Your 10-day trip to Vietnam's North and South will give you the opportunity to explore the serene city of Hanoi, the vibrant city of Saigon, the everyday lives of ethnic minorities in Sapa and the colorful Mekong Delta, and to spend leisure time on a cruise around the breathtaking Halong Bay.
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
“Xin chào” - Welcome to Hanoi. You will be welcomed by Viet Exquisite Travel's guide and driver upon arrival then transfer to hotel in city for check in. (Check in time: 14.00. Early check in at surcharge). Free at leisure on your own.
Located at the center of Red River Delta and with more than one thousand years’ history, Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam. Visiting Hanoi, you will not only witness a busy developing city through modern architects and busy streets but also learn more about history, culture, nature and friendly local people
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
- Meals: No
- Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
- Transportation: Flight/Car
DAY 2: HANOI FULL DAY CITY TOUR – OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI
After breakfast, 8:30 AM we begin the full day city tour with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace. We will then continue to the One Pillar Pagoda and the 900-year old Temple of Literature, the principal Vietnamese Confucian sanctuary, and its historical centre of learning. Made up of five courtyards, this is one of the few remnants of the original city. Lunch at local restaurant ( by your own account).
In the afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. After that, you will enjoy one hour cyclo tour through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, then visit the colorful local markets where we meet stall holders and talk about their food and learn about local culinary. Then continue along both high streets and back streets exploring many corners in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.
Our driver will pick up and take you to the railway station. Overnight on sharing cabin on Chapa Express (or similar train)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Chapa Express Train (or similar)
- Transportation: Flight/Car
DAY 3: LAO CAI – SAPA/ LAO CHAI - TA VAN
Upon arrival Lao Cai Station, you will be picked up by our guide and driver. After breakfast, take time to explore the Sapa market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to H’mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Have lunch at a local family.
Back to Sapa & overnight at hotel there.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
- Transportation: Car/Van
DAY 4: TA PHIN – MA TRA – SAPA - HANOI
Breakfast at your hotel.
We begin the day with a 3km trek through breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho, home to H’mong minority. From here you can enjoy views over endless rice terraces, and you will have the opportunity to see some of the animals used by the locals. Continuing on to Matra village you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos. Trekking to the village of Ta Phin you will be able to meet both Black H’mong and Red Dzao minorities. The Red Dao are known for their expertise in herbal medicine, and use plants from the land to treat many illnesses. Your guide will be able to introduce you to some Red Dao women who can tell you more about their many remedies. A Red Dao herbal medicine bath can be arranged for you to experience, so please ask. Back to Sapa in the early afternoon.
Getting back to Hanoi by limousine bus. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
- Transportation: Car/Van
DAY 5: HANOI – HALONG – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE
Breakfast at hotel then driving across the Red River Delta to Halong City. Have a short time to relax at the cruise lounge before embark the cruise. Take your key from the crew and enjoy relaxing time in your own cabin or at sundeck before having lunch at the restaurant.
After lunch, continue your journey to discover Halong Bay – the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Vietnam. Depend on the each cruise's itinerary, you will take part in different schedule during the trip as visiting a beautiful cave, have some swimming (if permits) or other activities like sunset party, cooking demonstration etc before dinner.
After dinner is your free time. You may choose to enjoy fresh air on the sundeck or playing board games or try your luck with squid fishing.
Dinner and overnight on board
Note:
- The cruise program may be changed depend on the cruise’s schedule and weather.
- Guide will not accompany you on board
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: Halong Bay Cruise
- Transportation: Car/Van/Cruise
DAY 6: HALONG – HANOI – SAIGON/ Domestic Flight
If you don’t mind, please try to wake up early and join the Taichi class with the crew and enjoy watching sunrise on the bay. Take part in other activities of the 2nd day while the boat cruise back to the Habour.
Meet your guide and driver again for transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Saigon
Upon arrival Tan Son Nhat airport, meet your guide and transfer to hotel in Sai Gon for check in.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
- Transportation: Car/Cruise/Flight
DAY 7: CU CHI TUNNEL AND SAIGON CITY TOUR
After breakfast at your hotel, we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like.
This afternoon, our guide will show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Depart for your hotel to the Reunification Palace; this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th 1975 the American War officially came to an end here.
Enjoy a visiting the War Remnants Museum where you can see countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting the second Indochina war. Afterward and the Old Post Office, which was built sometime between 1886 and 1891. It is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
- Transportation: Car/Van
DAY 8: SAIGON – BEN TRE – CAN THO
Today start our excursion early; get in your private car to Ben Tre - one of the most scenic provinces in Mekong Delta -Vietnam's largest rice bow. Take a boat trip around four beautiful Islets: Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix on Tien River and enjoy coconut juice. Through Xep canel to visit Mekong traditional houses at Quoi An village (make all from coconut tree). See coconut collection set and handicraft souvenirs from c oconut trunk and shell. See how locals breed bee in wooden box. Enjoy seasonal fruits and listen to traditional music and taste honey -tea.
Take the “Xe loi” (motor cart) through Quoi Son village, coconut garden of Phu An Hoa (10km). Have sightseeing at local people’s daily activities. Arrival at Ben Truc, take rowing -boat on water palm creek to big boat and visit candy workshop and taste coconut candy (Special product of Bentre province).
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Depart for Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho, check in hotel and free time
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho
- Transportation: Car/Van
DAY 9: CAN THO – SAIGON
Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to visit Cai Rang floating market which are the liveliest in the whole religion. Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" which is built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch.
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, check in hotel and free time.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Sai Gon
- Transportation: Car/Van
DAY 10: HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE
Coming to the end of your journey, enjoy some free time before your flight home. If time permits, shop around for some last minute purchases or simply relax before your onward departure flight.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: No
- Transportation: Car/Van
- Accommodation in shared twin room with air-condition (AC) and private bathroom (Check in time: 14.00/ Check out time: 12.00)
- Meals as stated in the programme B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
- 2D1N Halong Bay cruise
- Transfers and tours with local English speaking guides in private air-conditioned vehicles
- All entrance fees, boat fees and / or cyclo fees as mentioned in the programme
- Drinking water and cold towels available on the vehicles
- 24/7 hotline customer services during the trip
- No extra charge after confirmation
- International and Domestic flights (quoted separately, if requested)
- Surcharges for other language guides
- Surcharges for night-time services, especially applied for transfers with arrivals after 23:00 hrs and arrivals or departures before 06:00 hrs.
- Surcharges for Lunar New Year (TET) holiday, Peak season and Compulsory Gala Dinner (TBA at booking time)
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc.
- Meals and services other than mentioned in the programme
- Drinks with meals
- Visa
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme
- Tips and Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone, laundry
