Uniquely Vietnam Culture

Overview
Map
Detailed Itinerary
Price
Accommodation
Inclusion

-Enjoy the Vietnamese cuisine and experience the daily life at night in Hanoi
-Take a day cruise to immerse yourself at the paradise landscape in Halong Bay
-Stay overnight and experience the daily life of ethnic minorities in Mai Chau
-Experience the indigenous culture of ethnic minorities in Sapa and visit the local market in Bac Ha
-Visit Hue, was a capital city in Vietnam and observe the daylife of the locals
-Explore the unique ancient town and experience to be a truly farmer at Tra Que Village
-Observe the countryside and colourful daily life of locals along the Mekong river
-Wandering around in Ho Chi Minh city and visiting its highlights on your own

Day 01

Hanoi Arrival (D)

Upon arrival, pick up then transfer to your hotel for check–in. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam. In the early evening, watch a water puppet show – an unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 02

Halong Bay (B, L)

Depart to Halong for a boat cruise on the Bay. 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 03

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 2.5 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, etc. In the evening, enjoy dinner with a musical presentation of the dancers and local singers. Finally, try “Ruou Can”, a type of rice wine tradition from a long-curved reed. Overnight in a Thai village.

Day 04

Mai Chau – Hanoi – Lao Cai (B, L)

Take a walk to the local market. Here you will see some very interesting foods like bamboo shoots, bee honey, etc then continue to visit the surrounding area. After lunch, you leave Mai Chau for Hanoi. In the evening, take an overnight train to Lao Cai.

Day 05

Lao Cai – Sapa (B, L)

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

Day 06

Sapa – Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Hanoi (B)

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, 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 an overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 07

Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B, D)

Arrival at Hanoi in the early morning, check in at a mini hotel for a 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 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 finest restaurants to enjoy some of the local delicacies.

Day 08

Hue – Hoian (B)

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 visiting silk and handicraft villages along the Thu Bon River.

Day 09

Hoian Old Town – Tra Que Village (B)

You will discover the charm 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 will enjoy the river culture, bird life and the local farming and the other daily activities of the local people. Return to the dock amidst the setting sun. The river and surrounding countryside is bathed in orange and provides stunning photo opportunities.

Day 10

Hoian – Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B)

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, ChinaTown and Ben Thanh market.

Day 11

Mekong Delta (B, L, D)

Depart by car to Mekong Delta for a visit to 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 a restaurant with southern Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 12

Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Depending on your departure time, you will have some free time to relax or further explore this city on your own before a transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Number of Participants	Superior Category US$/Pax	Deluxe Category US$/Pax	Luxury Category US$/Pax
1	2640	3066	3538
2	1555	1765	1999
3	1357	1561	1823
4	1158	1330	1581
5	1081	1255	1517
6	999	1163	1418
7	982	1145	1407
8	961	1115	1371
Sing - Sup	205	418	633

Destination	Superior Category	Deluxe Category	Luxury Category
Hanoi	Hanoi Nostalgia Hotel www.hanoinostalgiahotel.com Historical Window Room	Hanoi Pearl Hotel www.hanoipearlhotel.com City Deluxe Room	Pan Pacific Hanoi Hotel www.panpacific.com Deluxe Room
Sapa	Hotel de Sapa www.hoteldesapa.com Superior Room	Pistachio Hotel www.pistachiohotel.com Superior Room	Silk Path Grand Resort www.silkpathhotel.com Classic Room
Hue	Rosaleen Boutique Hotel www.rosaleenhotel.com Superior Room	Eldora Hotel www.eldorahotel.com Deluxe City Room	Indochine Palace Hotel www.indochinepalace.com P.Deluxe Room
Hoi An	Aurora Riverside Hotel www.aurorahoian.com Superior Room	Hoian Historic Hotel Hoianhistorichotel.com.vn Superior Room	Palm Garden Resort Palmgardenresort.com.vn Superior Room
Ho Chi Minh	Queen Ann Hotel www.queenannhotelvn.com Deluxe Room	Northern Charm Hotel Northerncharmhotel.com.vn City Deluxe Room	Mai House Hotel www.maihouse.com.vn Premium Room

Inclusions

Hotel & local homestay accommodation
All domestic flights
Overnight train Hanoi-Lao Cai-Hanoi
English speaking tour guide
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Meal: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance fee as indicated in itinerary
Boat trip, mineral water
All taxes and service charges

Exclusions

International flight to/from Vietnam
Early check-in & late check-out at hotel
Visa fee
Travel insurance
Personal expense
Tipping
Other drink
Surcharge for peak season
Any other services not mentioned above