Impressive Vietnam - Great Summer Promotion
7 days/ 6 nights or 12 days/ 11 nights – Valid till 30 Sep 09

Day 1   : Arrive Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi. Free time to discover around the Old Quarter or just relax.
Our guide and driver will warmly welcome you at your hotel lobby and escort you to  a local restaurant for trip briefing and dinner. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. (D)

Note: please contact us should you need an airport pick up, a supplement will be advised upon your flight information advised.

Day 2   : City tour in Hanoi – Overnight train to Lao Cai
Hanoi, capital of Vietnam since the 11th century dazzles visitors with its unique blend of oriental lifestyle, French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards and peaceful lakes. Still retaining a charming air from its colonial days, visitors are often impressed with the quietness and subtle beauty of Hanoi.

After breakfast, drive to visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (outside only), Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilt,  One Pillar Pagoda and then the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university constructed in1070, its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past. Continue to lunch at the Brothers café for a buffet style feast – an interesting fusion of Viet and western flavours, housed in a beautiful old style Vietnamese building with traditional music.
In the afternoon drive to the Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi’s best and most interactive museum.
Transfer toward Thanh Nien road and stop to visit Quan Thanh temple (Taoist, dating from the Ly Dynasty) and the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake (one of the oldest in Vietnam). Spend one hour on foot or by cyclo with a guided orientation stroll around the Old Quarter.
Meet later to drive to the Thang Long Theater for a showing of the famous water puppets. From here drive to dinner in a small restaurant in Hanoi with good Vietnamese food.
Following the dinner, transfer to Hanoi railway station in Le Duan Street for boarding on a night train to Lao Cai
Overnight on SUPERIOR train. (B, L, D)

Note: the Mausoleum is open from 08.00 to 11.00 from Tuesday to Thursday, and over the weekends. It is close in Oct and Nov for yearly maintenance.

Day 3  : Lao Cai – Muong Khuong district – Colorful market day – Sapa

Arrive Lao Cai approximately 5h30 am. Our local team will meet the group at the station. Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant in Lao Cai.

Transfer to Muong Khuong district and enjoy beautiful scenery along the ride until Lung Khau Nhin or Cao Son market on every Wednesday or Thursday. The market locates inside a small border quite modern town which is frequented by Flower Hmong, Tu Di, Pa Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities. They come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will have lunch in a local restaurant nearby.
You will then visit a village of Dao or Nung people, where you have opportunity to explore their daily life. You can make a stop nearby a waterfall before you get on the car heading back to Sapa.
Check in hotel and free time for relax or discover this very small town.
Dinner in town and overnight in hotel in Sapa. (B,L,D)

Note: 4 hour driving, 3 hours walking and visiting the market.

Day 4  : Sapa – Ma Tra – Ta Phin – Overnight train to Hanoi

Leisure breakfast at hotel. Check out your room and start your moderate trekking day at 09h00.
You will be heading toward Tram Ton direction around five kilometers from Sapa and going  by foot while passing through several minority villages along the way. The walk under the shadow of pine trees on other side of the Sapa town is very enjoyable. Continue through beautiful rice paddy and a local water flowing system by bamboo. Stop on the way to Ma Tra village of Black H’mong for lunch at a hill top then walk down hill to Ta Phin village of Red Dao. Arrive in Ta Phin in the afternoon and free time to communicate with local villagers and admire their perfect hand embroideries. Red Dao people is a master of medicinal plants and you can try a herb bath inside the village. Return to Sapa for shower and dinner before transfer to Lao Cai station and get the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on board the superior train. (B,L,D)

Note:  4 - 5 hours walking/ 1 hour 30 driving. This is a soft trek and not touristy

Day 5   :  Hanoi - Halong half day cruise

Our driver will pick up the group at the Ha Noi train station and drive toward a local  restaurant for breakfast. Driving time 3 – 3.5 hours to Halong city. Depart 08.00 arrive 11.30am. The route out to Halong City is newly upgraded. Learn about ancestor worship and the importance of the family in Vietnamese life, and how Vietnamese people bury their dead. Learn too about the rotation of rice crops compared with Southern Vietnam. Photo stop with some nice farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and embark on the traditional comfortable junk. Fresh seafood lunch served on board whilst the junk will weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose. Visit the Sung sot (Surprise Grotto) with its great views. Free time on the Titop or Soi Sim beaches.
Fresh sea food dinner and overnight on board. (B, L, D)

Note: all junks in Halong bay will be grouped in some areas for overnight so you are aware of the noisy a little bit.

Day 6 : Halong half day cruise - Hanoi

Continue to cruise the Bay. The karts outcrops that you will sail by were formed from sediment that settled on the seafloor in prehistoric times. They rose to the surface through geological upheaval and erosion. When exposed to rainfall, the striking limestone formations weathered into their current strange, remarkable shapes.
Gradually meander back towards Halong city with brunch or lunch served on board (depending on your choice of junks, meals will be organized differently). Check out time will be 11h00 – 11h45. Transfer by your car toward Bac Ninh province. If time permitted, visit Phu Lang pottery village in Que Vo district and learn how to make a product from a piece of land to a picture or vases. Continue to Hanoi and free time at hotel.
Overnight at hotel. (Brunch or B & L. Dinner is not included)

Day 7 : Hanoi – Departure

Breakfast at hotel. Free day for your own program. End of Northern trip.

Day 7 : Hanoi – Extension Beach break to the Centre and South

Extension:
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi. Fly to Danang. Welcome and pick up at Danang airport and transfer directly to your hotel in Hoian.

The town of Hoian was known as Faifo to early western traders and was one of Southeast Asia’s major trading ports during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an important point of call for Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese traders and the architecture reflects its cosmopolitan past. More than anywhere in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of the past. There are over 844 structures of historical significance and most people spend the day wandering around and enjoying the sights and atmosphere. Hoi An is a UNESCO world heritage site with its laid back ambiance, historic buildings and myriad of cultures.

Dinner in town. Overnight at hotel. (B, D)

Day 8 : Beach break in Hoi An

After breakfast, our guide will lead you to the boat pier. You will enjoy 4 hours cruising by boat to a fishing village then by “Thuyen Thung”, a typical round boat like a basket, on the Thu Bon River. The trip will bring you to the Water Coconut Palm, a fantastic place where you can see and hear the history about Vietnam soldiers (Viet Cong) who hid themselves in the very large coconut palm canal to fight against the American Southern troops during the war in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. The highlight of this trip is that you have the opportunity to fish with ex-Vietcong soldiers and taste the grilled fish or shrimp on the spot.
Lunch will be served on board. Return to pier and short transfer to Hoi An town.

A guided walking tour is the best way to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese Covered- Bridge and the wonderful fish and vegetable market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings.

Five kilometers from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike for its sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls. Hoi An is known throughout Vietnam for its excellent seafood and it also boasts its own unique dishes such as Cao Lau, a delicious combination of noodles, pork, bean sprouts, mint and croutons.
Free time to enjoy Hoi An night life with coffee shops, bars and handicraft workshops or relax at Cua Dai beach.
Overnight in Hoian. ( B, L)

Day 9 : Beach break in Hoi An

Breakfast at hotel. Free day for leisure.
Overnight in Hoian. ( B)

Day 10 : Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh city

Breakfast at hotel. Free morning until transfer to Danang airport for early afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Welcome and pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport by our local team and transfer directly to your hotel.
Meet up for lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to China town. Visit Binh Tay market, the biggest whole sale market of Vietnam and the Thien Hau Chinese pagoda. If time permit, you can learn how to make the laquer ware at one of the work shop in town before getting back to city centre. Spend time at the Notre Dame and the Central Post office designed by Gustave Eiffel. Return to hotel for freshen up. Dinner in town.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. (B,L,D)

Day 11 : Ho Chi Minh city – Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh city

Departing after breakfast drive beyond the teeming Saigon traffic to the most busy road to Mekong Delta through national road No 1.
After two hours transfer you’ll catch the Cai Be floating market and will head out to explore lush An Binh island by motorized boat.
Cruise through bustling market places and riverfront villages, stopping into homes, cottage industries, and craft villages along the way. Possibility to cycle on a gentle road trip with some sections smooth footpaths by local bikes.
Lunch at local bonsai garden. Continue more than one hour cruising through small canals.
Disembark at Vinh Long and drive about 160kms back to Ho Chi Minh city.
Free time for relax at hotel or in town.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. (B,L)

Day 12 : Depart Ho Chi Minh city

Breakfast at hotel. Free day for your own activity or depart Saigon for your onward flight. End of the extension trip.

Note: please contact us should you need an airport see off, a supplement will be advised depending on the group size.

Recommended Hotels

PRICE IN USD PER PERSON ON DOUBLE OR TWIN SHARE BASIS FOR 7 DAYS

EXTENSION PRICE IN USD PER PERSON ON DOUBLE OR TWIN SHARE BASIS
FOR THE CENTRE PORTION 4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS

EXTENSION PRICE IN USD PER PERSON ON DOUBLE OR TWIN SHARE BASIS
FOR THE SOUTH PORTION 3 DAYS/ 2 NIGHTS

INCLUSIVE:

• English speaking  guide  through out (Different guides in the North, Centre and South)
• Porter and support team during trekking in Sapa
• Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfer as mentioned in the programme
• Accommodation in double or twin sharing room with daily breakfast
• Boat package in Halong in 22 hours in double or twin sharing room on a comfortable wooden junk
• Train ticket  Hanoi - Lao Cai on day 2 and Lao Cai - Hanoi on day 4 (superior class)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary with following detail (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
• All sightseeing entrance fees where mentioned in the itinerary
• Boat trip in Mekong Delta
• Visa authorization letter to Vietnam. You can get the visa stamping on arrival at the international airports in Vietnam or in a Vietnamese Embassy/ Consulate in your country
• All government taxes

EXCLUSIVE:

• International to/from Vietnam and international airport departure tax
• Visa stamping fee to Vietnam: 25 USD per person only for single entry and 50 USD for multi entry with 01 (4cm x 6cm) passport photo
• Domestic flight tickets Hanoi – Danang – Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city
• Tips for guides, driver, porters at hotels
• Donations at pagodas/shrines.
• Meals not inclusive in the programme
• All beverages
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping, camera film and so on…)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the itinerary

WISH YOU A PLEASANT HOLIDAY IN VIETNAM!