Vietnam in Closed up Tour -21 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Up on your arrival, you will be greeted by our tour guide and transferred to the hotel. We are free and relax till the time of the welcome dinner at a restaurant serving fine Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Restaurants in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi – City tour (B, L)
Sites visited: Ho Chi Minh complex, Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, West Lake area, Hoan Kiem Lake, Water Puppet show
We will visit Ho Chi Minh complex and the Temple of Literature then we stop for our lunch at a local fine restaurant.

This afternoon, we visit the Ethnology Museum, West Lake area (Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda), Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. We have one hour to tale cyclo to travel around the Ancient city to see the daily Life of Hanoian and one more hour to watch The Water Puppet show in the Theater on the bank of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 3: Hanoi – Free day – Night train to Sapa (B)
Today we have a wonderful day to relax and go shopping at the Old Quarter. Our trip will be started at around 21:00. We will meet our guide and we will transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to take the night train to Sapa. Overnight on the 4 soft sleeper berth cabins.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Day 4: Sapa (B)
Sites visited: Cat Cat village, Ta Phin village
Upon arrival at Lao Cai we transfer the 35km to the former hill station of Sapa. In the afternoon we embark on a walk into the nearby Cat Cat valley, passing through some H’mong villages along the route. Later we drive the short distance to the Red Dao village of Ta Phin nestled in a picturesque valley. We spend tonight in Sapatown.

Ta Phin Village – Red Dao ethnic people

Day 5: Sapa – Home stay (For 3 star hotel categories only) (B, L, D)
Site visited: Lao Chai & Ta Van villages
Today we descend in to one of the most picturesque valleys in the region. We arrive at the small village of Ta Van inhabited by the Tay minority. Here we will be their guests in a traditional home stay. (Program for 3 star categories)

Lao Chai Village – Sapa

Day 6: Sapa – Night train to Hanoi (B)
Sites visited: Ethnic villages
We continue our trek through some stunning scenery passing through several ethnic villages along the way. Going back to Sapa we have a day room for shower and then in the afternoon we take a van to Lao Cai to catch an overnight soft sleeper train to Hanoi

Homestay in Sapa

Day 7: Hanoi – Free day (B)
Up on arrival in Hanoi very early in the morning we transfer to a local restaurant for our breakfast and relax before transfer to our hotel. Relax today in Hanoi.

Cyclo in the Old Quarter of Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay (overnight on deluxe junk) (B, L, D)
Sites visited: Halong Bay, fishing village, caves
We depart from the capital for Ha Long Bay approximately three hours away. En route we have a short stop at the Sao Do centre run for and by handicapped children. Upon arrival at Halong Bay (approx. midday) we will be transferred to our luxury junk.
Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around majestic Halong Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch. After lunch we have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay.
Then our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim in the clear water of the bay or try our hand at some kayaking. After we have finished exploring for the day we retire to the junk.
In the evening our cook will prepare a splendid meal comprised of fresh seafood dishes as well as traditional Vietnamese fare as we weigh anchor in the heart of the bay.

Fishing Village Halong Bay

Day 9: Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Site visited: Halong bay plus kayaking option
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. For those that wish to do some more kayaking you have the option of spending most of the morning with your kayaks and rendezvous with the junk for lunch.
The kayaks are lightweight and easy to use and in keeping with our safety policies all participants will be issued with water buoyancy vests. In the afternoon we view some more caves. As the sun begins to set why not relax in the junk with a refreshing drink and gaze upon the natural splendor of the day. This evening, another tasty meal will be served on board

Kayak in Halong Bay

Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi over night train to Hue (B, L)
This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak in. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. Tonight we will take the overnight train to Hue – soft sleeper 4 berth cabin with air-condition

Halong Bay from Titop Island

Day 11: Hanoi – Fly to Hue (morning flight) (B, D)
Sites visited: Citadel, Forbidden Purple City, Dong Ba market
Up on arrival in Hue, we will be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel. After having breakfast at hotel, we will visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City; and Dong Ba market. The res of the day at our leisure. Overnight in Hue.

Imperial Citadel – Hue

Day 12: Hue – sightseeing in Hue (B)
Sites visited: Perfume river, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc tomb
Our tour starts at 08:00 in the morning at the lobby of the hotel. We will be met and transferred to the Wharf where we will cruise along the Perfume River to Visit Thien Mu Pagoda from here we will have a good view of Perfume River and surroundings. In the evening, we go to the local restaurant for our delicious dinner in the Royal city. Overnight in Hue.

Thien Mu Pagoda from Perfume River

Day 13: Hue – Hoi An (B)
Sites visited: Cham Museum, China Beach, Marble Mountain
After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. Along the way we will stop to contemplate the stunning views north, to Lang Co Beach and South to Danang city.
Danang city with Cham Museum, China Beach – where the American named and used to have their Rest and Relaxation; and the Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, water, fire and earth). We will arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon, relax and take our walking tour before our Dinner. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Marble Mountain – Danang City

Day 14: Hoi An – Cooking class 2 (B, L)
Site visited: Cooking calss, Hoi An market
Our tour can be started at 08:15 AM at the meeting point
We will have meeting point at the restaurant.
After taking the welcome drink, we visit Hoi An’s colorful market and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have our opportunity to interact with local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the coming cooking lesson. After that we board the boat for a leisurely cruise about 25 minutes along Thu Bon River to Cooking School.
This is a chance to view local river life and make sure your camera is in your hand. Up on arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden before learning about some Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours, each dish is first demonstrated by the restaurant’s Chief before we prepare the same dish ourselves.
Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson we enjoy our products then. A vegetarian lunch can be provided on request.
Our class finishes at approximately 1pm. We transfer back to central Hoi An.

Red Bridge Cooking School

Day 15: Hoi An – Free day (B)
Today we relax at the beach or shopping in the down town.

Walking around in Hoi An

Day 16: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh city (B, D)
Transfer via: Vietnam Airline Economy Class
Today we take a short fly to Ho Chi Minh city. Up on arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, we transfer to the hotel. Free at our leisure today. In the evening, we will enjoy our dinner at the first night in Ho Chi Minh city.

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 17: Saigon – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh (B, L)
Site visited: Cu Chi Tunnel, Cao Dai temple
In the morning, we will leave Saigon for the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the “Iron Triangle” or “Iron Land”.
On our way there we will drive through pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies. We will have an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers.
Next we drive to Tay Ninh near the Cambodian border. This is home to the unique Cao Dai sect. to join Cao Dai worshippers for their daily noontide ceremony. Lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Cao Dai Temple

Day 18: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B, L)
Site visited: Cai Be floating market, An Binh island, cottage industries, farmer house
In the morning we depart Ho Chi Minh City for Cai Be town where we will take the boat ride through the natural canal, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river sides.
Before boating to the river island where we will enjoy our delicious lunch in the heart of the orchard we visit the Cai Be wholesale fruit market. After lunch we continue on cruising through the natural canal in island, and under the shadow of the water coconut trees. We also visit the local family where we can experience the agricultural lifestyle.
Walking through the fruit plantation in An Binh Island, we will take the rowing boat ride along the creeks before coming to Vinh Long by motorized boat. Then we transfer to our vehicle to drive to Can Tho city. Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.

An Binh Island

Day 19: Mekong Delta – Saigon (B)
Site visited: Cai Rang floating market, Lower Mekong river
After breakfast this morning, we will take the morning boat trip to visit the Cai Rang floating market with the busy sense right at the time. Then we keep on cruising through the small channels system, visit the rice noodles making village. Let’s try experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Mekong Delta before returning Ho Chi Minh City.

Cai Rang Floating Market

Day 20: Saigon – Free day (B, D)
Today you are at leisure. Tonight we will enjoy our farewell dinner on the cruise in Saigon River.

Dinner on Saigon River Cruise

Day 21: Departure (B)
Transfer via: International Flight on your own arrangement
Today our awaiting vehicle will transfer you to the airport to home. Trip concluded.