VIETNAM DISCOVERY 15 days/ 14 nights

Itinerary

Day 1 : Hanoi (D)
Meet and greet upon arrival to airport. Transfer to our hotel in town. This evening, your guide will take you out to sample some of Hanoi’s superb cuisine.

Day 2 : Hanoi City tour (B)
This morning we drive to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh. The complex also contains the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the founding of the city in the 11th century. We follow this with a walking tour of Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the focal point of the city. The Old Quarter with its bustling streets is home to hundreds of small thriving businesses, each street denoting its trade, such as Tin Street or Fish Street. In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university, dating back to the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucius. From here we visit the impressive Museum of Ethnology, the finest museum in Vietnam. This museum is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities, several of which we will see on our forthcoming trek.

Day 3 : Hanoi - Hoabinh(B,L,D)
This morning we leave Hanoi head west into the Hoa Binh Province. It is a four-hour drive to Mai Chau where we will have lunch, but we will make stops along the way. Following lunch we drive to the H'mong village of Sa Linh 1 hour away. From here we will start our trek to the village of Hang Kia, a 1.5-hour walk. Our hosts for the evening will be the Hmong minority people. In sampling these peoples hospitality, we find out a little more about their lives and culture. Tonight’s accommodation will probably be a little more basic than you would be used to.

Day 4 : Maichau Villages(B,L,D)
Leaving Hang Kia we continue our trek to the White Thai village of Van. It is a seven-hour trek, and in places is quite steep, but the stunning verdant scenery will be more than adequate compensation for any hardships! Tonight we are guests of the White Thai in a traditional stilt house.

Day 5 : Maichau - Hanoi(B,L)
Following breakfast we trek for around two hours to the village of Khoe where we are met by our vehicle that will take us to Poomcoong village where we are treated to a local lunch. In the afternoon we drive back to Hanoi, stopping en route to visit Ho Chi Minh trails Museum. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 6 : Hanoi-Halong bay(B,L,D)
This morning we head out for a 4 hour drive through verdant Red River Delta to Halong bay where we board our own private boat for a five-hour cruise around the secluded and majestic Ha Long Bay giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Whilst on board a sumptuous fresh local seafood lunch will be served. There will be opportunities for a swim and time to explore some of the limestone caves in the area. Tonight we stay overnight on the board.

Day 7 : Halong - Hanoi(B,L)
After breakfast we head out for a wonderful exploration of Bai Tu Long area. We have time to explore prime beaches and floating villages. We are treated to fresh seafood lunch on board before our drive back to Hanoi. Tonight we board the Reunification Express for our overnight train to Hue.

Day 8 : Hanoi - Hue(B,L)
Arriving to Hue, there will be a transfer to our hotel for a freshen up and breakfast. We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. In the surrounding countryside there is the picturesque Thiem Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Also worth visiting are the tombs of the former Emperors, in particular that of Emperor TuDuc.

Day 9 : Hue - Hoian(B,L)
As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey, this time in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Today's destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and relaxing.

Day 10 : Hoian – Nhatrang (B)
Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An has to offer. You can spend your time walking around exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. The town is also famous for its shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town! This evening we transfer to airport for your flight to Nhatrang.

Greet upon your arrival at Nhatrang, transfer to your hotel in town.

Day 11 : Nhatrang(B)
Our time in Nha Trang is free for relaxing and soaking up the sun on the beautiful white sandy beaches and swimming in the crystal clear warm waters. You can go for a scuba diving or take a mineral mud baths

Day 12 : Nhatrang – Saigon (B,L)
Following breakfast we embark on a boat trip to nearby islands. Seafood lunch will be served on boat or at fishing villages. We continue our cruise for more swim or snorkerling at prime beaches. Tonight we board overnight train to Saigon.

Day 13 : Saigon(B)
Arriving to Saigon we transfer to our hotel.  A free morning in HCMC for exploring some of the major sights, including the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum and Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown. In the afternoon we embark on a 1 hour and 45 minute drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This amazing network of tunnels which stretched for over 250 kilometres, and was three levels deep, gives the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war must have been like.

Day 14 : Mekong Delta(B,L)
We set off this morning for a drive through the Mekong Delta to Cai Be floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Following these visits we will once again board our vehicle for the drive to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 15 : Departure(B)
Balance of the day at leisure until the departure transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Trip includes

- English speaking guide
- All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast
- Meals as indicated
- All transfers/ transport
- Entrance fees and permits during guided time

- Soft sleeper train Hanoi - Hue; Danang – Nhatrang, Saigon -Nhatrang

- Airfare Danang - Nhatrang
- Boat ride in Halong bay, Hue and in Mekong river

Trip excludes
- International airfares & airport taxes
- Pre/post trip arrangement
- Visa and visa arrangement
- Travel insurance
- Meals not indicated
- Other personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities