Day 1: Saigon Arrival
You will be met and transferred from Tan Son Nhat Airport to hotel. The balance of the day is free for walking and sightseeing. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon). (D)
Day 2: Saigon city tour all day
Our guides are the experts so we leave you in their hands to decide what you want to see and do today. There are some great markets if you are in the mood to shop or you can visit some of the museums like the History Museum, or some pagodas, like Thien Hau Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. Have lunch at Restaurant. A more somber attraction is the War Remnants Museum, a very powerful look at the Vietnam War. Chat with your guide and decide what suits you! Dinner on your own. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 3: Saigon – Cooking Class – Orphanage Pagoda
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to a local Vietnamese tea shop to have morning tea or coffee. You will be taken to a local market where you can negotiate for the raw ingredients you need. Return to your hosts’ house where they will give you private cooking lessons on traditional Vietnamese foods of your choice. After that, drive to Dieu Giac Pagoda – an orphanage as well as a pagoda. Built in 1971, the pagoda is now home to 98 orphans. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 4: Saigon – All day trip to Mekong Delta
Enjoy breakfast in your hotel and then leave Saigon for Cai Be with a stop at a bonsai garden for tea. From Cai Be, take a motorized sampan for a cruise to the floating market, and visit nearby popcorn cake and rice paper making workshops. Have a delicious lunch in a garden restaurant including dessert of an astonishing variety of fruit. Visit brick and pottery villages on your way back to Saigon by car. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 5: Saigon – Hanoi
Our guide will take you from your hotel to Tan Son Nhat airport for the flight to Hanoi. Arrive at Noi Bai airport. You will be met and transferred to hotel. Check in. One- hour tricycle tour of this charming capital city through the scenic Colonial Quarter, the Restored Sword Lake and end at the Old Quarter of “36 streets of 36 wares”. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,D)
Day 6: Hanoi – City tour all day – Sapa
Breakfast, morning sightseeing tour to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his House on stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon, Visit Temple of Literature. Dinner at restaurant. Evening take a water puppet show at Central Theater. Then transfer to Train Station for a 10pm departure to Sapa. Overnight on train. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Sapa
You will arrive at LaoCai train station at 6 AM where you will be met and driven to Sapa. Visit the Sapa Market and TaPhin Village, famous for its brocade weaving done by Hmong and Dzao women. Have lunch at Delta restaurant and in the afternoon visit Ham Rong Mountain. Have dinner on your own. Overnight in Sapa. (B,L)
Day 8: Sapa – Silver Waterfall and Heavens Gate Tour
You will be taken by car to the Silver Waterfall; from there you can see the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the lush forests belonging to Hoang Lien National Park. Along the way, you can stop by a farm for a cup of tea while your guide explain about this special part of Sapa where many species are grown such as plum tree and squash. Following you will continue by car to drive uphill to Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Here you will have a fantastic opportunity to view the magnificent scenery. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Sapa. (B,L)
Day 9: Sapa – Hanoi
In the early morning driven to Bac Ha Market where all of the local hill tribes come to trade, it is an amazing place full of color and life. Try a local food called Thang Co and watch village life happening around you. Continue from here to Hoang Yen Chao Palace and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the evening return to LaoCai for the return train to Hanoi leaving at 20.15. Overnight on the train. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Sapa – Hanoi – Halong
Your guide will meet you at Hanoi Train Station and take you in a private car to Halong Bay where you will board the Huong Hai Junk. After checking in enjoy lunch on board, including a complimentary glass of wine. Start your cruise through Halong Bay enjoying the stunning scenery of this amazing World Heritage Site. After a cruise the boat will stop and you can paddle from Titov Beach to Luon Cave after which you can enjoy a well deserved dinner on board. In the evening enjoy an optional night paddle, fishing or partake in some Vietnamese wine. Spend the night onboard. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Halong – Hanoi
After an early breakfast on the boat continue kayaking in this incredible area from Luon Cave towards the islands of Man’s Head and Tortoise Islands. Return to the boat after your morning paddle to rinse off and enjoy your last lunch aboard as you make your way back to Halong City. Return to Hanoi in a private car, stopping en-route at Dong Trieu Pottery. Have dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)
Day 12: Hanoi – Hue
Transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue, the central part of Vietnam. Transfer to hotel. Lunch at restaurant. PM, visit the Old Imperial City. Dinner on your own and overnight in Hue.(B,L)
Day 13: Hue – DMZ Tour All Day
Early morning departs to Quang Tri province for DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) tours, including Camp the Rock Pile and former Marine American Officials, Khe Sanh airbase, Ho Chi Minh trail, Dakrong Bridge. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Dong Hoi. (B,L)
Day 14: DMZ
After breakfast, visit DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), 17th parallel, Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnel, Quang Tri Citadel, site of a bloody battle in 1972. Return to Hue. Overnight in Hue. (B,L)
Day 15: Hue – HoiAn
After breakfast drive to HoiAn, check in hotel. Have lunch at a local restaurant. And then walking tour of the narrow streets of the town visit HoiAn Museum, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old, Japanese covered bridge and 200-year old house. Have dinner on your own. Overnight in HoiAn. (B,L)
Day 16: HoiAn – Danang
In the morning, depart to Marble mountain. Climb Thuy Son (Water) by the stone stairs and enjoy the panoramic view of the nearby countryside and then visit Huyen Khong cave before entering Tam Thai and Linh Ung pagodas. Have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, you can visit Non Nuoc stone village where the local skillful sculptors create many marble products which are exported to many countries worldwide. On the way to Danang, visit the Cham museum. Dinner on your own. Overnight in DaNang. (B,L)
Day 17: Departure
You have a free day then you will be met and transferred to Danang Airport for the flight.