Vietnam Discovery 22 days

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)

Meet and greet upon arrival at airport. Transfer to your hotel. Free at leisure. Tonight sample Vietnamese food at one of Hanoi’s many fine restaurants.
 

Day 2: Hanoi – Hoa Lu (B)
A 70km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, travel the river via sampan through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields giving rise to this place’s other name, ‘Halong on Land’. Climb up to the Bich Dong Pagoda, which offers a scenic view of the surrounding countryside.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong bay (B,L)
Depart for Halong city. Boat trip to Halong Bay with stops to see breath-taking limestone caves. Lunch on board with fresh seafood. Afternoon is devoted to swimming and kayaking between the islands and exploring remote and deserted beaches. Return to the boat at 6p.m, with dinner on board. Enjoy a free evening on the ship.

Overnight on board

Day 4: Halong bay - Hanoi (B,L)

Rise early to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another day. Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. We enjoy a tasty seafood lunch before our drive back to Hanoi. Tonight we board an overnight train to Sapa.

Day 5: Hanoi - Sapa (B,L,D)
Arrive Lao Cai Station early morning and take a tour bus along the scenic mountain roads to Sapa. Check-in to hotel. After lunch we begin our short trek by walking to picturesque Cat Cat valley home to the colorful Hmong people.

 Later a jeep will bring us to red Dao village, Ta Van and Cau May. Then back to hotel for an exhilarating overnight in Sapa.

Day 6: Sapa Villages (B,L,D)

We begin our third day in Sapa

by walking on historic trails through the splendid mountain scenery of terraced rice fields. We’ll encounter colorfully-dressed tribal farmers on our way to the small village of Tavan inhabited by the Zay minority. Here, we will enjoy a local dinner and an overnight stay in their houses
 

Day 7: Bacha Market (B,L,D)
Have an optional market day trip. Depending on the day of the week, this may either be Bac Ha (Sunday), home to the flower H’mong hill tribe minority people, or Can Cau which takes place on Saturday;  or Coc Ly on Tuesday. In the arly evening we head back to Lao Cai for an overnight train back to Hanoi. (B)

Day 8: Hanoi City tour(B,L)

City tour with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and the historic Temple of Literature – the first national university of Vietnam. Visit the Museum of Ethnology and enjoy a cylo tour through the mazes of Hanoi’s old quarter.Tonight enjoy the ever-popular water puppet show.
 

Day 9: Hue (B,L)
Today we take a flight to Hue. This afternoon we explore the Imperial Citadel and explore the amazing Dong Ba market. Tonight we overnight in Hue

Day 10: Hue (B, L)
Boat cruise on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Minh Mang and Tu Duc. In the afternoon drive to visit the Thanh Toan bridge. This drive takes us through quaint local villages and scenic rice fields. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Day 11: Hue - Hoian (B,L)
Overland to Hoian via Lang Co beach, Hai van pass and Marble Mountains. Visit to Cham Museum in Danang. Arrival to Hoian. Check in hotel. Free at leisure.
 

Day 12: Hoian

Free for your own exploration. Whether it be a stroll through the old quarter or a bike ride through rice fields to Cua Dai beach, browsing for souvenirs in art galleries or having clothes tailored at one of Hoian’s many silk shops. Hoian has it all. Over night at Hoian hotel.

Day 13: Hoian - My Son (B/L/D)
A half day trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. On the way back to Hoian stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa kingdom. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 14: Hoian - Nhatrang (B)
Flight to Nhatrang. Transfer to hotel. Free day at leisure. Overnight in Nhatrang.

Day 15: Nhatrang (B, L)
Boat cruise to explore prime beaches and fishing villages. The ideal opportunity to try  snorkeling or to relax on pristine beaches. Overnight at hotel in Nhatrang.

Day 16: Nhatrang - Ho Chi Minh city (B)

At leisure. Tonight we take overnight train to Ho Chi Minh city

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh  (B,L)
Transfer to airport for the flight to HCM . Arrive HCM, greet and pick up by our guide and driver. Check–in to hotel. There’s time to visit the many sights in HCM with choices including: Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh market, and much more. Overnight in HCM

 Day 18 : Saigon - Mekong Delta (B,L,D)
This morning we set off for a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be, well-known for it's floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular dish of 'Elephant Ear fish', before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Towards days end we arrive in Cantho where we’ll stay at the lovely hotel, directly adjacent to the Mekong river.
 

Day 19: Mekong Delta – Saigon (B,L)
Rising to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for yet another day, we have breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of  the Mighty Mekong River to the Cairang and Phongdien floating markets.

 Hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostle for trade. Sellers advertise their wares by crying out across the waters. We visit the lush orchards while being treated to delicious tropical fruits. Afternoon drive to Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 20: Cuchi Tunnels – Cao dai temple (B,L)
Depart for a road trip to Tay Ninh where is home to the unique Cao Dai sect.The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism,Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of theEast. Here we will observe the colorful mess of caodais prayers.

Following lunch we will drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels. During the war for independence, "Viet Cong" guerillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S. bases, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Later return to Ho Chi Minh city

Day 21: Free day in HCM city (B)

After a long visit throughout Vietnam, here is a good pace for you to relax, shop, note things and pack for your flight home on the next day.

Day 22: Departure (B)
At leisure until the time of departure for transfer to the airport and your flight home. While your journey might be ending, happy memories for a lifetime are just beginning!