Day 1: Arrival – Hanoi
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Lao Cai ( B )
After breakfast, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this site is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origin dates back to the foundation of Hanoi. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university.
In the afternoon, we will explore the Ethnology museum for general information about hill tribe groups in Vietnam then continue to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and the bustling Old Quarter, a maze of shopping streets and restaurants with a hotchpotch of architecture - traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans’ workshops and cottages, colonial houses and modern concrete edifices.
Transfer to Hanoi Railways Station for a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train
Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat – Lao Chai – Tavan ( B, L, D)
* Breakfast at local restaurant by the train station.
The train arrives in Lao Cai at early morning, have breakfast at Lao Cai station before driving up to Sapa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa was once a hill resort of French administrators when the summer heat became unbearable. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of ethnic minority people are a highlight of Sa Pa although conditions are basic.
After a short rest we visit we enjoy a short trekking up to visit the Cat Cat village. We stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before trekking on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. We also enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river, arriving in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where we can take a rest while lunch is served nearby the river.
After lunch, we head to Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route.
We will spend the night in local house of Giay minority.
Day 4: Tavan – Giang Ta Chai – Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi ( B, L)
Once we get energy for another full day trek by having a delicious breakfast, we leave for Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dao minority. We trek through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park, passing by a waterfall where we have time to take a rest and enjoy the surroundings. We will also find a nice place to enjoy lunch.
After lunch, we continue toward Su Pan, a small village located by the road. Here we continue our journey to Lao Cai for overnight train back to Hanoi.
Overnight on train
Day 5: Hanoi – Danang - Hoian ( B )
* Breakfast at local restaurant in Hanoi
Arriving at Hanoi station early this morning, we are met and start our trip to explore Hanoi morning life with Tai Chi practice, flower market, before driving to the airport for our flight to Danang. Upon arrival, we are met and transfer to visit the Cham Museum in Danang City, the Non Nuoc Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Then we drive south to Hoian, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. Overnight in Thanh Nam village.
Day 6: Hoian ( B)
The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, Pottery Museum, 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and a vibrant market. Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. Overnight in Thanh Nam village.
Day 7: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh ( B )
An early morning transfer to Danang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals. Ho Chi Minh city, contrary to its northern counterpart which is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, is exciting with numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be ( B, L, D)
After Breakfast, departing for Caibe - 2 and a half hour: can stop at Trung Luong for some cups of tea/coffee and toilet.
Cruise to see a bit of the wholesale floating market, and catch some pictures of fishing activities (cameras should be ready on your hands most of the times). A visit stop on a nearby island to see local businesses e.g. pop rice made, coconut candy made, rice wine made, rice paper made... a lunch stop at a local family on another island with Mekong specialties such as elephant ear fish, fresh water prawns... keep going to cruise to another island to see more other local businesses, for instance brick/tile factory, knife made,
Homestay in Long Ho island, a dinner will be included with more local cuisines such as rice soup with chicken, steamed elephant ear fish with rice paper (make your own rolls)...and some cups of rice wine will make your meal more tasty and lively... an optional folksong showed if requested.
Overnight on Long Ho island (a folded single bed, a pillow, a blanket and a small towel will provided - hot and cold shower with private toilet well-set up here - so should not worry!)
Day 9: Cai Be – Ho Chi Minh ( B, L)
For whom that can get up early! - 6am - 7.30am: a walk around the island to see a local market and a primary school near-by. Highly recommended!
- 6am - 7.30am: an optional short cycling trip around the island (bike can be rented easily at the home stay).
For everyone!
- 7.30am - 8am: breakfast
- 8am: cruise to see more the floating market
- On the way back, stop at Dong Tam snake farm, the biggest farm in the country.
- Lunch at Trung Luong
- Keep going to head back to the bustling and hustling Saigon.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Departure ( B)
After breakfast this morning we return to Ho Chi Minh and transfer to airport for your departure flight. Trip ends when group arrive at Tan San Nhat airport.