Travelling from the north to south of Vietnam you are captivated by the stunning landscape of Sapa hill station, home of many hill tribe groups, the spectacular scenery of Halong bay and Tam Coc and visit the world heritage site of Phong Nha. Venturing into the Ho Chi Minh Trails , you pass various historical sites and explore the new trace of travel. The pace of trip changes when you spend time seeing Hue ancient capital and Hoi An delightful town

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival - Ha Noi
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we enjoy a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 2 : Hanoi
Today we spend a full day exploring Hanoi. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history and the Ethnologic Museum. This gleaming mansion is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive back to the town center with stopover at the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We see these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)

Day 3: Ha Noi - Sa Pa
An early morning start to drive along the Red River to Sa Pa. The roads are bumpy at times, but various scenic landscape changing from the delta region to the Tonkinese Alps make for an interesting journey. We arrive in Sa Pa by mid or late afternoon depending on road and traffic conditions. The hill station of Sa Pa was founded in early last century and rapidly became an ideal place for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape from the unbearable heat in plains. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, it has some warm days and cool evenings. The remainder of day will give you a chance to soak up the fresh climate as much as you want by spending the time to wander around and catch the first look of Sa Pa. The ethnic minority people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. O/N in Sa Pa. (B)

Day 4: Sa Pa Hiking
The mountain range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnam's highest peak and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today we visit the bustling Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. Heading out of town we embark on a walk, using the local tracks to Lao Chai village, home of the Black H'Mong people. The footpath traverses some terraced rice fields, giving us a chance to see many mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of verdant mountain backdrop and colourful population makes for a fantastic view. We arrive at Ta Van hamlet and visit the Zay ethnic minorities who are very friendly and welcoming. O/N in Sa Pa. (B)

Day 5 : Sa Pa - Bac Ha ( Sunday)
Upon leaving Sa Pa we set off on a rough but scenic drive through the border town of Lao Cai to Bac Ha. This remote hill town is a world famous site with the lively and colourful Sunday market. There are various ethnic minority groups including Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay but the dominants are the Flower Hmong people. These hill tribe people are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress and come in town for trade on every Sunday. Once reaching Bac Ha we stroll around this colourful congregation to see the different tribal groups and their amazing trading way. The remainder of day is for some short treeking options. We walk from Hmong King's former residence to Ban Pho Village where they make the potent local maize alcohol. By mid afternoon, you are transferred to Lao Cai for a night train journey to Hanoi. The train conditions are basic; we travel in soft sleeper class which is a compartment for up to four people. O/N on board. (B)

Day 6: Hanoi - Halong
The train journey will deliver us at Hanoi Station in early morning. You are greeted by our guide and make your way to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. On arrival we embark a traditional boat for a five hour trip around Halong Bay. This exciting cruise provides us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. We have a huge seafood lunch served on board and continue sailing out. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. ON in Halong Bay. (B,L)

Day 7: Halong - Ninh Binh
The following destination of our trip will be Ninh Binh. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields and the smiling faces of the people. En route we make several stops to visit some charming villages and Keo Pagoda, one of the most exceptional religious architecture in Vietnam. The scenic drive will deliver us to Ninh Binh Town by mid afternoon. We spend the rest of day to visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu with two remaining temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties, which are founded in the late 10th century. These temples still preserve their original structure despite the turbulent history. O/N in Ninh Binh. (B)

Day 8: Ninh Binh - Tam Coc - Vinh
Heading out of town we set off on a short drive to Tam Coc which is surnamed “ Inland Halong Bay” . Here we enjoy a two hour rowing boat trip along the Ngo Dong River , passing through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. The next stop will be Bich Dong which is famous for the three Buddhist shrines hidden beneath towering cliffs. Today we travel along the highway No1 past the many peaceful villages to Vinh. There is not much to see in this town but it is still a necessary overnight stop to avoid the long journey. O/N in Vinh. (B)

Day 9: Vinh - Dong Loc - Phong Nha - Dong Ha
The overland expedition continues to Dong Loc Junction, a famous site during the American war. This large area is now at peace but various bomb craters still can be seen in outlaying mountain sides. Upon leaving Dong Loc we begin driving along the Ho Chi Minh Trails to the world heritage site of Phong Nha - Ke Bang. This complex composes of 14 grottoes littered in the limestone mountains. The main tunnel with a total length of 7,729 m boasts the longest underground river in Vietnam, and is amazingly decorated with multiform stalactites and stalagmites. We enjoy a boat trip exploring this natural wonder before we head towards Dong Ha Town, a base for seeing the Khe Sanh war site in coming day. O/N in Dong Ha. (B)

Day 10: Dong Ha - DMZ - Hue
Today we drive along the road No 9 through the peaceful area, which was once a land of various fire support bases during the American war. On arrival at the former American marine base of Khe sanh, we have time to stroll around to visit some of the many battle sites and military camps. There were all but partly cleared by villagers. The next stops are Tacon Airport and Lang Vei Special Forces Camp in south of Lang Vei Village. We visit these sites and travel by roads via A Luoi to Hue. The small and quiet city of Hue was once the feudal capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. This delightful town is widely known for magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. O/N in Hue. (B)

Day 11: Hue
The beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien Mu now becomes the symbol of Hue. We include this in a half day cruise on the Perfume River, which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside and an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. This impressive landmark is laid in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes, featuring the beautiful architecture, intricate decor and mysterious statues. We make a short drive though the rolling hill to see the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. The Imperial Citadel is a major part of sightseeing in Hue. We visit the massive citadel which contains the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. We round off our day with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. O/N in Hue. (B)

Day 12: Hue - Hoi An
The following destination of our trip is Hoi An, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. Along the way we can break the journey in Lang Co Beach for a leisurely swim. The winding road begins as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam's most impressive panoramic scenes. The next stop is Da Nang for an interesting visit to the famous Cham Museum. Today we also catch a chance to see the China Beach and the Marble Mountain on our way to Hoi An. This delightful town has plenty to see, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market. We include these in a walking tour passing many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. O/N in Hoi An. (B)

Day 13: Hoi An - Kom Tum
The modern comforts will be left behind as we venture into the central highlands and drive along the road 14 B to Thanh My. Once reaching this junction we turn left and follow the Ho Chi Minh Trails which is now the main artery of trade among many highland provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. The journey is long but the spectacular landscape will make for an interesting day. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing the rice fields and the smiling faces of the people. On arrival in Kom Tum we spend our time seeing the Komtum Seminary, the traditional culture center, the Wooden Church and the Banar ethnic village. They are some of the major sights in place. O/N in Komtum. (B)

Day 14: Kom Tum - Buon Ma Thuat
Upon leaving Komtum we continue travelling along the central highlands through Vietnam's biggest growing coffee areas to Buon Ma Thuat. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. Along the way we can make some stops to see the roadside villages and stretch out legs. On arrival in Buon Ma Thuat we turn left to Lak Lake. This remote area is surrounded by the rugged mountain backdrops and the sleepy hill tribe villages. We enjoy a short dugout ride on Lak Lake before transferring to the June village. Tonight are we are the guests of a M'nong family and spend our night in a traditional long house. The facilities here are very basic, but the experience is definitive unique. We have a chance to see the simple lifestyle of the M’nong hill tribe people and live as the local villagers do. O/N at June village. (B, D)

Day 15: Buon Ma Thuat - Ho Chi Minh
The exciting expedition continues along the Ho Chi Minh trails which now becomes a highway liking the central highlands and Ho Chi Minh City. We make stop en route to visit a famous water fall, locally named D'raysap by the E de Hill tribe people. This fall is amid the primitive forest ; however you need some physical preparations to ascend the strenuous path. Afterwards we make our way southwards past the breathtaking mountain scenery. The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 16 : Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh
The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. The following programme is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh City. We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We see these before going to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 17 : Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh
Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Saigon's Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B,L)

Day 18: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
There is a free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh City. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure. (B)

INCLUSIONS: + Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver + Accommodation : twin sharing room at mentioned hotel and mini hotels or similar one + Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner + English or French speaking guide + Local guide in Buon Ma Thuat + Elephant ride + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Water puppet show + Cyclo trip + Boat trip + Boat trip in Halong, Tam Coc, Phong Nha, Hue, Buon Ma Thuat and Mekong Delta + Train ticket Hue - Hanoi ( soft sleeper cabin for 4 passengers)

EXCLUSIONS: Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in / out of Vietnam, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, surcharge for peak season, local holiday days and gala dinner

TRIP NOTE

-VIETNAM IS A DEVELOPPING COUNTRY WHOSE INFRASTRUCTURE MAY DIFFER FROM WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR HOME LAND. THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE POOR AND THE ACCOMMODATION MAY BE BASIC IN REMOTE AREAS

-THE DRESS STANDARDS ARE CONSERVATIVE THROUGHOUT ASIA. LOOSE , LIGHTWEIGHT, LONG CLOTHING ARE ALL RESPECTFUL AND COOL IN ASIAN HOT CLIMATE. IN ADDITION TO YOUR ITEMS OF PERSONAL CLOTHING, WE SUGGEST YOU TO BRING TRAINER OR SNEAKER SHOES, JACKET FOR COLD WEATHER, TORCH/FLASH LIGHT, HAT, RAIN COAT FOR WET SEASON, SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES, DAYPACK, TOILETRIES AND SMALL TOWER, INSECT REPELLENT.

-THE ITINERARY IS CORRECTED AT THE TIME OF VIEWING. OCCASIONALLY, THE PROGRAMME CHANGES AS WE MAKE IMPROVEMENT STEMING FROM OUR PAST TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS AND OUR OWN RESEARCH OR DUE TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL. THIS INCLUDES FESTIVAL, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WEATHER AND FLIGHT DELAY,.. THAT MAY EFFECT THE ITINERARY.

-THE TRIP INCLUDES SOME MEALS AS MENTIONED AT THE ITINERARY HOWEVER OUR GUIDE WILL BE ON HAND TO ADVISE YOU AS FAR THE AVAILABLE RESTAURANTS WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY LOCAL FOOD AT YOUR OWN BUDGET. THE MEAL COST IS ALL DEPENDING ON YOUR CHOICE OF EATING PLACE. THE PACKAGE TOUR WITH FULL BOARD MEAL IS ARRANGED UPON REQUEST .

-HE MARKET OF SA PA IS HELD ON WEEKEND ONLY SO YOU NEED TO PLAN THE STARTING DATE OF YOUR TRIP , WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO VISIT ALL IN A GOOD ORDER.

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