Day 1: Hanoi arrival
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 local life and visit Train Street (B/L)
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and take you to Hoan Kiem Lake (The Lake of the Returned Sword) that shows the traditional architecture style of the Old Quarter.
Leaving Hoan Kiem Lake, our guide will take you along the Hanoi streets, here you will learn more about the Hanoians by visiting an ancient house located on 87 Ma May. Dating back to the 19th century, this very special house is a stunning example of the architecture style that once prevailed throughout Hanoi before the concrete egg-carton style took over. This is one of the few intact remains of an old-style home open to the public in Hanoi.
Our next stop is Bach Ma Temple, lying in the heart of the Old Quarter. It is said to be the oldest temple in the city. Nowadays, the temple still retains many of its original relics such as stone steles, altars, shrines and statues. Along with architectural and artistic merit, Bach Ma Temple is also a valuable resource for researching and studying about the history of Hanoi.
The trip will take you inside the alleys and explore the fascinating and confusing narrow streets of the Old Quarter where local markets are located. On the way, you will have a chance to enjoy some traditional tasty foods in the market.
To end your day, our guide will take you to Train Street, one of the hot spots for Egg-Coffee. Sitting in a street corner of Hanoi Old Quarter with a drink, chatting with your travel companions while watching the train pass by might be one the most memorable pages in your travel journal.
Day 3: Hanoi – Sapa by overnight train (B)
Your day today is free to explore the labyrinth of streets in the Old Quarter, where each of the 36 streets is named after a product once sold exclusively in that street 100 years ago.
20.00 : Our car picks you up and transfer to station for your night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Day 4: Sa Pa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Tavan (B/L/D)
At 05.00am, our guide and car pick you up at train station, transfer you to Sapa Town to have breakfast and rest after the night train.
At 09.00am, have a very first walking tour in Sapa to Cat Cat village. You will be impressed by the waterfall and a hydroelectric station in here, enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority. Stay at homestay.
Day 5: Tavan – Giang Ta Chai – Supan – Hanoi by shared – limousine (B/L)
After refreshing by breakfast, you will trek through the bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park.
Have lunch then you continue toward Su Pan, a small village located by the road. Back to Sapa Town after that.
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 6: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus (B/L/D)
08:30 – 09:00: Limousine 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.
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 7: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi by shuttle bus – Hanoi – Hue by flight (B/L)
6:30-7:30: Breakfast is served at 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. Here, our shuttle bus will pick you up and transfer you back to Hanoi.
At appointment time, our private car picks you up here and transfers you to Noi Bai International airport for your flight to Hue later in the afternoon.
Upon arrival in Hue, our car and driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.
Check in at your hotel and enjoy the rest of the night at your leisure.
Day 8: Hue city tour full day (B/L)
08.00: Today we start the tour to Hue Monument Complex, which is recognized as UNESCO World Heritage. Our driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to the boat station in Hue. We board a boat for a trip on the Perfume River to visit the towering Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous Vietnamese landmarks. Differing legends explain how the pagoda came to be – one tells of an old woman who instructed Lord Hoang Nguyen in 1601 to walk contemplatively along the river with a lit incense stick and to build a city at the spot where the incense stopped burning.
From Thien Mu Pagoda, we then take a short drive into a lush valley of the river where seven tombs were built for seven Nguyen emperors. Each is an expression of the unique personality of the man whose remains it holds and each is comprised of three elements: a temple dedicated to the worship of the deceased emperor and his queen, a stone stele that records the biographical and historical high points of his life, and the royal tomb itself. We will visit two most famous tombs: Minh Mang and Khai Dinh Tomb. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we return to the center of Hué city. The massive Hue Royal Citadel is the most well known and iconic site in Hué. Begun in 1805 by Emperor Gia Long, it is actually a sprawling complex comprised of the Imperial City, several museums, lakes, and lovely gardens, all laid out in a series of concentric circles. We also visit the Forbidden Purple City, originally built in the early 1800s for the personal use of the emperor and staffed by eunuchs who posed no threat to the royal concubines. Nearly destroyed in the Tet Offensive, the ruins today house the Royal Library and the grounds flourish with mimosa plants and vegetable gardens.
After that our car will take you to Dong Ba Market: Dong Ba market is the biggest and most significant central market of ThuaThien – Hue province and the adjacent regions. In Dong Ba market, you can go shopping and see the daily life of local people.
The tour finishes at about 16.30 and our car will drive you back to your hotel in Hue.
Day 9: Hue – Hoi An by car (B)
09.00am 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 10: Hoi An cooking class (B/L)
This 3 hour session is a rich & comprehensive gourmet experience. You start with a 1 hour market tour to learn about Vietnamese ingredients & how to choose fresh food. Next is a short talk on the art of Vietnamese gastronomy, vegetables, herbs & spices & how to prepare & use them. The practical includes learning cooking & cutting techniques & how to use Vietnamese vegetable grater & knife. You will get hands-on experience of fresh summer rolls, grilled chicken with lime leaf, banana flower salad, soup with cabbage wrapped shrimp. After cooking class, you will walk back to hotel and rest.
Day 11: Eco Tour – Farming & Fishing (B/L)
Our guide will meet you at your hotel and we will bring you to our biking point
Cycle to a local farming village traveling along picturesque country roads (45 MINUTES, 5K to 6KM)
Share in the daily work life of local farmers – hoeing and a soil, watering veggie at an organic herb garden, riding water buffalo in the field, learn and take picture about rice and enjoy the freshest air of the countryside beauty.
Board our boat, enjoy fruit & cake with cup of tea/ café and then cruise to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Join local fisherman on the river and enjoy hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing
Enjoy learning and experiencing cultural folk music of Bả Trạo with local fishermen
Learn and try your hand at local traditional fishing techniques using round and cast nets
Learn to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats Enjoy basket boat dancing on the round boat -THUNG CHAI shown by our crews
Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides between V.C & US army.
Learn how to make an origami creation from reeds of palm leaves such as grasshopper, birds, ring, sunglasses, bracelets, etc.
Back to your our boat, lunch will be served with ice-cold beers or soft drinks.
Return to hotel by our mini-van. And enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.
Return to hotel by coach.
Day 12: Hoi An free day (B)
Enjoy yourself in Hoi An.
Day 13: Hoi An – Sai Gon by flight (B)
Our car will pick you up and transfer you to the airport to catch your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, our driver and car will meet up with you and bring you to your accommodation. Check into your hotel and relax at your own leisure.
Day 14: Sai Gon city tour – Cu Chi tunnels (B/L)
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 15: Saigon – Mekong Rustic Homestay (B/L/D)
This morning, our car transfers you to Mekong Delta area and have your nights staying at homestay with the most local experience
Arriving early in the morning at around 11:00AM, you will be visiting the first stop-over Cao Dai Temple in Cai Be which is symbolizing for the local unique religion and then Cai Be Cathedral.
After that, you will embark on a boat to visit Cai Be inland and floating market to observe the daily life of local people who live mostly based on the river sources. We can buy some fresh tropical fruits on the local seller’s boats and engage in the conversation with them.
Leaving the market, continue on boat to head to Mekong Rustic homestay on Tan Phong isles surrounded by lush tropical fruit gardens. There you check in, enjoy tea and welcome fruits and a Southern style Vietnamese lunch prepared by the host family.
After break time, get yourself active by joining us catching the ditch fish on the canals for your dinner.
After getting some fishes for your dinner, you can prepare and cook a family meal with the host in the late afternoon. Have a chill relaxing night in the Mekong Rustic garden while you have your own free time. Sleep overnight at Mekong Rustic private bungalow surrounded by tropical orchards in the host family garden.
Day 16: Mekong – Saigon (B/L)
After breakfast, we cycle around the peaceful Tan Phong Isles. Stop at a local farmer’s house to savour a cup of tea and local banana candies specialties. Enjoy your self-picked fruits at one of the most abundant orchards on Mekong river while listen to Don Ca Tai Tu – an Intangible Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO.
Keep cycling to the conical hat (nón bàng) workshop and maybe bring home some products made from dried water hyacinth as a souvenir. Have a short rest before saying goodbye to the friendly host, we check out at 11:30 and leave Tan Phong Isles. The ferry will take you back the wharf to depart to HCMC. End of tour.
Day 17: Departure (B)
You will be picked up from your hotel for the half 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. Take your flight home.
Tour Inclusions:
- Selected accommodation with breakfast in twin share room.
- Meals as listed in the itinerary.
- Private air-condition transportation. (except Ha Long)
- Boat at the program.
- Experience and friendly English-speaking local guide.
- Sightseeing and permit fees during guided times.
- Domestic flight: Hanoi – Hue; Danang – Sai Gon
- Train: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi.
- Service charge and VAT taxes.
- Welcome gifts
Tour Exclusions:
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- International flights with airport and departure taxes
- Alcoholic drinks & drinks at meal time + Optional visits + Personal expenses (Telephone, laundry…)
- Visa stamping fee for Vietnam (visa on arrival, valid 30 days: $25USD upon client’s nationality + 1 photo. Passport has to be valid at least 6 months after departure date of the country). Subject to change without prior notice
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide, driver, boat crew & hotels’ porters
- Meals other than those mentioned above
- Other services not clearly indicated in the Package Inclusion above.
- `Early check-in/ Late check out
Trip Notes:
– Travelers are highly recommended to purchase Travel Insurance upon commitment of the booking in case of force majeure. Travel Insurance covers such costs as emergency and medical evacuation, hospital fees, property loss, etc. which could possibly happen during the trip.
– Rooms at hotels are available only from 1400 on arrival day till 1200 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
– The itinerary may subject to change depending on weather conditions and the local situation.
– Reservations during peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, National Holidays may be subject to supplementary charges.
– If any proposed service is not available at the time of booking, we will try to find alternative and similar option and minimize changes to the program.
– Domestic flights may subject to change or reschedule before departure date
– Vietnam Travel and Cruise is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. Additional expenses incurred due to delays, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest, must be covered by the clients. Vietnam Travel and Cruise will make every effort to recoup any losses from the service providers.
Booking condition:
Payment:
– A Deposit of AUD$300 per person is required upon confirmation of your booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
– The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. If you fail to pay by the due date we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
– If you make a booking less than 30 days prior to departure, full payment is due within 48 hours.
Cancellation: Any cancellations must be made in witting.
– Cancellation fees apply to all cancelled reservations. The fee is determined by the date written cancellation received by Vietnam Travel and Cruise.
– Cancellation more than 30 days – Loss of deposit
– Cancellation at 30 or less days – 100% of total booking cost
Special conditions: Depending on airlines, hotels, cruises’ cancellation policies, the above conditions may be modified.
Claims and refunds for unused services
No refunds or exchanges can be made in respect of accommodation, meals, sightseeing tours, transport or any other services, which are included in the tour prices but not utilized by the client.
