16 Days - Spotlight on Vietnam

Day 01: Hanoi City Arrival
Meet and greet service upon arrival to Hanoi City -  the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Restored Sword Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Much of the city was transformed by the French when it became a French protectorate in the 1880s and there are wide boulevards and large colonial buildings which are now home to government departments and foreign embassies.  Today you will stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi City.

Day 02: Hanoi - Thay Pagoda - Hanoi (Meals: B, L)
Early morning around 5.30, walk to Hoan Kiem Lake where local seniors practice a rigorous, joint-limbering version of tai chi. After breakfast, depart for the “Pagoda of the West” (Tay Phuong) and the Master-Thay pagoda. Tay Phuong pagoda, 40 km southwest of Hanoi, consists of three parallel single level structures built on a hillock said to resemble a buffalo. These structures represent three treasures, Buddha, his laws and the bronze. Take a relaxing hike (for photo opportunities) for a few miles through the rice paddy and villages to the Master-Thay pagoda, the home of the Water Puppetry Art. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the pagoda. Return to Hanoi at 3.30 pm and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City.

Day 03: Hanoi - Halong Bay On The Rice Paddies - Sapa (Meals: B)
Early morning drive to Ninh Binh – 110 km from Hanoi City - We will enjoy a 2 hour boat cruise through Tam Coc which boasts some absolutely breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, we will travel along rural roads amongst the rice fields and magnificent rock formations of the Hoa Lu area. After lunch we will visit Van Long Nature Reserve (2 hours) before commence our journey back to Hanoi . We will stop at a market garden during the return trip to photographs rural life up close. Back to Hanoi City and then you will be visiting the Temple of Literature and then free to wander the downtown area through the old section of 36 streets and 36 wares, where each street hosts vendors of particular trade. Free to have your own dinner and the we will drive you to the station at 21:00 to board a night train to Sapa. Overnight on the train.

Day 04: Lao Cai - Bac Ha - Sapa (Meals: B)
The train arrives in Lao Cai at 05:00 am. Having breakfast at a local restaurant near the train station and then we continue driving to Bac Ha market, which is one of the most interesting hill tribe markets in North Vietnam . Here we will observe and photograph Nung, Flower H'Mong, Black Dao and Dzay minority people buying and selling their local produce. After spending the morning casually strolling around and photographing the markets, we will visit a Flower H’mong village called Ban Pho. We then make our way to Sapa by coming back to Lao Cai town. Driving uphill to Sapa. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa is the former hill retreat for French administrators when the heat in plain became unbearable. The remoteness and simple lifestyle of ethnic minorities are a highlight of Sapa although conditions are very basic. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around. The ethnic people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Dinner by your own at various restaurants in the town. Free at your own leisure and stay overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 05: Village Trek - Overnight Train to Hanoi (Meals: B, L)
Today we will trek down the mountain to Ta Van village. Along the way we will photograph the magnificent terraced rice fields and local minority people going about their day-to-day activities. After an enjoyable picnic lunch, we will continue our trek, walking through a number of minority villages and getting up close to the terraced rice fields. We will photograph the sunset over the terraced rice fields at our leisure. In the afternoon, we transfer you back to Lao Cai station to take night train back to Hanoi.  Overnight on the train in a private cabin.

Day 06: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Meals: B, L, D)
Pick up at the station at 05:30. You will go with our tour guide to attend the early flower market in Hanoi to get some close-up shots and then come over to have breakfast at a local noodle soup and then we will transfer you to Halong Bay. We depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide 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. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. 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. Free time to leisure and photograph an amazing Halong Bay from panoramic view from Titov peak to hidden coves and bustling floating villages. Meals served onboard and tonight you will be staying overnight aboard.

Day 07: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue (Meals: B)
Waking up very early morning to catch sunrise and take photos of Halong Bay in early morning. Disembarking off the boat and driving back to Hanoi with a stop en route in ancient ceramic and pottery making village called Phu Lang. Touring the village and photograph village artisans the way of making products and then we will transfer you to the airport to catch an evening flight to Hue. Met by your local tour guide and drive to the city to  check-in. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. In the evening, you will make your own exploration to see Hue city by night. Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day 08: Hue City Tours (Meals: B, D)
Morning take a dragon boat downstream to visit Con Hen island, where we have chance to describe the life of boat people on the sampans by photo. Continue upstream toward the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s most reserved religious monument standing on the riverbank with its seven-floored tower. Drive to visit the Imperial Citadel. Lunch is at the Thuong Tu pancake restaurant (specialties of Hue). Afternoon continue by vehicle to visit the elaborate Royal tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Before returning to the hotel, we come up to the Vong Canh hill for a photo opportunity of the spectacular upper part of the Perfume River. Evening, royal dinner is at a local restaurant restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Day 09: Hue - Hoi An (Meals: B)
Enjoy morning drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the Eastern Sea, famous for stunning long sandy beaches (former UAs R&R). Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. At leisure and overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Day 10: Walking and Photographing Hoi An (Meals: B)
In the morning, we will visit Hoi An market and take a walking tour on its narrow cobblestone streets visiting former merchants’ houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the colorful bazaar, and the local market, where we spend a lot of time to shoot the most lively pictures of fish mongers on the river bank. At 5 pm, take one hour boat ride on the Thu Bon River visit the Kim Bong pottery and carpentry villages to learn the traditional way of making clay products and fishing boat building. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Day 11: Day at Leisure (Meals: B)
Today you will be free at your own leisure at the beach resort to refresh or take another optional tour to visit My Son – an  UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, located 69 km southwest of Danang, was an imperial city during the Cham dynasty, between the 4th and 12th centuries. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king.  Back to the hotel and the rest of time at your own leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Saigon (Meals: B)
Free at leisure until we transfer you to the Danang airport to catch morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Our tour guide will meet and greet you upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City - formerly Saigon, the city located on the right bank of the Saigon River. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city, the greatest port, and the commercial and industrial center of Vietnam. Check-in hotel and enjoy dinner on the Bonsai Cruise. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13: Mekong Delta Tour (Meals: B, L)
Pick up at hotel at 07:15 AM and transfer to Cai Be. Day private cruise excursion starts from Cai Be, departing from our own pier in Phu An hamlet at around 10.00 am. Upon embarkation on a private sampan boat, clients. The tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables.  Your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During a 40 minutes cruise, you will be able to discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people.  Visit at an ancient mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup a tea.  Back on board, we will lead to you to observe the activity of the biggest rice stock market. Further, others stops will allow you to see a traditional bricks and tiles factory and how locals are using palm leaves for houses. Cruising 20 minutes further to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be beautiful church, we will have a visit at some interesting home factories to see how rice paste is made, but also rice cookies, coco candies, as well as longan fruits drying process. Lunch will await you at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. At 03:00pm, our car will transfer you back to Saigon. Today you will stay overnight at hotel in Saigon City.

Day 14: Cu Chi Tunnels - Tay Ninh Cao Dai Temple (Meals: B)
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district, and Tay Ninh Province. Upon arrival in Cu Chi district, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities and a visit to a rice paper making factory at Tan Phu Trung Village. Experience ourselves the underground village of Cu Chi guerrilla fighters, which is simply a network of tunnels built during the long years of wars. Continue to drive another an hour and half from Cu Chi towards Tay Ninh to visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, and attend the noon time service with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail; photo opportunities during the ceremony. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Drive back to Saigon and arrive at 4 pm. Balance of the afternoon is to wander about Saigon for photo shooting. Overnight at hotel in Saigon City.

Day 15: City Photographing (Meals: B/L)
Discover a city full of contrasts; French colonial architecture competes with oriental influences and traditional street vendors selling fruits and vegetables can be seen next to modern western-style bars and flashy boutiques. We will visit Catholic Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office nearby and then we will head to visit the Reunification or Presidential Palace.  There is a chance to take a closer look at the City Opera Hall and then visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the famous Post Office which are both wonderful examples of French Colonial architecture. In the afternoon, the tour continues with visits to two famous local markets . There are lots of photo opportunities about the local life during the visit. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Saigon

Day 16: Depart Saigon (Meals: B)
Free at leisure until transferring to the airport to take your departure flight onward. It is time to say goodbye your tour guide, driver and wish you have a good journey back to home. HOME SWEET HOME. End of service.