DISCOVER VIET NAM- 12DAYS-11NIGHTS

Highlight: Ha Noi – Sa Pa – Ha Long Bay – Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnels – Cai Be Floating Market – Vinh Long – Ho Chi Minh.


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.
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 – 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.
08:00: Hotel pick-up in Hanoi Old quarter
12:30: Arrive at Hon Gai Harbour, Ha Long City.
12:45: Enjoy a welcome drink on board.
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: Authentic Vietnamese foods serve 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 scenery in Bai Tu Long Bay – Vung Vieng Fishing Village – Ha Noi – Flight to Da Nang (B/L)

06:30: 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.
Our bus driver transfers you back Ha Noi. You arrive at hotel in Ha Noi about 5 pm. Check in hotel for relax and shower. Then the driver continues transferring you to the airport for taking flight to Da Nang. On arrival Da Nang Airport, our guide and driver welcome at airport and transfer you to hotel in Hoi An. Check in hotel. Free to have dinner. At night, you have more free time to explore the charming of Hoi An town, especially on every 15th of lunar calendar you can see a magnificent town with colorful lights and lanterns.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An


Day 7: Visit My Son Holly Land – Thanh Ha Ceramic – Hoi An Ancient Town (B/L)

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. This morning you will make a half day to visit My Son Holly Land – the masterpiece of ancient Cham people. Here you have more chance to learn about the rich culture and art of ancient Champa Kingdom in glorious time and to enjoy traditional music performed by Cham girls in their custom uniform. Turn back to visit Thanh Ha Ceramic Village where you will view the various stages of producing the many kinds of the pottery products such as jar vase, earthen pot, decorative lamps, etc and have opportunity to make a small product by yourself. Then embark the boat on Thu Bon River back to Hoi An. Enjoy lunch at restaurant in Hoi An with the special cuisine.
Pm: This afternoon, you will wander around old streets to explore Hoi An Ancient Town including the Japanese Covered Bridge, the beautiful Chinese Assembly Halls, the Phuoc Kien Pagoda, Sa Huynh Museum and the local market… Hoi An is also a place for shopping and making tailor with reasonable price. In the rest of this afternoon, you can have many ways to do by yourself such as relaxing at hotel or wander around the ancient town for shopping at silk shops, lantern shops or you can make the tailor of clothes with a reasonable price or spend your time in Cua Dai beach – 4 km far away from the ancient town. Free to have your own dinner. At night, you are free to explore Hoi An ancient town for exploring the beauties of this ancient town with colorful lanterns, silk shops...


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An


Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue City (B/L)


Am: Have breakfast at hotel. After that, our guide and driver transfer you to Hue. On the road, you will stop over to visit Marble Mountains which was named after the ancient oriental philosophy including 5 elements creating universe: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Reaching here, you will see the systems of caves and tunnels which were used as a very important base for Vietnam Revolutionary, Cham Museum in Da Nang where displays the whole culture and collections of Cham people in Vietnam to feel about legend stories of glorious stage of ancient Champa Kingdom and to enjoy its simple and elegant patterns. Moreover, you will have chance to appreciate the up and down of Champa Sculpture in previous centuries by seeing temples and towers which were collected from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan. Have lunch at restaurant.

Pm: You continue going on journey to Hue through Hai Van Pass for wonderful sight-seeing, Lang Co beach, the most beautiful beach of Asia for more refreshment, Cau Hai salt-marsh, a fishing villages, etc. You will arrive in Hue in the afternoon. Check in hotel. Free to have dinner by yourself and enjoy the balance of the evening to explore Hue on your own way. In the evening you have more free time to explore of Hue ancient capital such as famous Trang Tien Bridge with colorful lights on weekend, XQ embroider shops, silk shops and especial vender people at nightlife.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue City


Day 9: Boat trip on Perfume River and explore King’s Mausoleums in Hue City (B/L)

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver take you to the boat pier for making a boat trip on Perfume River (known as the second Thames in London) to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere and a green on two river’s banks and beautiful scenes and stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the oldest and prettiest religious buildings in Hue and Vietnam. Then you go on visiting the Forbidden City where was the palace of Nguyen Dynasty including Forbidden City with many palaces and architectures and surrounding: Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Urn Dynastys, Mieu Temple… Have lunch at garden restaurant.
Pm: This afternoon you go on visiting Tu Duc Mausoleum, Minh Mang Mausoleum for get some experiences of two famous Kings in Nguyen Reign. Both Kings chose natural harmony and architecture of Orient for their mausoleums. Free to have your own dinner. At night, you are free to make a cyclo tour around the streets for more enjoyment and experiences of local life. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Optional: Travelling in Hue, you have a chance to taste a Royal dinner at a restaurant. You will wear King/Queen customs, Royal mantles, Imperial Robes, taste Royal dishes and enjoy Hue folk song performed by musician and singers as a Royal family in Hue in the past. This is the wonderful time to try to be a King/ Queen and to get more knowledge of royal and traditional Hue culture.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue City


Day 10: Hue – Take flight to Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)


Am: Have breakfast at hotel. Then our driver will pick up you at hotel in Hue and transfer to Hue Airport for taking flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival Tay Son Nhat Domestic Airport, our guide and driver pick up and transfer you to visit Cu Chi Tunnels – far 70 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. Have lunch at restaurant.
Pm: After lunch, our guide will show you the structure of Cu Chi tunnels system with 200 km-long network that was built over 2 decades and used as an army base during the Vietnamese-American War. You will be amazed at the tunnels with their underground story including trap-door, living areas, storage, weapon factories, clinics, kitchen, command centre, etc. Cu Chi Tunnel is worthy with the name of "Land of the steel." The driver takes you back Ho Chi Minh City to check in hotel. Here you will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere – in the street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new restaurants and pubs. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. Free to enjoy your own dinner.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City


Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta Floating Market (B/L)

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. At 6.30 am, our guide and driver will welcome you at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer you to Cai Be. On the road, you will have chance to survey the beautiful rice field scenery along Trung Luong Express Highway. On arrival in Cai Be, you will set off by motor boat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. Then you continue to make biking tour into the small villages to visit the orchard and fruit plantation. Keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Then you continue visiting a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village, the green pearl of Vinh Long town, where you can immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy a lunch of fresh river food served in the heart of the garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music.
Pm: After lunch, you will take a delightful walk through the bonsai garden. Then our guide and driver will take you to come back and drop you off hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Free to have your own dinner.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City


Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Tour & Departure (B)

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. This morning, you will take a half-day city tour includes the Independent Palace formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many, War Museum, stopover for take photos at the Old Post Office and Notre Dam Catholic and visit Ben Thanh Market for enjoy one of the busiest purchasing centers of Ho Chi Minh City. Free to have your own lunch.
Pm: Depend on your flight time, our driver drops you off the Tan Son Nhat international airport for your flight home.Goodbye Viet Nam,
See you for the next trip to Indochina !


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,


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 Ha long Bay – Sharing cruise
• English speaking guide
• Boat trip
• Domestic flight ticket : Hanoi – Da Nang ; Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
• Soft sleeper train ticket  Lao cai – Hanoi – sharing cabin 4 berths
• 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.