Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - Arrival
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B, L)
At 08:30, our guide and driver will pick you up and take a city tour:
• The Reunification Palace: This is one of the most important buildings in the city.
• Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture.
After lunch at local restaurant we continue to visit:
• Giac Lam Pagoda: This is HCMC's oldest pagoda, dating back to 1744 and one of the finest in Vietnam.
• Cholon, including the Thien Hau Pagoda: Cholon actually means Big Market – a claim that is well justified as Vietnam 's largest market, the Binh Tay, is located here.
• Ben Thanh Market: This bustling and well-organized market is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dais.
Back to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho (B, L)
08:00 Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand–rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Have a short cycling tour then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho. Free time to visit bustling Can Tho market. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 4: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river ( Bassac River), then proceed to Cai Rang floating markets, which are the liveliest in the whole religion.
Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only o¬ne stem of bamboo. Have lunch. Then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Mui Ne (B)
Four hours by car to get to Mui Ne beach from Ho Chi Minh city. You can enjoy sun bathing on the very beautiful beach in Mui Ne. Stay overnight in Mui Ne.
Day 6: Mui Ne (B)
Free and easy in Mui Ne. Overnight in Mui Ne.
Day 7: Mui Ne - Nha Trang (B)
Today we drive along the coast to the next destination, Nha Trang. The city famous for it’s long beach and white sand. Here you can do as little or as much as you desire - from snorkeling or diving on the nearby reefs to lazing on the beach in the crescent-shaped lagoon. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 8: Nha Trang (B)
Free and easy on the beach. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 9: Nha Trang - Hoi An (B, L) - by flight
After Breakfast at hotel, you will transfer to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang. Drive from Da Nang to Hoi An. Check in and overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An (B)
Free at leisure at the hotel and then discover Hoi An city by yourself or relax on beach. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An - Hue City Tour (B, L)
The next destination is Hue, the Old Royal City in Vietnam in 17th century. Upon leaving Hoi An, we drive north to Hue. The scenic road is hugging the coastline before crossing over the winding Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. We stop en route to visit the Lang Co beach before reaching Hue city. As Vietnam’s last feudal capital, the small and quiet city of Hue is widely known for magnificent architectures, pagodas and royal tombs laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. The beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien Mu which now becomes the symbol of Hue, and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh are not to be missed. We include these in a guided cruise on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. After an impressive boat trip we return to the town. Sightseeing tour takes us in the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins and enjoy a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Overnight in Hue.
Day 12: Hue - Hanoi City Tour (B, L) - by flight
An early morning transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Our guide and driver will pick you up and start city tour to visit:
• Ho Chi Minh Complex including his former stilt–house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum
• The Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070
• A local Vietnamese lunch
Afternoon:
• Hanoi Hilton museum (Hoa Lo prison)
• Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake – the Ngoc Son Temple is set on a tiny island on Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century
• A one–hour cyclo tour through the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter – a must for any visitor to Hanoi!
• A traditional performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppets
Relax and Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 13: Hanoi - Lao Cai (B) - by night train
Today is a free day again (great shopping in the Hanoi Old quarter) until transfer to the Hanoi railway station to catch your train to Sapa.
20:45 Transfer to Station with our guide to catch the night train to Lao Cai (soft sleeper with airconditioning) at 21:50pm, arrive 5:30 or 6:00am. Overnight on train.
Day 14: Lao Cai - Sapa - Cat Cat - Y Linh Ho (B, L)
Arrive Lao Cai, pick up at Lao Cai Station then we go to Sapa. Breakfast at local restaurant
After breakfast, our gudie in Sapa will pick up and start the trip in Sapa. You first sneak through the Sapa market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before continuing the trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority. Relax and Overnight in Sapa.
Day 15: Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B, L) - by night train
Have breakfast at hotel and then start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. They have their own language and wear traditional indigio blue clothing. After this you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The Zay houses are build of wood and bamboo with a clay floor.
Then transfer to the station in Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi at 20:15pm, arrive around 05:00am. Overnight on train.
Day 16: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Train arrives Hanoi at 05:00, we go to Hoan Kiem lake to see hundreds of local people doing Taichi on its side. Walk around the old streets before coming back to the hotel for buffet breakfast there.
07.30 – 07.45 Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus of cruise company. Drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta.
11.30 Upon arrival at Vinashin Tourist Harbor, You are welcomed at our waiting room before enjoying the cruise.
12.15-12.30 Embark on Huong Hai Sealife. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.
13.00 Start cruisingamong famous Islets (Indochina studio, Am Islet…) ofBai Tu Long Bay, the wildest beauty with the panoramic natural views.
Admire the grace of the bay while enjoying the delicious lunch in the restaurant at the first deck.
14.30 Explore the well-hidden Co Cave (known as Thien Canh Son Cave). Relax on white sandy beach or walk along the beach at Hon Co Island (no swimming).
15.45 Return to Huong Hai Sealife and enjoy Happy hour. You will have 30% discount off from the special drinks list; including of cocktail, mocktail and mixed drinks (from 16.30 pm to 19.00 pm.).
Treasure the wonderful beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay at sunset, admire the striking islands and islets, savor the fresh and peaceful atmosphere which could hardly be found in landwhile cruising to Cong Do sleeping area.
16.30 Enjoy kayaking at Cong Do or relaxing on the cruise.
18.00 Onboard the vessel, surrounded by a stunning, setting in motion, attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (spring roll)on the sundeck.
19.15 Dinner is served in the restaurant at the first desk. You can enjoy the charm of Bai Tu Long Bay at night.
21.00 Evening activities: relax at leisure; enjoy our Movie Night, Board Games or our Massage & Spa services(massage and spa fee is not included in the price), squid fishing. Overnight on Bai Tu Long Bay
Day 17: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
06.30-7.45 Before enjoying the breakfast with cookies and tea, café at the restaurant of the cruise, tourists can try the taichi session on the sundeck at the break of dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay
7.45-8.45 Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Co Cave (Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son). You can revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long bay from above, as well as the glorious long white sand of Hon Co Island.
Tourists can relax on the white sand beach of Co Island, enjoy swimming on the area of Co Island. With the long white sand beaches and the crystal-like green water, definitely, tourists would have the fantastic moments after exploring the cave.
8.45 Tourists come back to the cruise by tender.
9.15 Tourists arrange the luggage and check out.
9.30-10.30 Tourists can enjoy the light lunch (brunch) in Sealife Cruise while the cruise departs from Hon Co Island back to Vinashin dock.
11.15 Arrive back at Vinashin dock, Halong city for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to your Hanoi
16.30 Arrive in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 18: Hanoi - Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to the airport for the your international flight. End of services.