Overview

            Brief itinerary

         Day 01: Arrive in Hanoi

Day 02: Hanoi

Day 03: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Day 04: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Lao Cai

Day 05: Lao Cai – Sapa

Day 06: Sapa  - Lao Cai - Hanoi 

Day 07: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh

Day 8 : Ho Chi Minh - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi

Day 9 : Ho Chi Minh - Vinh Long - Can Tho

Day 10 : Can Tho - Cai Rang - Chau Doc

Day 11 : Chau Doc / Phnom Penh

      Highlight of the trip:
- Enjoy the colonial French architecture of Hanoi

- Cruise along Halong Bay with its other-worldly islands looming out like parts of a dragon from the sea.

- Discover the varied ethnic minorities in the hilly rural North of the country and grab some fantastic photographs as they carry on their daily activities.

- Experience the vitality of Saigon with its unique blend of history, culture and modern conveniences.

- Observe the religious ceremonies of the flamboyant Cao Dai sect in their Great Temple.

- Wander along the Mekong Delta with its floating markets and lush water-side villages.

Full itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport.
You will be met at the airport by your English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in downtown Hanoi.
Overnight in  Hanoi.

Day2 : Hanoi (B)

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a beautiful city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks.  In the morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the historical Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 in honor of Confucius.
In the afternoon we will visit Hoan Kiem Lake (The Restored Sword Lake) and the Ngoc Son Temple, which is on an island in the northern part of the lake,  and then enjoy a Cyclo tour along the narrow streets of the ancient part of Hanoi. We then continue with a walking tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter includes 36 old streets with each name representative of the type of merchandise sold in it.
In the evening we will attend a traditional Water Puppet show. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists – men and women – stand waist deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk, laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. The audience is meant to experience the atmosphere of a village festival.
Overnight in  Hanoi.

Day 03 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L)

After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whoever comes to Vietnam should not miss the chance to visit Halong Bay, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea.
Halong Bay is in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) gulf and stretches over an area of 1,500 km2 with three thousand green islands that look like jewels.
We will take a cruise on the bay (5 hours) on a traditional junk enjoying a seafood lunch on the boat while experiencing the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. The junk is a wooden sailboat designed in a traditional Vietnamese style while offering a full range of modern amenities. Visit the fascinating Dau Go Cave called “The Cave of Marvels” and Thien Cung Cave, the “Cave of Cauliflower” surrounded by spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. In late afternoon, return to the pier & disembark.
Free time to relax at hotel and explore the area. Overnight in  Halong  City.

Day 4 : Halong Bay – Hanoi – Lao Cai (B)

After breakfast, take a short ferry ride across the bay from Bai Chay to a typical seafood market on Hon Gai Island where most local people purchase their fish. The best time to visit is between sunrise and 10:00 a.m when fishermen sell their catch after a hard working night.

Return by ferry to Bai Chay then directly to Hanoi (3 hours). Dinner in the local restaurant (on your own) in Hanoi before taking the night train. Transfer to the Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
Overnight on the train (each compartment contains 4 beds).
Day 5 :  Lao Cai – Sapa (B)

Early morning arrival at Lao Cai Railway Station. Private transfer from Lao Cai to Sapa (45 minutes). Enjoy a buffet Breakfast at Sapa hotel followed by free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.
In the afternoon, our guide will take you to discover Sapa Town with its lovely small church and colorful market. Then, continue to Ham Rong Mountain, located 1,5 km from Sapa, at 1750 meters high. From here, you can see the whole panorama of Sapa Town. Ideal for walking and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Discover the artificial orchid garden and enjoy the art of the ethnic minority groups in Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 6 : Sapa  - Lao Cai - Hanoi  (B)

Morning sightseeing to Binh Lu Market (on Thursday), located 50 km from Sapa. This is a very pleasant trip that takes you past impressive landscapes including terraced rice paddies. Visit the ethnic minorities such as the Nung, H’Mong, and Dao, and enjoy their market wares. You will have the chance to see a remote cave with remarkable stalactites and stalagmites.

Return to Sapa for time to explore the town and purchase souvenirs. Sapa is noted for its hand made items from the ethnic minorities.
Transfer from Sapa to Lao Cai Railway Station in time to enjoy dinner (on your own) before taking the train back to Hanoi.
Overnight in the train (each compartment contains 4 beds).

Day 7 : Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh (B)

Early morning arrival in Hanoi.
After breakfast transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai - Domestic airport.
Flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (2 hours).
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be welcomed to Saigon by
 your local guide and transferred from the airport to your hotel for check-in.
We then enjoy a city tour to see Reunification Palace and Ben Thanh Market. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral (1877-1883) right on the square and the beautiful French-style Post Office (1886-1891), with its glass canopy and iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel. Then, visit the famous War Remnant Museum, with armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons displayed both outside and inside. Then, continue to Cholon, the Chinese quarter, and see Binh Tay Market with its big clock tower in the centre.  Discover the Thien Hau Pagoda, build by the Cantonese congregation in the 19th century.  Free time to explore on your own, or for shopping. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 8 : Ho Chi Minh - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi (B)

Enjoy a morning drive through typical Southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh, a small town located 96km West of Saigon. Tay Ninh is the headquarters of one of Vietnam’s most interesting indigenous religions, Caodaism, 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. The Cao Dai Great Temple at the sect’s Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of Asia. Built between 1933 and 1955, the temple is a rococo extravaganza combining the perhaps conflicting architectures of a French church, a Chinese pagoda, Hong Kong’s Tiger Balm Gardens and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Prayers are conducted four times daily in the Great Temple. Attend the noon ceremony in the Cao Dai Great Temple.
Enjoy a typical lunch at a Tay Ninh restaurant (paid by yourself)

After lunch continue to the small town of Cu Chi, located 35 km from Saigon (1h30). Visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnel Network which became legendary during the 1960s for its role in facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from the South Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border; in the district of Cu Chi alone, there were over 250 km of tunnels. The network, parts of which were several stories deep, included innumerable trapdoors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapon’s factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. The tunnels of Cu Chi were built over a period of 25 years beginning in the late 1940s.
In the afternoon, return to Saigon.
Overnight in Saigon.

Day 9 : Ho Chi Minh - Vinh Long - Can Tho  (B)

After breakfast depart by road to the Mekong Delta and  Vinh Long, located 130 km South of Saigon (3 hours).  At Cai Be Harbor we transfer to a small long boat that is similar to a canoe with a roof to visit a fish harbor and a workshop producing sweets, popcorn, and pottery. We continue along the Tien Giang River, a branch of the Mekong River, to the next village where we visit an ancient house and see the different ways of rural life.

Lunch (paid by yourself) is in the lovely orchid garden of Mr. Sau Giao (Vietnamese set menu), a typical restaurant of the Mekong Delta. Then, continue by boat to Vinh Long City where your vehicle will await you there.

Depart by road from Vinh Long to Can Tho (34 km / 30 minutes).  On the way, you can stop at Sadec, a city made famous by the French writer Marguerite Duras, author of the novel “The Lover”.
Overnight in  Can Tho

Day 10 : Can Tho - Cai Rang - Chau Doc  (B)

Early wake-up for a Sunrise Cruise on the Mekong River on board the Lady Hau boat to visit the floating market of Cai Rang (45 minute cruise). While you enjoy a special breakfast served on board, discover the Delta and its enchanting setting from the upper deck.

Discover the fascinating market of Cai Rang. Continue by boat into the narrow channels where you will see the amazing atmosphere of the Mekong Delta and the busy life of the local people.

Return to Can Tho. On the way, visit the K’Me Pagoda.
If time permits, you may take an optional cyclo-ride to Binh Thuy to visit a 19th century house used as a set for the movie ”The Lover” by Marguerite Duras.
Depart by road from Can Tho to Chau Doc (115 km / 3 hours), located at the border of Vietnam & Cambodia on the banks of the Bassac River.  Arrive at Chau Doc in the afternoon.  Free time to enjoy the cultural diversity of Chau Doc, with its mixture of mosques, temples and churches or relax along the peaceful waterfront.
Overnight in Chau Doc. (B)

Day 11 : Chau Doc / Phnom Penh  (B)

Have a buffet breakfast at the hotel.
07:00 Early departure by speedboat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh.
11:00  Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Tour map

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Tour price

The price includes :

-      Accommodation based on twin sharing

-     Daily Breakfast

-     Other meals as indicated

-     Local English speaking guides (other languages available on request )

-     All entrance fees for the itinerary

-     Transportation within Vietnam

-     Train ticket Hanoi-Laocai-Hanoi

-     Internal flight within Vietnam (HAN/SGN)

-     Domestic airport taxes

-     Service charges, room tax

-     Cruise on (Mekong River, Halong Bay)

The price is not includes :

-     Vietnam Visa (can be arranged)

-     Cambodian Visa

-     International airfare to/from Vietnam

-     Meals not included in itinerary

-     Optional tours

-     Tipping for guides, drivers, porters, maids

-     All personal expenses such as: extra meals and drinks, laundry, excess baggage charges, telephone calls, souvenirs

-     Trip insurance

      -   Departure tax from Saigon