Vietnam Explorer - 16 Days

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

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour   
Today is a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. Start with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Follow it with one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum) before your lunch (on your account).
In the afternoon, transfer to the Ba Dinh Square where stands the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. This site has become an important city landmark and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s rich history. From there, wander through the beautiful surrounding gardens toward the One Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace, where a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s simple working space is on display.
Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeings, you will have a great chance to have the local closer touch. Disembark at the ancient city gate of O Quan Chuong, then continue walking to Thanh Ha local market and through bustling streets & alleys before ending at Ta Hien Street where you will enjoy a glass of local beer at its corner with all the locals around. Conclude the day with 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 - Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu & Tam Coc)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then take 2.5 hour pleasant drive to Tam Coc, which is also known as Halong Bay on land. The journey offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Vietnam up-close. Along the way, break your trip to take photographs of local villages and the surrounding landscape. On arrival in Tam Coc Town, board your private sampan boat for the ninety minute cruise along the Ngo Dong River. Pass through the three caves named Hang Ca, Hang Giua and Hang Cuoi that made Vietnam famous in the French film 'Indochine'. On the way, you also visit Bich Dong Pagoda. Set in tranquility and among pink lotuses, the temple offers the spectacular views of the surrounding area. Back to Tam Coc where you will enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch.
In the afternoon, transfer to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, to visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009) who played a vital role in gaining the country’s independence after it was ruled by the Northern Force for a thousand years.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

Day 4: Ninh Binh - Hai Phong - Overnight on cruise  
Following the breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Hai Phong, where you will board the cruise on an enchanting journey throughout the beautiful Ha Long Bay. On arrival, the welcome drinks, cruise briefing and safety instructions are delivered by the cruise manger followed by your cabin check in. The uniquely designed itineraries allow you to experience the less traveled routes that other cruises simply don’t reach. Apart from exploring the natural beauty of many islets in a leisure pace, the today program also includes more activities such as swimming or kayaking on the vast sea, cooking class onboard to challenge your skills in preparing a very famous Vietnamese dish (activities depend on weather, season and the specific cruise). All fresh seafood meals are on-house as well.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Orchid Cruise.

Day 5: Hai Phong City Tour - Hanoi   
Wake up to fresh coffee, doing Taichi before cruising back to the shore. En route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations where you can enjoy kayaking (excluded from the cruise package). After having a brunch, disembark to head back to Hai Phong City, which is not only famous as a major industrial port city but there is also enormous potential for tourism. It preserved many architectural delights, including traditional architecture such as pagodas, temples and French neoclassical architecture of the old neighborhood. Once you reach Hai Phong, start the city tour with the Opera Theatre, also called Municipal Theatre, one of three theatres built by the French in Vietnam, the cultural structure typical of Port City. Next, visit Flower Stall & Le Chan Statue - one of the female generals under the command of the Trung Sisters (Hai Ba Trung) rose against Chinese rule in the year 43 C.E. Walk along the tree lined streets of this beautiful city for the orientation. Witness the locals trading at “Iron Market” (Cho Sat), a busy city market covering a large area. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything here, it’s still an interesting experience to observe local life in this busy downtown area. Conclude your half day city tour of Hai Phong at Du Hang Pagoda, the ancient architecture originated during the Early Le dynasty. Admire the many valuable Buddha statues, horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences bearing the art style of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Later in the afternoon, drive to Hanoi on one of Vietnam’s the most modern freeways.
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Sapa
After breakfast, hop on a shuttle bus for 5hour scenic ride from Hanoi to Sapa on the Vietnam’s longest and modern highway with a comfort stop at the half way. Upon arrival, check in the hotel followed by your lunch (your own account).
In the afternoon, walk down streets for the orientation guided tour to get acquainted with the town. The tour includes all the key sites such as the Old Church, local market and the dining and shopping streets… Then, continue to Sau Chua ethnic Black Hmong village. This village has been recently discovered and much less visited. It is located on the mountain summit, therefore you can take the best photos of panorama Sapa town down there at sunset. Besides, you will have lots of interactions with the villagers who show their great hospitality and want to share their life so you’ll learn more about how they live. Back to the hotel then and have the rest of day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 7: Sapa Trekking Tour   
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a full day’s trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. Take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages. You have three trekking options to choose from: Soft trek (~ 3 km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~ 12km). Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. Drive back to Sapa in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 8: Sapa - Hilltribe Market - Hanoi 
Early morning your driver and guide will take you to one of the local markets (Coc Ly on Tue/ Sin Cheng on Wed/ Can Cau on Sat and Bac Ha on Sun). Wander through the stalls packed with hand-crafted goods peddled by the various hill tribe peoples who come here to buy and sell their wares. The specific details will be proposed by your travel consultant based on the travel date.
After lunch, farewell the Vietnam’s Northwest area for a journey back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Arrive in Hanoi around 9.00 PM.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 9: Hanoi - Hue - City Tour
Having breakfast and checking out your hotel in early morning for the flight to Hue.
On your arrival in Hue – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, check in your hotel for relaxing. Spend the rest of the day on a leisurely walking tour through Vietnam’s ancient capital city, visiting the Royal Citadel, the Mausoleum of King Tu Duc – a replica of the king’s palace built for the next reincarnation of the king and the vibrant Dong Ba Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.

Day 10: Hue City Tour - Danang - Hoian
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up for a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the ornate Minh Mang's tomb.
Then, drive southward to Hoi An over the 500m high Hai Van pass. Enjoy a stop at the scenic Lang Co Beach, Marble Mountain, Cham Museum before continuing to Hoian.
Check in your hotel and free for relaxing.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 11: Hoian City Tour   
Enjoy time for relaxation as you 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 quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, exploring the town or relaxing on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 12: Hoian Eco tour: Farming & fishing life tour (Join-in)
Duration: 6 hours
Departure time: Around 8.00 AM.
The Hoi An eco-tour provides you with a close-up and intimate exposure to both the local farming and fishing communities. Accompanied by your tour guide, you commence the day leisurely cycling along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand, discovering all manner of photo opportunities - coming and visiting a beautiful organic vegetable village, watering and planting vegetable, hoeing a soil with local farmer, riding a water buffalo in a rice paddy field; seeing ducks swimming along the rice farm or farmers tending their crops. The photo opportunities are endless. As well you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. Later you will board on a local boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. You will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while the waterways of coconut palm paradise. This tour provides you with a cultural window into the ways of life of both our farming and fishing communities.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 13: Hoian - Danang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Have breakfast at the hotel and free for relaxing until your driver comes to pick you up for a transfer to Danang Airport to catch your flight to Saigon, the Vietnam’s modern metropolis.
Upon your arrival, check in your hotel. The rest of the day will be free on your own way.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14: Cu Chi Tunnels & HCMC Tour
Today 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.
The rest of this afternoon we will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War
Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 15: HCMC - Cai Be - Can Tho
After breakfast, you leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Arrive in Cai Be at around 11:00 AM and start your tour of the delta with a private cruise to visit Cai Be floating market, passing by a beautiful cathedral. Proceed to local cottage industries, home factories to see how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the longan fruit drying process. Sail along some of the Mekong’s innumerable branches and creeks and visit local orchards and an ancient house over 170 years old built by the French. Then cross Tien Giang River, one of the two large “arms” of the Mekong, by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Your driver will be waiting for you on the other side of the river to take you on a 45 minute journey to the largest city in the Mekong: Can Tho, a buzzing town with a lively waterfront and a colorful mix of narrow back streets that make for some rewarding exploration. Rest of the day, you are at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Can Tho.

Day 16: Can Tho - HCMC - Departure
Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motor boat. Experience the daily life of the Mekong River Delta as vendors from around the region gather to sell fresh fruits, local delicacies and handmade goods. Then, leave Can Tho for 4 hour drive back to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.