Routes: Hanoi – Halong Bay - Mai Chau – Sapa – Hue – Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City – Maekong 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 evening, you will enjoy welcomed dinner at local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi (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. Embark on 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 finishes at harbor for transfer back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B, L, D)
Leave Hanoi for Mai Chau which is located in green valley that is inhabited by several ethnic minorities, including H’mong and Thai peoples. After 3 hours driving in mountainous area, you will be arrival at the Thai village of Ban Lac where you will stay overnight. After lunch with the local people, you will visit to the head of community to go along the history of The Thai People, culture, traditions, festivals…In the evening, enjoy dinner with a musical presentation by local dancers and singers. At the end, you try traditional Ruou Can” (rice wine) from a long-curved reed. Overnight in Thai Villages.
Day 4: Mai Chau – Hanoi – Lao Cai – Sapa (B)
In the morning, take a walk to the local market. Here you see some of very interesting foods like bamboo shoots, bee honey… then continue to visit the surrounding. In the afternoon, you leave Mai Chau for Hanoi. In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Train Station to embark on the overnight train to Sapa. Overnight on the train.
Day 5: Sapa (B, L)
Upon arrival at Lao Cai Train Station around 6 am, you will have a drive up to Sapa which is located 1600 m high 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 H’mong and Dzao textiles. In the evening, free at leisure. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa – Bac Ha – 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 Tran Station for overnight train to Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi – Hue (L, D)
Upon arrival in Hanoi, transfer to airport for a morning flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our Tour Guide will pick you up and transfer you for a visit to 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. After lunch, 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 Hue 's fine restaurants to sample some of the local delicacies; Hue is regarded by many as the culinary capital of Vietnam . Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue – Hoian (B)
In the Morning, depart by car over the most spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hoian. Hoian is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mainly because of its Chinese, Japanese and European influenced architecture. 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. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 9: Hoian (B, D)
In the morning, visit Hoian Town with Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Hung House, Chinese Assembly Hall, Quan Ong Pagoda, visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village by boat. In the afternoon, enjoy cooking demonstration and market tour with local chef. The market tour will give you an insight not just into the scents and flavor of Vietnamese herbs and spices but also market culture – how to bargain and where to buy your goods. Our chef will talk you through today’s dishes then leading you through each dish, giving you plenty of opportunity to get involved and try your hand at reproducing the flavors for dinner. Dine on the dishes you have just prepared. We will also supply you with a recipe containing all the information you need to reproduce an authentic taste back home. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After lunch, enjoy the oriental tour to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, China Town, Ben Thanh Market. Free in the evening for your own discovery. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)
After breakfast at your hotel, 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 Departure (B)
Leisure to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City until transfer to airport for your departure flight.

Validity until 31 December 2013 (US$/Pax)

Accommodation

Inclusions: Hotel accommodation as mentioned; Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner; All transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle; English speaking guide (other languages on request); Flight tickets: Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Ho Chi Minh City; Night train: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi; Boat Trip; Mineral water and wet towel; All entrance and sightseeing fees; All taxes and service charges.
Exclusions: Visa fee to Vietnam; International airfare and airport taxes in Vietnam; Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels; Other Drinks; Insurance; Personal expenses; Tipping / Gratuities; Surcharge on special days; Any other services not clearly mentioned above.

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