Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi – Welcome dinner (D)
Special Vermicelli
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. 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 until enjoy our welcome dinner at the fine restaurant in Hanoi.
O/N in Ha Noi.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Welcome dinner
– Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi City Tour Full Day – Night train to Lao Cai/ Sapa (B, L, D)
Shops in Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi is one of Asia’s most enchanting cities. This northern capital is a quiet, contradiction of its southern counterpart. The many lakes, parks and cafes provide enjoyable escapes. We take a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting the major sights, including the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and paying homage to Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. The afternoon is free but as you are heading in a region inhabited by hill tribe people, we highly recommend that you catch a taxi out to visit the excellent Museum of Ethnology, situated on the outskirts of town. This museum is very child friendly with an outdoor section and many “hands on” exhibits.
We then travel on an eight-hour overnight sleeper-class train journey up towards the Chinese border in the remote north of Vietnam. The beds on board come with a pillow and sheets, although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional and not a necessity).
Stay overnight on train
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Accommodation on train : Hanoi – Lao Cai/ Sapa
Day 3 : Lao Cai/ Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van Village (B, L)
Ta Van Village
Breakfast in the hotel we then, embark on a lovely trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hills tribe villages Lao Chai & Ta Van, home to Black H’mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Once on the valley floor you can really appreciate the wonderful scenery that surrounds you. The walls of the valley are covered with multi-layered rice terraced fields and scattered villages. Transfer you back hotel in Sapa
Stay overnight at hotel in Sapa
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Hotel in Sapa
Day 4 : Ta Van – Coc Ly Tuesday Market – Night train back Hanoi (B, L, D)
Coc Ly Market
Guide picks you up at Lao Cai Railway Station in the early morning. After having breakfast we go to the COC LY Market by a van. It takes us 2 hours to get there. This is a small but very colourful market in a mountainous area where the Flower H’mong mainly gathers to exchange their homemade products. After visiting the market we go on a boat on the river with beautiful mountains on both sides. On the way we will have a short trek to Trung Do village (Tay) This is an unique opportunity for you to see the traditional lifestyle of tribal minorities and their costumes and handicrafts. We come back Lao Cai Railway Station to enjoy our dinner before catching our night train back Hanoi.
Stay overnight on train
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
– Accommodation on train : Lao Cai/ Sapa – Hanoi
Day 5 : Arrival Hanoi - Halong on Cruise (B, L, D)
Halong Bay Cruise
08.30 approximate : Our guide will meet you at your hotel. Mini bus or private car pick up.
Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta. You will have a chance to take photos.
Comfort break.
The distance from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.
12 noon approximate: Arrive Halong Bay. Welcome aboard The Paloma. Meet the captain and crew and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.
Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind.
Set sail as lunch is prepared by our chef.
Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay, its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.
Afternoon : While we make our way to Bai Tu Long Bay, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by or take an afternoon nap in your cabin. Early afternoon arrive at Vong Vieng floating fishing village
Drop anchor.
Our guide will give you some information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community.
Disembark and travel on the sampans rowed by the local people. They will be your guides through their fishing village where you can meet the locals, visit the school and pearl farms. See at first-hand what life is like living on the water. We are proud of our working partnership with, and support of, this community.
Back on board The Paloma we head towards Halong Bay.
We drop anchor in the calm waters surrounded by islets
Opportunity to go swimming in the clear warm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is suitable for all levels and ages. Our expert will run through the safety procedures and after a basic paddling lesson our experienced guide will lead you to explore the Bay, its lagoons and beaches.
For those who prefer a relaxing afternoon, make the most of sunbathing on deck or pamper yourself with a massage and sauna in our luxurious spa.
Early evening : Back on board, enjoy the sunset with evening cocktails and fresh fruit.
Take an opportunity to refresh and then join friends for a pre-dinner drink in the bar.
Dinner is served in the restaurant or outdoor dining area, which is a gastronomic delight.After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines and board games or relax in the spa; watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night or take a late night swim under the stars.
Accommodation and overnight on junk.
Include:
– 16 seat van with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
– Private boat to cruise in Halong
– Cruise & overnight on boat in Halong Bay (A/C private cabin)
Day 6 : Halong Boat Trip – Hanoi – Fly to Danang – Hoi An (B, L)
Hoi An old town
For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.
Take an opportunity to view the sunrise over the Bay or have an early morning swim.
Breakfast, coffee and tea and served.
After breakfast we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves including Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) cave, Coc Ngoi (Toad) cave and we drop anchor at Surprise (Sung Sot) Cave.
Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
10:00
We board The Paloma again. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store.
An early lunch is served.
12 noon” Return to the shore and disembark from The Paloma as our crew say farewell.
You are transferred to the airport to catch our short flight to Danang, upon arrival at the airport in Danang, you are met and transferred to hotel in Hoi An for check in.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Include:
– 16 seat van with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Domestic air ticket : Hanoi – Danang (Vietnam Airline)
– Hotel in Hoi An
Day 7 : Hoi An Tour (B)
Walking tour inside Hoi An Old Town
Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia’s major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter and try some of the local specialties. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Hotel in Hoi An
Day 8 : Hoi An relaxing (B)
Relaxing at resort in Hoi An
Full day free time at your leisure
Stay overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Include:
– Meal : Breakfast
– Hotel in Hoi An
Day 9 : Hoi An – Fly to Buon Me Thuot – Lak Lake (B, L, D)
Lak Lake
We leave Hoi An by our short flight to Buon Me Thuot the coffee capital of Vietnam, before transferring to Lak Lake late afternoon. On arrival we enjoy an evening boat ride in a dugout canoe on the picturesque lake. We stay overnight with the local M’nong people in their village long house where they will prepare a meal for us and then perform a traditional musical and dancing show. The M’nong are very poor and their lifestyle is quite simple and basic, however, this journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the “real” Vietnam. Please take with you a towel as there are none available at the long house. Bedding and a mosquito net are provided, however, you may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet.
Stay overnight at homestay with the local family in the village
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meals : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
– All entrance fees
– Accommodation in Lak Lake : Homestay
Day 10 : Lak Lake – Elephant ride tour - Dalat (B, L)
Elephent ride tour in Buon Me Thuot
This morning we start the day with an early morning elephant ride into the jungle surrounding the lake. There will be 2 passengers on each elephant and a mahout to guide you. Mid morning, we start our southbound journey with the first stop being Dalat, one of Vietnam’s most charming towns. The three to four hour drive offers fantastic views as we wind through the highlands. The influence of the French is prevalent as Dalat was founded as a hill station to enable the colonials to escape the heat and chaos of Saigon. The city is set around a lake and surrounded by forests, waterfalls and rolling countryside. As the altitude is about 1, 500m above sea level you will find the climate refreshingly cool.
Stay overnight at hotel in Dalat
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meals : Breakfast, lunch
– All entrance fees
– Hotel in Dalat
Day 11 : Dalat City Tour (B)
Dalat flower city
After our breakfast at hotel, we enjoy full day city tour in Dalat for visiting Datanla water fall, Tuyen Lam lake, Truc Lam pagoda, The complex was completed in 1994 with the aim of giving new life to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect, a uniquely Vietnamese form of Zen founded during the Tran Dynasty (A.D 1225-1400). Then proceed to Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, Bao Dai was Vietnam’s last emperor. The valley of love, Dreaming hills, the Natural Silk Embroidery workshop, city garden flower, Xuan Huong lake, Dalat market.
Stay overnight at hotel in Dalat
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meals : Breakfast
– All entrance fees
– Hotel in Dalat
Day 12 : Dalat relaxing (B)
Pine hill in Dalat
Full day free time at your leisure
Stay overnight at hotel in Dalat
Include:
– Meals : Breakfast
– Hotel in Dalat
Day 13 : Dalat - Saigon (B, L)
Ben Thanh biggest market in Ho Chi Minh City
We leave Dalat for Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, we check in hotel and the rest time for you relaxing, shopping or discovering Saigon by your own.
Stay overnight at hotel in Saigon
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Private boat to cruise in Mekong Delta
– Hotel in Saigon
Day 14 : Saigon City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnel - Saigon (B, L)
Cu Chi Tunnel
our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and we will star our half day Saigon City tour and Cu Chi Tunnel. The sightseeing tour acquaints us with the city’s some major sights. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale.
We then drive this afternoon to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometers constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
Stay overnight at hotel in Saigon
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Hotel in Saigon
Day 15 : Saigon – Mekong Delta - Saigon (B, L)
Boat trip in Mekong Delta
Pick you up at hotel in Saigon at 8am. A smooth one and half hour car ride passing the green rice fields, leads you to the beautiful rural MYTHO city. The morning trip continues on the motorized boat on the Tien river to the Qui (Tortoise islet). On the way, you will view the fishing port, stilt houses, boat-building workshops, the other Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn Islet. The cruise will lead you through Bao Dinh canal to enter Ben Tre province, “the country of coconut”, to see a typical agricultural model call “Garden – Pond – Cage” then enjoy coconut candy mill and the relaxing honey tea. Then the amazing rowing boat trip on the small canal – fully covered by the shadow of the water coconut’s tree and cool breezes is something you can not miss. Lunch will be served right in the heart of the orchard garden.After lunch, we will walk along the village, visit fruit garden, enjoy the tropical fruit while you are listening to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music” performed by the islanders. Here we also can join the daily activities of the local people and enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful natural countryside. Your expectations will be fulfilled by final boat trip back to My Tho on the Tan Thach natural canal. Car back to Saigon
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Private boat to cruise in Mekong Delta
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Hotel in Saigon
Day 16 : Saigon - Departure (B)
Free time until our driver picks up and transfers you to the airport to catch your flight back home.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– Meal : Breakfast
