A cultural & active tour of Vietnam – HCM City, mekong river, Can Tho, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa

Day 1   Arrive HCM City
Arrive HCM City, be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2   HCM City / Cu Chi Tunnels
This morning, travel outside the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories that were never discovered until after the war. This afternoon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a tour of Old Saigon. Visit a thriving local market to see how these bustling and vibrant markets play a major role in the daily lives of Vietnamese people. From here stroll through the colourful back alleyways lined with flower shops and breathe in the aromas of the freshly cut blooms. Pass through another street where mechanics specialize in restoring vintage Vespa scooters. Take in the scenes of local life as you wander these narrow lanes. Stop for a refreshing traditional iced coffee at the oldest coffee shop in Saigon, this old fashioned establishment has a colourful history stretching back over seven decades. Continue the walk through some other back lanes the go along to another famous street filled with shops selling locally-made guitars. (B,L)

Day 3 HCM City / Melong River Cruise / Homestay 
Morning drive out of Saigon’s hustle and bustle to Cai Be. Visit Tan Phong island and enjoy a leisurely bike ride or walk on village paths to catch a glimpse of local life in the Mekong Delta. Observe the cottage industries in the region where the typical local families make a variety of local products for which the Melong Delta is known. After lunch at a local restaurant, cruise down the Mekong River followed by a sampan ride along small canals for your homestay. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax, soak up the tranquil country and mingle with the local family. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner with your hosts. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Mekong Delta / Vinn Long / Can Tho
After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll along the village and observe how the region’s local snacks are made. Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea before hopping on a boat to further explore the region. We’ll visit a catfish farm and a local pottery maker along the way before arriving Vinh Long. Take a stroll through the local wet market before continuing to Can Tho by road. Overnight in Can Tho. (B,L) 

Day 5 Can Tho / HCM City / Danang
In the early morning, set out by boat to explore Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest and most bustling of the Mekong Delta markets, which attracts fruit and vegetable vendors from all over the region. Buyers on smaller boats weave between the large barges selling wholesale produce. Each vendor advertises fresh samples of their wares on long poles that tower overhead above the colorful boats. Afterwards, return to HCM City and board an afternoon flight to Danang.  Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to eat, shop and explore beautiful Hoi An on your own. (B) 

Day 6 Hoi An
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of UNESCO Hoi An, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Quan Cong and Phuoc Kien temples, Phung Hung antique house and colorful market. Afternoon free at leisure to relax and explore on your own. Overnight in Hoi An.  (B)

Day 7 Danang / Hue
This morning, drive to Hue along Hai Van Pass, visiting Cham Museum & China Beach en-route. Upon arrival in Hue, visit the Old Imperial City and Tu Duc Tomb.  Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 8 Hue / Hanoi
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi.  Upon arrival, be met and proceed to Ha Long, crossing the Red River. The three-hour scenic drive stops en route at Hong Ngoc, where you will have time for a drink and see local people manufacturing different kinds of handicrafts.  Overnight in Halong. (B)

Day 9 Halong Bay / Hanoi
This morning, board a private junk for a fantastic cruise through Ha Long Bay (approx. five hours) with a fresh seafood lunch on board.   Enroute, visit the Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood cave, one of the highlights around the bay.  In the afternoon, drive back to Hanoi and check-in at your hotel.   (B,L)

Day 10 Hanoi
Today, enjoy a tour of Hanoi City visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex comprised of his mausoleum, stilt house and Presidential Palace, Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous Old Quarters which comprises of a fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses. Also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics, handicrafts, medicines and household items. Last but not least, visit Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. Hanoi Hilton) which was a prison used by the French colonists for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War where the late John McCain was held. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 11: Hanoi/ Sapa
This morning, travel overland by car for Sapa (approx. 5 hours), famed for its rice terraces and tranquil minority villages for an off-the-beaten path expedition. Upon arrival in Sapa, take a walk around the Sapa Town, a former colonial mountain retreat. Stroll through parks and squares while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. On clear days, it is possible to see the summit of Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 12:  Sapa
After breakfast, head northwards towards O Quy Ho with several stops to view the magnificent landscapes of Fansipan Mountain, Sin Chai Valley and the beautiful flower and vegetable farms. Pass through a wild region where waterfalls cut through the thick rain forest covering the mountainsides. Visit the village of Ban Khoang, home to the Black Hmong and Red Zao ethnic people who live their unique way of life and maintain their traditional values. The village looks prosperous thanks to the combination of wet rice cultivation on the terraced fields and the cardamom farming under the thick forest. Spend over an hour walking around this remote village to get an understanding of local life. Continue on to Ta Giang Phing Valley where the Black Hmong live in small villages scattered alongside a peaceful stream. After lunch, walk along the path which connects all the villages and observe the daily chores of a typical farmer. Return to Sapa in the afternoon. (B,L)

**Note: approximate walking distance is 9 km but can be adjusted based on passengers’ preference and physical abilities. 

Day 13: Sapa / Lao Cai / Hanoi 
Morning at leisure. Later this morning, enjoy a boat trip on the Chay River, a light trek in Tay Village and a visit to Fairy cave. Continue by road to Lao Cai and board your overnight Victoria Express Train to Hanoi. Arrive the next morning. (B)

Day 14 Depart Hanoi
Upon early morning arrival in Hanoi Station, enjoy breakfast before transferring to Hanoi airport for your departure flight onward. (B)

****END OF PROGRAM****

• Price is per person, based on double occupancy
• Holiday surcharges and/or compulsory gala dinners apply between Dec. 20 – Jan. 05
• *Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays & Fridays and in October and November
• Price excludes Transpacific airfares, personal expenses, beverages, gratuities to drivers and guides
• Price excludes airport departure taxes & fees collected locally at airports
• Visa is required to enter Vietnam. Not included in package
• All services subject to availability at time of reservation

** The Victoria Express train departs 4 times a week from Hanoi Railway Station: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 09:30 pm  and departs 4 times a week from Lao Cai Railway Station: Thursday and Saturday at 10.20 am, Tuesday at 9.15 pm and Sunday at 08.20 pm.  (This schedule is subject to change.)