Best of Vietnam & Myanmar

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam!
Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, you will be welcomed and met by your private driver and guide. The transfer to the hotel in Hanoi's center takes you about 45 minutes.
Check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travelers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city center.
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel. Start the city tour with Ba Dinh Square, including: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, view of the presidential palace, Uncle Ho's house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university. Set menu lunch at a restaurant in the city.
In the afternoon, Hoa Lo Prison (A add-on if you are interested in); Ethnology Museum (about Vietnamese ethnic minorities) with water puppet show. An interesting walk along the train tracks through a part of the city residence.

DAY 3: TRANG AN WORLD HERITAGE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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You will be picked up by our tour guide and driver at your hotel in Hanoi at 7.30 AM. The drive to Ninh Binh takes you about 2,5 hours. Upon arrival at Trang An boat operation station, you'll get on a small sampan boat and enjoy 3-hour row on a little river which goes through many small limestone caves. This is a very interesting discovery! The scenery is spectacular as you are rowing in between the towering karst formations of this newly recognized Unesco’s heritage. After the row, your lunch is served at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will jump on a bike for a stunning ride along the back roads through the beautiful scenery of towering karsts on the ground of ponds, rice paddies and rural villages in the area. Arrive at Hang Mua, walk to Ngoa Long Mt. for a hike up to the summit. The hike consists of about 500 steps, it is a bit challenging for some senior visitor on a hot day. Once you are on the top, it is really worth your hard work. After that, get back and keep pedaling to Tam Coc to finish the biking tour. Drive back to Hanoi to end the day.

DAY 4: HANOI - SAPA

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

After breakfast, take a 5-hour morning scenic drive from Hanoi to Sapa on Vietnam’s longest and modern highway. Upon arrival, check-in the hotel followed by your lunch at a restaurant in town.
In the afternoon, walk down streets for the orientation guided tour to get acquainted with the town. The tour includes all the key sites such as the Old Church, local market and the dining& shopping streets… Then, continue to Xa Xeng ethnic Black Hmong village for a 2-hour trek. This part of Sapa is much less visited but peaceful and beautiful. On the trek, you have a chance to have some interactions with the villagers. Your guide will help you learn about their life and interesting culture. Back to the hotel for the evening on your own discovery of Sapa town.

DAY 5: SAPA - HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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Have breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on the morning trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. After a short transfer to Muong Hoa Valley, embark on a guided hike through stunning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages. Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. After lunch, spend the whole afternoon drive back to Hanoi.

Included Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Hotel in Hanoi

DAY 6: HANOI - CAT BA ISLAND - LAN HA

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on boat

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The morning catch a shuttle bus for Cat Ba Island. The transfer includes a speed boat ride between the mainland and the island. Arrive at Beo dock, Cat Ba Island around noontime. After enjoying a welcome drink, embark on your private junk to begin the cruise.
- Lying south and east of Cat Ba Town, the 300 or so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as beautiful as those of Halong Bay and have the additional attraction of numerous white-sand beaches.
Due to it being a fair way from Halong City, not so many tourist boats venture here, meaning Lan Ha Bay has a more isolated appeal. Kayaking and swimming are more fun and nice here.
The activities, besides lying on the top deck enjoy the scenery, including swimming, visiting a fish farm and kayaking. Lunch and dinner are served on the boat.

DAY 7: CAT BA ISLANDS - FLY TO HOI AN

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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Wake up early in the morning for sunrise and a view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
After the soft breakfast, the crews pull up the anchor for a further cruise to other parts of the bay and discover a peaceful area by kayaks. Have more swimming while kayaking if you wish.  After that, get back on the junk and gently meandering between the rocks towards the dock. An early lunch is served on the way. Bid farewell to the crew team and disembark at noontime. The afternoon shuttle bus drive takes you back to Hanoi. Thence get a private transfer to the airport to catch the early evening flight to the center of Vietnam. Check-in a hotel in Hoi An on arrival.

DAY 8: HOI AN WALKING TOUR

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings. This is also known as the silk paradise with a lot of tailor-made shops for clothes and shoes. The town is about 7 km from Cua Dai Beach. In the morning: Just take it easy and relax at your hotel or do shopping in town if you wish. In the afternoon: Embark on a walking tour to visit feature sites of Hoi An Old Quarter: Hoi An wet market; Japanese Covered Bridge; Phuoc Kien, a Chinese Assembly; Tan Ky ancient house; Watch the art of handicraft making at a Hoi An workshop.

DAY 9: HOI AN - HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

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Breakfast at the hotel as usual.
This morning, it is easy for you to relax on the beach to do some shopping in the Old Quarter.
Check out your hotel by noon.
In the afternoon, transfer to Da Nang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Get picked up on arrival and rest for the remainder of the day.

DAY 10: TOUR OF SAIGON & CU CHI TUNNELS

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

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After the first night relaxing, today you will be ready for your Vietnam Tour with a full day to visit the featured sites of Saigon and the famous underground tunnel network in Cu Chi.
In the morning, 8:00 a.m. Start with a 1.5-hour drive to Cu Chi tunnels. Get an overview of Cu Chi by watching a documentary. Your guide walks you around to witness the traps, bunkers, trenches, and experience crawling a piece of the underground tunnels. Drive back to the city for a set menu lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, Continue on visiting the War Remnants Museum; Ngoc Hoang Pagoda; The former Presidential Palace; The Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office. Spend the second night in Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 11: HO CHI MINH CITY - MEKONG DELTA

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho City

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Today you'll travel south by private bus (approximately 2.5 hours) to explore the Mekong Delta. When you arrive, you’ll board a boat and explore the intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as ‘the rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile delta is where rice, tropical fruit, and flowers are grown for the whole country.
Upon arrival in Ben Tre, embark on a motorized boat trip along the scenic Ben Tre River, viewing various local industries along the way. Have some stops to visit local workshops: making bricks by the kilns; Making coconut candy; Sleeping straw mats. Take a motor cart passing fruit and vegetable fields. Ride a short sampan boat on a small creek of water coconut trees. Lunch at a garden restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive to Can Tho City which is considered as the capital of the Delta. Check-in your hotel for staying overnight.​

DAY 12: MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. This day, we take a boat trip and exploring the vibrant floating market of Cai Rang, where the trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes.
After an impressive boat trip, disembark at Ninh Kieu quay then visit an ancient house in Binh Thuy 10 km from Can Tho city.
Lunch at a local restaurant on the way back to HCMC. Check-in again your hotel and enjoy the last evening in Vietnam.

DAY 13: HO CHI MINH CITY - FLY TO YANGON

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

This morning, take your time to enjoy the breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the check-out. Get picked up and transfer to the airport to catch the 11.45 flight to Yangon, Myanmar. Upon your arrival, transfer downtown for hotel check-in. The afternoon tour covers the major sites of Yangon. Start with Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2000 years, the Mahabandoola Park with its Independence Monument and walk around the downtown area. Then drive to Mawtin Jetty and take a rickshaws for a short trip along the Yangon River.

DAY 14: YANGON- FLY TO BAGAN

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Take the early morning flight to Bagan where you will spend most of the day exploring the architectural masterpieces of this amazing ancient town, living treasure house of Buddhist architectural beauties. Bagan, one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations and one out of two most pre-eminent religious old cities in South East Asia. The sightseeing starts with a visit to Nyaung U Market – a typical local market; followed by visits to most distinctive pagodas such as Shwezigon Pagoda – the holiest one believed to be enshrined with Buddha tooth and hair; Htilominlo Temple- the largest temples of Bagan, Ananda Temple- King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture, Thatbyinnyu Temple- the highest building on the Bagan plain.
In the afternoon, continue to Myinkabar Gubyaukgyi Temple- well known for its wall painting depicting scenes from the Jataka, Manuha, Nanbaya, Dhamanyangyi Temple- built by King Narathu in the 12th century which displayed the finest brickwork in Bagan. Enjoy the sunset over Bagan from Shwesandaw Pagoda.

DAY 15: BAGAN - MT. POPA

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Having an early breakfast then drive to Mount Popa, visit the great extinct volcano. Rising out of the shimmering heat, the solitary volcanic crag of Mt. Popa is home to Myanmar's most powerful "nats". Visit the Nat Museum with its life-sized statues of the 37 Nat Gods. Walk up the steps to the stupas and shrines that top the hill above the museum, seeing many pilgrims along the way. The way by the roadside can see the locals climbing up the palm tree and making jaggery. Drive back to Bagan. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 16: BAGAN - FLY TO MANDALAY

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Breakfast at the hotel as usual. After that, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Mandalay. After getting out of the airport, embark on an excursion to Amarapura: Maha Gandayone Monastery – home to several thousand young monks where you can watch the whole monastery having their meal silently, 200 years old U Bein teak bridge built-in 1728. Visit traditional hand – woven silk workshop teak posts. Afternoon excursion coach to Sagaing by passing Ava Bridge. You do sightseeing for its famous Pagodas. Enjoy the panoramic view at the top of the hill. Visit Silversmith & Kaunghmudaw Pagoda. Later on, get to the hotel and check-in to end the day.

DAY 17: MANDALAY - INLE LAKE

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

After breakfast, get transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Heho. Arrive at Heho, get picked up and drive to Nyaung Shwe. Take an excursion by boat on Inle Lake. The tour on the lake will give you a chance to view the famous leg-row fishermen fish-netting on the lake, typical Floating gardens, typical and traditional ways of fishing and village life. Further visits are made to Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the weaving village of Inphawkhone and so on. Check-in your hotel in the Lake.

DAY 18: INLE LAKE - INDEIN - INLE LAKE

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Today begins with a visit to the lake’s morning market (the market is open every day apart from the dark moon and full moon calendar days). The market is a hive of activity as the lake's residents gather to buy fresh produce and other goods in the early morning hours.
Continue with a 1-hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake. Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending the moss-covered stairway to the top of a hill. Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you will be greeted to buy an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. Then it’s time to embark on a 45 minutes trek to Sae Ma village. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty and panoramic vistas of the area while basking under the shade of the bamboo grooves in the area. Upon arrival at the village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural inhabitants. Afternoon back to your hotel to relax.

DAY 19: INLE LAKE - YANGON

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight back to Yangon. Upon arrival, meet our tour guide then start for a full day city tour of Yangon. Take the City Circle Train for a 02 ½ hours ride through rural areas, stopping at numerous stations watching cigarette sellers betelnut sellers, fortune tellers and and and…. then continue sightseeing of Yangon: the splendid National Museum, including the gem-studded royal regalia and the Lion Throne of King Mindon and King Thibaw, the last kings of the Myanmar Kingdom. In the afternoon you have enough time to wander around the sprawling Bogyoke Market through fascinating local neighborhoods. You can also explore evening market in China town.

DAY 20: DEPARTURE FROM YANGON

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available

Today is your departure day! Take your time to enjoy the breakfast and you may have time to do some last shopping (if you wish). Check-out and getting ready for the airport transfer. Take your international flight onward. End of services.