13 Days - SEE THE REAL VIETNAM

Day 01: HANOI
On arrival, transfer to hotel. The rest of day is at leisure.

Day 02: HANOI (B)
A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. In the morning, visit the Ho Chi Minh's former residence, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, the Lake of Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple.
In the afternoon, take a Cycle tour of the Old Quarter. In the evening, take in the world famous water puppet show.

Day 03: HALONG BAY (B/L/D)
Drive to Ha Long Bay. On arrival, board the Jasmine Junk. Lunch will be served while cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay. Time for trekking or swimming at Soi Sim Island. Visit Van Chai fishing village and cruise to discover Hang Doi water tunnel in a row boat. Dock overnight and enjoy your dinner.
* Kayaking is arranged for you.

Day 04: HALONG BAY – SAPA (B)
Enjoy sunrise Tai Chi class on the deck before visiting splendid Sung Sot grotto. Back on board for a buffet brunch while cruising back through Ha Long Bay to the pier. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi for an afternoon room use.
(Note: The above itinerary is subject to change with or without prior notice)
In the evening, transfer to rail station for train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train. (Brunch only)

Day 05:  SAPA (B)
On arrival in Lao Cai, pick up for breakfast at a local restaurant and then drive to a minority market for a visit. Later, transfer to Sapa town where you will check into your hotel.
The rest of day is at leisure.

Day 06: SAPA (B)
Morning drive to Y Linh Ho. Start trekking down the valley, enjoy view over beautiful terraced paddy fields in Muong Hoa valley, the largest one in the area. Trek about 3 hours along the Hoang Lien mountain range with many photo opportunities and encounter Hmong minorties en route. Trek up to Lao Chai junction to the main road to enjoy the panoramic view of Muong Hoa valley before returning to Sapa by car. Afternoon you will start a walk through the town of Sapa and along a dirt trail through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. You will then hike through the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small village hiding away from the civilisation. Continue hiking through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. During the day you will also be able to visit a local school. From the school, you head to the church of Taphin, where your car will take you back to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.

Day 07: SAPA – HANOI (B)
On arrival at Hanoi train station, pick up and transfer to the hotel for the morning room use and breakfast.
Later in the morning, transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. On arrival, transfer to hotel. The rest of day is at leisure.

Day 08: HUE (B)
In the morning, visit the imperial tombs of King Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. In the afternoon, visit the Purple Citadel. Then, take a boat cruise on the romantic Perfume River to explore Thien Mu Pagoda. Return to Hue by road. Stop at Dong Ba market if time permits.

Day 09: HUE - HOI AN (B)
After breakfast, take a private transfer to Hoi An. Stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountain. On arrival in Hoi An, check in your hotel.

Day 10: HOI AN (B)
In the morning, take a walking tour of this quaint town, visiting ancient merchants' houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colorful riverside market.
The rest of day is at leisure.

Day 11: HOI AN - HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon. On arrival, pick up and transfer hotel. The rest of day is at leisure.

Day 12: HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
In the morning, take a drive to Cu Chi Tunnels for an excursion. 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.
Return to Saigon in the afternoon for a half-day city tour. Visit the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple.

Day 13: HO CHI MINH CITY – LONDON (B)
Transfer to the airport for the departure flight back to London via Bangkok.

Price Includes:
Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing including private driver, private guided sightseeing, meals and domestic flights as per itinerary. (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

Price Exclude:
Optional excursions, camera charges, tips of a personal nature.