ABSOLUTE VIETNAM

Day 1: Hanoi

Upon your arrival at Hanoi airport look for our driver and guide who will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. The journey from the airport to your hotel will take approximately half an hour and is an entertaining experience full of chaotic traffic and millions of motorbikes.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour Full Day (B/L)

Vietnam Travel and Cruise’s car and guide will meet you at 8am. Our tour will start by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. The mausoleum is the last resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s great revolutionist. It is a symbol of gratitude and respect of Vietnamese people for president Ho Chi Minh. The Ho Chi Minh Museum is the preserver of everything memorable related to Ho Chi Minh. Close by, the famous One Pillar Pagoda is worth a passing look. Built by King Ly Thai To in 1049, the structure has become an important symbol for the Hanoian. After that, we will continue our tour by visiting the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam – Vietnam’s first University, constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Lunch will be served at “Bun Cha Huong Lien” or “Pho Cuon Ngu Xa”. After lunch, we will proceed to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. This is the most recent yet probable the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting museums in Hanoi and Vietnam. This is worth a thorough visit, for those who are keen to learn about the multi culturally of Vietnam and for those who would appreciate some green space. Then a late afternoon cyclo tour of Hanoi’s fascinating Old Quarter is followed by free time for shopping.

Day 3: Hanoi – Bat Trang Ceramic Day Tour & Water Puppet (B/L)

8.00am: Journey alongside the Red River on a scenic countryside drive from Hanoi to Bat Trang. Visit the village known for producing high-quality ceramics and see how this pottery is made by hand. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in a workshop crafting your own piece or shop for something to take home with you. This private tour offers air-conditioned transport and the personalized attention of your very own guide.

15.00pm. After exploring Bat Trang Village, you will be taken back then go to the Water puppet Theater where is just in front of your hotel. This show will give you a great chance to learn about the folk art of Vietnam and relax with versatile puppet repertoires of artists. To perform water puppetry, artists have to dip under water, be hidden behind bamboo blinds to perform. You will certainly feel happy after experiencing that unforgettable moment.

Day 4: Hanoi – Sapa (B)

Have breakfast at hotel then at 07.00am our limousine car will pick you up to Sapa town. The road may take around 4-5 hours of transfer.

Day 5: Sapa Trekking (B/L/D)

Have breakfast in hotel, 9:30am, our guide will meet you in lobby hotel. First start of 6km of walking down to the south east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong. Conitue a 2km-trekking down to Lao Chai village, through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people. Lunch at a local family, it gives you a worth chance for you to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes…on the way. Last trek is about 2Km to the bus stop in Tavan then get back to Sapa by jeep or motorbike.

Day 6: Sapa Trekking (B/L/D)

A walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then next 3 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way a jeep to return to Sapa.

Day 7: Sapa – Hanoi (B)

Morning at your leisure, then check out the hotel, 14.00pm our limousine car will pick you up to Hanoi. The road may take around 4-5 hours of transfer. Arrive in Hanoi, check in hotel and rest after long road.

Day 8: Hanoi – Ha Long Cruise (B/L/D)

08:30 – 09:00: Limosine picks you up at your hotel in the old quarter

12:00: The crew members of Cruise will welcome you at Tuan Chau International Marina Station.

12:30: You will be taken aboard our support vessel and travel from the wharf via the bay to board our luxurious craft. Welcome fresh drinks, cold towels and a special lunch of fresh food and an assortment of appetizing delicacies will be served. You will be enchanted when decadently dining on our luxury junk. We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay – A member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

15:30: We will visit the Dark and Bright Cave – famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. Here you will take some photos of the romantic, lyrical local see-sights. This is also the best time for tourists to enjoy bamboo boat and swimming – which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the limestone mountains and the blue sky of LanHa Bay. Afterwards, visitors immerse in the emerald green water of LanHa Bay with exciting swimming activities or enjoy mini pool with jacuzzi on Cruise.

17:30: Return to Cruise. Enjoy sunset party on Lan Ha Bay. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the stunning moment of sunset at Lan Ha Bay.

19:30: Enjoy a romantic dinner at the restaurant on Peony Cruise.

21:00-00:00: Enjoy the nightlife of the bay from the top deck. Immerse yourself in music, enjoying a glass of cocktail from the bar, watching famous films and relaxing on the cruise. Otherwise, you can fish squid with the sailors or simply relax in the room and watch the bay from the balcony.

Day 9: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue  (B/L)

6:30-7:30: Breakfast is served at Cruise restaurant.

8:00: Cruise will arrival Frog Pond area, in here you have kayaking and free to relax in the four-season mini pool on Lan Ha Bay – A silk ribbon made from green mountains, blue seas and diverse fauna and flora.

9:30: Checking out of the room. Then the lunch in the restaurant is ready for you, pay the extra fee (if any) at the reception while traveling to the port. Kindly needed to pay for the costs in charge of the front desk (if any) while traveling to the port.

11:15 – 11:30: Disembark and move back the port.

11h30 – 11h45: You are at Tuan Chau International Marina Station. Back to Hanoi, our drive will transfer you to Noi Bai airport to catch a flight to Hue. Check in hotel and relax

Day 10: Hue City Tour Full Day (B/L)

08.30AM: After breakfast, met up by Vietnam Travel and Cruise’s guide and private car for a city tour of Hue and surroundings areas. We first visit Royal Citadel which was constructed by Emperor Gia Long in the style of French military architect Vauban during the first decade of the 19th century, containing the Imperial city and the Forbidden Purple City, the Emperor’s private residence. There are many palaces and temples inside. Other attractions that we will have a sight-seeing is Minh Mang tomb and the vibrant Dong Ba riverside market. Enjoy your lunch at the Pagoda.The tour finishes at about 16.30PM and our car will drive you back to your hotel in Hue.

Day 11: Hue – Hoi An By Road (B)

08:30AM After breakfast, your car and guide will pick you up for a 160km journey from Hue over scenic mountainous roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lays the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and South Vietnam. The trip continue southwards, passing Lang Co. After arriving in Da Nang, transfer straight to Hoian for checking in your hotel and enjoy your relaxing time in this ancient town.

Day 12: Hoi An Walking Tour (B/L)

08.00Am: Our guide will take you to Hoi An old quarter which known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centre in South East Asia between the 16th & 17th centuries. A charming 16th century merchant town, with strong Japanese and Chinese influences, Hoi An is best explored on foot. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved architecture, it is also a thriving center of traditional handicrafts. Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central market and the small harbor where colorfully painted boats are moored. Your walking tour will include visits to a private house where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting to one of the family chapels built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor worship. Continue to Sa Huynh Museum which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history. Finally, continue to the famous Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. In the afternoon, board a local boat and cruise down the Thu Bon River enjoying the unspoiled countryside and stopping to visit a pottery village and woodcarving village before returning to Hoi An Harbor.

Day 13: Hoi An – My Son Sunrise Experience (B)

5:30 AM Your car and guide will meet you at your hotel, our day starts with a trip through Hoi An rice paddies to Cua Dai bridge, weather permits, we can catch up the stunning view of sunrise over Thu Bon River from there.

We’ll arrive at My Son by 7:00 AM, it’s best time to visit the Sanctuary as you avoid the tourist crowds and mid-day heat, everything is quiet but the birdsongs. We begin with a short ascent along a track bordered by jungle and as we reach the top, the fascinating ruins appear.  While you explore the area and your guide will explain the history of the religious site which served as a burial place for the Cham monarchs many centuries ago.

After the walk, it’s time to enjoy enjoy our breakfast box at a local café before leaving. We still avoid the main roads and stop en-route to visit the local villages. Trip ends at your hotel in Hoi An around 10:00 AM.

Day 14: Hoi An Wet Rice Tour (B/L)

8.00AM: Pick you up at hotel by our minivan and we will bring you to our biking point. Start biking to the countryside throughout the rice paddle, enjoy the fresh air of the nature. Meet local farmer, talk with them about their local farming daily life, having a cup of tea with them at the middle of the rice paddle field farm. Wear farming clothes before getting into muddy rice field like: Vietnamese authentic and traditional farmer clothes, conical hat, boost …Listen to our guide explaining about wet rice process how to grow it. Start the farming works to learn how to grow wet rice with water buffalo plough, use agricultural water system. Transplant rice at the rice field.  Enjoy riding with water buffalo at a small pond at the rice farm. Enjoy your local meal with the local farmer at their house

13.00PM: Biking back hotel

Day 15: Da Nang – Buon Me Thuot – Dray Nur & Dray Sap Waterfall (B/L)

Our car will drive you to airport then catch an early flight to Buon Me Thuot city. Check in your hotel in Buon Me Thuot.

8:00am, pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the waterfalls, we have a chance to enjoy 2 impressive waterfalls in the Central Highlands. The first one we will visit is Dray Sap. Water falls down from high cliff, making the water become mist and look like smoke. “Dray Sap” means “Smoke Waterfall” in Ede language. The same Dray Sap, Dray Nu waterfall is Your Experience. Water passes down and through steep cliffs, making the waterfall rumbling and majestic. Transfer to Buon Don for lunch.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Don village where is very famous for elephants. Explore the traditional wild elephants catching and taming of M’nong ethnic group. Visit the Ancient wooden house- on- stilts with the architecture belongs to Laotian. A feature of the house is its roofs made by wood. Visit and take a walk through suspension bamboo bridge for sightseeing. There is the option for riding an elephant in the forests or wander in the village.

Go back to Buon Ma Thuot around 5pm.

Day 16: Buon Me Thuot – Da Lat On Road (B)

Have breakfast at hotel, then at 08.00am our car will pick you up and transfer to Dalat city – surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its distinctive temperate climate.

The road might take around 4 hours. Check in hotel and relax.

Day 17: Dambri Eco Tourism (B)

Have breakfast at hotel, discovering Da Lat with the destination of Dambri waterfall is an entirely new journey, a wonderful experience. Because this place is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Lam Dong, with a history, formed more than 15 years ago. The waterfall is located in the Dambri tourist complex with many tourist services and entertainment spots. Dambri tourist area has many exciting games and outdoor activities. Take room here and rest.

Day 18: Datlanta Waterfall – Alpine Coaster – Saigon (B/L)

Morning, we will be moving to Dalanta Waterfall – Located beside national road 20th, 5 km from downtown of Dalat, Datanla tourist site has an area of 312ha set amidst the preservation forests.

At the foot of the waterfall, Datanla stream flows slowly through cliffs then fflow onto a deep hole called deadly abyss located between two vertical cliffs with the height of over 40m. Tourist can walk down to the fall or they can take the roller-coaster to the site. After lunch, we will be head back to Saigon city. Check in hotel and rest.

Day 19: Cu Chi – Saigon City Tour (B/L)

8.00am our car will pick you up to depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Have lunch at local restaurant

After lunch, back to Saigon to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars.

Day 20: Mekong – Ben Tre (B/L)

8.00am Our drive will pick you up, 10.00am on arrival in Ham Luong pier. Cruise on Ben Tre river exploring the lively activities along river as fishing,water transferring see brick making in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visite one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits and tea. Riding a motor cart or bike on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Ho house. Afternoon – riding a sampan along canal, before boat back to Ham Luong pier. End you touring, going back to HCM city or next destination.

Day 21: Departure (B)

You will be picked up from your hotel for the one hour journey to the airport. Be sure not to pack any valuables in your checked in luggage and remove all sharp objects and liquids from your carry on.