Destinations: Halong Bay, Vietnam
Featured Highlights:
Welcome to Vietnam - the Land of the Ascending Dragon. Upon arrival to Hanoi, your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel to check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and, if jet lag permits, do a little exploring on your own.
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi Highlights
Day 3: Sapa Discovery tour
Day 4: Sapa - Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi -Halong Bay Cruise
Day 6: Halong Bay Cruise- Hanoi
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City Highlights
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh Departure
Welcome to Vietnam - the Land of the Ascending Dragon. Upon arrival to Hanoi, your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel to check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and, if jet lag permits, do a little exploring on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning touring around Hanoi city. Begin with a visit to The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and Museum. Then, its on to, the One Pillar Pagoda, this temple rises from the centre of one pillar and is said to be have been built in the shape of a lotus. Finish your day with a stroll around the Fine Arts Museum; showcasing pieces from a range of historical periods.
Your afternoon will be spent at the fascinating Ethnologic Museum, where you can learn a bit about the many different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. After this, you'll be taken to visit the ancient Hoan Kiem Lake; you can find out all about the very interesting mythology that surrounds it. The tour ends with a special Vietnamese treat – you will take a cyclo or rickshaw around the picturesque Old Quarter. You can relax until the evening, when you will be able to enjoy a cultural treat – a famous Water Puppet Show at the theatre. After the performance, you will be taken to the train station for your night train to Sapa, this mountain town is famous for it's fine, rugged scenery and it's cultural diversity.Overnight aboard the train to Sapa.
In the early morning, you will arrive at Lao Cai train station and be met by your guide, then you'll drive to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have the chance to have some breakfast and take a short rest. Once you feel rested and refreshed, you'll begin the tour of this fascinating area. The first stop will be a visit to a hill-tribe village and the beautiful paddy terraced fields. You can ask your guide about their rich and unique culture.After lunch, you will be able to go trekking in this amazing rural area and go and visit a small local market. You can spend the rest of the day hiking or exploring on your own.Overnight in Sapa.
In the morning, you'll get more of an opportunity to appreciate the stunning natural beauty of Sapa, by taking an trip to the Tafin Village of Dzao. In amongst the mountains, you will find the dramatic 'Silver' Waterfalls. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will be taken back to Lao Cai train station for your overnight train to Hanoi.Overnight aboard to the train to Hanoi.
Can you think of a better way to finish your trip than a one and a half day cruise down Halong Bay. You will be driven to Halong Bay, in the morning, the interesting journey gives you the opportunity to see the rustic scenery of typical Vietnamese villages. You will board by noon and enjoy a nice welcome cocktail before you set sail! You're sure to marvel at the incredible views over this magnificent landscape - a peaceful and unique experience. The cruise ship offers a variety of optional fun activities like kayaking, swimming, diving which will definitely add to the trip.Overnight on cruise at Halong Bay.
This morning, you can get up early for Tai Chi class on the sundeck or just soak up the breathtaking views. You'll disembark at around 11am; your private guide will be waiting to meet you at the pier to take you back to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The afternoon is yours to enjoy and explore the city.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your tour by visiting Cu Chi Tunnels; a vast network of tunnels made by the Viet Cong during the war. On the way back to the city, you will make a stop to have a traditional Vietnamese cooking class, which includes a fascinating trip to a local organic farm. At the end of the lesson, you can sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour!
After your delicious lunch, drive back to Ho Chi Minh and enjoy an afternoon of sight seeing, which will include: admiring the architecture of the Old Saigon Post Office, getting a taste of a local marketplace at the Binh Tay Market, learning more about the wars of Vietnam and the effects they had on the country, at the War Remnants Museum and finally visiting the impressive French colonial-style City Hall.The evening is yours to explore the city and sample some of the world's favourite food! Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Your last morning in Vietnam is yours to grab a few last minute souvenirs or simply soak up the atmosphere. Finally, it'll be time for your guide take you to the airport for your flight on to your next destination. Vietnam is a unique cultural experience and hopefully, by the time you leave, you will have a new appreciation for this incredible country and it's people.
Inclusions:
Entrance and sightseeing fees as listed;
All meals as listed;
Transportation as listed;
Accommodations as listed;
Domestic flights, car transfers as listed;
Professional licensed English-speaking guide.
Exclusions:
Passion Indochina Travel will provide you with a dynamic professional local private tour guide, a private chauffeur and a transportation that suits your style and gives you pleasure, comfort and security through every points of your destination.All our tour guides in our company are registered English Speaking Guides, they are passionate about their city and they take pride in sharing it with others.With our private local tour guide, you’d get the chance to see and learn more among the historic places in the world and their cultures. Be amazed with the breathtaking scenery of Asia and enjoy some once in a lifetime adventure!
Private Tour Guide
The tour guide is always punctual on every destination he/she is needed. You will be picked up at the airport and will be escorted to your hotel and tend to your stuff til their services is needed again. They will also assist you at the airport at every departure, seeing to it that you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint. All the tour guides in all your choices of destination are Locals. Since they know all the areas of the tours you're taking, they make sure that they share to you all the information may it be historical facts, dates and anecdotes or tell stories about the tour sites to make it more interesting and entertaining. They would also suggest the best spots for picture taking.Our tour guides are also flexible when it comes to the itinerary changes if there's any unexpected reason and will be more than accommodating to any alternative suggestions just to ensure that you will have an incredible experience.
Private Chauffeur Services
Arrive in the comfort of your style. Depending on the group size, and the tour packages of your choice, we would accommodate you with the best transportation and a professional Chauffeur to assist you wherever and whenever you need. They would be happy to transport you.