Day 1: Hanoi arrival (GP)
Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you'll be met and driven to your hotel.
You will spend the night in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour by bicycle and street food - Overnight train to Lao Cai (B, L, G in Hanoi)
You' ll have the whole day to explore Vietnam' s capital city by bicycle. Your guide will take you to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th century, and a popular attraction, as is Ho Chi Minh' s Mausoleum, his simple stilt house where he lived and worked and the museum dedicated to his memory. After that, you' ll visit the bustling Old Quarter with its eclectic mix of architectural styles - traditional 'tube' houses, religious buildings, colonial houses, vernacular dwellings and 
modern concrete edifices.
The day also includes a 'Street Life' experience. You' ll spend a couple of hours wandering around the back streets in and nearby the Old Quarter. A street food brunch is included - take your pick from traditional Hanoi Pho (beef noodle soup), Nom (green papaya salad with seasoned beef), Banh Goi (pillow-shaped rice pastry with minced pork and mushroom), Banh Cuon (hot rice paper with pork and fried onion) or Bun Cha (fresh noodle with grilled pork). If you're hungry, try two or three varieties - they're snacks rather than a meal.
Later in the evening, you' ll be driven to Hanoi Railway Station to board your overnight train to Lao Cai.
Hotel' s check-out time is 12.00 noon. Late check-out until evening is not included.
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa - Try the Tay' s local lifestyle (L, D, G in Sapa)
Arriving in Lao Cai in the early morning, you' ll be met and taken up to Sapa. You' ll have time to have breakfast (on your own account) and wonder around the town before start walking down the valley to Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai villages. After that you' ll be picked up and driven to Ban Ho village - village of Tay people - for your overnight homestay.
Day 4: Sapa - Lao Cai - Overnight train to Hanoi (B, G in Sapa)
After walking around Ban Ho village (if the weather permits, you can consider walking up to Nam Tong village - 3km from Ban Ho - as an alternative) and a refreshing splash-around in a clear mountain spring, you' ll be picked up to return to Sapa and, the rest of the day will be free. Later in the evening, to Lao Cai station by jeep to catch the overnight train to Hanoi.
Hotel for day use to refresh before the night train is included
Day 5: Hanoi - Ha Long (B, L, D, DP)
Arriving in Hanoi in the early morning, you' ll make your own way from Hanoi Railway Station to your hotel to refresh.
After an early breakfast, you' ll leave for Ha Long Bay. After lunch at a restaurant in Ha Long City, you' ll board on the boat that takes you through Bai Tu Long Bay area. You' ll then continue your cruise to a fishing village where you'll have an opportunity explore the villages and hidden lagoons by rowing bamboo boat, you' ll even learn how to catch and feed the fish. The route is designed to avoid the busy areas and includes a very quiet location for your overnight stay. You'll stay overnight on a floating house in the village to have more chance to communicate with local fisherman to learn about their daily life and culture.
Hotel for day use in Hanoi to refresh after the night train is included.
Day 6: Ha Long - Hue (B, L, DP)
After breakfast, you' ll dock to visit one of the most famous caves in the Bay. You'll return to the junk and cruise back to have lunch in Ha Long City before leaving for Hanoi.
You should arrive in the late afternoon and be free until taking an overnight public open bus to Hue.
Hotel for day use in Hanoi is not included.
Day 7: Hue
Arriving in Hue in the morning, you' ll be free for the whole day to explore the hidden charm of Hue City. Your overnight accommodation will be in Hue.
Hotel''s check-in time is 14.00. Early check-in from morning arrival is not included.
Option 1 for Day 7: Hue City Tour (B, L, G)
Your morning will begin with a cruise along the Perfume River to visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda. From there, you' ll drive to the Royal Tombs of Emperor Minh Mang and, in the afternoon, the Imperial Citadel. After that, you' ll return to Hue to visit one of city' s ‘garden houses' and then return to your hotel to freshen-up.
You' ll spend the night in Hue.
Option 2 for Day 7: Cycling to get closer to Hue' s lifestyle (B, L, G)
In the morning, your bicycles will be at your hotel ready for you to ride through Hue' s rural villages towards the Thanh Toan Bridge (roofed in Chinese style). Nearby, a local market will provide you with views of daily life and local products. You'll then return to Hue' s city centre with en-route visit the Ngoc Son Princess ‘garden house' . It has an attractive family altar and the owner is an expert on Hue' s culture and history - he will be pleased to explain the geomantic principles underpinning the building and garden' s construction.
After lunch, your route will take you past the Imperial Citadel to visit some of the garden houses in Phu Mong Kim Long village, thence ride toward one of the handicraft villages in Hue' s hinterland that specialises in a single product range of traditional cakes - 'banh it' and 'banh phu the' before looping back to your hotel for overnight accommodation.
Day 8: Hue - Hoi An (B)
In the morning, you' ll take an open bus to Hoi An. On the way, you'll cross the Hai Van mountain pass. The views from the top are excellent - you should be able to see Lang Co beach and village, and the lagoon far below, with Danang spread out before you to the south.
Arriving in Hoi An, after checking in the hotel, you' ll be free to visit the Ancient Town of Hoi An and spend the night in Hoi An.
Option for day 8: Hoi An tour half day (G)
In the afternoon, your guide will meet you to show you the Ancient Town and explain its considerable significance in the history of Vietnam. You' ll be free after lunch. You' ll spend the night in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An rural life (B, L)
After breakfast, you' ll ride a bicycle through the rural scenery of Hoi An to a small village located on the banks of the Tra Que lagoon, three kilometres northeast of the old town. You' ll join local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Your lunch will be prepared by the family.
Your afternoon will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. You' ll spend the night in Hoi An.
Option for day 9: Half day tour to My Son (G)
After breakfast, you' ll be driven to the World Heritage 'My Son Sanctuary' . Your guide will show you the remains of the remarkable towers constructed by the Cham builders, many centuries ago - their origins and purpose have yet to be fully explained. In the afternoon, you' ll return to your hotel. When you return, the rest of the day will be free. You' ll spend the night in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, DP in Hoi An, G in HCMC)
You' ll be free in the morning until your car and driver arrive to take you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. When you arrive, a private car will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city centre. After checking in, you' ll be free for a preliminary wander around District 1. Your overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City free (B)
A free day in Ho Chi Minh City to spend as you wish.
Option 1 for Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City orientation (L, G)
After breakfast, your guide will arrive to show you around Ho Chi Minh City. You' ll visit the History Museum where there is a special exhibition of the 5th century ‘Oc Eo' civilisation. The Museum of War Remnants provides a very partial, but riveting, perspective of the ‘American War' : not for the squeamish! The huge Ben Thanh market, one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City, is packed with every conceivable commodity.
You' ll also call in at the Jade Emperor Temple. It' s one of the best Taoist temples in Vietnam, with superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and somewhat incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries. You' ll finish your day with a visit to a lacquer workshop to see the complex processes and meticulous workmanship involved in this traditional Vietnamese craft product. You' ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Option 2 for Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi (L, G)
A morning drive will take you to Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Holy See in time to watch the mid-day ceremony. After lunch, you' ll visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a Byzantine maze of underground passages, chambers, rooms and booby traps used by both the Vietminh and the Viet Cong to suddenly materialise as if from nowhere, launch a lightning ambush, and vanish equally rapidly. You' ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long Homestay (B, L, D, G)
In the morning, you' ll travel to Vinh Long. On the way you' ll call in at the beautiful and ancient Vinh Trang pagoda, 3 km from My Tho center. You' ll then travel to Vinh Long where a Mekong River cruise will take you to visit the fruit orchards, a traditional family-run brick kiln, and some long established cottage industries. You' ll sleep in a family house in an orchard at the side of the canal.
Day 13: Vinh Long - Ho Chi Minh City (B, G)
In the morning, a boat cruise along the Mekong Delta will take you to a bonsai garden, the old house and local houses making confectionery. You' ll also meander through the Cai Be floating market where you' ll hear music performed by the locals of the Mekong Delta. After lunch (on your own account), you' ll return to Ho Chi Minh City where you' ll spend the night.
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B, DP)
Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.
PRICE IN US$ PER PERSON
Valid until 30/9/2010
| |
2pax |
3-4 pax |
5-6 pax |
7-10 pax |
Single surcharage |
| Tour package |
$916
|
$817
|
$669
|
$651
|
$278
|
| Optional tours: |
|
|
|
|
|
| Hue city tour |
$82
|
$66
|
$48
|
$44
|
|
| Cycling Hue |
$96
|
$74
|
$57
|
$49
|
|
| Hoi An 1/2 day |
$55
|
$40
|
$30
|
$24
|
|
| My Son 1/2 day |
$59
|
$43
|
$31
|
$25
|
|
| HCMC city |
$73
|
$56
|
$42
|
$36
|
|
| Tay Ninh- Cu Chi |
$95
|
$77
|
$54
|
$50
|
|
PRICE INCLUDES:
-
Hotels accommodation in twin shared room including tax and service charge
-
Homestay conditions as mentioned
-
01 night in the traditional deluxe junk (twin-shared cabin) in Halong bay
-
Returned train ticket Hanoi- Lao Cai- Hanoi in superior sharing air-conditioned 4 berths cabin.
-
Land transfer by air - conditioned vehicle for whole trip
-
Boat trip in Hue and Mekong Delta
-
Bicycle in Hanoi and Hoi An as programmed
-
Entrance fees and sightseeing as specified
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All meals as indicated in program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Special food requirement could be arranged with prior notice from guest.
-
English speaking guide.
-
A bottle of mineral water per day
PRICE EXCLUDES:
