VIETNAM – THE JOURNEY OF INSIGHTS

Welcome to Hanoi – The Capital City of Vietnam!
Upon arrival, welcomed by the local tour guide and transferred to downtown to check in the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to freshen up after a long flight and reset your bio-clock before gearing up for an interesting exploration ahead. 
The charming city of Hanoi with more than 1000 years old offers so many things for visitors to explore including of numerous cultural and historical sites, tree-lines streets and green lakes,  strolling in the old quarters with series of local vendors selling multiple of goods, tasting wide selection of street foods like Pho (noodle) or Bun Cha, Banh Mi and different kinds of spring roll, check out the art gallery and some certain chill coffee shops, or just simply relax on a Cyclo around the streets to see the hectic pace of local life.
Overnight hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: No meal included on this day.
 

In the morning, we will start our city tour from Ba Dinh Square where the most solemn ceremonies of Hanoi take place. We first visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Closed on Monday and Friday) where is the last rest place of Ho Chi Minh President, we then visit One-Pillar pagoda nearby with unique architecture first built on 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong. Continue visiting Ho Chi Minh Resident including the wooden ethnic minority style house, which was built on stilts, is surrounded by lovely peaceful gardens and his fish pond. Go on to the Temple of Literature, the very first high school of Vietnam Scholars and a temple dedicated Confucius. Have lunch at the local restaurant.
Afternoon visit Hoa Lo Prison, also known as Maison Centrale, well-known as one of the most inhuman prisons with terrified punishment. In this prison, you’ll see the horrified iron shackles and many artifacts and photographs of prisoners who are wearing leg chains. Prisoners often starved, tortured, are always beaten and isolated. Thereby, visitors can understand the spirit of the revolutionary soldiers and their sacrifice for their communist ideals. After that visit to Hoan Kiem Lake, a scenic spot in the heart of Hanoi and explore Ngoc Son Temple located on a small island in the lake, connected by a charming red bridge. Walk through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets, to experience the bustling atmosphere, local markets, and traditional shops. Head to Long Bien Bridge, an iconic historic bridge over the Red River. It was built during the French colonial period and has witnessed significant events in Vietnamese history. Sipping a cup of Vietnamese coffee with egg or salt flavor at the a local boutique shop will be an exotic experience that you must try during city tour. Check in a day-use hotel for a couple of hours freshen up until transfer to Railway station to board a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on a shared cabin (4-berth cabin with AC).
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch
 

Mountain hiking: 12 km, 5 – 6 hours. Off beaten track/dirty trail. Van transfer: 1,5 hours
Early morning the train arrives at Lao Cai railway station, you will be greeted by our local tour guide and transfer for early breakfast at the local restaurant. After that start a land expedition to  Bac Ha District, 70km from Lao Cai. Different from a well-known Sapa with a large number of tourists, Bac Ha still retains its pristine beauty with the picturesque landscapes, terraced rice fields, and vibrant ethnic cultures which attract the people who want to avoid the crowded.
Your hiking trip will start from Bac Ha town to Lung Phình, a beautiful commune settled in a magnificent landscape with the houses built in the middle of fields and surrounded by gardens, preserving the beauty of the rusticity and simplicity of the Northwest mountains. The scenic trekking route along the mountain slope trails offering the stunning views of the terrace paddy fields, hill tribe villages, evergreen forests, mountains and hills in the distance. We make a visit to Ho Village home to H’mong people on the way. A picnic lunch will be served at a local family or a picnic lunch under the shade of trees along the way. Until late afternoon, we arrive Pha Chu Ty village where we will spend a night at a homestay of H’mong family. Having the opportunity to walk around the villages, you will also see images of H’mong people with colorful traditional costumes and large baskets on their backs. Your dinner with the specialties of the local will be cooked and served by the hospitable house owner.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
 

Hiking/trekking: 14 km, 6 hours: dirty trail/offbeat road.
This morning, you wake up in the fresh and tranquil atmosphere of the remote village. After breakfast at homestay, say farewell with the local family and proceed the hiking to Thai Giang Pho. The mountain trail passes through varied landscapes ranging from vegetable plantations, terraced fields, green hills, and streams. We make a stop at Quan Hoa to visit the village of Phu La people. Late afternoon, we reach San Chu Van village where we will spend a night at H’mong family house. At the end of the day, enjoy your dinner and stay overnight at the friendly host family.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
 

Hiking/trekking: 12 km, 5 – 6 hours: dirty trail/offbeat road.
After breakfast, leave the village and follow the trail to Ban Lien commune passing through a number of primary forests and terraced fields to Phac Ke village of the Tay people in Ban Lien commune. 
If the trek held in spring we will enjoy the natural pictures of landscape with plum and peach forests and white blossom cover the mountains. The local villages of Dao, Tay, Nung and H’mong people along the way are also ideal for a visit and watch their ordinary day of life. The trip will also offer you the magnificent scenery of palm forests, tea plantations, house-on-stilts leaning on the mountainside. You will take a walk to an ethnic village which located at the mountain side, explore the particular architecture of Tay houses, built on stilts and palm leaves roof. Get a close insight of culture and traditions on the mountain region. Join the local in their daily activities such as picking up the tea leaves and learn the tea making process. Be welcomed for dinner and stay at Tay's family for a night.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
 

After breakfast, say goodbye to your friendly host family and get transferred back to Bac Ha to mingle with local people at one of the weekly colorful markets of the hill tribe people in this district.
Depending on the day, you will have different choice to visit Bac Ha Market (Sun), the biggest market in Bac Ha; Can Cau market (Sat); Coc Ly market (Tue); Sin Cheng market and Cao Son market (Wed), Lung Khau Nhin (Thur)…
The hill tribe markets are the most colorful weekly event for the ethnic people living in the region such as Flower Hmong, Tay, Dao, Nung, La Phu… Since early morning, people dress up in the traditional colorful costume and excitedly come to the market from all roads. For them, these markets are not only the place to trade but also the rendezvous point for friends and relatives’ connection and for men especially to meet friend and sip wine together. This habit established since very long time ago and still retained until today, become a singular and unique highlight in their culture. After the market, hiking around the nearby village of the hill tribe people before having lunch at the local restaurant. Afternoon, transfer back to Lao Cai, on the way, stop to visit Lao Cai Border gate to Hekou, China. Check in a day-use hotel for a shower and a quick rest until embark on the night train back to Hanoi. Sleep in a shared cabin of 4-berths with AC. 
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch
 

Early morning, the train will arrive in Hanoi station, picked up and transferred for breakfast at a local restaurant with a very typical PHO – Noodle with chicken or beef. Banh Mi (bread) is also a recommendation if you want to try. After breakfast, we head East for about 3.5 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating houses and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the cruise, enjoy cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise. 
Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose. 
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
 

You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier. Disembark from the cruise, transfer to Ninh Binh. Check in hotel and time at leisure. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Meals included: Breakfast|Brunch
 

Walking/easy hiking: 6km – 7km; 1.5hr – 2 hours. Dirty path/village road/paved road.
Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. 
Your sightseeing will be started with a visit to the temples of King Dinh and Kinh Le, two historical sites built in 17th century in Hoa Lu ancient capital, dedicated two emperors who made great contributions the country’s development in the past. Continue the trip to Tam Coc where you will embark on a rowing boat trip gliding gently on Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc or “Three Caves”. The signature of the trip is not lying at the Caves but the journey itself when you contemplate the picturesque scenery, the shade of the mountain reflected on the river. During the harvest season, the rice field will be like the golden carpets seen from above. Traveling during this time, you can even smell the scent of the new rice and feel happy inside when seeing the happy smiles of the famers on their field.
After the boat trip, walking to visit Thai Vi temple dedicated to the Kings of Tran Dynasty, settled in a very tranquil area surrounded by rice fields and mountains. The temple looks modest in scale but contains high values of long history and cultural legacy. 
After lunch, have a leisure walk to Bich Dong Pagoda on the village roads. Along the way, you will have chance catching up with the local people and learn a bit about their daily life and activities. Bich Dong pagoda is situated on a mountainside consisting of 3 separated pagodas located from low to high. When you reach the top of the stairs, you’ll be welcomed with a stunning view out of the valley of the distant mountain peaks and vast rice fields. 
Have dinner at the local restaurant then transfer to railway station to board the night train to Hue. The train accommodation is basic but worth a try to experience the local train here. You will sleep overnight on the 4-berth shared compartment with AC.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
 

Upon arrival in Hue in the morning, welcomed by the local tour guide and transferred for breakfast. 
Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is not only highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle but also the tasting local foods such as Bun Bo Hue (Hue noodle with beef), variety of cakes made from different types of flour such as rice flour, tapioca starch, and filled with shrimp, meat, or green bean inside wrapped by banana leave that attract people from all regions of the country. Today you will have chance to taste authentic Bun Bo Hue and some kind of cakes for your breakfast before the visit.
We will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum. Go on to visit Thien Mu pagoda, the iconic of Hue city.  Transfer to have lunch at the local restaurant then check in hotel after that.
After noon, continue the sightseeing to Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang located on the west bank of Perfume River. Minh Mang tomb was built from 1840 and completed in 1843 with the effort of ten thousand workers and artisians. The Tomb offers a balance of nature and structures that is unmatched among tombs in Hue. The solemn and quiet architecture set in a poetic landscape demonstrates both the Emperor's strictness and deep beliefs. Visit Dong Ba Market where is considered as a paradise for snapshots of daily activities as well as for shopping with everything from souvenir items to Hue’s specilities. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch
 

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer to Hoian through Hai Van Pass (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”), enjoy viewing the beauty of Lang Co Beach en route. On the way, stop to visit Ngu Hanh Son or Marble Mountain.
Upon arrival, have lunch at the local restaurant by the river. Proceed to check in hotel.
Afternoon, you take interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses or listen to folk music of Central Vietnam at old club-houses. Later we can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where you may find the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoian a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. Evening, amaze the town lighten up with thousands of colorful lanterns and night market by the River. Overnight in Hoian.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch
 

Cycling data - Total distance of cycling: 20 - 25km - Backroads &City roads - Support truck: Yes. Cycling duration: 5 – 6 hours. Hard level: Easy
Hoi An was a bustling international trading port, a meeting place of the trading ships of Japan, China and the West during the 17th and 18th centuries.
After breakfast we cycle from your hotel to a local fishing village. Learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community. Board on boat and commence cruising on the Cua Dai River. Join local fisherman on the river and enjoy hands on experience of round net or cast net. Learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers of both sides. Go on biking to Tra Que herb village to enjoy a Complimentary Traditional Fisherman’s Lunch prepared by our chef.
After lunch, cycling around the village before continueing to Thanh Ha Pottery Village located by Thu Bon River where you will visit a space of traditional occupational village preserved intact in cultural scenery such as: banian tree, dock, communal house, religious monuments and directly enjoy clever, skillful hands of the potters producing high quality utensils. You will also have chance to do some pottery product with the guide of the locals and of course of can keep it as a gilf of this land. Back to the town to check in hotel. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Meals included: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner

Have breakfast at hotel. It is your own morning to explore this charming town your way. You can jump into a food tour to taste many local delicious dishes such as Cao Lau, noodle, bread, or lost in the shopping streets where you can find variety of products selling from silk cloths, souvenirs, painting, lanterns,…or just leisurely biking on the shadowed roads to Cua Dai beach or to the craft villages such as Kim Bong Carpentry Village. In the afternoon, transfer to Danang airport to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest metropolis of Vietnam with a dynamic pace of life. The city is also called as Saigon by many locals. Upon arrival, welcomed by our local tour guide and transfer to check in hotel in downtown. The rest of the day is your free time to explore this city.
Meals included: Breakfast
 

This morning drive to visit Cu Chi tunnels - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Return to HCMC by after lunch.
Afternoon, the sightseeing to visit the Reunification Palace, the witness of the fierce Vietnam War ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall of official receptions. Nearby the Palace are the Notre Dame Cathedral (view from outside only), built between 1877 and 1883 and colonial-styled Central Post Office, one of the city’s major landmarks. Coming to the War Remnants Museum, you can learn a part of how Vietnamese had struggled and fought for their independence, freedom, and peace of the nation and the locals' perspective of the Vietnam War. The exhibits, such as weapons, documents, and photographs, display in the museum are firm evidence of war crimes in Vietnam and speak for the heroic actions of the former Vietnamese generation. Then visit Ben Thanh market, a symbol of the City.
A farewell dinner will be arranged on Saigon River cruise accompanied by folk music and traditional dances. Overnight in HCMC.
Meal included: Breakfast|Lunch|Farewell Dinner
 

After breakfast, depend on the flight time you will have free time for own leisure or exploration of this city before transferring to the airport for the departure flight home. Bid farewell to a friendly and hospitable Vietnamese people.

Meal included: Breakfast