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 (B,L)

A day to visit some of the most prominent historical sites of Hanoi and take activities which helps you explore the landmarks and also daily life of the locals. That includes:

Visit Hochiminh complex, Sacred One-Pillar Pagoda,  Strolling around Temple of Literature- a former well-known " schooll for the sons of the Nation" and an interesting local market vegies nearby .

Have lunch in a local restaurant with tasty authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

Visit interesting Museum of Ethnology to get to know about the diversity, richness of colourful ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Take a cyclo ride for 45 minutes around the old quarter of Hanoi.  Enjoy waterpuppet performance in a theatre nearby historical Hoankiem lake.

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B,L,D)

A morning drive to Maichau visit interesting Museum of Ethnology en route to get to know about the diversity, richness of colourful ethnic minority groupsand also a roadside market where you see friendly locals with conical hats and baskets on shoulders loaded with their local trades. Take a walk around nearby villages and visit local families. Do homestay in Lac villages- village of Thai enthnic group with their traditional house on stilts.

Optional enjoy traditional dancing show performed by local team and drink" Ruou Can" traditional wine".

Day 4: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B)

Morning strolling around to explore 2 more villages  including a visit to the village's kindergarten where you would love meeting with local kids and a family with loom to be used for brocade weaving. Afternoon drive back to Hanoi. Lunch en route.

Day 5 : Hanoi drive to Halong Bay. Halong Bay Cruise. Overnight on traditional Junks(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 6: More Halong Bay cruise- Halong drive back to Hanoi(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

Day 7 : Hanoi Flight to Hue (B)

Today you will be transferred to the airport for flight to Hue. The rest of the day is free to do your own things

Day 8 : Hue city tour(B)

Morning guided visits to the Imperial city, then take a boat ride on the Perfume river to Thien Mu Pagoda and TuDuc Mausoleum. This evening enjoy an imperial dinner as the royals once did complete with costumes!

Day 9: Hue drive to Hoian(B)

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 : Hoi An half day Cooking Class (B,L)

We start the day at 8.30 am with a drink at Hai Scout Café. Visit Hoi An's colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and know about special herbs and vegetables in Vietnamese cuisines. A leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River brings us to the restaurant where we will enjoy one –hour cooking class. After practicing dishes, you can enjoy your products. It is your rewarding lunch today.

 The rest of the day is free on your own  for clothes shopping, strolling around this peaceful town or just relax by the pool of your hotel

Day 11: Hoian flights to Saigon(B)

Today you will be transferred to Danang for flight to Saigon

Day 12: Saigon city tour(B)

Saigon city tour will include an orientation tour of Saigon’s main boulevards, Notre Dame Cathedral, the splendid Post Office, Former Presidential Palace, War remnant Museum before heading to  the bustling Ben Thanh market and ChoLon China town. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Saigon-Tay Ninh- Cu Chi tunnels (B)

A memorable excursion takes you to the exotic Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh where you will view the colourful midday service before continuing to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Saigon. Overnight at hotel..

Day 14: Saigon – Mekong Delta visit- Can Tho (B,L)

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 15: More Mekong Delta visit- Vinh Long (B)

Early morning boat trip to visit CaiRang, the busiest floating market in South East Asia. You will take another boat trip along the river bank and cannels to see how people there live, visit another orchard for relaxation. Afternoon drive to Chau Doc. Overnight in Chau Doc at your hotel.

Day 16: Chau Doc- Phnompenh (B)

Your boat journey continues upriver all the way to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.

Day 17: Phnompenh visit(B)

PhnomPenh city tour includes the Central market, National Museum, Silver Pagoda with its floor of silver blocks, the outside of the Royal Palace, now home to King Sihanouk and Wat Phnom, after which the city takes its name. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18: Phnompenh – Kampong Thom(B)

Drive to Kampong Thom. Witness traditional rural scenes, visit a local silk farm, visit Sambour Prei Kuk, nestled on the Mekong River.Overnight in Kampong Thom

Day 19 : Kampong Thom -Siemreap (B)

Morning drive to Siemreap. Explore the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon all surrounded by dense jungle. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20 : Siemreap - Boat ride on Tonle sap lake(B)

Further exploration of this archaeological gem including the Taprohm jungle temple, and the Roluos group: Lolei, Preakho and Bakong. Lunch at local restaurant. Boat trip on TonleSap to visit floating villages. Overnight at hotel.

Day 21: Siemreap (B)

Further visit to Taprohm, the famous jungle temple and Bantay Srei, the pink temple of an Elegant Lady built in the 10th century. Climb up the Kbal Spean hill (1 hour) where you can see the images of Hindu gods carved on stone in the river bed. Overnight at Borei Angkor hotel.

Day 22 : Siemreap departs (B)

Transfer to the airport for your outgoing flight. Tour ends.

( Legend:  B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Diner)

Notes:

• 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.