ESSENTIAL VIET NAM TOUR – 14 DAYS - 13NIGHTS

Highlight: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoian, Saigon, Tay Ninh, Mekong River Delta, Can Tho.
 
Itinerary:
 
Day 1: Welcome to Ha Noi – Vietnam’s Capital
 
TOM Travel guide & driver will welcome you at the exit gate of Hanoi airport . Depending on your arrival flight time, then transfer to downtown. Check into hotel. Today, you will set foot on Ha Noi, the centre of Vietnam’s polity and culture. Free to have dinner by your own account. Then you can free to explore Ha Noi by walking around Hoan Kiem Lake, The Old Quarter (another name “The 36 Streets”), night market and lifestyle of Hanoians to get more knowledge of Ha Noi culture, cuisines, etiquettes, tradition.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 2: Ha Noi - Cycle city Tour – Night train to Sa Pa(B/L)

 
Am: Have breakfast at hotel. 7:45 – 8:30 Get picked up by our tour guide and bus then transfer to the center of Hanoi. Start the trip with a first place named Tran Quoc pagoda, Buddhist relics and national heritage which lies on the West Lake.
9:30 Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father; President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house where he lived and worked from 1958 to 1969.
10:30 Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, the one modeled after a lotus flower and it is considered a symbol of Hanoi city. 11:00 Visit Temples of Literature can be found throughout Vietnam, the most prominent and famous is that situated in the city of Hanoi, which also functioned as Vietnam's first university. The temple was first constructed in 1070 under King Lý Nhân Tông and is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. It is a vast structure that has existed to present day.
12:00 Have lunch at a local restaurant.
13:30 Visit the colorful features of the 54 ethnic groups of Viet Nam in the Ethnology museum.
15:00 Drive back to legendary Hoan Kiem lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple which worships Van Xuong saint and Tran Hung Dao former general commander. We also observe the beautiful Vietnamese and French architecture around the lake. Cyclo ride for one hour around the Old Quarter. Then we will bring you back to your hotel.
Check in hotel for relax and shower. You are free to have dinner in the restaurant nearby train station to enjoy special foods made by Ha Noi people. Around 7.15 p.m our guide pick you up at your hotel and take you to Ha Noi train station for getting night train to Lao Cai.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi for shower-/- Overnight on the train – A/C Cabin soft sleeper
 
Day 3: Arrive Lao Cai – Sapa – Sa Pa – Love Waterfall & Muong Hoa valley (B/L):
 
Arrive Lao Cai you will meet your local tour guide with welcome sing “TOM TRAVEL”then drive uphill to Sa Pa. Check in to your hotel and enjoy breakfast at the local restaurant . A 40 minute drive takes you to Tram Ton Pass at the height of 2047 meters above sea level (the highest pass in Vietnam) where great views are offered of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there you will trek 30 minutes through forest. Along the way you have many chances to see wild flowers. Trekking along the stream you will arrive the Love Waterfall . It is the best place for relax in Sa Pa then return Tram Ton and drive back to Sa Pa. In the afternoon you will visit Muong Hoa valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in northwest Viet Nam. Descending into the valley by foot you will see the largest terraced rice paddy in the Sa Pa area (If you visit the valley between May and October, there is a chance to experience and observe how the locals plant and harvest rice). The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black H'mong minority to Ta Van village of the Zay minority, providing the opportunity to see the different traditions and costumes of the two ethnic minority groups. Return to Sa Pa by car.
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
 
Day 4: Sa Pa – Suoi Ho – Ma Tra – Ta Phin ( Redzdao Village) – Lao Cai – Ha Noi (B/L)
 
We leave Sa Pa town, trekking to Suoi Ho village to see tea plantations and cardamom gardens. Follow the buffalo trails to visit the hospitable villages of the Black Hmong minority people in Ma Tra. After passing a school and scenic views enroute, a picnic lunch will be served. After lunch we continue our trek to Ta Phin village to visit Red Dao people and handicraft shops. In the afternoon we will reach the road where your driver is waiting to transport you back to Lao Cai station to catch the night train back to Ha Noi
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch.
Accommodation: Overnight on the train- A/C Cabin soft sleeper

 
Day 5: Arrival Hanoi – Visit Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay - Share Group (B/L/D)
 
Am: At 5.30 am, the train will arrive Ha Noi, you will walk to the mini hotel near train station for short break and breakfast.
7:45: Hotel pick-up in Hanoi Old quarter
12:30: Arrive at Hon Gai Harbour, Ha Long City.
12:45: Enjoy a welcome drink onboard the Tonkin Cruise boat.
13:15: Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay and into Ha Long Bay.
15:40: Visit Vung Ha beach for kayaking, swimming, and relaxing in one of the Bay’s hidden coves.
17:00: Relax back at the boat as we cruise into the secluded Dong Tien Lake where the boat will anchor overnight.
17:30: Sunset party and happy hour on the sundeck.
18:00: Cooking class offering lessons in traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
19:30: Barbeque dinner on the sundeck.
20:45: Relax and enjoy the evening or choose from a variety of activities including board games and squid fishing.
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner.
Accommodation: Freshen Up room in Hanoi - Overnight on Cruise in Ha Long Bay.
 
Day 6: Explore in Dong Tien Lake – Vung Vieng Fishing Village – Ha Noi – Flight to Hue (B/L)
 
6: 30: Rise early for morning tai chi on the sundeck.

7:15: Enjoy a light breakfast while cruising to Vung Vien fishing village.
8:30: Explore Vung Vien village and learn about life in Ha Long Bay communities.
10:00: Return to the boat for check out.
10:30: Enjoy the last of the Ha Long Bay scenery over brunch as the boat cruises back to shore.
12:00 Transfer back to Hanoi. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for your in-country flight to Hue. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
 
Day 7: Hue City Tour (B).
 
Spend an entire day touring the Vietnam’s former ancient capital. Start the day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, home to the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City – once the Emperor's private residence. The Imperial City was created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Imperial Enclosure houses many palaces and temples within its walls. In the afternoon, continue on your tour stopping at the Imperial Museum, Tu Hieu Pagoda and vibrant Dong Ba riverside market. Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.
 
Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B).

 
This morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant before starting on your drive to Hoian. Pass over the 500m-high Hai Van pass and stop en route in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum and handicraft villages at the foot of Marble Mountain. Arrive in the sleepy riverside town, Hoian, in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the rest of the evening free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.
 
Day 9: Hoian – My Son (B)
 
Today you travel 40km outside of Hoian to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: My Son. Surrounded by the Cat’s Tooth Mountains, My Son is home to the ancient Cham ruins and is often referred to as Vietnam’s Angkor Wat. Return to Hoian in time for lunch then enjoy a free afternoon, for shopping, exploring or beachside relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.
 
Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Fly to Saigon(B)
 
Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choosing then set out on a guided city tour. In the afternoon you will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the CityPost Office and Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
 
Day 11: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Tay Ninh (B)
 
After breakfast at hotel, you travel outside of Saigon to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (or “American War” as it’s referred to here) as protection against American air raids. Those inclined are invited to crawl through selections of the tunnels to better understand what life was like for the Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. Next you will visit the beautiful Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh and partake in the noontime prayer service. This large and colorful compound is home to the hybrid religion founded in the 1920s: Caodaism, which combines elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam in order to promote peace. Have lunch in Tay Ninh and return to Saigon in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
 
Day 12: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho(B).

 
Today you leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the river by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Your driver will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you to Can Tho City for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho.
 
Day 13: Can Tho – Floating market – Saigon (B).
 
Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorized boat. Continue the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous fruit orchards and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the country-side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people. Return to Can Tho for lunch then drive back to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
 
Day 14: Saigon Departure.
 
Have breakfast at hotel then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.
 
Tour End.
 
Inclusive:
• Accommodation based on twin sharing room at locals (3 star in average)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L- lunch, D- dinner)
• Joining Cruising trip in Halong Bay – Sharing cruise
• English speaking guide
• Boat trip
• Domestic flight ticket : Hanoi – Hue ; Da Nang – Sai Gon )
• Soft sleeper train ticke Lao cai – Hanoi – sharing cabin 4berths
• Sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary
• Private car/ Mini Van transfer as program with A/C

Exclusive
 
• Visa stamping fee to Vietnam
• Personal expenses
• Other meals and drinks
• Early check in & late check out for accommodation at the places
• Airport tax and departure tax
• Insurance
• Tip for tour guide & driver
 
Thing to brings: Hat,.sun block ; good walking shoes; tee-shirt & shorts; medical kit; camera with plenty of film.
 
Best time to do: All year round, best from September to April of next year.