Vietnam & Myanmar Holiday - 20 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
In the evening, savor a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese food at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour.
Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree – lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; the Quan Thanh Temple, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet – rice culture.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Drive to Sapa – Trekking – Homestay.
Early morning, your guide & driver will meet you at the lobby of the hotel then leave Hanoi for Sapa on a six hour journey on the Vietnam’s longest and modern highway.
On arrival, be ready for a trek on mountain trails to Lao Chai & Ta Van village, an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong and Dzay people who populate the region. The trek through the breathtaking scenery of Sapa valley also gives you an opportunity to admire the amazing rice terraces. Today you will experience your night at home-stay with Dzay tribal family.
The hard work is rewarded this evening with a delicious home cooked dinner!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in Ta Van Village.

Day 4: Sapa Trekking.
After breakfast at the homestay, continue trekking through bamboo jungle to visit Red Dao people in Giang Ta Chai village where you will also have a chance to see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colorful red embroidery and coins on their clothing. Some of the women have shaved off their eyebrows because of a nice Red Zao Legend.
After lunch in a local house next to the Muong Hoa stream, walk up-hills to Su Pan where you will meet the car and get transferred back to Sapa. Check in to the hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure or you may want to discover Sapa town on your own.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Drive back to Hanoi.
This morning, drive to Tram Ton Pass, Heaven’s Gate – the highest peak of roads in Vietnam (over 2000m). Admire the spectacular views, even the Fansipan summit, the highest peak of Indochina mountains (weather permits) and visit the nearby Silver Waterfall with marvelous scenery of the surrounding nature. Stop along the way to visit O Quy Ho village which known for the different kinds of vegetables, flowers, fruit trees and even medicinal plants grown here. Have lunch in Sapa then farewell this beautiful mountain town to drive back to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.
After breakfast, set out on a 2.5-hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as you sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Danang – Hoian.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Savor a fresh seafood lunch, served on board before sailing back to Halong City, where your car will be waiting to take you to Hanoi's airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoian.
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodations: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 8: Hoian Walking Tour – Boat trip to Cham Island.
Immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this sleepy riverside town. From the 16th to 18th centuries Hoian was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders, who came to trade in the high quality silk still produced in the region. Today, Hoian is a relaxing resort popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, skilled tailors and numerous cafes. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. After lunch, take a short boat trip to a nearby island and visit a handicraft village specializing in ceramics. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 9: Hoian Ecotour.
* Wet Rice Farmer Tour (4.5 Hours):
8:00 AM: Pick up at hotel by bicycle.
Take a leisurely bike ride to a local farm, passing through rice paddies and breathing in the fresh air. Meet the local farmer and learn about daily farm life. Enjoy a break while sipping a cup of tea in the rice fields before changing into your farming clothes!
Change into farm clothes before getting into muddy rice fields: Authentic Vietnamese traditional farmer clothes, conical hat, boots (provided).
Learn the traditional process of growing wet rice and what it entails including the agricultural water system and farming techniques such as using a water buffalo plough!
Return to the hotel for free afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Can Tho.
You have a free morning until drive to the airport for your domestic flight to Can Tho, the largest city in southern Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, it’s known for its canal network and nearby floating markets. Our guide will pick up on arrival and you will get the taste of the city by visiting some main points such as Binh Thuy ancient house. With its fine architecture and antiques of 19th century, it was recognized as a national heritage site. Here, visitors can explore the culture and the life of Southwest region’s people in the 20th century. Then, we move to visit Ong Temple, which remains a great influence of Chinese architecture in the area. If time permits, we enjoy a relaxing walk in Ninh Kieu Wharf. Check in the hotel for your free time.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho.

Day 11: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – HCMC.
Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorized boat. This is a great opportunity to get fantastic photos of colourful boats laden with fruit and vegetables. Boats are filled with teetering piles of fruit and vegetables, from carefully balanced watermelons, to bright flowers. Then venture deeper into the country-side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people, and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Return to Ninh Kieu quay in Can Tho around 10 A.M. Check out the hotel then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12: HCMC Tour& Cu Chi Tunnels.
After breakfast, set out on a guided city tour around Saigon city, visiting such key sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the CityPost Office and Ben Thanh Market. Then you travel outside of Saigon to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (or “American War” as it’s referred to here) as protection against American air raids. Those inclined are invited to crawl through selections of the tunnels to better understand what life was like for the Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. Drive back to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13: HCMC – Fly to Yangon.
Your driver will meet you at the hotel and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport to catch your regional flight to Yangon. On arrival in Yangon, your guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

Day 14: Yangon – Fly to Bagan.
Today you take a morning flight to Bagan. Bagan is Myanmar’s archaeological wonderland, where over 3,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Start your tour with a trip to the bustling Nyang U Market in Old Bagan then explore the beautiful, gold leaf Shwezigon Pagoda and learn about Burmese Buddhist traditions. Continue our tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way on the Bagan plains to admire some of the surrounding temples. In the afternoon, take a tour of a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 15: Bagan Sightseeing Tour.
After breakfast, enjoy an exotic horse cart ride to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya Pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. Continue with sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, take note of the architectural difference in MyaZedi Pagoda before heading to Manuha Temple. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view from the second highest pagoda of Bagan, the ShweSandaw Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

Day 16: Bagan – Fly to Mandalay – Sagaing – Amarapura.
Head to the airport for a flight to Mandalay. Leave the city for Sagaing Hill, learn about a monk’s schooling, visit Budda Cave, Uminthonze Pagoda and Sunooponnyashin Pagoda. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Mandalay. Drive 30 minutes to Amarapura - famous for Mahagandaryone Monastery, Amarapura is the best place to see how monks live in Mandalay. Walk over Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood of its type. Then visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery: noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, Kuthodaw Pagoda: known to hold the world largest book.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

Day 17: Mandalay – Fly to Inle Lake Sightseeing.
Leave Mandalay for Heho. Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar is located 900 meters above sea level and is home to the Intha people, famous for their one leg rowing technique.
Upon arrival, board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images and believed to be the holiest pagoda in Inle Lake. Your next stop is Ngaphechaung Monastery. As you travel closer to Nam Pan Village, have a look at cotton and lotus weaving factories and cigar making houses. These sites will give you a true sense of traditional Intha life.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 18: Inle Lake Tour.
This morning, visit the “5 Day Market” which is held in different villages surrounding the lake. This is definitely a fascinating place to enjoy the scene of local tribes in their colorful clothes and exotic market atmosphere.
After lunch, the boat will take you to the beautiful temple of Indein which located on the hill overlooking the lake. It is relaxing to walk along the corridors and enjoy the giant columns that have been left to the nature for centuries.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Day 19: Inle Lake – Fly to Yangon – City Tour.
Take the morning flight back to Yangon. Spend a full day exploring Yangon and its highlights from Sule Pagoda, in the heart of Yangon City; Chaukhtayi Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake then shopping time at the bustling Scott Market (Closes on Monday and some specific holidays). Save the best for last, discover the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon: Shwedagon Pagoda, known as the “Golden Pagoda”, a real must see while you are in Myanmar.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

Day 20: Yangon Departure.
You are free until your departure time. Your driver will take you to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A.