Day 1: Arrival at Hanoi (D)

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you'll be met and driven to your hotel. In the evening, you’ll be picked up to Thang Long theatre to watch the Water Puppet show an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture. 

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi city tour – Sapa  (B/L/D)

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be picked up to start a Hanoi city tour. You’ll visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state (closed on every Monday & Friday and October & November) and see the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. You’ll continue to visit the One Pillar Pagoda and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century. You’ll drive to visit the serene Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, on the banks of Hanoi’s West Lake. You’ll also call the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and the dedicated to Confucius; it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside and later become Vietnam’s first university.

After lunch at local restaurant, driver and guide will take you to visit the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city’s fascinating museums. You’ll take to the streets by walking tour of the Ancient Quarter of 36 streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you’ll see streets name such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise. You’ll then visit Dong Xuan Market-one of the biggest markets in Hanoi. Your guide will then escort you to Hanoi railways station to board an evening train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on train.

Day 3: Lao cai - Sapa – Cat cat village (B/L/D)           

6h00 Arrival at Lao Cai Station where the bus is waiting to drive you along the exciting curvy road, surrounded by steep mountains and rice fields on terraces to Sapa.  Have breakfast and then visit Cat Cat village of H’Mong people, visit Cat Cat waterfall lying in a small valley. Check in and have lunch.

PM: Free time to relax or visit daily ethnic market, Sapa town.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Lao Chai – Ta van Village – Hanoi (B/L/D)

AM: After breakfast, You’ll then start the tour by walking on a small path down the valley to the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village Lao Chai.  Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their traditions and way of living. They have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing.  And then, you’ll continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. The development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The Zay houses are built of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. You’ll return to Sapa to refresh at hotel.  An then drive to Lao Cai and have dinner before taking an overnight sleeper train at 20.15 back to Hanoi.

Overnight on train.

Day 5: Hanoi - Ha Long (B, L, D)

Arriving in Hanoi in the early morning, you’ll be picked up to a mini hotel for refreshment. After breakfast, you’ll leave for Ha Long Bay and go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs.

Overnight on the Junk Cruise

Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L,D)
Waking up and having breakfast served onboard. Continue cruising around the bay. Take sampan to visit Luon Cave and come back to the boat. Having brunch before disembarking and van will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Visit Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village on the way. Arrive in Hanoi at 04:00 pm. Free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7: Hanoi - Hue (B/L,D)
Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. You will then be taken by boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor's mausoleum.

Overnight in Hue

Day 8: Hue – Da Nang - Hoi An (B/L,D)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter and try some of the local specialties. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An - Saigon (B/L,D)

Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. We'll see the historic Reunification Palace and some great examples of French colonial architectures. You will be free at the rest of day to make your own exploration to discover the city.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Tay Ninh (B/L,D)
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district, and Tay Ninh Province. Upon arrival in Cu Chi district, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities and a visit to a rice paper making factory at Tan Phu Trung Village. Experience ourselves the underground village of Cu Chi guerrilla fighters, which is simply a network of tunnels built during the long years of wars. Continue to drive another an hour and half from Cu Chi towards Tay Ninh to visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, and attend the noon time service with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail; photo opportunities during the ceremony. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Drive back to Saigon and arrive at 4 pm. Free at leisure for the rest of day.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B/L,D)

Drive to Vinh Long, a city famous by the Mekong River and floating market. You’ll cruise to visit Cai Be floating market, fruit orchards, a traditional family-run brick kiln. You'll have a lunch at one of the local family and have a shot show of traditional music in Mekong Delta which is operated by the local people. You'll have time to wonder around the fruit market to buy some kind of famous tropical fruit such as banana, pomelo, dragon fruit, and mangos tin and so on. You’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B,)

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight.

Please contact us at info@hanoitravel.com.vn  for perfect tour arrangement and best price

Tour cost includes: Accommodation, Private pick up and transfer, English/French speaking tour guide, Meals specified in tour program, Return Train Tickets to Sapa, All Internal/domestic air tickets per program, Boat trips specified the tour program, All entrance, permission and visiting fees

Tour cost excludes: Visa to Vietnam, Departure airport tax, Meals which are not included in the program,Personal travel & medical,Insurance, International flights to and from Vietnam, All personal & daily expenses, All gratuities and tips to drivers and guides