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Code: |
GTT15 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa -
Hai Phong - Ha Long Bay - Hue - Da Nang
- Hoi An - Ho chi Minh - Mekong Detail |
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Duration: |
15 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1. Arrive Hanoi
Day 2. Hanoi city tour - Lao Cai
Day 3. Sapa
Day 4. Sapa - Lao Cai - Ha Noi
Day 5. Hanoi - Vinh Bao - Haiphong
Day 6. Haiphong - Halong Bay
Day 7. Halong - Hanoi
Day 8. Hanoi - Hue
Day 9. Hue City tour
Day 10. Hue - Danang - Hoi An
Day 11. Hoi An
Day 12. Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13. HCM City - Mekong Delta
Day 14. Mekong Delta - HCM City
Day 15. Depart HCM City
Detail Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Hanoi
Welcome at the airport by your local guide and
transfer to the hotel. After check-in, climb
into a traditional cyclo (pedicab) for a 90
minute tour of the colonial city's traditional
"36 streets of 36 wares" in the Old Quarter and
Hoan Kiem Lake vicinity. In the evening enjoy a
traditional water puppet show before dinner at
one of the finest restaurants in town. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day
2. Hanoi city tour - Lao Cai
Full-day tour of Vietnam's capital city,
including Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and
traditional stilt house, the Ho Chi Minh Museum,
and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. Pay visits to
typical Vietnamese places of worship, the Quan
Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, along the
shore of West Lake. Just before lunch, tour
Vietnam's first university, the
thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. In the
afternoon visit the Ethnology Museum, and end
the day at the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple on an
island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. After
dinner, transfer to the Hanoi railway station
for the night train to Lao Cai (departing at
9:30 p.m.). Overnight on the train.(B)
Day 3. Sapa
Arrive at Lao Cai railway station around 6:00
a.m. for pick up and transfer to Sapa by private
vehicle (a one-hour drive). Check in the hotel
upon on arrival in Sapa. Set off on a light trek
down into the lush Sapa Valley to explore the
Black H'mong and Red Dzao villages. Return to
Sapa at the end of the day and overnight at the
hotel.(B)
Day 4. Sapa - Lao Cai - Ha Noi
Today explore the green hills around Sapa by
Russian Jeep and visit more remote minority
villages. If a Sunday, head to Bac Ha to check
out the most colourful H'mong market in all of
Northern Vietnam. In the late afternoon proceed
to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.
(B)
Day 5. Hanoi - Vinh Bao -
Haiphong
Arrival in Hanoi around 5:00 a.m. and transfer
to your hotel for a nap and shower before
breakfast. Depart Hanoi for Vinh Bao, an
agricultural village 40km from Haiphong. Explore
the traditional tobacco, water puppet, paper
kite and wood sculpture workshops before a
typical country lunch hosted by a family in the
village. In the late afternoon, move to Haiphong
and check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight
at the hotel.(B)
Day 6. Haiphong - Halong Bay
After breakfast, enjoy a short tour of the
colonial port city of Haiphong before leaving
for Halong Bay. Arriving in Halong Bay around
noon. Board a traditional wooden junk and begin
your exploration of magical Halong Bay, one of
Southeast Asia's premier tourist destinations.
An excellent, fresh seafood lunch and dinner
will be served on the boat. Overnight onboard
the comfortable and charming junk.(B)
Day 7. Halong - Hanoi
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the
aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After
breakfast and a swim, the junk will cruise
quietly through spectacular limestone formations
to Bai Tu Long. Enjoy this more isolated bay's
spectacular and unique islands and pay a visit
to the Pelican and Surprise caves. Return to
Halong harbour after lunch for transfer back to
Hanoi. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.(B)
Day 8. Hanoi - Hue
Transfer to the airport for the morning flight
to Hue. After arrival and transfer to hotel for
check-in and lunch in the city, pay a visit to
the majestic Imperial Citadel. Enjoy the faded
elegance of Hue as you visit the old city by
bicycle or cyclo (pedicab). Dinner at a city
restaurant and overnight at the hotel.(B)
Day 9. Hue City tour
Board a traditional sampan at 8:00 a.m. for a
cruise up the placid Perfume River to visit the
tomb of Nguyen Dynasty Emperor Minh Mang and the
traditional Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the
river. Wrap up the day with a visit to the An
Hien garden house to enjoy the traditional
architecture and quiet garden paths. After
lunch, visit the tomb of the Emperor Tu Duc.
Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight at the
hotel in Hue.(B)
Day 10. Hue - Danang - Hoi An
Departure by car for Danang via the scenic Hai
Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular
panorama of the central coastline from the
summit. Stop at Lang Co to stretch your legs on
the white sands of this peaceful beach. Upon
arrival in Danang, transfer to Cham Museum to
view some of the best-preserved statues from
this era before heading to Hoi An ancient town.
After lunch, explore the old port town's narrow
cobblestone streets and pay a visit to historic
sites including a traditional Chinese trading
house, Phuc Kien Pagoda, and the 400-year-old
Japanese Covered Bridge. Dinner in a local
restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Hoi
An.(B)
Day 11. Hoi An
Free time to discover Hoi An by bicycle. In the
afternoon, it is possible to take a cruise up
the Thu Bon River to relax on the long, sandy
beach and take a refreshing swim. Return to Hoi
An for dinner and overnight at the hotel.(B)
Day 12. Hoi An - Danang - Ho
Chi Minh City
Transfer from Hoi An to Danang's airport for the
flight to HCM City. Pick up and transfer to the
hotel for check-in before touring the historic
landmarks of this colonial city once known as
Saigon. Stops include the Old Saigon Post
office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification
Palace, the War Museum and the ethnic Chinese
district of Cholon. Dinner at the restaurant and
overnight at the hotel.(B)
Day 13. HCM City - Mekong
Delta
Departure for the Mekong delta by car. Board a
small motor boat in Cai Be for a river cruise
through the winding canals, where you can get a
close up view of the floating markets and daily
life on the river. Cross the main branch of the
Mekong for a stroll down the riverbanks, where
you can stop at one of the many orchards and
sample exotic fruits you picked yourself.
Proceed from Vinh Long to Can Tho by road. Check
in and overnight at the hotel.(B)
Day 14. Mekong Delta - HCM
City
Today cruise on the tranquil Cai Nong canal
before heading to Cai Rang to experience the
vibrant tumult of the floating market. Transfer
back to HCM City for dinner and overnight at the
hotel.(B)
Day 15. Depart HCM City
Morning free for last minute shopping at HCM
City's many markets and small boutiques.
Transfer to the airport for flight home or onto
next destination.(B) |
