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Day 1: Arrival HCMC (D)
Warmly welcome on arrival at HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat International airport by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Check in. At leisure. Welcome dinner at a chic restaurant. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B/L)
Begin our urban experience in bustling HCMC (formerly Saigon ), the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the moving War Remnants Museum.
Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with shops selling clothes and accessories by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house wares. The urban modern Ho Chi Minh City with its numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 3: Cao Dai Temples and Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
This morning we drive to Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh. Cao Dai Holysee Temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion with the Divine Eye - official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. Time to observe the midday service.
Following lunch you will drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 4: HCM City – My Tho – Can Tho / Mekong Delta (B/L)
Leave HCMC to lush My Tho where we cruise on a private boat through the green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where we are treated to a delicious lunch in a bonsai garden in the heart of the Mekong, complete with tropical fruits. We also visit the snake farm Dong Tam that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and visit VinhTrang pagoda, a combination of Asian and European pagoda before heading Can Tho city, heart of the Mekong Delta. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 5: Mekong Delta - HCM City (B/L/-)
You wake up to the sounds of the Mekong River welcoming a new day. Take boat trip to join in the Cai Rang floating market – one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong Delta with hundreds of small boats barging and jostling for space to sell their goods and to experience the Mekong rural lifestyle. After sampling local fruits, our guide will escort the guests back to the hotel through myriad canals. Lunch at local restaurant.
Enjoy breakfast on the "Lady Hau" while cruising to the floating market. When the "Lady Hau" arrives at Cai Rang floating market, guests are transferred to a local traditional boat to enter the market. Then, continue cruising with the hotel's guide along narrow creeks to visit a noodle factory and an orchard. After sampling local fruits, our guide will escort the guests back to the hotel by local boat through myriad canals. (Starting at 6:30 AM, the Lady Hau cruise and tour extension takes around 4 hours; minimum 4 persons).
Day 6: HCMC – Dalat (B/L)
This morning you leave Ho Chi Minh City for Dalat - known as the City of Eternal Spring by plane. Upon arrive in Da Lat airport pick up and transfer to hotel. Late in the afternoon you will be able to take a short walk to get a feel for this delightful city. In the evening you will head out to one of the fine restaurants in town. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 7: Dalat (B/L)
Today you will take a tour of Da Lat and the surrounding areas. We will visit Bao Dai Palace. From here you visit the rather bizarre and very aptly named Crazy House, a brightly painted concrete house which winds itself around trees, mimicking their shapes. It now functions as a guesthouse. Next visit is Truc Lam Thien Vien and Pagoda. This afternoon, for those interested can take the short train ride on the Cremaillere railway to the village of Tri Mat. In the evening, you will enjoy fine cuisine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 8: Dalat– Nha Trang (B/L)
Your drive today is out of Da Lat and back down the Prenn Pass for a stop at the Chicken village, so-called because of its statue of a chicken, inhabited by the Koho minority people. From here you will head east and down the Ngoan Muc pass to the coastal lowlands - Nha Trang, the country's premier resort city. This part of the country was once inhabited by an ancient civilization known as the Cham, and our next stop will be at the Po Klong Garai Cham tower. This amazing structure, which has endured the test of time, the elements and indeed war, was built in the 13 the century. You will stop for a late lunch at Cam Ranh Bay before arrival in Nha Trang for check-in. Enjoy free time or discover the night life that Nha Trang has to offer. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 9: Nha Trang (B/L)
In the morning you will transfer to Cau Da port for a cruise on the Nha Trang Bay to visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island to enjoy hundreds of nice and precious marine creatures then continue the trip to Mun Island -the best island for snorkeling with lots of lives colorful corals and fish. Taking a fresh lunch at the Con Se Tre island and relax. Back to hotel. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 10: Nha Trang (B)
Today is a free day at leisure in Nha Trang for relaxing and unwinding at the resort overlooking beautiful Bay. Snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 11: Nha Trang – Danang - Hoi An (B)
Free until transfer to airport for flight to Danang. Pick up and transfer to Hoi An. At leisure. Overnight in Hoi An
Day 12: Hoi An (B)
Free at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An – Danang - Hue (B/L)
Leave Hoi An for Hue. This afternoon we embark on a tour of Hue City including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Tonight you enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue in the Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant. Overnight in Hue.
Day 14: Hue (B/L)
Rising up in the ancient land, breakfast in hotel, we board on a private boat for cruising on the romantic Perfume River. This time we head out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Setting in the converge of rivers, and gives you a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. From here we will cruise further to the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. We will enjoy lunch at local restaurant before continue drive to visit Tu Duc tomb and Khai Dinh's stomb. Overnight in Hue.
Day 15: Hue - Hanoi (B/L)
Transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. The colonial capital city Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental pagodas and temples.
In the afternoon visit Hanoi: Vietnam’s artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquer-ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Enjoy people watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's many galleries. Also visit Hanoi’s main cultural attractions, including the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 16: Hanoi - Lao Cai (B)
Full day of leisure and evening train to Lao Cai. Your Sapa adventure trip to Laocai begins with an overnight train from Vietnam’s capital city to the border town of Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Day 17: Lao Cai - Sapa (B/L)
The train arrives at Lao Cai train station at approximately 6:00 am. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, you will check-in the hotel ( early check-in subject to availability). Freshen up and have breakfast at restaurant in the hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. Afternoon you will take a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong hill tribes minority peoples. As you walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, you will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 18: Sapa – Lao Cai - Train back to Hanoi (B/L)
Following breakfast, you explore the Sapa Sunday market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. You will stop for a picnic lunch on the way to Ta Van village. Transfer back to Lao Cai for the Express train journey back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Day 19: Lao Cai - Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Arrive in Hanoi around 5 a.m. in. Pick up from here, transfer to restaurant for breakfast and morning coffee. Leave Hanoi by private vehicle at 8:30 a.m. arriving at the jetty around 12:30 p.m. Welcome on board the Deluxe Cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink, check-in to your cabin.
A fresh seafood lunch will be served at 1 p.m. At that time, you will begin our 3.5 hours cruise through mystic Halong Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Mat Qui (Monster's face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu cave, floating fishing village, with its unique way of life. Then head to Luon cave, enjoy swimming, sun bathing at Ti Top beach or climb the peak of the mountain for a breath-taking panorama view of Halong Bay. Enjoy another seafood feast for dinner and for the night owls, there is an option of night fishing. Overnight on cruise.
Day 20: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B)
Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out. Rejoin car drive back to Hanoi for overnight.
Day 21: Departure Hanoi (B)
There is no activity planned for today. Enjoy your free time for souvenir shopping until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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