Vietnam Uncover By Train 15 Days

You’ll be met & transferred to your Hotel. Today is a time to relax and unwind and to begin to discover this fascinating country.

Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Optional: We introduce two one-of-a-kind traditional performances which are found nowhere else than in Vietnam. You can choose one of below options:

- Water Puppet Show where puppets are performed on water stage with folk music, presenting ancient tales, folklores and daily life in Vietnamese countryside.

- Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show - a very unique show about ritual of spirit practiced in the Vietnamese indigenous religion with music, colors and lively dance performance. The Four Palaces Shows take place on Thursday and Saturday every week.

If you're interested in the shows, please contact our travel consultants to book.

Meals: NA

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities: Meet at airport and transfer to hotel for check in

Hanoi

Half day Hanoi city tour (by car or by motorbike – upon client’s interest) - Routes can change subject to client’s interest.

Begin the first day of the trip with a tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel at 08:30 for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.

Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)

Wrap up the morning with a visit to the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years.

Have lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant.

Free time at leisure for rest of the day until guide and driver pick up and transfer to Hanoi train station

20:00 Guide pick up you at hotel lobby for transferring to Train Station for night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train (sharing, soft sleeper with air-conditioner, 4 berths per cabin).

Notes:

- Our tour guide will not accompany during the train trip

- Train schedule is subject to change.

- Private compartments on request at surcharge.

- Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Activities: Hanoi City tour by motorbike in the morning: ride around the city, outside of the Old Quarter toward the West Lake area, with a number of short stops, and a walking tour to learn about the history of the sites including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. End with lunch at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. In the evening, take overnight train to Lao Cai.

City tour by bus/ car is available at customer's request

Hanoi City Tours By Motorbike

05:30 ~ 06:00 Arrive at Lao Cai Train Station. Pick up at the train station and transfer to Sapa by a tourist shared bus (1 hour to get to Sapa). Early check in upon arrival is possible upon room occupancy (Surcharge applicable). Relax for awhile to get ready for our full day trekking.

Start the trip at around 9:30. First start of 6km of walking down to the south east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho Village of the Black H’mong. Continue a 2km-trekking down to Lao Chai Village, through terraced rice fields to Ta Van Village of the Dzay minority people. Lunch at a local family, it gives you a worth chance for you to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes…on the way. Last trek is about 2Km to the bus stop in Ta Van then get back to Sapa by jeep or minivan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight in Sapa

Activities: Full day soft trekking, pass along dirt tracks as well as through several villages of ethnic minority groups. Experience the culture of the local daily life styles and exclusion custom in Sapa

Trekking level: 6/10. 10 km trekking, 8 km driving from Ta Van Village back to Sapa.

Lao Chai

A walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then next 3 km to Sin Chai Village, the village located at the foot of Fansipan, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way a jeep to return to Sapa.

Transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Arrive in Hanoi in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities: Join on a soft trekking tour to discover the untouched beauty of the villages in Sapa before heading back to Hanoi by bus.

Trekking level: 4/10. 7 km trekking, 3 km driving from Cat Cat back to Sapa.

Red Dao people

Have breakfast and then check out your hotel.

7:30 - 8:30 Pick up by shuttle bus. Drive to Halong City ((approximately 3.5 to 4 hours). You will participate in fantastic 2-day Halong Bay cruise tour. Upon your arrival in Halong, you will be welcomed on board of a traditional style junk boat. Cruise into the the magical bay while lunch is served. In the afternoon you will start to discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea“. Depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you may kayak, visit cave or floating fishing village, pearl farm, swim at Titop or Soi Sim beach or sunbathe on the sundeck...

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on board

Activities: Travel by shuttle bus to the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Halong Bay. You will spend the night on one of the traditional boats on the bay.

Our tour guide will not accompany aboard the cruise in Halong Bay. Resident English speaking guide on board is available.

Fishing Village

Wake up in the bay with the sound of waves and birds welcoming the new day. You will have the opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay.

Your boat will cruise back to Halong Pier through spectacular karsts and limestone rock formations. Your driver will meet you at the dock for the transfer to Hanoi. Rest of the day at leisure to discover Hanoi by your way

21:15 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi railway station for the night train to Hue (Unification Express, sharing 4-berth air-conditioned compartment).

Note:

- Train schedule is subject to change.

- Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement).

- Restrooms at either end of the carriages.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Activities: Follow our local guide continue cruising to explore the most stunning caves in Halong and have the brunch on board. Disembark then back to Hanoi. At leisure till time to pick up for over night train to Hue.

Halong Bay

In the early morning, tour guide will pick up you at Hue train station then take you to have breakfast.

The half day city tour in Hue will be either in the morning or afternoon departure depend on availability

The tranquil Hue City was founded in 17th century as a royal city and a capital (before Hanoi replaced it), and now has become one of top destinations in the middle of Vietnam. Our itineraries today start with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhism attraction which is located at the bank of the enchanting Perfume River. The pagoda is fascinating because of not only ancient design of the buildings, but also good location at which you could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Perfume River.

Leaving the pagoda, we continue our journey today with a visit to the Imperial Citadel. Being the “house” of Nguyen Royal Family, the last dynasty in Vietnam, the citadel reflects luxurious and prosper lives of the royal family, and allows visitor to explore a part of Vietnam pre-modern history. Even though some buildings were damaged or destructed during some wars, but crucial constructions are still remained and currently being conserved at good condition. We will spend most of the time around the citadel, with visit to front gate, the Flag Tower, The King’s Palace, and the Museums of Royal Antiquities.

Time for the buildings is finished, and now is time for interaction with the local people. Our next and last stop will be Dong Ba Market, the largest traditional trading place in not only Hue City, but also the adjacent provinces. Walking through kiosks, you will have chance to understand daily business of local sellers, their way of doing business, as well as purchase some interesting souvenirs before we drive you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Activities: Pick-up at Hue station then explore tombs and pagodas lie everywhere in and around Hue.

After breakfast, you will be transfer by shuttle bus or Private car with stop at some sightseeing on the way for short break (admission fee not included). Check in hotel and relax.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Activities: Transfer to Hoi An by shuttle bus.

Hoi An at night

Upon arrival check in hotel. In the afternoon, local tour guide will take you on an orientation walk around the Ancient Town. The beautifully restored Hoi An retains the feel of centuries past, making it the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore it. Take the chance to do some shopping and perhaps get some clothes tailored. There's a great array of original paintings, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and fabrics on display. At night, when the lanterns are lit up, the scene is truly amazing!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Activities: Join a walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town in the morning.

Hoi An

Day at leisure for your further discovery of Hoi An on your own or you may want to take an optional day excursion at a surcharge.

In the afternoon transfer to train station in Da Nang for the night train to Ho Chi Minh (sharing 4-berth air-conditioned compartment).

Notes:

- Your guide will not accompany you during the train journey.

- Train schedule is subject to change (ETD 22:15 hrs).

- Private compartments on request at surcharge.

- Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight Sleeper Train

Activities: At leisure till night train to Ho Chi Minh City

Biking in Hoi An

The train arrives in Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning (approx. 05:30). Pick up and transfer for breakfast (early check-in is not included).

At leisure in the morning and join in our City tour in the afternoon with visit some typical interesting sights of Ho Chi Minh City such as: War Remnants Museum (or History Museum), Reunification Palace, Saigon Center Post Office.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Activities: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh early in the morning. In the afternoon, take a guided tour to get a feel for the city's frenetic, fascinating blend of old and new, East and West.

Street life

After breakfast, transfer to visit Cu Chi Tunnels (70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. After lunch at local restaurant, drive back to hotel in Ho Chi Minh. The rest of your day will be at your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Activities: In the morning, drive to Cu Chi District in the suburban of Ho Chi Minh, discover the famous underground system of Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about life in war time. The rest of your day will be at your own leisure.

Getting Down Small Sceret Entrance

This morning you will be transferred to Can Tho. The lush, riverine tapestry of the Mekong Delta makes the perfect escape from the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. You can savour blissful peace in Can Tho – where they can explore orchards, farms and fisheries and survey the scenery by bike or from a boat.

Enjoy the fresh air and immerse yourself in the tranquility in this part of countryside in Mekong Delta, still untouched by tourism.

Board on a long tail boat and experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways first hand as you explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms.Touring the orchards, paddy fields and swamplands of the Mekong Delta, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into the pages of a geography textbook. Many visitors spend a day or two in Can Tho, the delta’s biggest settlement, to take advantage of its decent hotels and restaurants and to recharge batteries before venturing out to the floating markets nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Activities: Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong delta explore tour begins with a short drive south, leaving the city behind and entering the rural landscapes of the Mekong Delta. Passing motorbikes piled high with goods, large water buffalos working in the fields and school children cycling to school, you will be entertained by the endlessly entertaining scenery.

Mekong delta

After Breakfast at hotel, take a motor boat to visit Cai Rang – the most fascinating floating market where we can see all trading activities on Mekong river. A short stop to visit rice husking mill and walk around the village. See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Disembark at Ninh Kieu and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh. Drop off at hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Activities: Early wake up with a “should not be missed” floating market in Can Tho. Travel along the Mekong and the natural network of canals by motor boat and sampan under the shadows of water coconut trees. Taste seasonal fruits right from the orchard, meet friendly locals, and visit the region’s lively floating markets. After lunch, back to Ho Chi Minh.

Floating Market

Time at leisure until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA

Activities: Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for flight to the next destination

Saigon Street Food