Viet Nam Authentic

Category: Vietnam Classic Tours

Itinerary: Hanoi – Lao Cai –  Ha Long – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long

Day 01: Hanoi arrival (/D)

Welcome to Hanoi airport, then transfer to the city center for checking in hotel. As you have had a long air-trip, the rest of the day is free at your leisure or for a first discovery of Hanoi, and our guide is always available at your request. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi – Perfume pagoda – Hanoi (B/L/-)

After a cruise of at least one hour with our small sampan we arrive on the location where we will climb the Huong Tich Mountain. Here we will explore a fascinating complex of pagodas and sanctuaries hidden inside the lime stone caves. Our walk offers a panoramic view upon the wonderful landscape as will bring a visit to one of the holiest pagodas of Vietnam. at the beginning of each lunar new year people turn out for praying for prosperity, happiness and health from every corners of the country. After going into depth in this environment we return to Hanoi at the end of the day. This excursion includes 2 hours of driving, 3 hours of cruising and 3 hours of walking. Afterwards you will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.

Day 03: Hanoi – train to Lao Cai (B/L/-)

Today we have plenty of time to discover the pearl of South-East Asia; Hanoi. With charming streets, lined with dozens of old trees, beautiful lakes, colonial architecture and countless interesting monuments, this city will overwhelm you with its lively character. We begin our city-trip at the Restored Sword Lake, famous of the legend of the tortoise and the sword of 15th century. After the bombardment of this lake by the Americans in 1968 the huge turtle was killed and the little pagoda in the water is the final resting place of this legendary animal. We will continue our way with a visit to the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This temple used to be Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070. After visiting this historical sight we invite you to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the house of the hero Ho Chi Minh – The National’s venerable leader who always lives in the heart of every Vietnamese. We also bring a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Quan Thanh Temple and Ethlology Museum and free time. After dinner, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station, we will catch the train to Lao Cai at 21h30. Overnight on train in tourist sleeper wagon, the journey will last for 10 hours.

Day 04: Lao Cai – Bac Ha (B/L/D)

07h00 : the train arrives at Lao Cai railway station and our bus will transfer us to Bac Ha . Upon arrival to Bac Ha, we can see thousands of people of different minorities and from every part of the area flock to Bac Ha for their weekly most important activity, Can Cau Saturday Market. Inhabiting in high and remote mountains, these minorities’ people consider this market as a good chance to go out, to meet people, to drink alcohol and exchange their hand-made products. We will see many hill tribes in colorful dress joining the market. Lunch in local restaurant.After–noon : Trek to Flower H’mong village, on the road, we visit a famous castle of former H’mong King. Trek until to Flower H’mong village, we discover the authentic life of this tribe. Return to Bac Ha in the late after-noon. Overnight at Sao Mai hotel.

Day 05: Bac Ha – SaPa (B/L/-)

From the early morning, thousands of people of different minorities from every corner of the area flock out to Bac Ha for their weekly most important activity, Bac Ha Sunday Market. Living in the high and remote mountains, these people consider the Sunday Market as a good chance to go out, meet people, drink alcohol and exchange their handy-made products. We will see a lot of hill tribes in colorful dressing participating in this colourful meltingpot.

09h00: transfer to Sapa Hill Station by a pretty mountainous road surrounded by hill terraced rice fields and rain forest.Upon our arrival, the temperature completely changes as Sapa is at the altitude of 1650 m and used to be the hill station of French People in colonial period. Sapa is not only the ideal place for those who wish a retreat in its moderate climate but also for travelers who seek the real cultural values of primary hill tribes. The H’Mong, Red Dzao, Dzay, Tay settling essentially in the foot of Fan Xi Pan Mount (the summit is up to 3143m high) have immigrated from South China between 17th and 18th centuries. They live in a self-sufficient way by cultivating hill rice, corn, manioc and especially the hemp plant for weaving their clothes. After –noon : transfer to Su Pan village, our trek begin from the gate of Ban Ho village, we discover the authentic life of Tay people. Home stay in this village, we discover the life of a very civilized minority. Swimming and washing at the water fall. A good opportunity to train your cuisine skills, our local guide will prepare Vietnamese foods, don’t hesitate to join us, if you want. Late afternoon, we back to Sapa, Overnight in hotel.

Day 06: Ban Ho – SaPa – Night train to Hanoi (B/L/-)

Morning, take a private transfer to Sapa and have breakfast at hotel. Freshen, relax and take a walking visit to Sapa town, Sapa market then take a drive to Lao Chai – Ta Van villages, short trek to Lao chai, Ta van villages to meet and talk with Giay people and to explore their daily life and beautiful landscape.. At the end of the day we catch the train back to Hanoi. Overnight in the train, sleeper wagon.

Day 07: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)

We take you to one of the wonders of nature; Halong Bay. During our way we pass magnificent green rice paddies tended by peasant women with conical hats. The entire rice paddy strip is like a beautifully designed patchwork which leads us to the heart of the Red River Delta. In Halong City we enter our private boat for a full afternoon of cruising in the bay of the dragon, with more than 3000 limestone islands scattering up from the emerald water. You will be overwhelmed by its sublime beauty and serenity. Ha Long Bay was recognized as Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and is worldwide known for its unique landscape endowed by wind and water. We visit some of the most beautiful grottos and have the opportunity to get a panoramic view of the bay as we climb the Ti Top Mount. In the evening you enjoy a meal of fresh seafood, including shrimps, squids, fishes and other delicious bites prepared by our professional cooks. After watching the sun go down in this fairytale-like environment we sleep on board of our boat.

Day 08: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L/-)

After waking up in this dreamy environment, white sandy beaches appear as the tide begins to fall. Great opportunities for swimming and sunbathing! We take a small boat to reach some fishing villages in the middle of Lan Ha bay to experience their floating life. We visit their floating schools and experience their floating mini-supermarkets! After this amazing experience we continue our way back to the road to drive towards Bai Chay where we have lunch in a local restaurant. We return to Hanoi where we participate an one-hour ride in a traditional rickshaw (bike) around Hanoi’s old quarter. After dining in a local restaurant we bring a visit to the famous water puppet show and listen to traditional folk music. We spend the night in a hotel in Hanoi

Day 09 : Hanoi – handicraft village – Hue (B/L/-)

07h00: Start from the hotel in Hanoi.

07h45: We arrive in Bat Trang village : a village very famous from many centuries for their potteries, visit the village and manufacturing, then meet some producers and suppliers. Return to Hanoi at noon for lunch. After–noon:

13h00: Transfer to Van Phuc village, a traditional village famous for its silk products. Visit and meet some producers and suppliers. Then transfer to Hanoi airport for the flight to Hue at the end of the after-noon. Arrival in Hue, we are welcomed by our guide and bus and transfer to Hue. The former capital of Vietnam (1802 -1945 under Nguyen Dynasty), is known as ‘the city of peace and poetry’. The city is charming and has a romantic atmosphere. Tonight, you will enjoy a royal dinner in a special atmosphere of royal palace with a traditional orchestra

Day 10: Hue (B/L/-)

Morning: we visit the Forbidden Citadel, which seems to be untouched despite turbulent history like the wars. With a small sampan we make a cruise upstream the Perfume River to visit the famous Thien Mu Pagodaand the Hon Chen Temple. From here, we will start a trek towards the remote area of small imperial tombs. Impressive and mysterious, because many of these imperial tombs seem to be forgotten. We will finalize our excursion at one of the most romantic places of the area; the complex of Tu Duc Emperor’s tomb. Located in lush vegetation, the tomb combines majesty with oriental charm. The rest of the day you will be free to visit the Dong Ba Market, to search for nice souvenirs for the loved-ones at home. We overnight in Hue

Day 11: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B/L/)

We leave to Hoi An by the well-known and stunning Mandarin Road. On the top of the Ocean Cloud Pass, we have a panoramic view over Danang and the surrounding areas. In Danang city we visit the Cham Museum, exposing countless antique articles of the former Cham Kingdom which lasted until the 16th century. We continue our trip by arriving in Hoian. Also this ancient town was recognized by UNESCO as being World Cultural Heritage in 1999. Hoian used to serve as an active port of trade with the Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese people during the 17th and 18th centuries. The streets, houses and architecture are remained ‘untouched’, despite turbulent history. We also visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Tan Ky ancient house before checking-in at the hotel in Hoi An .

Day 12: Hoi An – My Son – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/)

After having a nice breakfast in our hotel we continue our trip towards My Son holly land. Located just 60 km from Danang, My Son includes a complex of impressive temples and sanctuaries of the former capital of theCham’s Kingdom. This area used to be a glorious empire between the 5th and the 13th century. Today, most of the temples are nothing more than a mysterious impression of what the bright period of the Indian culture of the Cham people could have been. Return to Danang for flight to Ho Chi Minh city, you will be welcomed by our guide by arrival at Saigon Airport. Overnight in our hotel.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh (B/L/)

Today an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnel is planned, situated 30 km northwest from HCM City. This complex of underground tunnels stretching over more than 250 km and was made by the Viet Cong guerillas during the war against the Americans. The cleverly constructed tunnel was the key to victory over the modern American forces and Southern Vietnamese fantoccini. During our excursion we also learn more about what ‘Viet Cong life’ looked like during these times. We continue our trip to the village of Tay Ninh where we visit theCao Dai Temple, the center of Caodaism in Vietnam. Caodaism is a bizarre and unique sect in Vietnam, which represents a mix of Taoism, Christianity and Confucianism. Saints who are praised here are Jesus, Buddha and legendary people like Victor Hugor, Churchill and Nguyen Binh Khiem! Their religious ceremony is celebrated everyday and we will have the chance to get to know more about this mysterious sect. Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh city – Vinh Long (B/L/D)

Morning: drive to Mekong Delta. Formed by nine tributaries of the Mekong River, Mekong Delta is often referred as the ‘rice bowl’ or the ‘garden from heaven’ of Vietnam. Because the soil is very rich you will find here countless green rice paddies and dozens of tropical fruits, which only grow in this certain area. A visit to this region allows us to explore the ‘life on the water’ of the local people. Because of periodical floods the local people adapted their lives to the water. Experience their floating houses, floating schools, floating mini-supermarkets and even their complete floating markets! You will be overwhelmed by the wet rice civilization. In the afternoon, we arrive in Vinh Long where we make a cruise of 2,5 hours towards An Phuoc Island, circled by orchards and canals. Tonight, we are invited to stay in the house of a local family where a delicious ‘Mekong River’ style meal will be prepared for us. To night we will enjoy a traditional music show of local inhabitant: “Cai Luong songs” and taste the tropical fruits in the house.

Day 15: Vinh Long – Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/)

In the early morning we take a local boat which will take us in the direction of the Cai Be floating market. The sightseeing is extremely exciting with hundreds of people participating in the market by boat. Rice, fresh fruits, fish, handicrafts, everything is for sale!! After our visit to the market we have cruise towards one of the typical orchards to taste fresh fruit. We bring a visit to the Kh’mer pagoda and the surrounding handicraft villages where rice crackers, bricks and dried longan are being produced. We have lunch in a local restaurant. After – lunch, we return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh city tour (B/L)

After breakfast you will begin your exploration of Sai Gon, the economic powerhouse of Vietnam. You will visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and general Post Office, which was reportedly, designed Gustaf Eiffel. Walk amongst the frenzied merchants and buyers of Cho Lon market and visit Thien Hau Pagoda – one of the most celebrated Temples in Sai Goni. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Free at your leisure time. Then transfer to airport for flight. Conclude the tours

B: Breakfast, L: Lunch; D: Diner

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