Essence of Vietnam
(13D12N)
Hanoi - Sapa - Ha Long - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho
Tour code: VN02
This trip include the true essence of Vietnam as you travel from the small corners in the north to deep in the south. Make your trip become memorable when you meet the people, taste the local food and explore the authentic culture.
ITINERARY IN BRIEF Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D) Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G) Day 3: Hanoi – Sapa by bus – Cat Cat Village (B, L, G) Day 4: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Hanoi by bus (B, L, G) Day 5: Hanoi – Ha Long – Overnight onboard (B, L, D) Day 6: Ha Long – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An (B, L) Day 7: Hoi An Walking tour – Tra Que village (B, L, G) Day 8: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary (B, L, G) Day 9: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (B) Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi tunnels (B, L, G) Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L, G) Day 12: Cai Rang Floating market – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, G) Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B)
| Key B = Breakfast Br = Brunch L = Lunch D = Dinner G = Guide GP = Guide pick-up |
ITINERARY IN DETAILS
Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D)
Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted by our guide and driver, then heading to your hotel in city center for check in. Free time until having a welcome dinner at a good local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)
Breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start your day to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Residence House and One pillar Pagoda. Following by a visit to the Temple of Literature that it’s the first University of Vietnam. Lunch will be at a good local restaurant.
Afternoon, you’ll study at Thang Long Royal Citadel the UNESCO World Heritage with the large excavation site nearby. Follow your guide’s lead while you weave through some of the Quarter’s 36 streets named for the products historically sold here. Along the way, pass by some of the only remaining streets that continue selling the goods of their namesake, including Silver Street. Head through labyrinthine back alleys well off the tourist trail and see Hanoi at its authentic best. Calling in at temples and traditional houses, hear the stories of the ancient city and meet the people who call this fascinating city home. Following your guide to walk with a strong Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake - an important symbol of Vietnamese folklore - before heading to your final stop at Ngoc Son Temple on the tiny island on the lake. Enjoy a water puppet show for a look at traditional performance art in Vietnam before heading back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Sapa by bus – Cat Cat Village (B, L, G)
In the early morning, you’ll be met your driver at around 6.30 a.m. and depart for Sapa by bus via the highway from Hanoi to Lao Cai. You’ll have sometime for breakdown en-route. Arriving in Sapa at around 14.00, you’ll meet your private tour guide and driver, then drive to the restaurant for lunch before heading to the villages.
A walk to the gate of Cat Cat village which is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station; stop for photo with bridge and waterfall then you will walk uphill to get back to Sapa in the afternoon. Coming back to Sapa Town for check in at your hotel for freshens up. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Hanoi by bus (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel and check out in the morning, you’ll follow your guide to have a light trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to Black H’mong village of Lao Chai. There, you’ll see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain. You’ll also take a walk to Ta Van village - home of Dzay ethnic people before return to the town for lunch. Return to your hotel for a short rest before getting on the bus and riding back to Hanoi at around 14.30.
Arriving in Hanoi at around 22.00, you’ll check in your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi – Ha Long – Overnight onboard (B, L, D)
After breakfast at hotel, you’ll be transferred to Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus.
08:00 – 08:30 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Hong Gai Tourist Wharf, check in Oriental Sails JSC’s private waiting hall – The OS Lounge.
12:15 – 12:45 Embark on Oriental Sails by transfer boat. Listen to cruise briefing and receive room key.
13:00 – 15:30 Savor a delectable lunch as Oriental Sails cruises further along the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, heading to Vung Vieng fishing village – one of the largest fishing villages in Ha Long Bay to see the life of local fishermen.
– Option 1: Take a bamboo rowing boat trip around Vung Vieng Fishing Village
– Option 2: Take kayak and go kayaking by yourself with help and instruction of tour guide around the Village.
17:30 – 18:00 Return to Oriental Sails and have bath then relax as the sun starts to set. Enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar and on the sun deck while cooking demonstration is organizing.
19:00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, night squid fishing or just laze around. Singing and dancing activities are available till 22h00.
– Overnight on board at Cong Do Area
Day 6: Ha Long – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An (B, L)
06:30 – 07:00: Start your day with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck.
07:00 – 09:00 Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Thien Canh Son Cave. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay
09:30 Check-out room. Luggage can be delivered to the reception area.
09:30 – 11:00 Head back to the Harbor. Have early lunch on board. Disembark Oriental Sails at around 12h00.
12:00 – 16:30 Transfer back to Hanoi and trip finishes at the hotel around 16h30
You’ll then drive to Hanoi airport for your late afternoon flight to Da Nang.
Upon arriving in Da Nang, you’ll meet your guide and driver then drive to your hotel in Hoi An where you’ll spend the night.
Note: The above cruise’s itinerary can be changed without prior notice due to the season and weather condition.
Day 7: Hoi An Walking tour – Tra Que village (B, L, G)
Breakfast at your hotel, you’ll then get your bicycle to ride to Tra Que village where you’ll have chance be a real farmers. Try your hands with planting the vegetables, showing and harvesting. You’ll also have an experience in cooking for lunch with the local family. After lunch time, you’ll return to the town where you’ll have a short walking tour of Hoi An, discover the history of a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Visit Hoi An's colourful local market, Tan Ky old house, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An – My Son Sanctuary (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel, you’ll depart for My Son Holy Land. Located in a lush valley, My Son was a capital and religious center of Cham people, now remaining with red brick towers and sanctuaries. My Son, considered to be in the same league as some of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological sites. Afterward, return to Hoi An town where you’ll spend the night in Hoi An.
Optional Excursions: Cycling to Tra Que herbal village
Day 9: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
The morning will be free until be taken to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city center for check in. The rest of the day will be free for stroll around or shopping at Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi tunnels (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel, your guide and driver will meet you at hotel and depart for visiting the tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped achieve ultimate military success. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City center for lunch.
Afternoon, take city tour to visit War Remnants Museum, which features a comprehensive collection of the machinery; weapons; photos; and documentation of Vietnam's wars with both the French and Americans. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Afterward, you’ll stroll down follow the Dong Khoi Street to visit Saigon Opera House with an interesting history. Return to your hotel where you’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel, by 8.00 a.m., you’ll be transferred to My Tho with stop en-route to visit Vinh Trang pagoda. Transfer to My Tho pier for the boat trip on Tien River covering the areas of My Tho fish market and the four islands of Long, Lan, Qui, and Phung. A stopover at the Con Phung (Phoenix Island) to visit Dao Dua relics and see the manufacture of handicraft made from coconut trees. Continuing to Thoi Son Island, pay a short visit to a coconut candy factory and savor the taste of this special, visit a local house to enjoy the taste of honey tea and fresh fruits while listening to traditional music “Tai Tu” – the lovely and romantic melody of one of the tribes in Mekong Delta. Relax on a sampan through one of small canals of Mekong River. Lunch will be served at Thoi Son restaurant. Return to My Tho Pier where your driver will be waiting for you. From there, you’ll head to Can Tho for check in hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 12: Cai Rang Floating market – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, G)
People said that “If one has not visited floating market, he has not visited the south-west of Vietnam”. Literally, floating markets which have been around for a long time make the liveliest part of life in the south-west, the land of rivers, canals and ditches. Most of the boats here are packed with a lot of farm products and specialties of Cai Rang Town, Chau Thanh district and the nearby areas like vegetables, coconut, banana, watermelon, grapefruit, dragon fruit and so on. Small boats that sell soft drinks, wine and food for breakfast go among the others to serve market-goers and visitors. Other services and products like mending machine, selling gasoline, mobile card, clothes, cosmetic, spicy, etc all are available here, not different from what are sold in common markets on land. Then return to your hotel for check out and driving back to Saigon. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on the way. Rest of the day will be free for shopping at Saigon Square or Ben Thanh market at your own way. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B)
The day will be free until you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End of services!
PRICE IN USD/ PER PERSON
01 JAN – 30 SEP 2018
Hotel ★ |
2 |
3-4 |
5-8 |
9-12 |
13-16 |
SS |
|
3 |
1,252 |
1,106 |
926 |
851 |
793 |
329 |
|
4 |
1,580 |
1,433 |
1,253 |
1,178 |
1,120 |
678 |
|
5 |
2,005 |
1,859 |
1,679 |
1,604 |
1,546 |
1,048 |
* Price is in US Dollar per person, based on TWN/DBL/TPL Sharing
HOTEL / CRUISE IN USE
Hotel Category |
Hanoi |
Ha Long Cruise |
Sapa |
Hoi An |
Ho Chi Minh City |
Can Tho |
|
3* |
Standard room |
Superior cabin |
Superior |
Deluxe room |
Superior room |
Superior room |
|
4* |
Deluxe room |
Deluxe cabin |
Superior room |
Vinh Hung Riverside Resort & Spa Deluxe river View |
Deluxe room |
Superior room |
|
5* |
Deluxe room |
Terrace Suite cabin |
Superior room |
Superior Garden View |
Deluxe room |
Superior room |
PRICE INCLUDES
- Tour guide: 01 local English speaking guide during the tour (separate guides in region)
- Accommodation – as hotel in the list or similar – based on TWN/DBL/TRP sharing room
- Boat & rowing boat (sampan) in Mekong Delta
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary
- Bicycle in Hoi An for Tra Que excursion
- Entry and sightseeing fees for all visits if any
- Return bus tickets Hanoi – Sapa, Limousine bus (sharing with others guests)
- Round trip shuttle bus Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
- Lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary
- All taxes and service charges
PRICE EXCLUDES
- International / Domestic flight ticket & airport tax (if have).
- Personal expenses; Tel, Fax, Mini Bar, Laundry,
- Tip for local guide and driver
- From 1 - 5 Pax @ 7$ - 10$ pax/day)
- From 5 pax up @ 5$ - 7$/pax/day
- Surcharge 20% in Peak Season or holidays:
- The Dead Anniversary of Hung Kings (the 10th of March lunar month).
- Surcharge for Lunar New Year from 15 – 19 February 2018
- Liberation Day and Labor Day (27 Apr – 2 May 2018)
- Independent Day (31 August – 2 September 2018)
CHILDREN POLICY
Child under 2 years old, share bed with parents: Free of charge.
Children from 02 yrs – 12 yrs stay in parent’s room without extra-bed, there will be charged 50% of adult. With an extra bed charged 75% of adult. Full payment if stay in twin sharing with adults.
- For every 15 full paying guests entitle to 01 FOC based on twin / triple sharing room (15+1FOC and maximum 04 FOC for one group). If single room occupied, surcharge apply. Non-FOC for flight ticket.
Cancellation by the traveler: All cancellations must be received in writing via fax or email.
- Cancellation made more than 30 days or more prior to departure, no charge
- Cancellations frm 30 to 15 days prior to departure, 50% of the full amount plus any bank fees that result from us here and any charge occurs to us from our service providers.
- Cancellation made within 15 days of the scheduled date – 100% of the land arrangement and booking fee
There will be no refund given for any unused or missed ground arrangements, sightseeing, meals or hotel accommodations.
Cancellation
of air, cruising and rail arrangements will be subject to fees charged
in accordance with the type of airfare, cruise or rail tariff
regulations.
Cancellation by Hung Phu Travel: In the unlikely event that such circumstances should arise, we will contact you immediately and offer you the choice of an alternative package of equivalent quality, or a full refund of all monies paid. No additional compensation will be paid over and above the total sum received from the customer.
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