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BEST OF VIETNAM

Vietnam Tours - Vietnam Highlight

Description: The BEST OF VIETNAM tour is your best choice if you want to experience the totality of Vietnam: the land, the people, the culture, and the history, as a Vietnamese person. In this Vietnam holiday, as you travel through the country you will experience all forms of transport: car, train, airplane, boat, walking and hiking. During 2 weeks traveling with us, you will trace the path of the founding of Vietnam, starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon...

This is the ultimate tour of Vietnam an in-depth exploration of Vietnam’s most interesting cities and countryside.Traveling across the country from North to South, you can explore the colonial elegance of Hanoi - our romantic capitol, Halong bay - our world's natural heritage site, Sapa - with magnificent mountainous views and opportunities to meet with H'mong and Dzao hill tribes, Hue - the ancient citadel of the last King in Vietnam until 1954, Hoi An - a magical lantern-lit town for all tourist alike, our beloved Mekong Delta - the lush forests and major cultivation area for Vietnam, Can Tho - a discovery of daily life in the delta, and finally, the bustle of Ho Chi Minh city, Saigon - all a major city has to offer.

BRIEF ITINERARY

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Welcome to Vietnam - Arrive In Hanoi

Upon arrival to Hanoi international airport, our guide & driver will be await for you and transfer to hotel in town for check in and tour briefing. Depends on arrival time, we could suggest the detailed and approriate tour program.

Meal: No
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Lao Cai (Breakfast)

Have breakfast in the hotel and enjoy a full day City Tour. The visit includes most of the City’s outstanding historical and cultural sites.

• Hanoi Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake
  
• Temple of Literature, built in 11th Century and the country’s first University
  
• The complex of Ho Chi Minh historical sites, also called the political center of Vietnam.
  
• HCM’s Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda
  
• Visit one of the museums in Hanoi (Museum of History, Museum of Ethnology

Museum of Fine Art, Hoa Lo prison which is also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”) Evening highlight is Water Puppet Show – the traditional performance dated 11th century. You will have time for dinner then transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for night train to Lao Cai.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: on train.

Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa (Breakfast)

The train will pull in around 6:00 A.M at LaoKai Station, near the border of China; where you will meet our tour guide & driver. It takes about 50 minutes to drive up hills to Sapa Town (40 km), the premier destination of Northwest Vietnam. Spend the rest of the day for exploring the charming town, visiting market and getting acquaint with the hill-tribal people such as H'mong, Red Zao, Zay... then a short walk out of the town for great view of the magnificent Fansipan mountain range, deep valleys and terraced rice paddies at sunset.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa trekking and visiting hill tribe villages

A whole day for discover the nature as well as different culture of hill tribal people. Up and down hill from village to villages. We start in Lao Chai and you have couple grade of trekking to choose from soft trek, medium trek to hard trek in the Muong Hoa valley. The trip passing Y Linh Ho, LaoChai San to Ta Van... visit home of H'mong, Red Zao and Zay people, Great opportunity for taking photos of breathtaking landscapes, meeting friendly hill tribe people at home and work... Enjoy the home hosted lunch at the village of Zday people. Later in the afternoon a jeep or van will take you back to Sapa town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Laocai – Night train back to Hanoi (Breakfast)

In this area there are some Fair Markets which can't be missed (Can Cau on Saturday, Bac Ha on Sunday, Coc Ly on Tuesday, Xin Cheng on Wednesday).

For the second choice, you will check out hotel early and leave Sapa for about 3 hours driving to the market. Join in the colorful market of the tribal people in this region. On the fair market the H'mong, Dzao, Phu La people in their best traditional costumes go to the market for shopping and meeting friends and relatives.

Late afternoon, drive to the Chinese border gate for a short visit before driving to the railways station for night train to Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: on train.

Day 6: Early arrive in Hanoi – Full day excursion to Halong Bay (Breakfast, Lunch)

The train arrives in Hanoi early in the morning. Visit the flower market in Hanoi. Drive to Halong Bay passing the countryside of Red river Delta. Whole the afternoon we will discover the bay by private boat. Seafood lunch served on boat. On the 4 hours boat cruising around the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, you will enjoy the spectacular view of the thousands of rock formations, jutting out from emerald water. The trip includes visiting one of the caves in this area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Halong.

Day 7: Halong – Danang – Hoian (Breakfast)

We leave Halong in the morning to the airport for the flight to Da Nang. Visit Cham sculpture Museum, China Beach, Marble Mountain and marble carving workshop. Proceed to Hoian, the World Cultural Heritage.

In the rest of the afternoon, Free at your leisure.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

DAY 8: Hoian City Tour – My Son Holy Land (Breakfast)

Hoi An developed most of its uniquely eclectic townscape between the 16th and 19th centuries. During this time Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. Over the years, many elements of this diverse architectural style blended harmoniously with indigenous Vietnam features. Hoi An was relatively untouched by the Vietnam War, so the old world charm is still in.

We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky or Phung Hung ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge.

In the afternoon start the discovery trip to My Son, 40 km from Hoian, for admiring great architectural and art works of the Cham lost Kingdom. Having a brief understanding of the history, culture for which My Son was recognized the World Cultural Heritage. Afternoon is free time for shopping, wandering around or relax.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.

Day 9: Hoian – Danang – Hue (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we drive 4 hours northwards to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Take some stops on the way to see the spectacular view on the top of “Hai Van Pass” and the legend beach of Lang Co.

Afternoon, sightseeing in Hue to the Ancient Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces and temples built by the Nguyen from early 19th Century for which Hue was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Late in the afternoon, enjoy a leisure boat-ride along the scenic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.

Day 10: Hue – Saigon (Breakfast)

Start the day with Vietnamese way! Take a walking tour of Hue before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Check out hotel and on the way to airport, you will visit the mausoleum of King Tu Duc – a replica of the King's palace but built purposely for the next incarnation before flying to Saigon at noon.

Briefing tour of Saigon to famous landmarks such as: the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral – two of the city's architectural landmarks then onto China Town, Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda. Back to downtown and a short walk via Opera House, City Hall...

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.

Day 11: Saigon – Can Tho (Breakfast)

After breakfast, depart the hotel and drive southward to the Cai Be – Vinh Long Province. Here the group will see the Mekong Delta (“Nine Dragon River Delta). This is special experience of Mekong Delta. We will visit the Candy factory, orchard garden, listen to traditional music and have lunch in the ancient house.

We cross the island in the middle of Mekong River by oars boats. Stay overnight in Can Tho – the capital of Mekong Delta. Late afternoon take the short walk to the local market nearby.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho.

Day 12: Can Tho – Saigon (Breakfast)

Depart hotel early in the morning to board a boat to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market. Continue the boat ride to visit the orchards and try the tropical fruits. Get back to Can Tho for lunch. Continue on to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.

Day 13: Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels (Breakfast)

Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province to visit Cao Dai, a local sect of Buddhism, and join a memorable noon daily ceremony of the Cao Dai followers.

After lunchtime back to a historic site of the Vietnam War - the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by the local people and guerillas to survive the war against the American explosive attacks. We can even crawl a part inside the tunnel to understand the living of Vietnamese shoulders during the wartime. Drive back to Saigon in the afternoon, check in hotel and relax.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.

Day 14: Saigon Departure (Breakfast)

Free on your own until your departure time. Guide and driver will pick you to the airport for your flight home.

Meal: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A

End of trip.

PRICE & INCLUSION

This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy with 3-star hotel standard.

Valid until 31.December - 2013

• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• Hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic
• Meals as mention in the program
• Local English speaking guides
• All entrance and sightseeing fees
• Travel insurance
• Visa approval fee
• Mineral water

Price Exclusions:

• All domestic flights
• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Additional expenses in case of force majeure

Notes:

• All the points of interest are open for visit based on current updating. In case of closing for construction or any reason, we will replace with similar point of interest.
• This Private Journey will depart on your desired date. It can also be taken in reserve starting in Saigon and finishing in Hanoi.