Uniquely Vietnam Culture (12 Days)

Destinations: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Mai Chau – Sapa – Bac Ha – Hue – Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Our tour guide will greet and transfer you by private car to your hotel for check – in. In the afternoon, visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam. In the early evening, watch water puppet show – an unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture then enjoy dinner at local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese cuisine. 

Day 2: Halong Bay (B, L)

Depart to Halong city for boat cruise on the Bay, stop on route to admire the landscape picture, you might take picture of buffalo boys. Upon arrival, boarding on the junk, boat crew will greet you with special seafood lunch while boat cruise around the bay to visit Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Titov beach before finishing at harbor for transfer back to hotel in Hanoi. 

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B, L, D)

Leave Hanoi for Mai Chau, which is located in the green valley that is inhabited by a number of ethnic minorities, including the Hmong and Thai people. After 3 hours of driving in the mountainous area, you will arrive at the Thai village of Ban Lac, where you will stay overnight. After lunch with the local people, you will visit the head of the community to go along the Thai people’s history, culture, traditions, festivals … In the evening, enjoy dinner with a musical presentation of the dancers and local singers. Finally, try “Ruou Can” (rice wine) tradition from a long-curved reed. Overnight in Thai village.

Day 4: Mai Chau – Hanoi – Lao Cai (B, L)

In the morning, take a walk to the local market. Here you will see some of very interesting foods like bamboo shoots, bee honey… then continue to visit the surrounding. After lunch, you leave Mai Chau for Hanoi. In the evening, transfer to Hanoi train station to start up the overnight train to Lao Cai. 

Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa (B, L)

Upon arrival at Lao Cai train station around 06 AM, you will transfer to Sapa which is located 1,600m above the sea level, enjoy breakfast at local restaurant and visit Sapa market and the Black Mong village of Lao Chai and the Red Dao village of Ta Phin, you can view most intriguing work & collection of ancient designs of local weaver, enjoy bast fiber (smashing, bleaching…), visit indigo or hemp farms and study batik & tritik technique and Hmong and Dzao textiles. 

Day 6: Sapa – Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Hanoi (B)
After breakfast, transfer to visit Bac Ha. Bac Ha is a small town that is famous for its colorful Sunday market. The flower H’mong women wear checkered head scarves and brightly colored tops and skirts decorated with elaborate embroidery. The main goods on sale here are livestock such as buffalos, pigs, chickens, and horses, local products like rice wine, household items, brightly dyed wool, hill tribe garments, and ethnic handicrafts such as jewelry, baskets, and textiles. After visiting the market, drive back to Lao Cai train station for overnight train to Hanoi. 

Day 7: Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B, D)

Arrival Hanoi in the early morning, check in at mini hotel for breakfast and short rest then transfer to the airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to visit the Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City, the Emperor’s private residence. The Imperial city, created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. There are many palaces and temples inside. In the afternoon, visit to the Imperial Museum, The Tu Hieu Pagoda and the vibrant Dong Ba riverside market. To round off the day’s activities, you visit one of the Hue ‘s finest restaurants to enjoy some of the local delicacies; Hue is regarded by many as the culinary capital of Vietnam. 

Day 8: Hue – Hoian (B)

In the morning, depart by car over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hoian. Hoi An is a UNESCO world heritage site, mainly due to the influence of Chinese architecture, Japan and Europe. In the afternoon, free time to relax on Cua Dai beach or spend time to visit silk and handicraft villages along the Thu Bon River. 

Day 9: Hoian Old Town & Tra Que Village (B)

You will discover the charming of Hoian ancient town by walking to visit the traditional Chinese Communal House, Hoi Kien Temple, ancient Merchants’ Houses and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour to Tra Que vegetable village where you are not only guided to make soil, fertile, planting vegetable but also learn how to make the cuisine from vegetables in this place like the native people and then you will board on a boat to cruise along the Thu Bon River to a local fishing village. Here, you can enjoy the river culture, bird life and the local farming and the other daily activities of the local people. Return to the dock in Hoi An amidst the setting sun. The river and surrounding countryside is bathed in orange and provides stunning photo opportunities. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 10: Hoian – Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B)
After breakfast, free until transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, enjoy the oriental tour to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, China Town and Ben Thanh market. 

Day 11: Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
After breakfast, depart by car to Mekong Delta for a visit of the floating market and countryside tour. Boat cruise to the colourful floating market of Cai Be and then followed by a visit to some local factories that produce rice paper and coconut candy. Lunch is served at a fruit orchard before going back to Ho Chi Minh City for a farewell dinner at restaurant with southern Vietnamese cuisine. 

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B) 
Leisure to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City until transfer to airport for your own departure flight.

Price per person (US$/Pax) & Validity until December 31, 2020

Accommodation

Inclusions: Hotels; Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner; Domestic flights: Hanoi – Hue, Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City; Overnight train: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi; Transport by private with AC; English speaking guide; All entrance and sightseeing fees; Boat trips; Mineral water and wet towel; All taxes and service charges.

Exclusions: International flights to/from Vietnam; Visa fees; Early check-in & Late check-out at all hotels; Insurance; Personal expenses; Tipping/Gratuities; Other drinks; Surcharge on special days; Any other services not clearly mentioned above.