe Market – Sapa (B)
Morning drive to hill tribe market where you'll see hundreds of locals of different colourful hilltribes going to attend this weekly market selling primitive commodity like: chickens, buffalow, raw tobaco,brocade.... It will be a great opportunity for taking photos, get to know about their life and have the atmostphere of an authentic hill tribe markets. Afternoon drive back to Sapa with stop for luch and visit local villages. Overnight in Sapa
Day 4: Sapa – Lao Chai and Tavan village walk - Homestay (B,L,D)
Morning guided tour of Sapa town and the local colourful market. Afternoon short drive Ta Van Hoa Valley, and then descend by foot through the largest terraced rice paddy area in the Sapa region. The walk takes you through the village of Lao Chai, home to the Black Hmong minority, then onto the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Giay minority. It is a great opportunity to observe the daily life and traditional hospitality of these people. Overnight at homestay.
Day 5: Giang Ta Chai - Sapa - Mong sen - overnight on train back to Hanoi (B)
Moring walk from Tavan to Giang Ta Chai- a village of Red Dzao ethnic group through rice terrass. Visit some local afamily, school of the village, get contacted with nice locals before take a short drive back to Sapa. Afternoon visit around Mong sen village- another interesing village near Sapa before heading down to Lao cai for taking a night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Day 6: Hanoi free at leisure and Water Puppet performance. (B)
You can either stay comfortably and relax in your hotel or wandering around the old quarter nearby with many of its craft shops and gallery or enjoy a nice drink in one of nice bar overlooking out this characteristic bustling city. Late afternoon enjoy the water puppet show in a theatre by the lake
Day 7: Hanoi – Drive to Halong Bay – Halong Bay Cruise (B,L,D)
Take a scenic drive for 3.5 hours to Halong city with stop to have to see authentic locals farming rice and taking photos. Our cruise will start at noon and take you to explore the magnificiences of Halong Bay World Heritage sites passing hundreds of tiny limestone karsts, local floating villages, running in to local fishermen living on their sampan and visit Sung sot Grotto- the biggest dry grotto in Halong Bay with its amazing insights. Have a chance for swimming in the bay. Overnight on Traditional Junks in the bay
Day 8: More Halong Bay Cruise– Drive back to Hanoi. Evening Flight to Hue (Brunch)
You’ll spend the morning cruising the spectacular Halong Bay with it’s thousands of limestone islets that rise out of the sea before enjoy a nice seafood lunch onboard and take a drive journey back to Hanoi
Transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Hue. Arrival transfer to yout hotel.
Day 9: Hue city tour and drive to Hoian (B)
Morning visit the Citadel and the much revered and tranquil Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful religious monument. Afternoon Drive to Danang via the breathtaking HaiVan pass. Stop at the Marble Mountains to climb Water Mountain and explore the cave pagodas before visiting Cham Museum with its collection of relics from the Cham Kingdom. Car transfer to the ancient town of HoiAn where the mix of Japanese and Chinese architecture reflects its past history as an important trading port. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in HoiAn at hotel
Day 10: Hoian half day visit and the rest is free at leisure (B)
Morning walking tour of enchanting Hoi An visiting an old merchant house, a Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Free afternoon to explore the countryside further on your bike, or visit Hoi An‟s tailors, galleries
Day 11: Hoian flight to Saigon (B)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of Saigon: the main boulevards, Notre Dame Cathedral, the splendid Post Office, Ben Thanh market. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Saigon city tour and Cu Chi tunnels (B)
Morning visit to the famous Cu Chi tunnels to experience how the Viet Cong lived underground during the American war. Lunch during visits. Afternoon, Saigon city tour will include an orientation tour of Saigon’s main boulevards, Notre Dame Cathedral, the splendid Post Office, the bustling Ben Thanh market and ChoLon China town. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Can tho (B)
Excursion to VinhLong in the Mekong delta where you will enjoy a boat trip on the legendary Mekong River visiting Cai Be floating market then cruise along small canals towards one of the islands which is a typical plantation growing a variety of tropical fruits. Lunch in a bonsai garden. Visit a local farmers village before driving on to CanTho city. Overnight at CanTho.
Day 14: More Mekong Delta visit- Drive back to Saigon (B)
Early morning boat trip to visit CaiRang, the busiest floating market in South East Asia. Return to Saigon with a stop at MyTho for lunch. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Saigon departs (B)
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
( Legend: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Diner)
Notes:
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To customize this sample itinerary to suite your travel plan and personal interestes, please send your request to : info@travelauthentic.com
- Our tour operation depends on many factors some of which are beyond our control. We reserve the right to amend programmes in case of unexpected problems caused by weather, airlines, transport companies and local organisations.
Rates
All Travel Authentic tours are private and specially arranged for you. You will not join a group when you arrive at your destination.
As a guide, this tour costs from 1549 USD per person.
This price is indicative (low-season) pricing only, and is the price per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin/double room in standard hotel accommodation.
Prices include: all accommodations with daily breakfast, transfers and land tranportation in private air-con vehicle with driver, local & international flights in Indochina, professional English speaking guide, other meals as detailed in the tour itinerary, all entrance fees and boat fees.
Price does not include: visa fees, airport departure taxes where not included in air fares, tips and other personal expenses
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The exact price of your holiday depends on the date of travel, number of travelers, your special needs and request. Our quotation will be sent to you by email and will include prices for standard accommodations, 3 stars boutique hotels and 4 stars deluxe hotels.
How to minimise the cost of your holiday
- Avoid travel at peak times, i.e. Christmas, New Year and lunar New Year.
- Take more friends with you! Larger parties lead to price reductions as many costs are shared;
- Avoid single supplements by making sure your group comprises an even number of travellers;
- Consider taking a more in-depth tour of one country rather than trying to visit too many countries in one trip. International flights between countries add cost. If you like one country, you can always go back to a neighbouring country next year!