Classic Viet Nam - North To South

Intro Text

The tour is suite for the first time visitor to the country with all Vietnam highlights from North to South.
The journey starts from Hanoi, the country’s capital, to small hilly Sapa town before drive down to the Ocean for sheer Halong Bay with overnight on junk. A short flight brings you to Hue and Hoi An, you may wish to spend some time relaxing on the tropical beach and a walking tour to unforgettable well preserved ancient port town. The tour leg is at the bustling Saigon, mighty Mekong Delta for the backwaters and rice cultivation experience.

Brief Itinerary

DAY	TITLE
1	Hanoi arrival  ( Dinner ) Day 1: Hanoi arrival Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, take a one-hour cyclo ride through the old quarter to enjoy the Hanoi's beautiful late-afternoon colors and to explore the folk’s daily life. There will be a welcome briefing this evening with dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
2	Hanoi Sightseeing  ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ) After breakfast, we’ll take a half-day walking tour of the city, showcasing some of Hanoi’s most interesting attractions Stop at One Pillar Pagoda near the dour, Soviet-inspired mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and the garden. Visit the Temple of Literature, a wonderful name for a wonderful place. Founded in 1070, it was Vietnam’s first educational institute and a place where candidates for the position of Mandarin were examined. Finally we’ll visit the Hoa Lo Prison, probably better known to most of us as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’.
3	Hanoi – Lao Cai – Sa Pa  ( Breakfast ) Day at leisure to continue exploring the bustling capital of Hanoi. This evening transfer to Hanoi's train station for your evening train to Lao Cai in the Tonkinese Alps.
4	Sa Pa  ( Lunch, Dinner ) Early arrive Lao Cai in the morning, we get picked up with private vehicle and start our drive up the spectacular Sapa pass, which is 1300 m high, 33 km long. The ride up-hill takes a little over an hour giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces in the early mist.
5	Sa Pa - Lao Cai – Ha Noi  ( Breakfast ) After the breakfast, we continue to visit Red Dao people at Giang Ta Chai where we also see a waterfall. The Red Dao women have very colourful red embroideries and coins on their clothing. On their head they wear a red scarf.
6	Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay  ( Lunch, Dinner ) On arrival freshen up and enjoy breakfast at a hotel in Hanoi before travelling out to Halong Bay. Welcome on board and set sail through the bay while lunch is served.
7	Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue  ( Breakfast, Lunch ) Rise to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. Before breakfast, you may have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay from the mountain or optional kayaking. Enjoy the breakfast while cruising at the sheer bay for more sightseeing before arriving the town dock. Lunch en route. Return by road to Hanoi for flight to Hue.
8	Hue  ( Breakfast, Lunch ) Take the morning boat trip on the peaceful Perfume river to visit the holly Thien Mu Pagoda and the Emperor Tu Duc tomb. Constructed between 1864 and 1867, it was more of a pleasure garden than a tomb and the emperor used it as his second residence before his death. Stop at the village nearby to learn how to make conical hat and colorful incense.
9	Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An  ( Breakfast, Lunch ) Following breakfast, we have an enjoyable four-hour drive to Hoi An, through a region of Vietnam that’s blessed with magnificent rural and coastal scenery. Shortly after passing through pretty Lang Co Beach, Highway 1 begins its winding ascent through Hai Van Pass. On the other side we drive through the busy streets of Da Nang and pass by the massive former US airbase.
10	Hoi An Sightseeing Enjoy the morning walking tour with numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, museum, private family’s ancient house. Follow the narrow lanes lined, we walk through houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures. Lunch stop at local restaurant with all Hoi An specialties
11	Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh  ( Breakfast ) Depart Hoi An for Da Nang to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel where the rest of the day is free.
12	Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels Sightseeing  ( Breakfast ) Drive to the remarkable Cu Chi tunnels, 70 km outside Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the amazing 200km long underground tunnels system which served as hiding place, storage hall, medical center, dormitory for guerrillas during the Vietnam War. On arrival, see the documentary film before walking to the amazing tunnels in the jungles. Make your way through these tight tunnels and marvel at the scale of this incredible construction.
13	Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be – Can Tho  ( Breakfast, Lunch ) Leave HCMC in the morning for the three-hour drive to Cai Be with a stop at Cao Dai temple in Ben Luc. Continue to Cai Be. From here, we take a boat trip to obtain an insight into the daily life of locals living on the Mekong River. Visit a rice paper and a popcorn family enterprise and the colorful and bustling Cai Be floating market.
14	Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh Morning boat cruise to visit Cai Rang floating market. The market is filled with small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares. Cruise through small canals and stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the succulent fruit.
15	Ho Chi Minh City – Departure  ( Breakfast ) The morning is free for shopping before transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure. End of services.
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