Vietnam in Depth

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   ARRIVAL IN HANOI (-)
   Welcome to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the local tour guide and transfer to downtown Hanoi. Check in to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi. Please note! -    Hotel check-in time is around 14:00 -    Depend on your arrival time, the program will be adjusted accordingly  
2. Day 02

   HANOI FULL DAY CITY TOUR – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B/L)
   It is your day to visit the Capital of Vietnam today. Let's start from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday, and from June to August for annual maintenance), his simple house-on-stilts and the One-Pillar Pagoda, and the Ba Dinh Square, where the most solemn ceremonies in Hanoi take place. Go on to the Temple of Literature, a well-preserved 11th-century Confucian temple that served as Vietnam’s first university and honors centuries of scholars and learning. In the afternoon, we will have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter, stop at Ngoc Son Temple on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake), and end at Quan Thanh Taoist Temple.  Our day ends with a water puppet show, a stage art created by the Vietnamese peasants. The show last more than an hour and is a wonderful opportunity to learn about some of Vietnam’s mythology, traditions and current customs. In the late evening, transfer to Hanoi railway station for the overnight train to Lao Cai.  Overnight on train (Private VIP 2-berth Cabin with A/C).   
3. Day 03

   LAO CAI – SAPA – FULL DAY TA GIANG PHINH VALLEY & BAN KHOANG TOUR (B/L)
   Hiking: 8-10 km, 3-4 hours: paved/dirt path | Van transfer: 3 hours | Elevation gain: 100-150m. You will be met by your local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Afterwards, transfer to O Quy Ho Pass and drop your luggage at your hotel along the way.  Heading northward of Sapa, make several stops to take in the magnificent landscapes of Fansipan, Sin Chai Valley and amazing flower and vegetable farms. Then turn right to follow a narrow road for half an hour getting through the wild region with thick rain forest covering walled-up mountains, passing several waterfalls before arriving to Ban Khoang, a village of the Red Dao ethnic people who maintained their traditional values and live an unique lifestyle. The village looks prosperous thanks to the combination of wet rice cultivation on the terraced fields with cardamom farming under the shades of trees in the thick forest. Spend over an hour walking to explore this remote village to gain insights into their way of life. Leave Ban Khoang and proceed along the road for about 10km to Ta Giang Phinh Valley, inhabited by the Black Hmong people who live in small villages scattered along a peaceful stream. Enjoy lunch on the bank of a stream before taking a stroll along a path which connects villages together. Observe the locals carrying out everyday activities such as plough and harrow the fields, growing, harvesting or doing houseworks. In leisure months men often gather to build new houses or repair old ones while women stay home to make their traditional clothes. The walk ends in the mid afternoon, where you will be picked up for the ride to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.   
4. Day 04

   HALF DAY SA SENG AND SAU CHUA TOUR – TRANSFER TO HANOI VIA SHUTTLE BUS (B)
   In the morning, meet your local guide and driver to transfer south by car toward Muong Hoa valley to the trekking point. Hiking along a beautiful country road from Bridge 32 and trekking uphill on a large and rocky path for 2 hours along the narrow valley which runs between two high mountains passing two hamlets of the Black H’mong of Sa Pa Commune: Sau Chua and Sa Seng. The H’mong people here have recently changed from their traditionally nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle. There are still a lot of traces of their nomadic practices such as rudimentary houses and walls made of stacked stones. At the end of the visit return to Sapa. In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to Hanoi by shared shuttle bus. Upon arrival in Hanoi in the evening at around 20:00, check in to your hotel for the night. Overnight in Hanoi.   
5. Day 05

   HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D)
   Arrive at the dock late morning to check in for your overnight cruise. You’ll transfer to your boat where lunch will be served on board as you cruise into the bay. Known locally as Bay of the Dragons, a cruise through the jutting limestone peaks of Halong Bay is an unmissable experience. Whether bathed in sunlight or atmospherically cloaked in mist, the journey will be unforgettable. Cruise through towering limestone islands before stopping to explore huge cave systems, kayak in peaceful bays and visit beaches. A trip through these enchanting waters is simply magical. In the afternoon you can enjoy an excursion or simply relax on deck, taking in the beautiful scenery. The ship will drop anchor as the sun sets. Overnight on board the cruise. Note: The itinerary above is subject to change without prior notice and depends on weather conditions! Our guide will not escort you on board. There will be an English-speaking cruise manager who will take care of guests on the cruise during the trip in Halong/Lan Ha Bay, accompanied by his/her staff.  
6. Day 06

   HALONG BAY - HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B)
   In the morning there will be time for a further excursion and breakfast (or brunch) as your boat weaves its way back to the dock. On arrival your guide and driver will meet you for the transfer to Hanoi airport via the highway for your flights to Hue. Upon arrival, transfer and check in to your hotel.  Overnight in Hue.   
7. Day 07

   HUE HALF DAY CITY TOUR – TRANSFER TO HOI AN VIA HAI VAN PASS (B/L)
   Being recognized by UNESCO as the first Cultural World Heritage in Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. We will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum and the bustling Dong Ba Market. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will depart from Hue to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass (Vietnamese for “Ocean Cloud Pass”) and enjoy the beauty of Lang Co Beach en route before reaching Hoi An.  Overnight in Hoi An.  
8. Day 08

   HOI AN MORNING COOKING CLASS AND AFTERNOON CITY TOUR (B/L)
   After breakfast, we will go on to a farm of vegetables and herbs in Tra Que, a little charming village in Hoi An’s suburb. In this small village, the new spirit of Hoi An traditional foods like Cao Lau, Quang Noodles, Tam Huu spring-rolls have been enlivened. Take a walk round the vegetable gardens and join the peasants in a sequence of planting Tra Que herbs, learn how to turn over the soil, fertilize it with weed from Tra Que local pool or harvest the vegetable and so on. After working time, the family owning the garden will teach you prepare and cook a delicious lunch with those foods typified for Central Vietnamese traditional recipes, using a lot of herbs in Tra Que.  This afternoon, it’s your time to explore Hoi An ancient town. Together with our guide in Hoi An, we’ll walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, visit ancient houses and Trading Houses, pagodas and stroll into the market located by Thu Bon River, where we may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day.  Overnight in Hoi An.  
9. Day 09

   HOI AN – DANANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
   Breakfast at hotel.  At your leisure until your driver comes to meet and transfer you to Danang airport to take the departure flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, a local guide comes to meet and take you to hotel in for checking in. The rest of day is at your leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.   
10. Day 10

    FULL DAY CU CHI TUNNELS AND HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L)
    After breakfast, we visit to Cu Chi Tunnels – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, we're invited to enter a section of the tunnels to witness the secrets of the tunnels firsthand. Our guide will also show us various mantraps employed from this period, the remains of an American tank and numerous B52 bomb craters. There is also the opportunity to fire an M60, M16 or AK47 rifle at the range next to the tunnel complex (bullets to be purchased on spot). At the end of the visit, return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch at a local restaurant.  Start the afternoon with a visit the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style building was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral (viewed from the outside) and the Central Post Office. End our tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation until 2027. The visit will be arranged from outside.  
11. Day 11

    MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY TOUR (B/L)
    This morning, we will leave the bustling Ho Chi Minh City behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to locals as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’. Upon arrival in Ben Tre, board a private boat to drift along the serene waterways of the Mekong Delta, where coconut palms lean over narrow canals and life moves at the rhythm of the river. Along the way, you will stop at a traditional brickwork to see how the locals make bricks by hand. Turn on Cai Son canal, winding through coconut jungle, and visit a coconut workshop. Here, you can observe the stages of coconut processing by the locals. Continue into the small waterway and stop at a coconut candy workshop, where you can watch how the candies are made by hand, and even try some if you like! After the demonstration, take a tea break to try tea with honey and enjoy some local fruits.  Your boat trip concludes with a stop at a local pier, where you will take a short walk through village roads to a house where locals spend their time meticulously weaving sedge mats. Afterwards, hop on a tuktuk and travel through the village past coconut groves to arrive at a local restaurant where you will have lunch. After the lunch break, continue to a small canal where you will board a small sampan boat and enjoy a tranquil ride as you past by thick coconut groves. At the end of the boat ride, meet back up with your driver and return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.  
12. Day 12

    DEPARTURE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
    At your leisure until your transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your onward flight.  End of service.  Please note! -    Hotel check-out time is around 12:00.

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