Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
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Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a city of lakes, shaded streets and verdant public parks. Come to Hanoi, you will have a chance to explore the rich cultural heritage with the Old Quarter, prominent delicious Vietnamese cuisine as well as other interesting spots.
Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After check –in, you are free to stroll around the city and catch a first glimpse of this peaceful city. In the evening, a special dinner out at a stylic restaurant, where our guide will summarize the itinerary for coming days.
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Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)
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At 8am, our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and begin the full day city tour with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” –a nick name given by US pilots during the war.
Enjoy lunch with authentic delicious Vietnamese cuisines, then we continue our day to the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. After that, the trip will be followed by one –hour cyclo tour through the busy Old Quarter where you can see peddlers are selling wares as if they have done that for centuries! In front of the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance at the end of the day.
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Day 3: Hanoi –Mai Chau (B, L, D)
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Departing at 8h30 am from Hanoi for three and half hour journey through Hoa Binh Town, then gradually climb the begining of the Truong Son Mountain Range to Man Duc Town, a town with spectacular karst scenery. Upon arrival in Lac Village, Mai Chau, we will be greeted by friendly White Thai family. You will have a chance to communicate with Thai monority poeple and enjoy a simple lunch with them - The Thai has their own language, dress, customs, usages and singular blend of belief, worship and myth.
After lunch, we will do a two and half hour trek to three White Thai villages of La Poon, La Thia and Poom Coong. In the afternoon, we get back to Lac Village for refreshment and overnight at Thai home.
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Day 4: Mai Chau –Hanoi (B, L)
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After breakfast, we start a 2 hour trekking to Van Village, one of the most beautiful villages in Mai Chau area. There you can see spectacular scenery of mountain, forest, waterfall and rice paddies combined. If time allowed, we will visit a local market before heading back to Hanoi. We will have a late lunch on the way. Arrive in Hanoi at around 4pm.
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Day 5: Hanoi –Halong Bay (B, L, D)
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In the morning, you will take 3 –hour journey to Halong. The road to Halong will lead you through the magnificent landscape of the Red River Delta. Upon arrival at Bai Chay Dock, Ha Long City, you will check in your deluxe junk boat. The stunning views, limestone caves, off-shore islets, sea-bathing onboard and the delicious seafood lunch will make this a remarkable trip. Dinner will be served among a wonderful sunset. Relax and overnight onboard.
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Day 6: Halong Bay –Hanoi –flight to Hue (B, L)
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The breakfast will be continued by a cruise to explore more some 1,600 islets. Visiting floating village, swimming or kayaking is the highlights for this day. After having lunch onboard, you will head for the new route back to Ha Long Harbor, where the waiting vehicle will pick you up for a drive straight to Hanoi’ s Noi Bai Airport for a flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.
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Day 7: Hue city (B)
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Hue with splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, notable pagodas and the remains of the Citadel becomes one of Vietnam’s attractions to tourists from all over the world, who like to explore the traditional cultural values of Vietnam.
We start our day with guided touring around the Imperial Citadel, visiting the Noon Gate and Forbidden City; then followed with the Antiquity Museum for some view. After that, we will drive out Hue outskirt to visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb.
In the afternoon, after delicious lunch, we will be transferred to the boat quay for a boat trip along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang Mausoleum.
If time allowed, we can pay a visit at Dong Ba Market.
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Day 8: Hue –Hoi An (B, L)
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After
breakfast, we will be on 4 –hour journey to Hoi An. The winding road
begins as we make our way up the Hai Van pass. The breath -taking view
from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic
scenes. We also make stop for relaxation at charming Lang Co Beach. Our
next stop is Da Nang City, famous for the Cham Museum and the China
Beach, a place called R and R (Rest and Rehabilitation) where thousands
of American GIs came for a break during the war in Vietnam. Also, we
have a short sightseeing at the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent
the five elements of the universe.
Arriving in Hoi An in the early
afternoon, we enjoy lunch, check in hotel and then start a walking tour
through the Ancient Town. Here we can see the vestige of the mix
combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture as well as traditional
cultural values. In December, 1999 Hoi An is declared a Unesco World
Heritage site. We will discover by ourselves interesting proper
character. Overnight in Hoi An.
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Day 9: Hoi An Cooking Class (B, L)
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We start the day at 8.30 am with a drink at Hai Scout Café. Visit Hoi An's colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and know about special herbs and vegetables in Vietnamese cuisines. A leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River brings us to the restaurant where we will enjoy one –hour cooking class. After practicing dishes, you can enjoy your products. It is your rewarding lunch today.
Say goodbye to the chef, we come to the centre. This is your free time for shopping. Skillful tailors are willing to make any piece of clothing in any design and in any fabric to fit you. Why don’t we test their talent and test your bargaining skill?
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Day 10: Hoi An –Nha Trang (B)
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A transfer to Danang Airport for a short flight to Nha Trang, the most famous seaside resort-town of Vietnam and home to one of the most beautiful beaches. After check –in at hotel, rest of the day is free to explore the beach. Overnight in Nha Trang
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Day 11: Nha Trang free day (B)
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You are free to enjoy the hotel facilities or lazing on the beach.
Optional: Diving course, boat trip to islands or city tour
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Day 12: Nha Trang –flight to Saigon (B)
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Free time until transfer to the airport for a short flight to Saigon. Saigon is a fast growing city, which is changing day by day and recognized by high buildings and big roads. The ongoing changes in economy have given the city a really cosmopolitan and dynamic character.
Today, we will visit the highlights of Saigon including the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Museum. After that, a visit to Haven Emperor Temple will be followed and you can immerse yourself in the religious atmosphere of the local people.
Rest of the time, you can have a look at bustling Ben Thanh Market for an appreciation of local life. Overnight in hotel in Saigon.
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Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple (B, L)
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In the morning our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then depart for Tay Ninh to visit the famous Cao Dai Temple. There you witness a colorful service. After the service you have lunch at a local restaurant. Then you go to Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels are an impressive network of tunnels with a length of over 250 km. This strategic place was used by 15,000 Viet Cong fighters during the war. In the afternoon you return to Saigon approximately at 5pm.
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Day 14: Saigon –Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
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At 8 hours, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to My Tho. Around 9h30, arriving in My Tho, you will enjoy different type of boat trip (motorized boat trip, rowing boat trip) to islands where you can visit local houses, see how they make delicious coconut caramels and enjoy lunch. You will also stop over the Unicorn Island for a traditional music performance, “cai luong” by local people. Enjoy some tropical fruit here. Especially, you will have a chance to be on horse-drawn carriage or local transport “Xe loi” (nowadays, it is often seen on movies).
In the afternoon, you will take a drive to Can Tho City, across Vinh Long, My Thuan Suspension Bridge and cross the Hau River by ferry. Upon arrival, you check in the hotel and relax after a long journey. Overnight in Can Tho.
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Day 15: Can Tho –Saigon (B, L)
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Today, you will get up very early for breakfast so that we will be on time to catch amazing scene of Cai Rang Floating Market. The guide will pick you up at 6:30 hours, check out and transfer you to the boat quay. Now you start a cruise to the floating markets. At 7:30 hours, arrive at Cai Rang floating market, you will take slow running for nice pictures. We will stop for a while and you can buy some fruit or contact with local people. Leaving the market, you will take another boat trip along the river bank and cannels to see how people there live, visit another orchard for relaxation. After that, you will boat to big river and have lunch at a floating restaurant docking at Can Tho River. In the afternoon, after lunch, you will have a transfer back to Saigon.
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Day 16: Saigon –Siem Reap (B)
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Today, we will take a morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, will be met and greeting by our guide then transferred to your hotel. Spend the full afternoon exploring the main Angkor Wat Temple and enjoy sunset at the temple top of Pre Rup.
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Day 17: Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat (B)
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Early this morning, enjoy a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat with great photographing opportunities. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Continue to explore Angkor Thom, the site of the ancient capital of the Khmer period. Visit the South Gate, Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm, which many deemed the most charming of all the temples.
This afternoon, take a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake to observe the local’s life on water. Stop by at the Artisan D’Angkor and Old market for some shopping.
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Day 18: Siem Reap/Banteay Sei (B)
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In the morning, drive through the lovely countryside to visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, which many consider Bantaey Srei to be the prettiest temple was built with pink sand stone.
In the afternoon, visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som temples. Also, have some time for a re-visit of Angkor Wat and wander around on your own.
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Day 19: Siem Reap departure (B)
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Some last minute to do shopping or relax at hotel until transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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