Tour summary: HCMC – CU CHI – CAI BE – CAN THO – CHAU DOC – DA LAT – BUON ME THUOT – JUN VILLAGE – HOI AN – HUE – HANOI – HA LONG – SAPA

Highlights:
Hanoi: Officially established in 1010, the capital city of Hanoi is a great mix of Vietnamese – Chinese – French cultures, of ancient – modern things, of natural – cultural highlights. Being in Hanoi, you will be amazed by its hustle and bustle, its charms and colours. Sightseeing with a local guide; enjoy the unique water puppet performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum; take a “cyclo” ride through the Old Quarter etc.; all is nice to do
Ha Long Bay is located in the northeast corner of Viet Nam, 165 km from Ha Noi. Ha Long Bay was recognized as a world heritage site twice by UNESCO, the first time in 1994 for the exceptional and universal value of the landscape and the second time in 2000 for the special value of geology and geomorphology. Being in Halong Bay, you will be overwhelmed by its unique geomorphology of thousands of rock islands of various shapes and sizes and by its irresistible relaxation. You will surely enjoy a pleasant cruise day and night through these rock islands, explore beautiful caves and grottos, savor delicious fresh seafood, relax on the sun deck or refresh in the sea water by swimming or kayaking.
Sapa: located at the altitude of 1,600m above the sea level and inhabited by many hill tribes, Sapa enjoys lovely temperature, gorgeous landscapes especially mountainous rice terraces, and colourful tribal cultures. There are various trekking routes around to enjoy those pleasant things. The most popular trek is to Muong Hoa valley, among Y Lin Ho villages of the Black H’mong, the Ta Van village of the Zday people. You can stay overnight at a home stay in Ta Van and continue the trek to Gian Ta Chai village of the Red Dao and Ban Ho village of the Tay group. Another “must see” thing is one of the colorful and interesting markets around Lao Cai which are gathered on certain days by many tribes, including Coc Ly market on Tuesday, Cao Son market on Wednesday, Can Cau and Muong Hum markets on Saturday, Muong Khuong and Bac Ha markets on Sunday
Hoi An is a destination with two faces – the charming, old–world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and long stretch of clean white sand
Hue is the capital city of Thua Thien - Hue province, Vietnam. Between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. As such, it is well known for its monuments and architecture. Hue originally rose to prominence as the capital of the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which dominated much of southern Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th century
Ho Chi Minh City is the heart and soul of Vietnam. It’s a bustling, dynamic and industrious centre, the largest city in the country, the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter
Cu Chi tunnels which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War.
Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border, is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name a few. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity.
Mekong delta is about 40.000 square kilometers (km2) in area. And it is known as one of the widest and richest delta in ASEAN, in Vietnam it is considered as the biggest granary of Vietnam (the second one is Red River delta in the North of Vietnam), it provides 60% of nation’s rice. Besides that, Mekong delta is the place of different tropical fruits such as durian, coconut, banana, pineapple, dragon fruit… and when people come here they can enjoy the seasonal fruits all round year.
Chau Doc is a district and town in An Giang Province, bordering Cambodia, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The district covers an area of 100 km². The town is located by the Hâu River (a branch of the Mekong River flowing through Vietnamese territory) and Vinh Te canal. Chau Doc is situated 250 km west
Tour details:
Day 1: HOME – HCMC
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, warmest reception by our guide and driver then transfer to check-in the hotel  
Free and easy on your own
Overnight in HCMC
Day 2: HCMC – CU CHI – CITY TOUR (B)
After breakfast, we will depart to Cu Chi Tunnel, an incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometers contracted by Vietnamese fighters during the struggle for independence.
Transfer back to Hochiminh city, enjoy city tour with visits to Independent Palace built in 1869, former palace for the French governor of Indochina; War Museum which exhibits photographs and weapons of Vietnam wars and Notre Dame Cathedral built by the French in 1883 and totally untouched by war. Shopping fun at the Ben Thanh market and a lacquer ware production center
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: HCMC – CAI BE – COOKING CLASS – HOME STAY (B-D)
Morning check out the hotel, transfer to Cai Be town located on the Mekong River. On the way, stop to visit China town, Thien Hau temple, Binh Tay market.
Arrival in Cai be, enjoy a boat trip on the Mighty River, visit Cai Be floating market, many work shops of making net rice paper cake, salt, fish sauce, coconut candies, etc. Enjoy a rowing boat ride through small canal, visiting fruit orchard and bonsai garden.
Check in home stay. Enjoy a dinner cooking class and the food you have cooked
Overnight at the home stay
Day 4: CAI BE HOME STAY– CAN THO (B)
After breakfast, take a bike ride in the countryside and see how Vietnamese farmers live
Then transfer by boat from the home stay back to the car. Visit more work shops of local people along the Mekong River. Then transfer to Can Tho, the capital of the Mekong delta.
Check in the hotel
Overnight in Can Tho
Day 5: CAN THO (B)
Morning take a terrific boat trip to the Cai Rang floating market and through many small canals, experiencing daily activities of the locals, visiting a factory of making noodle. Transfer to local markets on land or to the city of Can Tho to explore this capital city of the Mekong Delta by car.
Afternoon free time for relaxation at My Khanh country hotel – Option: enjoy fishing with a hook or catching fish from a pond. This is great fun but you will get wet and muddy
Overnight in Can Tho  
Day 6:  CAN THO – CHAU DOC (B)
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Chau Doc by road, via Long Xuyen.
In the afternoon, arrival in Chau Doc, check in the hotel. Then enjoy another boat trip to visit the Cham village, floating fish farms, Vinh Te canal. Then drive to visit the Sam Mountain and temples around the mountain.
Overnight in Chau Doc
Day 7: CHAU DOC – HCMC (B)
After breakfast, check out the hotel and transfer back to HCMC.
Stop at Xeo Quyt former base built under the water by the Vietnamese communist officers in 1960s. Enjoy boating around the beautiful eucalyptus forests.
Arrival in HCMC
Check in the hotel
Enjoy the unique water puppet show
Overnight in HCMC
Day 8: HCMC – DALAT (B)
After breakfast in the hotel, check out and transfer to Dalat, the city of honeymoons. Enjoy the beautiful views of La Nga floating village, tea and coffee plantations. Stop for a cup of coffee and tea in Bao Loc (free of charge). Upon arrival in Dalat, check in the hotel.
Overnight in Dalat
Day 9: DALAT (B)
Full day city tour, visit the Liang Biang mountain, go by jeep to the summit, visit the Love Valley, ride on the Cable car to Truc Lam Meditation Institute, Datanla Waterfall, Crazy House, convent of Domaine de Marie Cathedral, Bao Dai palace, XQ embroidery work shop, and the Central Market.
Overnight in Dalat
Day 10: DALAT – BAN ME THUOC – JUN VILLAGE (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Ban Me Thuot.  Arrival at Jun Village by the Lak lake of M’nong people. Check in the hotel.  Afternoon enjoy elephant ride for about 2 hours (included)
Evening enjoy the folk music of the tribe people on gongs (included)
Overnight at the Lak resort 
Day 11: JUN VILLAGE – TREKKING IN THE PARK – FLIGHT TO DANANG (B)
After breakfast, get on the dug-outs to cruise on the Lak lake, then start a nice trekking through the national park, rice fields, M’lieng village, etc. Back to the resort and free time till check out and transfer to the airport to flight to Da Nang.
Arrival in Danang, meet our guide for pick up and transfer to Hoi An, check in the hotel
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 12: HOI AN (B)
Morning enjoy a relaxing city walk to more than 200 years-old temples and houses: Hoian History Museum, Fujien temple, Japanese Pagoda bridge, Phung Hung Ancient house
Afternoon free time for shopping
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 13: HOI AN – MY SON (B)
Morning excursion to My Son, the former Religious capital of the Cham people, a world cultural heritage site. Enjoy the scenic landscapes and mysterious Cham arts and architecture
Afternoon take a fantastic bicycle ride to explore interesting villages and the beautiful countryside, or free time for shopping or swimming in the South China Sea.
Overnight at Hoian
Day 14: HOI AN COOKING CLASS (B-L)
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Hai Scout Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoian),  enjoi the Red Bridge Cooking tour (8.15am / 1.30pm) 
Visit Hoi An’s colourful market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Then board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life. On arrival, explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before preparing the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration).
After the lesson, enjoy exactly what you have cooked.
Afternoon back to Hoian
Free and easy for shopping and relaxation.
Overnight in Hoian
Day 15:  HOI AN – DA NANG – HUE  (B)
Morning check out the hotel and drive to Hue via Danang, stop at the Fine Arts Cham museum and Marble Mountains continue to Hue via Cloudy Pass, Lang Co Beach.
Arrival in Hue in the afternoon, check in the hotel
Overnight in Hue
Day 16: HUE (B)
In the morning enjoy a lovely boat trip on the Perfume River to the beautiful Thien Mu pagoda, King Tu Duc’s tomb, King Khai Dinh’s tomb
Afternoon enjoy excellent motorbike trip with drivers to interesting traditional villages and beautiful sceneries around Hue.
Overnight in Hue
Day 17: HUE – LIVITRAN TRAIN – HANOI (B)
Morning visit the Royal Citadel of Hue, enjoy a pleasant walk in this interesting area, and visit the amazingly full Dong Ba market. Check out the hotel, transfer to the train station, to take the night train.
Overnight on Livitrans Train – Tourist Class, 4 soft berths in an air-conditioning compartment
Note: In case of small parties from 2 pax to 6 pax, we will not send a guide to go on the train with the groups. For any parties from 7 pax up, we will arrange a guide to go on the train with the groups. More options can be discussed case by case.
Day 18: HANOI CITY TOUR (B)
4:30 Early arrival in Hanoi, meet our guide and transfer to hotel to have breakfast, Check in if the hotel rooms are available.
Full day for exploring the fascinating city of Hanoi where old and new things blend together, Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures mix together.
Activities: a pleasant walk around the peaceful Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, former Presidential Palace, HCM garden, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ethnic Museum. Take another pleasant walk at the beautiful Temple of Literature built in 1070 as the first university of Vietnam, enjoy a fantastic trishaw ride through the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and walk and shop along busy streets in the Old Quarter.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 19: HANOI – HALONG (B-L-D)
Transfer to Halong Bay, a World Natural Heritage site. Check in aboard a deluxe junk and start cruising. Enjoy fabulous seafood, stunning sceneries, and water activities: swimming, kayaking (excluded), and fishing.
Overnight on aboard
Note: In case of small parties from 2 pax to 6 pax, we will share a junk with other guests. For any parties from 7 pax up, we will charter a junk. More options can be discussed case by case.
Day 20: HALONG BAY (B-L-D)
Morning continue the cruise along simply gorgeous sceneries including a very delicious lunch and dinner on board.
Free time for swimming and relaxation
Overnight on aboard 
Day 21: HALONG – HANOI – LAO CAI BY NIGHT TRAIN (B-L)
Morning continue the cruise along simply gorgeous sceneries including a very delicious lunch on board.
Afternoon: drive back to Hanoi, boarding on the Livitrans or Fanxipan night train.
Overnight on the train - 4 pax share a business air-conditioning cabin.
Note: In case of small parties from 2 pax to 6 pax, we will not send a guide to go on the train with the groups. For any parties from 7 pax up, we will arrange a guide to go on the train with the groups. More options can be discussed case by case.
Day 22: LAO CAI –  SAPA (B)
5:00 Morning: early arrival at Lao Cai railway station, meet our guide and driver transfer to Sapa, have breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 Morning enjoy a light trekking to villages: walk to Lao Chai village of the Black H’mong, the Ta Van village of Giay people, then transfer back to Sapa by car. Today is a fantastic day for photo taking.
Afternoon free time for shopping and relaxation
Overnight in Sapa
Day 23: SAPA (B)
Morning visit  Ta Phin village of the Red Dao people. Transfer back to the hotel by car.
Afternoon walk to Cat Cat village and waterfall.
Free time for relaxing at the hotel
Overnight in Sapa   
Day 24:  SAPA – NIGHT TRAIN BACK TO HANOI (B)
After breakfast then take a scenic drive up the mountains to visit the colorful colourful mountainous market of hill tribes in Muong Khuong (Sunday) / Cao Son (Wednesday) / Coc Ly (Tuesday) / Bac Ha (Sunday) / Can Cau (Saturday) etc. (depending on which date). Enjoy taking many interesting pictures at the market.
After transfer to Lao Cai. Free time till check in a Livitrans or Fanxipan night train back to Hanoi in a soft 4-berth compartment
Overnight on the train - (4 soft berth with air-conditioning cabin)
Day 25: HANOI (B)
Early arrival in Hanoi, meet driver and transfer to observe the local people doing exercises around Hoan Kiem lake, then transfer to hotel, have breakfast, then early check in (if rooms available) and free and easy for the rest of the day
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 26: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)
Free time till transfer to the airport for flight back home
End of tour.
Children policies: applied for children from 5 to 10 yrs old
- Sharing bed with adult: 50% of tour cost
- Extra bed: 75% of tour cost
- Twin sharing: 100% of tour cost
Exchange Rate: 21000 VND/USD
Group price policies:
- 5% discount for any groups from 6 to 10 people
- 10% discount for any groups from 11 people or more
- Special promotion: 5% discount for all groups booking from 1 May to 30 September
All the prices are valid in 2011, subject to change without prior notices
(Except for Christmas from  24 to 26 Dec  2011 and New Year from 31 Dec  to 5 Jan 2012)
   
Hotel selection:

Or similar hotels
Tour inclusions:
- Hotel accommodation with breakfast (based on twin sharing, ROH), service charge and taxes
- Lunches and dinners in Mekong Delta, Hoi An, on boat in Halong as indicated in the program (B-L-D)
- All ground transport on tour with A/C vehicles, trains, bicycle, trishaw, motorbike, elephant ride for 2 hours, boats in Mekong Delta, Lak Lake, Hue, and Halong, Ethnic Gong show, water puppet show etc., 1 domestic flights in Vietnam with Vietnam airlines – BMV-DAD
- Visa application fees for Vietnam
- All entrance fees for sightseeing
- Local English, French, Chinese speaking guides (other languages upon request)
- Daily cold bottles of water and towels
- Cooking class in Hoi An and Cai Be
Tour exclusions:
- International flight tickets to and from Vietnam
- Visa fee on arrival in Vietnam:  525,000 vnd
- Tips for driver and guide
- Personal Insurance
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips, laundry, etc…
- All other accounts not mentioned in the above inclusions.