VB056: THE HIDDEN CHARM OF VIETNAM (14 Days/ 13 Nights)

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Pick up at the airport and transfer to hotel. Free time to discover Hanoi’s fascinating city centre, and to take a trishaw to the colonial districts. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Sapa (B)

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the Ho Chi Minh complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his final resting place. You will also visit President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived on and off from 1958 until his death in 1969 die. Next stop is the Ho Chi Minh museum, followed by a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, and the famed Temple of Literature – ’s first university and dedicated to Confucianism. Adjourn to a restaurant for a traditional lunch. Your guide will then take you to visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple and for a fascinating walk through the 36 streets of Hanoi’s Old City. Have a dinner in a local restaurant and then enjoy free time go shopping in exploring the amazing street life of Hanoi. Lastly, transfer to the train station for your overnight journey to Lao Cai (soft sleepers, air conditioned 4 person cabins.)

Day 3: Sapa Discovery (B)

From Lao Cai station travel by car direct to Sapa. Following hotel check-in, breakfast and a morning rest, the guide will take you in the early afternoon to visit the Black H’mong village of Cat Cat, where you will also see a waterfall and the hydroelectric power station built by the French Back to Sapa for sightseeing, dinner and to visit the night markets. Don’t miss the Love Market if you’re in Sapa on Saturday night. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4: Sapa – Hanoi (B)

After breakfast, set off for a 4 hour trek to the H’mong and Dzay villages of Lao Chai and TaVan, enjoying beautiful landscapes here, and insights into the homes and lifestyles of the Dzay people. Lunch on the way or with a village family. In the afternoon, return to your hotel to rest before returning to Lao Cai station for the overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Cat Ba Island (B)

After breakfast, set off for magical Halong Bay. Lunch is followed by a boat trip round Halong Bay, stopping at Thien Cung, Daugo Caves, and Titop beach. Visit the extraordinary landscapes of Halong Bay with nearly 3000 small islands and fantastic limestone formations. Visit the island of Cat Ba, and enjoy the chance to swim and kayak. Dinner on Cat Ba Island, with a choice of bars and dance clubs for your evening entertainment. Overnight in Cat Ba hotel.

Day 6: Cat Ba Island – Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B)

Spend the morning on Cat Ba, walking around town or lazing on sandy beaches. Rejoin the boat at midday for lunch as we cruise back to Halong City. A bus will take you to Hanoi Airport in time to catch your one-hour evening flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue City Sightseeing (B,L)

Take a boat trip along the Perfume River. Visit Minh Mang tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, Hon Chien Temple, and Tu Duc and Khai Dinh tombs. Explore the Imperial City and Hue Museum. Stroll the banks of the Perfume River, and visit Dong Ba market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Hue – Lang Co Beach – Danang – Hoi An (B)

 After breakfast, head for Da Nang city, stopping on the way for a swim at Lang Co, the village of the fishermen. Visit Hai Van Pass, Cham Art Museum, and Marble Mountain. After lunch, depart for Ho An, to visit the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the old house of Tan Ky, and the Chinese Assembly Hall. If time permits, we will also visit Phuc Kien Pagoda, Hoi An Museum and Market. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An – Nha Trang (B)

After breakfast, depart for Nha Trang, where your guide will escort you to your hotel, before leaving you to enjoy a day at the beach. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 10: Nha Trang – Hon Tam Island (B)

A full day boat trip to Hon Tam Island and fishing village, visiting a coral island and the Con Se Tre. Enjoy dinner on boat before returning to Nha Trang for the night.

Day 11: Nha Trang – Da Lat (B)

AM: After breakfast, leave Nha Trang for Dalat – the charming city in Central Highland. Visit Pokrongarai Cham Tower and enjoy the beauty of scenery en route when passing NgoanMuc Pass. Visit HoaBinh market , Prenn Water Fall and TuyenLam Pagoda in Dalat. Dinner and Overnight in Dalat

Day 12: Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)

AM : Breakfast at hotel. The Bus take you to Ho Chi Minh city, have lurch on the way.Arriving HCM 14h.00 check in hotel for relax then explore the city: Town hall, post office, Cathedral, BenThanh Market, Independent Square. Visit: Cu CHi tunnel , ThienHau Pagoda, Binhtay Market, Cholon Chinese district. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong River Delta – Chau Doc (B)

AM :Breakfast then leave for My Tho town of Tien Giang province (the first province in the Mekong Delta – about 75 km from Ho Chi Minh City). Visit Dong Tam snake-farm and Vinh Trang pagoda. Boat trip on Mekong river to visit the fruit gardens and peasants’ houses on a islet. Lunch at a typical restaurant of Mekong Delta Continuation of your trip to the Mekong Riverdelta. Stroll on boat through tiny channels and quiet villages in MyTho , on the way stop to visit Chau Doc Pagoda. Dinner and relax in the evening. Ovetnight in Chau Doc town..

Day 14 . Back to Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Having breakfast , relaxing and walking around city . Then Car will take you to Airport flying home . Tour ends .