Vietnam In Depth 12Days

Historic Hanoi and its Old Quarters, World Heritages listed Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An; Boat cruises on the Perfume Pagoda; plus markets; rice paddies; ethnic minority villages. Saigon and the Mekong Delta. This really is "Classic Vietnam".

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 theEthnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic. Pass byHoan 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.   

In the afternoon, 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 colour. 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. You’ll spend the night on the 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. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise

Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L)