Vietnam Activity Tour 09 nights/10 days

You will be greeted at the airport by a Globe Travel Centre representative and taken directly to your hotel to rest or explore as you choose. Ha Noi is the capital city of Vietnam and the second largest city next to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It is 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 as they choose. To the north of the city 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. After a rest and lunch, you can enjoy a Cycle ride around the central area to get a snapshot of this vibrant and busy city. After the cyclo rid, you can enjoy the unique Water Puppet show accompanied by talented local musicians playing traditional instruments. The rest of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi

After breakfast, you 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. In the afternoon, we will cross the Red river to Dong Ho village and visit some families who have practiced traditional wood-engraving painting for generation. Our next stop will be Bat Trang pottery village. You will stroll in the small alleys of this old village to watch local people producing their fine products and visit some houses used as workshop and showrooms. Join in the local crafts and make your own product – a lovely souvenir from Vietnam. Overnight in Ha Noi.

After breakfast, you will leave your hotel at 8:00 and travel by road to Mai Chau. Once out of the city centre, the drive takes you through lovely scenery and into the mountainous area of the Northern Highlands. Mai Chau is situated in a beautiful valley. Upon arrival at Poom Coom village in Mai Chau, we will take a short walk to visit the ethnic minority people of the Thai tribe for lunch. After a small rest, you will set out to trek to Pu luong Nature Reserve (~ 10 km). A short car ride will take you to the start of another trek to Kho Muong village – perhaps the setting of one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. You can stroll round the village and join villagers as they go about their daily lives or relax in one of the three-eco home stays set up by FFI (Flora and Fauna International) where you will be welcomed by the local host family. Time at leisure to rest and shower before traditional dinner. Overnight at the Homestay.

This morning after having breakfast, set out at 8:00am for an easy day-trek through the beautiful valleys and unspoiled villages, among the karst landscapes and lovely terraces. We will arrive after 3-4 hours at the Pho Doan market. After lunch at a local food stall in town, we start our drive back to Ha Noi arriving around 5.00pm. Overnight in Ha Noi.

This morning after breakfast. you will then set out for Ha Long Bay. The drive takes 4 hours through the Vietnamese countryside and lush rice paddy fields. You will arrive at the port around noon where the boat’s crew will be ready to welcome you on board and check you into your cabin. After a welcome drink cruise briefing, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your cruise along this unique, beautiful and fascinating bay that features thousands of limestone karts (rock formations) and isles in various sizes and shapes. Savour a fresh, local seafood lunch while cruising on to Bai Tu Long Bay. Bai Tu Long is a larger and less commercial part of the area and offers a calm, peaceful, time stopping experience. The skipper will stop offering you opportunities for a swim. You can visit the mysterious Thien Canh cave and relax at a secluded beach. You will also get the opportunity to kayak and explore the bay up close. Back on the boat to enjoy a relaxing sunset. Dinner and overnight on board.

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of karstlandscape. Enjoy breakfast in the fresh morning air of the bay and then visit the Vong Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat. Meet the locals, visit afloating school & discover the many fish farms. Later take one more swim in the middle of the bay. Enjoy lunch on the boat as we slowly cruise back to port. On arrival back at the Port, transfer back to Ha Noi airport for flight to HCM City.

This morning you will visit the Cu Chi wartunnels which are a network of underground tunnels formerly used by the VietCong during the American/Vietnam War. The tunnels were the location of severalmilitary campaigns during the war and besides being used as hiding spots, theywere also used as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weaponcaches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters and theirfamilies. Get an insight into what life was like for the guerrillas by crawlingthrough 50 meters of the 200 km long tunnel.In the afternoon, head for the bustling Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon; stopover at Thien Hau, a 150-year-oldChinese Temple and then visit a Lacquer-wares workshop as well as the JadeEmperor Pagoda. In the afternoon visit the War Remnants Museum, theRe-Unification Palace, the Notre DameCathedral and the historic Central Post Office before returning to your hotelfor an evening of leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

An 8.00am departure and a 2.5 hour drive will take you to Cai Be where you will board a boat to visit the floating market and cruise across the mighty Mekong River to Dong Phu Island. Here, we cycle under the green canopy exploring the orchards and daily life of local farmers. After lunch on the island, we head back for the boat for a cruise to Vinh Long for a 2 hours cycle around the immense rice fields and through many rural, riverside villages. Transport will pick then take us to Can Tho or you can choose to cycle back to the hotel. The evening is at your leisure. Overnight in a hotel in Can Tho.

You can take a boat trip to visit the Cai Rang floating markets and then explore the magnificent scenery of this region first by way of a cruise and then by a walk along quiet country roadswhere you will meet locals and learn more about their daily lives. Early evening, it is time to head back to HCM City. Overnight in HCM City.

The time will be at your leisure until it is time for your transfer to HCM City airport for your return flight.