Vietnam's Splendor - 19 Days - VFA05

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel. Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities with romantic tree-lined boulevards and gorgeous colonial buildings. The rest of the day is free for your own shopping and exploration. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

A full day spent touring Hanoi, the political, economic and cultural capital of Vietnam. Starting with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which offers informative and well-documented information on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes. The display continues in the outside garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses from the Kinh’s to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We will then visit the Temple of Literature,  a temple built in honor of Confucius in 1070, and served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam founded in 1076. This temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about the Mandarin education that has shaped Vietnam for 1000 years and to relax in this tranquil setting. The afternoon is spent exploring the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple or the Jade Mountain Temple situated in the heart of Hanoi. Head to Hanoi station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Arrive in Lao Cai around 6:00am and continue by car to Sapa. After breakfast we will explore Sapa town, founded by the French as a holiday resort.
In the afternoon, we will visit Cat Cat village, home to H’Mong ethnic people. They are excellent “tho cam” weavers, a kind of brocade fabric. The “tho cam” of Cat Cat village is of especially high quality, as it is dyed with natural colors, polished with beeswax and embroidered with unique designs. Cat Cat silver jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings are known for their sophisticated production techniques. A walk through this old village offers a glimpse into traditional customs and practices of the ethnic Black Hmong. We will stop at a beautiful waterfall and the remains of a hydroelectric plant built by the French during their colonization of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Full day spent visiting Sapa famous for it pleasant climate, picturesque scenery and vibrant ethnic markets. Descend into the Muong Hoa valley to visit Lao Chai village home to the Black H’Mong and Ta Van village where Dzay people live. Be amazed by the beautiful scenery of terraced rice paddies and streams winding their way through the lush hills and mountains. In the late afternoon you will return to Lao Cai for the night train to Hanoi. Overnight in the 4 soft berths cabin.

You will arrive at Hanoi train station at 5:30am where you will be picked up brought to a small hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. You then start a three-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Halong, situated 180km southeast of Hanoi. There will be various photo stops and coffee breaks en route before arriving at Halong’s pier.
You then embark a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise past the limestone cliffs emerging from the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. On board you will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploration of some of the limestone caves in this area. At sunset the junk will anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner on board. Overnight on junk.

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. The junk will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor and return to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast at hotel before heading to the airport for your flight to Danang. From here you will be driven to Hoi An’s ancient town. En route visit the Cham Museum and handicraft villages on the foot of Marble Mountain. Upon arrival in Hoi An’s ancient town, check into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese street, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, you will be welcomed by the chef of Hai Scout Café at 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc street. Visit Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local vendors and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking class later.
Board a boat for a leisurely 25-minute cruise along Hoi An River to the Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.
On arrival, explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s best-known dishes. The cooking lesson will take about two hours during which the chef first demonstrates each dish before your prepare the same dish yourselves. Part of the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving and plate decoration. After the lesson, you will enjoy the meal you have cooked. Overnight at the hotel in Hoian.

The day is yours to explore Hoi An by yourself. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

In the morning you will be taken to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon. The whole day will be spent exploring this vibrant city situated on the banks of Saigon River, famous for its wide boulevards and historic French colonial buildings. Visit all must-see attractions, including: Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Hue Avenue, Reunification Palace (President Palace), the Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1877 and the Central Post Office. The tour ends with a bit of shopping at Ben Thanh Market, the busiest business centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated 70km from Saigon. The Cu Chi Tunnel system was created around 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their combat against French occupiers. Construction and enlargement continued during American bombings and they were turned into an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories and field hospitals. The Cu Chi Tunnels could house up to 10,000 people who lived underground for years, getting married and raising children. During the Vietnam - American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated as a fire free zone yet was heavily bombarded. Since 1988, two sections of the tunnels are open for visitors to crawl through and better understand the war. 

Have lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is free at your own leisure for shopping or relaxation. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

At 06 am we take an early morning boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit the market, as it is crowded with hundreds of sampans that offer fruit, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. This is the perfect opportunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fresh tropical fruit. Leave the market, and return to Saigon. On the way back, we will stop at an old Binh Thuy house 5kms from Can Tho city and a Khmer pagoda.  Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

After breakfast, you will commence your journey to Mui Ne beach about 200km away from Ho Chi Minh. Check into your resort. Free time at your own leisure to relax & play on the beach. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Free time to relax on the beach without guide and driver. Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne

Free time to relax on the beach without guide and driver. Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne

Free time before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Free time for shopping or exploring on your own before heading to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight. The hotel room is available until noon only. Asiatica Travel’s services end here.