DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh CIty

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!
Transfer to the city for hotel check-in
The remainder of your first day is free to relax and adjust yourself from jetlag.
- Once dearly called Diamond of the Far-east with the luxury level overriding that of Hongkong or Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City is now the most populated city in Vietnam. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Oriental style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban area in a very special sense.

DAY 2: CITY TOUR & 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 1.5hour 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; The former Presidential Palace; The Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office

DAY 3: 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 4: MEKONG DELTA - FLY TO DANANG (FOR HOI AN)

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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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 local restaurant on the way back to HCMC then onward to the airport for taking a domestic flight to Danang Airport in the center of Vietnam. Get picked up and transferred to Hoi An for the night.

DAY 5: HOI AN COOKING CLASS & OLD QUARTER TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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This morning take part in a cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School. Meet at the Hai Scout Cafe in Hoian’s Old Town. From there we will head to Hoian's colorful market. Explore the market and interact with local vendors to purchase some fresh ingredients for today’s cooking class. Next, board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely 25 minutes cruise along the Thu Bon River to the Cooking School. Explore the school's herb and vegetable garden. Learn to cook and help prepare five traditional dishes for lunch. You'll also be entertained and taught some special techniques at the fruit and vegetable carving demonstrations.
In the afternoon, together with your tour guide, embark on a walking tour through the narrow, winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge.
The evening is on your own discovery!

DAY 6: DRIVE TO HUE & VISIT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out for the drive over Hai Van pass to Hue. Have a short stop on the pass for taking photographs.
Hue city - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s former capital. Hue is the hub of Vietnam’s historic past. This former imperial capital is an eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty.
In the afternoon, take a walking tour through the ancient citadel. The walk through the complex is very interesting and informative. After that, you are transferred to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and King Minh Mang's tomb.
Late in the afternoon, drive to the hotel for check-in and stay overnight.

DAY 7: HUE - DMZ ZONE - VINH MOC TUNNELS - DONG HOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Hoi

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Leave Hue for Dong Hoi a bit early in the morning (Around 7.30 AM).
First stop to visit the Rockpile, Dakrong Bridge and then along Ho Chi Minh trails to Khe Sanh combat base – one of the violent battles in Quang Tri, the US base fell under attack in early 1968. You’ll also see the remaining of an old airfield. Visit the museum of Ta Con airport to see the things in nature of the fierce war, and how hard Quang Tri people fight against the enemy.
After lunch, continue your trip and you will learn about the history of old citadel of Quang Tri, stop at Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River – which marked the former border between North and South Vietnam from 1954 to 1972. Next stop to visit Vinh Moc tunnels – a network of tunnels built by villagers seeking shelter from bombings during the American War, this is the place where an entire village lived and fought for two and a half years. Transfer to your hotel in Phong Nha. Arrival in the late afternoon, check-in and free at your leisure.

DAY 8: PHONG NHA & PARADISE CAVES

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This morning, set off at 8 a.m. and transfer to Phong Nha where you will discover the 2 amazing limestone caves: Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave. The first destination to explore is the impressive Paradise Cave. This is the longest dry cave in Asia.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a 25-minute boat trip upstream the Son River to Phong Nha Caves. It takes you a couple of hours to see the cave. This cave is called as water cave, is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”.
After the caves, transfer to Dong Hoi Airport to take a direct flight to Hanoi. On arrival, get picked up and transfer to hotel for check-in.

DAY 9: HANOI CITY TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This day tour to learn about the capital city of Vietnam occupies your whole day with featured sites, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university for the morning.
Your lunch today is served at a restaurant in town with local tastes.
In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to one of the following museums (you can pick the one you like): the Ethnology Museum, Army Museum, National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Hilton prison or Vietnam Women Museum). Followed by a short walk or a cyclo ride in the Old Quarter.
End the day tour with a traditional Water Puppet show. Spend your second night in Hanoi.

DAY 10: HANOI - MAI CHAU VALLEY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Your choice (Hotel or Homestay)

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As ususal, you have breakfast at the hotel before the morning drive to Mai Chau Valley. It takes you about 3.5 hours overland to Mai Chau valley, a stunning valley of White Thai ethnic minority in Hoa Binh province. You will have some stops on the way for taking photographs.
Arrive at Lac Village around noon; this is a peaceful and pretty hilly area. Refresh and have a Vietnamese lunch at a Thai family's stilt house. After lunch and rest, together with your tour guide you go for a soft trek about 2, 5 hours to explore the surroundings and visit some other villages, rice paddies and gardens. Or you can choose to discover the area by bicycles. This is the best time for you to experience the local life, their agriculture and beautiful handicrafts.
Check in your accommodation today for the night.

DAY 11: MAI CHAU VALLEY - NINH BINHH

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

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After breakfast, you will take a drive of 130km to Ninh Binh through spectacular landscape.
You are able to have photographing stops on the way whenever you wish. Arrive at Ta, Ninh Binh at noon time and have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer to a village where you will start a scenic walk (about 1 hour). The walk is on flat ground, through rice fields, farms, and along sheer mountain's feet. To end your afternoon walk, challenge yourselves with a hike to the highest summit in this so-called "Inland Halong Bay" to admire the stunning landscape of the karst formations (The 500-step hike is not recommended to senior people in hot day or those with high-blood pleasure). After Hang Mua summit, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

DAY 12: NINH BINH - HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This morning you will tour around Ninh Binh with its famous Trang An Complex - The world's natural & cultural heritage by UNESCO. The private transport takes you to Tam Coc for a sampan boat ride (2 hours approx.) along a small river which meandering in between the sheer limestone mountains.
The local rower will take you through three tunnel-like caves which have many beautiful stalactites hanging down from the ceiling. After the boat ride, you will continue visiting the area by bicycles. The guide will leads you to visit other part of Tam Coc, biking on back roads so that you can get close looks at the local life and enjoy the landscape.
Lunch at a restaurant before the afternoon drive back to Hanoi. Check-in and relax for the remainder of the day.

DAY 13: HANOI - SAPA

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

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At 7:30 a.m. Spend the morning travel to Sapa on the HW Noi Bai – Lao Cai. Arrive in Sapa around noon, go for lunch at a restaurant in town. After that, transfer to the trekking point to Y Linh Ho village at Muong Hoa Valley. Muong Hoa is the biggest valley in Sapa region and bottomed by a rocky river.
Start with a downhill trek to the valley, the scenery of the rice terraces along your way is very beautiful and this will be the highlight of the day. Crossing the river on a small suspension bridge and continue the trek uphill on a concrete path. This is a bit challenging when it is wet but definitely offers you a spectacular view over the valley.
Finish your afternoon scenic trek at Lao Chai village where your private vehicle awaits you.
Get in your car and drive back to Sapa town, check-in your hotel.

DAY 14: SAPA - MUONG HUM MARKET - Y TY (SUN)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay at a local house

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Breakfast is served at the hotel, as usual, check out of your hotel and depart for Y Ty, the northernmost region of Lao Cai province and also one of the scenic rice terrace spots in Vietnam. If today is Sunday, you will have a stop to visit Muong Hum market in the midway. This market is a tribal one where many different colorful ethnic minority people gather around to trade; If it is not on Sunday, you just drive through and have some stops on the way for photo opportunities.
Arrive at Y Ty around noon. After lunch and rest, the tour guide will take you down a valley for a trek to view the highlights of Y Ty.
Get picked up at the end of the trek and check-in your accommodation for tonight.

DAY 15: Y TY - HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This morning, take it easy with your breakfast.
Check out of the room at 9:00 a.m for a 7-hour drive back to Hanoi.
Lunch is at a restaurant in Lao Cai City.
Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi, check-in and relax for the remainder of the day.

DAY 16: HANOI - CAT BA ISLAND - LAN HA BAY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on a private boat

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At 8:00 a.m. take the morning drive to Hai Phong city where you will take a ferry to Cat Ba Island. Keep traveling on the Island to the other side where you will embark on a private boat at Beo Tourist Wharf.
After the welcome drink, the cruise starts heading to the bay. The smooth move on the green water absolutely amazes you with the views of fishing villages, limestone islands, and little beaches. After the first hour when you are inside the bay and surrounded by hundreds of beautiful karst islands, the anchor is dropped for lunch.
In the afternoon, the boat keep winding in between the rock formations for you to enjoy the Unesco Heritage. Arrive at a beach where you will get off to do kayaking around and discover some hidden lagoons. Back on the boat and go for the night place. Dinner on boat.

DAY 17: LAN HA BAY - HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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Get up early to enjoy the sunrise and fresh air on the top deck if you wish, otherwise, you are able to remain in your cozy cabin until breakfast time.
This morning, the boat will take you to a jetty of Cat Ba national park where your scenic bicycle ride starts. The ride on a small concrete road takes you to Viet Hai village, located right inside the national park area. In the village, your tour guide will help you learn about the villagers' daily life and their cultures. Pedal the same way back to the dock. The boat is heading back to Beo Wharf. The lunch is saved early today as the disembarkation is at 11:45.
Drive back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Check-in and stay the last night in Hanoi.

DAY 18: DEPARTURE FROM HANOI

Meals: Breakfast

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It depends on your departure flight time, you might have an easy morning in Hanoi and even a day tour out (optional) if your departure time is late in the day.
The private airport transfer from your hotel will be ready at your convenient time so that you can make sure everything is well arranged for the flight home.

End of service and goodbye Vietnam.

Included Meals: Breakfast