Village Express Van

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Vietnam Best Adventure Tour

Tour code: VNLXBT07

Series: Best of the Best Tours

Highlight:
Hanoi - Sapa - Victoria Train - Ha Long Bay - Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh

Vietnam is a country of brilliant green rice fields, bustling city streets, thatched bamboo huts, grand colonial buildings, exotic temples and pagodas, deserted sandy beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Vietnam is a country of brilliant green rice fields, bustling city streets, thatched bamboo huts, grand colonial buildings, exotic temples and pagodas, deserted sandy beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery.

The two great metropolises of the country are the elegant capital city, Hanoi, and the dynamic, economic powerhouse, Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi is located in the north of the country and Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is in the south. Most visitors to Vietnam start their travels from one of these two cities.

An overnight train journey to the north of Hanoi is Sapa, home to Vietnam's highest mountains and colourful ethnic minorities. To the east of Hanoi is the spectacular natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Halong Bay with its thousands of limestone islands jutting out of the emerald green bay.

Hue, the former imperial capital under the Nguyen Dynasty, is a short flight south of Hanoi and a scenic three-hour drive from Hue leads to the historic trading port of Hoi An.

Vietnam's premier beach destination is Nha Trang on the south central coast. Other beach resorts can be found at Hoi An, Quy Nhon and Phan Thiet. The former colonial hill station of Dalat is a few hours' drive inland from Nha Trang while in the southernmost part of the country where the Mekong river empties into the ocean is the Mekong Delta, known as Vietnam's rice basket.

Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Day 3: Hanoi - train Victoria To Sapa
Day 4: Sapa
Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi - Nha Trang - Evasion Hideaway at Ana Mandara
Day 9: Evasion Hideaway at Ana Mandara
Day 10: Evasion Hideaway at Ana Mandara
Day 11: Evasion Hideaway at Ana Mandara - Nha Trang - HCMC
Day 12: Departure HCMC

Detail Itinerary

Day1: Arrival - Hanoi
we are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we embark on a cyclo for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour [B/ L / - ]
AM: 8h00 Pick up from your hotel, start of the tour journey visit by coach trip along the Hanoi Old Quarter. After that we take you to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, including Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum - the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house- where Ho livedon and off from 1958 to 1969, then visit Ho Chi Minh's museum, Where tourists will learn what he has done for Viet Nam and some other countries and learn all kinds of information about President Ho Chi Minh. The next place to move to is One Pillar Pagoda - a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leave One Pillar Pagoda for the Temple of Literature - the first college of Viet Nam and the place dedicating to Confucian. Have lunch at a restaurant. O/N in Ha Noi PM: After having lunch, drive to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Which is on the shore of West Lake. Quan Thanh Temple and the Museum of Ethnology (Museum of history) - Where you can look at the cultural mosaic of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. The last place of city tour is Hoan Kiem Lake (Restored Sword Lake) with Ngoc Son Temple. in the late afternoon we join water puppet shown.O/N in Ha Noi

Day 3: Hanoi - Train Victoria to Sapa [B/ - / - ]
You will be able to enjoy a free day of leisure in the colonial city Hanoi. You may like to visit the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Quarter, or perhaps opt for some cultural sights by viewing some of Hanoi's many museums, in particular the Museum of Ethnology dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority peoples. Perhaps you could visit Hoa Lo prison, formerly known by its inmates as 'The Hanoi Hilton'. Some of its more notable guests included Senator John McCain and Douglas Peterson, the first post-war US Ambassador to Vietnam . You could stroll around the French quarter where many of the Embassies are located. Maybe a shopping expedition in the old quarter or just relaxing around one of the many parks and lakes that helps to make Hanoi one of the greenest cities in Asia. Your trip to Sapa starts with an overnight train journey from Vietnam's capital city to the border town of Lao Cai . The luxury Victoria Express departs at 22:00 p.m.

Day 4: Sapa [B/ - / - ]
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, we will check into the Victoria Hotel in order to freshen up, and have breakfast at TaVan Restaurant in the hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. Aftert 10 a.m. pickup from the hotel, there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the Black H'mong minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at Victoria Sapa Hotel

Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi [B/ L / - ]
Following breakfast, we explore the Sapa Sunday market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. We will stop for a picnic lunch on the way to Ta Van village. This afternoon we transfer back to Lao Cai for the Victoria Express train journey back to Hanoi . The train departs at 21:15.

Day 6: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay [B/ L / D ]
Arrive in Hanoi at around 5 am in the morning. Pick up from here, transfer to Restaurant and 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. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise

Day 7: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi [B/ L / - ]
Waking up and having breakfast served onboard. Continue cruising around the bay. Take sampan to visit Luon Cave and come back to the boat. Having brunch before disembarking and van will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Visit Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village on the way. Arrive in Hanoi at 04:00 pm. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi - Nha Trang - Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara[B/ - / - ]
Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Noi Bai airport for your short flight to the the resort of Nha Trang to spend 3 nights in a secluded private Beach Pool Villa overlooking beautiful Ninh Van Bay at the Evason Hideaway Resort at Ana Mandara.

Day 9: Evason Hideaway Resort at Ana Mandara [B/-/-] Free time to
snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views.

Day 10: Evason Hideaway Resort at Ana Mandara [B/ - / - ]
your time and facilities of the resort at your leisure.

Day 11: Evason Hideaway Resort - Nha Trang - HO Chi Minh [B/- / - ]
Transfer to Nha Trang airport for your short flight to HCMC, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace , the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the moving War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main upscale shopping boulevard with boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Try the south's strong Vietnamese iced coffee and a banh mi (baguette sandwich) and enjoy what HCMC nights have to offer.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh - Departure [B/ - / - ]
There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh. The trip ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure.

Tour price includes:
- A private transfer and transportation
- Accommodation in twin share basis with daily breakfast
- French or English Speaking Guide
- Domestic flights: Hanoi - Nha Trang/ Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh
- Victoria Express train to and from Sapa
- Domestic departures taxes
- Boat trip in Halong Bay and Mekong Delta
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Sightseeing tickets
- Services charges and government taxes

Not Tour price excludes:
- International flights
- Entry Visa and visa fees
- International departures taxes
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals and beverage
- Optional surcharge for business class flight around $100 per person

Remark:
P = Person, B= Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = Dinner

Source: http://www.greentrailtourism.com, http://www.greentrail-indochina.com

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