14 DAYS, BEST OF VIETNAM

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1: ARRIVE HANOI
Arrival Hanoi, You will be met on arrival at Hanoi Airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight after a brief run down on the itinerary we will go to sample the Vietnamese culinary delights. 
Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi

DAY 2: HANOI.(B,L)
This morning you will take a half-day sightseeing tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, first national university of Vietnam built in 1076. We then visit the army Museum where we have an insight into the war: French War and American war, the former culminated in the final decisive battle Dien Bien Phu. We will review the battle displayed in the museum. In the afternoon visit the Museum of Ethnology where display samples of 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. Tonight we will enjoy water puppet show.
Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 3: OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO SAPA (B)
Walking tour through the mazes of old quarter to visit Hanoi Cathedral, Lake of Return sword with Ngoc Son Temple. Visit museum of History of Vietnam.
Tonight we board our night train to Sapa. Food is provided on the train but many people prefer to stock up on snacks of French rolls, cheese and fruit before departing (advised).  Bottled water, which is widely available in Vietnam, should be brought for the journey.

DAY 4: SAPA (B,L)
Arrival to Lao Cai station early in the morning, transfer to Sapa. Sapa is a hill station built in 1922.  The whole area is spectacular, as Sapa lies in a valley surrounded by paddy fields in a variety of shades of green, but is overlooked by Vietnam’s highest mountain, Mount Fansipan.  You will see the local minority groups, the H’mong and the Dzao people, the largest and the most colourful ethnic groups in the region. Once in Sapa, there is time to relax and have some breakfast before embarking on a trek through lush rice terraces. The trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to The H'mong and Dzay people. This is a spectacular walk through stunning scenery. Stopping for a picnic lunch onthe way.  Stay at the hotel in Sapa

DAY 5:  VISIT SAPA. NIGHT TRAIN BACK TO HANOI (B)
Today we explore Sapa and walk up to Hamrong mountain – orchid gardens where you have a great view to Sapa valley and Fansipan mountain. Afternoon transfer to Lao Cai station, for the train journey back to Hanoi. The train departs at 1830.

DAY 6 : DRIVE HANOI TO HALONG BAY. BOAT CRUISE. OVERNIGHT ON BOAT (B,L,D)
You will be met at the station and transferred to Halong Bay, which will take about 4 hours. Breakfast is served en route. Arrive Halong bay You will board your private boat to cruise around Halong bay and soak in the misty atmosphere of this world heritage site. Halong bay is a breathtaking secluded bay with over 3,000 limestone islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Bac Bo gulf. It is one of the most magnificent scenic regions in Vietnam and has been referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World. The area of about 1500sq km is dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes, created over thousands of year by the waves and wind. You will have the opportunity to swim from your boat and explore some caves. You will enjoy a seafood feast for lunch on board. We will continue our excursion around this stunning bay until the sun comes down.
Overnight on boat

DAY 7: HALONG BAY BOAT CRUISE. RETURN HANOI IN THE AFTERNOON (B,L). 
We have a whole morning on boat exploring the amazing limestone backdrops. We are treated to a seafood lunch before drive transfer back to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 8: FLIGHT HANOI TO HUE. HUE TOUR (B,L)
Transfer to airport for the morning flight to Hue. Visit the Hue Citadel. Within the Imperial Enclosure of the Imperial Citadel is the Forbidden Purple City, which was almost totally destroyed during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, and the museum of Royal Relics. Visit Tu Duc royal tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda
Please Note: Observe dress regulation when visiting the Pagoda. No shorts, singlets, low necklines or revealing clothing of any kind. It is a good idea to carry a sarong or baggy draw-string pants in your day pack that can be easily donned and removed. Overnight Hue

DAY 9: DRIVE HUE TO HOI AN VIA DANANG. VISIT CHAM MUSEUM (B,L)
This morning we head out on a lovely journey southbound to Hoi An. Visit to Cham Museum in Danang, where display finest Cham artefacts, statues in sandstone, marble stone in the world. We have a look at a craft village before arriving in Hoi An. Hoi An is a charming little township. Between the 17th and 19th centuries Hoi An was thriving international trading port. You can spend your time walking around the historic town, exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. The riverside market is always a hive of activity, especially in the early morning when the day’s catch arrives. One thing for sure, there is no shortage of things to do in this town! Overnight Hoi An.

DAY 10: VISIT HOI AN. FLIGHT TO HCM CITY (B,L)
Hoi An is a delightful small town easily explored by foot. More than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feeling of centuries past and is a favorite with all travelers. You can spend your time walking around the historic town soaking up the atmosphere, exploring the fascinating local market or hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 kms away. Have a whole new wardrobe tailored or improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! Flight to HCMC. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.  
Overnight at hotel in Saigon

DAY 11: SAIGON - VUNG TAU (B,L)
With a population of approximately 6 million, Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam.  The huge number of people rushing about their daily business gives Saigon a vital and dynamic atmosphere.  Saigon is characterised by a vast variety of sights and sounds, from ancient pagodas, mosques and cathedrals to the former Presidential Palace and the War Museum, from historic Dong Khoi Street (the Rue Catinat from Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American) to the bustling markets of Ben Thanh and Cholon (Chinatown).  Much of the city life takes place on the streets which are lined with stores, shops, stalls and vendors with their wares spread out on the footpath selling everything from soup to sophisticated electronics.  The French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes  and coffee.
You will take a full day tour to Vung Tau. Visit Lighthouse, White Palace and have swim at prime beach today. Return Saigon in hte afternoon
Overnight Saigon

DAY 12: HOCHIMINH CITY (B)
A leisure day to explore HCM city. 
Overnight at hotel in Saigon

DAY 13: CU CHI TUNNELS - HCM CITY (B,L)
In the morning you will take a tour to the famous Cu Chi tunnels.  This network of over 200 kms of tunnels became legendary during the 1960's. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the American war in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30-40 kms from Saigon.  At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border.  The network, parts of which were several storeys deep, included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.  Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life in the American War was like. This afternoon we will do the city tour of Saigon will include Presidential palace, War Crime museum, and China town.
Overnight HCMCity

DAY 14: DEPARTURE (B)
Day at leisure until the departure transfer to airport for your flight back home.