8 days Hanoi to Sapa Highland

A city of Parisian charm and grace with an Asian edge, Hanoi is an enthralling blend of East and West and a rising star in Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s capital has much to explore; museums, parks, history and culture abound.

Don’t forget to check out the local cuisine and enjoy the nightlife in this busy city. Next, visit the stunning Halong Bay and overnight on a Junk boat (a traditional Asian vessel) whilst cruising among the 1,968 islands rising dramatically from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrive in bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Meet our representative at the Noi Bai international airport, Hanoi, and transfer to hotel for check in. In the evening attend a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre. Overnight in Hanoi (B/L/D)

Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay
½ day city tour with highlight in Hanoi before transfer by road (approx 3 hours) to Halong Bay is considered Vietnam's greatest natural wonder; expect to be awed by the amazing limestone karsts jutting dramatically from the water. Overnight in Halong. (B/L/D)

Day 3: Halong Bay – Lao Cai
Morning enjoy 4 hour cruise on Halong Bay, visits of Thien Cung Grottoes and Sung Sot Cave. After an early lunch on board the boat, head back to Hanoi with time for further sightseeing until our overnight train to Lao Cai province. The train is air-conditioned, and you will be accommodated in shared sixe-berth sleepers. Overnight on train (B/L/D)

Day 4: Lao Cai – Sapa
After arriving in Lao Cai in the morning, we transfer 45 minutes to Sapa. A morning excursion will take us to the village of Cat Cat where we'll have a chance to interact with some of the local ethnic minorities such as the Black H’mong. Enjoy seeing the stream, beautiful valley, the step filed, and the top of Fansipan Mountain - the highest mountain of South East Asia. Continue along the Muong Hoa rive to Y Linh Ho village, Lao Chai village, Ta Van village where you can court, discovery village and ethnic ground, daily life before return Sapa by jeep. Overnight in Sapa (B/L/D)

Day 5: Sapa – Hanoi
We can take walking onto Dragon’s Jaw Mountain; enjoy traditional music performance, walking through Sapa local market. Take the afternoon to relax before catching our overnight train back to Hanoi. The train is air-conditioned, and you will be accommodated in shared four-berth sleepers. Overnight on train (B/L/D)

Day 6: Hanoi city tour
Today you visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum. The Mausoleum houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam (the mausoleum and museum is closed October-November as well as every Monday and Friday), pass by Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple for your luck pray.

After lunch at restaurant, spend 2 hour with the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). Taking a walk around the central lake of Hanoi downtown named “Hoan Kiem”, pay a visit to Ngoc Son temple and The Huc Bridge. Overnight in Hanoi (B/L/D)

Day 7: Hanoi – Bat Trang Pottery – Van Phuc Silk
Today you visit Bat Trang Pottery, a typical village where you can enjoy craftsman with its skill. You can make pottery stuff by yourself if preferred. After lunch time, continue to Van Phuc Silk, an excellent place for your shopping as well as discover you local people makes silk and other product related to silk products (B/L/D)

Day 8: Hanoi departure
After breakfast, free until transfer to airport for flight home. End of arrangements (B)

Tour price: from 399$ for Min. 10 persons
(For Min 2 persons, price started from 676 USD per person

Package included:
o 07 night accommodation at 3 star hotel on double occupancy
o Private transfer by 29-35 seat coach for mentioned tour program
o 02 ways airport transfer by private 35 seat coach (welcome sign written guest name will be shown by the driver at the arrival hall)
o On spot English speaking guide (Hanoi – Halong and Sapa)
o Return train tickets for Hanoi – Lao Cai - Hanoi (6 berth air-con compartment)
o Round private transfer in Hanoi, Halong and Sapa
o Meals as programs (5B, 5L, 1D)
o Return train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi
o Admission fees as mentioned in program
o 02 bottles of drink water per person per day

Package excluded:
o Single supplement: +90 USD per trip
o Airfare (international or domestic) if have
o Traveling insurance
o Tips to local driver / guide
o Beverages
o Personal expenses
o Emergency transfers

Offer valid until Sept 30, 2009

Classic of Vietnam

10 days Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
Trip Code: HS-HNSG
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

The kaleidoscope of color and beauty you encounter will tantalize all the senses as you travel the length of Vietnam.

From the modern day life of Saigon to the charms of Hoi An, the atmospheric imperial capital of Hue, vibrant Hanoi and the natural beauty of Halong Bay, you will enjoy something different every single day of this trip


Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrive in bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. As passengers will be arriving at various times today, there are no planned activities. Some suggestions include: Taking a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a maze of street, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. In the evening attend a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) or Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum. The Mausoleum houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam (the mausoleum and museum is closed in October-December)

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Transfer by road (approx 3 hours) to Halong Bay to board a traditional 'Junk' boat which will be home for the evening. Halong Bay is considered Vietnam's greatest natural wonder; expect to be awed by the amazing limestone karsts jutting dramatically from the water. Perhaps a pre-dinner swim or kayak before enjoying a seafood dinner and a very peaceful night beneath the stars. Take the opportunity to visit some of the caves en-route and stop at one of the secluded bays for swimming (weather permitting). Overnight will be spent on the boat which has comfortable air conditioned private cabins.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B,L)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served on board as the Junk continues to cruise throughout the morning, stopping by the islands of Man's Head and Turtle Island. A visit to Luon cave by small bamboo boat is also possible. After an early lunch on board the boat, head back to Hanoi with time for shopping or further sightseeing until our overnight train to Hue. The train to Hue is part of the famous Reunification express. This is a local basic train and we have 4 berth shared cabins.
Day 4: Hue (B)
Arrive early into Hue, once the imperial capital. A true highlight of Hue is the surrounding countryside. We can visit Thien Mu Pagoda and continue on to the tomb of Nguyen Emperors.

Day 5: Hue – Hoi An (B)
In the morning, we go on a guided tour around the Citadel which also contains the Forbidden Purple City, modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Badly destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 significant restoration work has since occurred. Late morning we board our private bus and make the 4 hour drive to Hoi An crossing over Hai Van Pass (subject to weather conditions). We may also have time to stop at Lang Co Beach. We will arrive in Hoi An late evening.

Day 6: Hoi An (B)
The picturesque port town of Hoi An, once known as Fabio, was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. As you walk amongst this living museum you could visit sites such as the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping Mecca for tourists in the region – tailors can produce virtually anything overnight – clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and other crafts abound.

Day 7: Hoi An – Da Nang (B)
Just north of Hoi An is Danang, a major US military base during the war and site of an excellent museum documenting Cham art and history.

Day 8: Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Drive to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that was once the capital of South Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.
During your free time you can take a tour by cyclo (rickshaw) to various sights around town. See Notre Dame Cathedral, Gustav Eiffel's Post Office, the Opera House, Rex Hotel, and town hall or you may wish to visit the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Visit the Cu Chi tunnels west of Ho Chi Minh City. With our guide, explore the underground network of man-made tunnels dug by the local Vietnamese to hide and fight during the war.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh departure (B)After breakfast, the tour ends and you are free to depart at any time


Tour price:
3* star: 679$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)
4* star: 939$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)
5* star: 1,149$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)


What's Included
Entrance to Halong Bay caves, Halong Bay boat trip with seafood lunch and dinner, Entrance to Imperial Citadel and tomb, Cu Chi tunnels

Group Size
Max 15, Avg 10

Group Leader
local guides.

Accommodation
Hotels (7 nights), sleeper train (1 night), Junk Boat (1 night)

My Own Room
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Night 2, Halong Bay boat; Night 3, Sleeper Train

Transport
Train, local bus, air conditioned bus, boat, cyclo, and plane.

Meals Included
07 Breakfasts, 01 Lunches, 01 Dinner.

Meal Budget
Allow USD150 for meals not included.