Discover Vietnam Tour -09 nights/10 days

You will be greeted at the airport by our Vietnam Travel Centre representative and taken directly to your hotel to rest or explore as you choose. Ha Noi is the capital city of Vietnam. It's a 1000 year old city that is packed full of diversity, character and vitality. The heart of the city is Hoan Kiem Lake where locals and tourists alike sit, walk or join in with daily Tai Chi and exercise groups. To the north of the Lake is the Old Quarter where an ancient style of living among the narrow streets and tiny buildings dominates. To the south of the Lake is the elegant French Quarter with its wide tree lined boulevards and Colonial style architecture. If flights allow, after a rest and lunch, you can enjoy a Cyclo ride around the central area to get a snapshop of this vibrant and busy city centre. The rest of the evening will be spent at your leisure. Overnight at the Anatole.

This morning after breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour of the major historical and cultural sites of the city starting with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh was the revered Vietnamese leader who still commands huge great respect throughout the country. The Mausoleum is in a commanding and impressive setting adjoining the Palace and government buildings. In the same development there are also the Museum, some lovely gardens, a Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's last house before he died. You will next visit the Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Vietnam. It was established in honour of Confucius and, for 6 centuries was the centre of learning for the Mandarins, the intellectuals, the administrators and politicians of the day when Vietnam was strongly connected with China. For lunch, you will be taken to a local restaurant to try the famous Ha Noi Pho, a delicious noodle soup. After lunch, the next stop is at the Trấn Quoc Pagoda situated on the largest lake in Ha Noi called Ho Tay or West Lake. The Pagoda is the oldest one in Ha Noi, Originally constructed in the sixth century. The last stop for the day brings you back to Hoan Kiem Lake to visit the lovely Ngoc Son Temple which was built on an island on the Hoan Kiem Lake in the 19th century. Here you will learn about the story of the soft shelled turtle and the sword that was reputed to have been recovered to save Ha Noi from destruction. It is said that turtles still live in the lake and to see one brings luck! (Late check-out confirmed until 17:00 hrs.) After an early dinner you will be transferred to the railway station to board a train to Lao Cai, from where you will be transferred to the hills of Sapa. Overnight on the train.

Your train arrives into the town of Lao Cai which is located on the Vietnam- China border and the nearest point for your travel to Sa Pa which is located an hour away. Your guide and driver will be waiting to welcome you at the station. You will then be taken to a local restaurant for a light breakfast. After breakfast, visit the local minority market, which operates five days a week (closed on Mondays and Fridays). Following the market visit, enjoy a scenic drive into Sa Pa town and check-in to your hotel. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Ta Phin village for a trek that will take you through captivating mountains, terraced rice fields and enchanting bamboo forests. Your car will be waiting to take you back to Sa Pa to your hotel after the trek. Overnight at the Pistachio hotel.

This morning you can take a 5 km walk through the Cat Cat village which is home to the Black H’mong hill tribe. Take part in a traditional music performance put on by the tribe and visit some traditional houses to see how people live. On your return to the hotel, you will have time to shower and change if you choose to before heading to Lao Cai for the overnight train back to Ha Noi. (Late check-out confirmed until 17:00 hrs). You will be transferred to the Lao Cai railway station to board the train to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

You arrive in Ha Noi at 5.30am. Your driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel for the rest of the day and the night (early check-in confirmed). The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or to explore the city in your own time. You might want to visit one of the museums in Ha Noi. The Women's Museum presents stories of women through the times and demonstrates the significance of women in the Vietnamese culture. Overnight at the Anatole.

This morning, after breakfast you will depart for Ha Long Bay. The three hour drive to the bay passes through Vietnamese countryside and lush rice paddy fields. When you arrive at the port around noon, the boat’s (Peony Cruise) crew will be ready to welcome you on board. Check-in, enjoy a welcome drink & attend the cruise briefing. Enjoy a cruise along this fascinating bay that features thousands of limestone karts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea. Overnight on board.

The boat will resume cruising before sunrise. Start your day with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, accompanied by complimentary tea and coffee. Rejuvenate your body and mind with the slow, graceful movements of Tai Chi while enjoying the serene dawn over the bay. Enjoy breakfast on board before spending the morning cruising through the stunning limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. As the journey comes to an end, prepare to check out and disembark at Tuan Chau International Marina, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to Hanoi Airport (3-hour drive). Board a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City), Vietnam’s commercial capital. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, your local driver and guide will be there to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. The evening is at your leisure. Overnight at Alagon D'Antique Hotel.

This morning, we have organised for you to visit the Cu Chi war tunnels which is a network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War and besides being used as hiding spots, were also used as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. In the afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace. Discover real Saigon through the eyes of a local. Visit the bustling Cho Lon market, a hidden Chinese pagoda, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, and the City Hall. Return to your hotel and spend your evening at leisure. Overnight at Alagon D'Antique Hotel.

This morning, you will leave Ho Chi Minh City and head south to the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, board a small local boat for a journey along the river, witnessing how locals make their living on the riverbanks, including processing coconuts and making coconut charcoal. Disembark from the boat and enjoy a cycling trip along island roads to a farm that grows Suong Sam—a native Southeast Asian plant primarily used in local refreshments. Pick fresh leaves and learn how to prepare Suong Sam jelly, a traditional dessert. Enjoy a typical Mekong Delta lunch at a villager’s house before visiting a family that continues the tradition of making coconut brooms by hand. Later, take a sampan ride through a canal lined with water coconut palms, leading back to the main Mekong River. After the tour, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at Alagon D'Antique Hotel.

On the last day of the tour, the day will be at your leisure until it is time for the driver to meet you at the hotel for your transfer to the International Airport for your homebound flight.