This well paced tour encompasses all the must see sights of Vietnam – Historic Hanoi, light adventure to the colorful land of hill tribes - Sapa, a cruise around spectacular Halong Bay, the ancient capital Hue, multicultural Hoi An, the mystical Mekong Delta and the bustling metropolis of Saigon.
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)
Pick up at the airport and transfer to the down town. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem lake. Enjoy buffet lunch with special traditional northern food. Afternoon tour visit Art Museum, cyclo tour visit Old quarter (ancient towns) of traditional guilds.
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong (B)
Wake up to join the Hanoians for the morning exercise. Drive to Halong Bay. Spend the day and night in an ancient style designed sailing boat, amidst the beauty of the thousands of small islands dotting the sea landscape. Swimming and fishing.
Day 3: Halong – Hanoi (B)
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 04:30 pm. After dinner, transfer to the station for night train to Lao Cai.
Day 4: Sapa – Laochai – Tavan villages (B)
Arriving at Lao Cai station early in the morning, pick up at the station and transfer to Sapa. 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 colour. The Zay houses are built of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. You’ll return to Sapa to spend the night. Overnight at Sapa.
Day 5: Lao Cai/Sapa (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be picked up to visit a market frequented by ethnic minority peoples. Although it’s quite a long drive, the landscape is attractive and the ethnic markets are a fascinating experience. Unlike those in the tourist areas, the markets that we choose are for not only buying and selling, but also meeting places for ethnic minority people to meet and exchange news. There will be plenty of colour and authentic costumes, but very little to buy as souvenirs unless you want to barter for a water buffalo or a sack of fertiliser! You’ll then return to Lao Cai station and have dinner by yourselves before taking an overnight sleeper train at 20.00 back to Hanoi. You’ll spend the night on the train. The trips to ethnic minority markets must be on Tuesday (Coc Ly Market), Thursday (Lung Khau Nhin), Saturday (Can Cau) or Sunday (Bac Ha or Muong Hum Markets).
Day 6: Hanoi - Hue (B)
Free at leisure for shopping until departure time to Hue. Check in HTL. Afternoon tour visit Citadel Imperial and Minh Mang visit Dong Ba market (if time permit). Enjoy Royal dinner in the evening, a special dinner with “The King’s menu” served with all the traditional Royal banquest of style, dance and dressed up in Royal costumes. Hue used to be Vietnam’s political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam’s cultural, religious and educational centers. Today, Hue’s main attractions are the splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas and the remains of the Citadel. On December 11th, 1993, Hue was recognized as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Day 7: Hue – Danang - Hoian (B)
Boat trip on Huong river to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Tu Duc Tom, after lunch, excursion 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. Overtnight in Hoian.
Day 8 : Hoian – My Son – Hoian (B)
Visit Hoi An ancient town. Visit Chinese ancient temple, Japanese bridge, Ancient houses, traditional hand-maker show room. Afternoon tour visit My Son. Dinner at local restaurant. Hoi An, 30 km south of Danang, lies next to Thu Bon River. Known as Faifo to the earliest Western traders, it was one of the major trading centers in Southeast Asia between the 16th and 17th centuries. Hoi An was also an important port for Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels from the Far East. On December 1st, 1999, UNESCO recognized Hoi An as the World Cultural Heritage.
Day 9: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
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. Pick up at Tan San Nhat airport and transfer to down town. Sightseeing in the afternoon visit Center Post Office, Notre Dame Catholic, War Museum, China town, Dinner with traditional southern foods.
Day 10: Mytho – Mekong Delta (B)
After breakfast at hotel, our tour guide will take you to the Mekong Delta. visit 4 Islets , enjoy tropical fruit in the orchard. Cruising through the smaller canals on local sampans, try honey in bee keeping house, 5 minute trekking on the village way, you will have the opportunity to watch local villagers producing coconut candy in the workshop, Back to Ho Chi Minh city in the afternoon.
Day 11: Cu Chi - Departure (B)
Morning tour visit Cu Chi tunnel, a famous system tunnel in the war. Free at leisure until departure time.
Price: All rates are in USD per person (Please contact us atinfo@crossindochina.com for perfect tour arrangement and best price)
Inclusive:- Accommodation (twin sharing room, include daily breakfast)- Admission fee (as itinerary)- English speaking guide (as itinerary)- Transfer and boat (as itinerary)
Exclusive:- Personal payment (which not mentioned in Included)- Domestic air ticket:+ Hanoi – Hue : 70 USD+ Da Nang –Saigon: 70 USD- Meals, and beverage + Lunch : 80 USD+ Dinner : 100 USD