Vietnam Mixture
Length: 20 days / 19 nights - Coach, Train, Airplane, Boat
Package price based on twin share US$ for year 2008 from US$
.jpg) DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL
You are met on arrival at Saigon Airport and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to explore this exciting city.
(With a population of approximately 6 million, Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. The huge number of people rushing about their daily business creates a vital and dynamic atmosphere. Saigon is characterised by a vast variety of sights and sounds, from ancient pagodas, mosques and cathedrals to the former Presidential Palace and the War Museum, from historic Dong Khoi Street (the Rue Catinat from Graham Greene's novel The Quiet American) to the bustling markets of Ben Thanh and Cholon (Chinatown). Much of the city life takes place on the streets which are lined with stores, shops, stalls, and vendors with their wares spread out on the footpath selling everything from soup to sophisticated electronics. The French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes and coffee!)
DAY 2: HO CHI MINH - CU CHI Tunnels (Breakfast/Lunch)
Visit the Cu Chi tunnels a place famous for its tunnels with 200km long. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the American war, allowing the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon. The network, parts of which were several storeys deep, included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. Cu Chi is also known to many people as a "special school" of Vietnam, from daily life to important meeting was held underground. Children were born and brought up underground, under bombs. Cu Chi is not thought as tunnel only but most importantly the symbol of will of people.
We return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. In the afternoon we take a cyclo tour including the War Remnants museum.
DAY 3: HOI AN (Breakfast/Lunch)
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City, we fly to Danang (about 1 hour) before continuing our journey to Hoi An by bus (about 40 minutes). On arrival we take an orientation tour of the ancient town. Once a thriving river port, the town's architecture has been preserved and restored.
DAY 4: HOI AN - Whole day free
Today is at leisure for further independent exploration of this charming town - bicycle is a great way to get around: Working as farmer at Tra Que vegetable village or learning to make lantern (contact us for more). You can head out to Cua Dai beach, a 4km. easy ride from the town centre, take a day trip to My Son relics or just enjoy shopping.
DAY 5: HOI AN - HUE (Breakfast/Lunch)
Returning to the road, a bus trip continues our journey north. We ascend the dramatic Hai Van Pass, continuing through rural countryside and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, we have this afternoon and almost the whole day to enjoy the the many sights and slower pace of this tranquil city. We have the opportunity to visit the Imperial Citadel. The rest of time is free to explore Hue, enjoy Court music on a dragonboat cruise on the Perfume River.
DAY 6: HUE - HANOI (Breakfast/Lunch)
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Hue with ancient monuments and romantic scenery of the Perfume River. First, visit the tombs of King Khai Dinh (ruled 1916 – 1925) and King Minh Mang (ruled 1820 –1840) which show the contrast between Oriental and Occidental architectures. Then, take a boat ride on the Perfume River to Hon Chen Temple and Thien Mu Pagoda. In the evening we take an overnight train to Hanoi.
.jpg) DAY 7: HANOI (Breakfast/Lunch)
We arrive in the morning to Hanoi. Following breakfast you can take an optional tour of the Ho Chi Minh mauseleum complex, including the one pillar pagoda, stilt house and Ho Chi Minh museum. The rest of the day is free to explore Hanoi by yourself. You can venture into the Old Quarter, stroll the tree-lined boulevards or visit one of the many museums.
DAY 8. HALONG BAY (breakfast/ lunch/ hotel)
Today we will visit Halong bay, two times recorded by UNESCO as World Heritage site. Your driver will stop at various places of interest along the way including the Humanity Centre a program for disabled young people to learn crafts such as silk embroidery. Halong is a popular resort for local people and also the departure point for your boat journey to Halong Bay World Heritage Park. Overnight stay in Halong.
Note: You can also sleep on board, please plus $42/ person (contact us for more).
The itinerary for sleeping on board can be seen at the bottom of this page.
DAY 9. HALONG - HANOI (breakfast/ lunch/ hotel)
This morning a half-day boat trip through this magical land. Halong Bay is one of the most spectacular and romantic of all Vietnam's physical wonders. From the Emerald waters 1,000 islands rise steeply to create a dramatic seascape. Said to be the 'dragon descends into the sea. 'The boat will stop at various points of interest, caves and lagoons. Weather permitting you may swim in one of the lagoons. Lunch is served on board. Return journey to Hanoi.
DAY 10: HANOI FREE DAY (Breakfast)
DAY 11: HANOI - SAPA (Breakfast/Lunch/ Berth)
take a cyclo tour of the city and experience all that it has to offer. The city tour will start with a visit to Ngoc Son temple, an island on Hoan Kien lake with famous The Huc bridge. Our next attraction is Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, a symbol of Vietnamese traditional education. We next visit Museum of ethnology where we can have overview of ethnic minorities of Vietnam, at least from symbols and tools used in their daily life and work as well as festivals. In the evening we take a comfortable sleeper-train to Lao Cai.
DAY 12: SAPA (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
We arrive in the early morning at Lao Cai situated near the Vietnamese/Chinese border before transferring by bus to Sapa. We spend the morning exploring this former hill station before putting on our hiking boots and beginning our trek to a traditional H'mong village where we experience village life, traditional customs and time-honoured recipes first hand.
Note: Homestay at local people house.
DAY 13: SAPA (Breakfast/Lunch)
On day 13 we awake to the sounds of traditional village life before trekking back to our base in Sapa in time for lunch. This afternoon affords ample time to further explore the town, marvelling at the French architecture, shopping at the local market, or simply unwinding with a massage?
DAY 14: LAI CHAU (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
This morning we travel by bus along the highest road in South East Asia. Located at 2000 metres in altitude, we traverse Vietnam's northern provinces passing tea plantations, rice paddies and the colours and diversity of numerous minority tribes enroute to Lai Chau. We stop on the Nam Na river for a picnic bought from the Hoa Sua training centre for hospitality in SAPA Chocolate and Baguettes.
This tiny village located in Vietnam's far north-west is a melting pot of hill tribe cultures as is seen daily as they converge on the markets to buy and sell all manner of produce. Tonight we enjoy a local meal of northen specialties.
Note: Lai Chau offer 2 star hotel only
 DAY 15: LAI CHAU FREE DAY (Breakfast)
Day 15 is free to explore Lai Chau and the surrounding area. Why not take a journey in a Russian jeep to Muong Te near the Chinese border, stopping at Le Loi's famous stone inscription, or perhaps take a cruise on the Da river. Of course you can choose to simply relax soak up this spectacular mountain scenery.
Day 16: DIEN BIEN PHU (Breakfast/Lunch)
We depart the Lai Chau valley this morning and make our way towards the historic township of Dien Bien Phu. A small market town on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and known locally as the 'arena of the Gods', this town was the beginning of the end of French colonial rule. After lunch we visit the War Museum which has been recently restored. You can also visit the war cemetery or maybe meander up Hill A1 which still bears the scars of war but also offers breathtaking views of the town, valleys and hills.
Note: Dien Bien Phu offer 2 star hotel only.
DAY 17: DIEN BIEN PHU - HANOI (Breakfast/Lunch)
We take a short 50 minute flight back to Hanoi with plenty of time available to visit the historic sights or do some last minute shopping before meeting for our final night dinner and reminisce over our past three week's adventure.
DAY 18: HANOI DEPARTURE (Breakfast)
You are free to depart at any time on day 18.
Note: Itinerary for sleeping on board in Halong as followings:
DAY 19: HANOI - HALONG BAY (Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner)
After breakfast, transfer to Halong, short stop en route at the Humanity Centre a program for disabled young people to learn crafts such as silk embroidery. Upon arrival at Halong Bay, transfer to our junk. After lunch on board the captain will find a secluded spot and now the choice is yours - you can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the upper deck or try your hand at some kayaking. In the evening the cook prepares a delicious meal as you weigh anchor in the heart of the bay. For those who are interested, there is the opportunity to do a spot of night fishing.
Note: Overnight: On board the junk (Twin bed cabin on sailing junk with air-conditioning and private facilities).
DAY 20: HALONG BAY - HANOI (Breakfast/Lunch)
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Your cruise continues as you move around the bay finding more secluded lagoons for swimming or kayaking. In the afternoon you head back Hanoi.
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The Trip includes
- Hotels (15 nights); 1 night on train and 1 night homestay (Note: Stay at 2 star hotel in Lai Chau and Dien Bien Phu); Meals: All breakfast, 13 lunch and 2 dinner; Train: Hanoi - Hue/ Hanoi - Lao Cai; Domestic flight: Ho Chi Minh - Da Nang/ Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi; English speaking guide; Air conditioning coach; Boats: Halong bay and Hue; All Entrance free; Puppet show; 01 bottle of water/ day
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