Itinerary

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1. DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

   Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be welcomed by Goway Asia Travel team before transferring to hotel for checking in and resting. You are free to enjoy and have your own exploration on the first day around Hanoi Old Quarter.
   Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
   Meals included: No Meals.

2. DAY 2: HANOI – SAPA BY NIGHT TRAIN

   Rise up early to find yourself among thousands of locals doing Tai- chi & doing exercise around Hoan Kiem Lake. Different from the bustling city after 7:00 a.m, Hanoi comes out so fresh and peaceful. Continue to try Pho Bo, the national typical dish at a nearby restaurant which is just seven-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. Pho Bo is beloved by both locals and tourists. It is made from fresh beef served with fresh rice noodles in a tasty hot beef broth with various types of seasonings. This is really a great kick off! Then, stroll to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, just a few minute walk from the restaurant. This city landmark was built by the French in late 1880s in the Neo-Gothic style, it was beautifully designed with stained-glass windows and a high-vaulted interior. Continue for some great photos at Long Bien Bridge and the local Long Bien Market. Sip a cup of coffee on top of the tiny rooftop looking down at Hanoi's nightview, you have opportunity to see a train rolls through, you get to see it across the bridge and the river. This is a convenient location for the professional photographer.
   Then back to your hotel for relaxation.
   Afternoon, your guide & driver will pick you up then transfer to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house. Stop by the iconic One Pillar Pagoda - a unique Vietnamese architecture reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond and hear the legend of its construction. Other highlight of the tour includes exploring the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Next, you'll visit Hanoi Opera House which was modelled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi.
   To round off the day with cyclo tour, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is a perfect chance for photos, slow-moving sightseeing and closer touch with the locals.
   In the evening, transfer to Hanoi railway for overnight train to Lao Cai on an A/C soft cabin.
   Overnight on train.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

3. DAY 3: SAPA - TREKING TO VISIT LOCAL VILLAGES

   Upon arrival at Lao Cai railway station, your guide and driver would be there to welcome you to travel to Sapa town. After having a morning shower at mini hotel for getting new fresh after a night train and have breakfast.
   Stroll around the village and visit hospitable Red Zao families to learn about their culture. You will go off the main road, onto hilly mountainous trails. Your surrounding is filled with lush vegetation, pine forest and fresh air. You will experience the untouched beauty of the area.
   Ma Tra is about 3 km walking from Ta Phin which is the newly added location in a series of villages in Sapa that visitors can go to. The village is about 5km from the town of Sapa. This has around 50 households, resided by only H’Mong people. Ma Tra village has restored the traditional flax weaving loom, forging tools and carved silver production as part of tourism. Experience tribal life on mountain, see how the locals make clothes and handicrafts, and enjoy amazing scenery that you can never forget. Transfer to your hotel for check in, where is built on the terrace of a hill with beautiful views overlooking Sapa valleys and mountain.
   Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

4. DAY 4: SAPA – FANSIPAN MOUNTAIN – HANOI BY NIGHT TRAIN

   Have a breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to cable car station where we will have 25 minutes travelling to Fansipan Mountain where is considered to be the most beautiful landscape of Vietnam. Enjoy the view from the highest point of this incredible mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop.
   Afternoon, you will start your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley, you will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddies among Sapa area. Visit the home of local people and learn about the traditional life and culture of this ethnic minority before enjoying a traditional herbal foot bath. Learn the art of Batik painting by joining a hands-on master class led by a local expert and take your creation home with you.
   Overnight on train.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

5. DAY 5: HANOI – NINH BINH – TRANG AN – MUA CAVE

   Today, we will depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, located in the marshy Red River Delta, featuring a network of waterways coupled with spectacular limestone formations rising up from rice paddy fields.
   Protected as UNESCO’s heritage, Trang An just has so much to offer. Spend at least two hours here before moving to any other place.
   A sampan boat ride will take you through magnificent limestone islands and islet. This is the part hailed as the “Halong Bay on Land”. Along the river, you’ll see beautiful caves, grottoes, hidden temples, floating temple….
   In the afternoon, continue your trip to Mua cave. Though small, this place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. From the cave, you can see all the way to Tam Coc’s three grottoes. Climb 500 stone steps to the top of the mountain to enjoy a stunning view of the country- side and the wonderful Ngo Dong river. You can take photographs or selfies with the magnificent backdrop.
   Then, taking a biking trip around the countryside of Van Long natural reserve. As the home of more than 40 species of wild birds, this is the perfect place to watch the wildlife.
   Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

6. DAY 6: NINH BINH – HALONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON ROMANTIC CRUISE

   In the morning, you will travel to Halong for 3 hours with short break on the half way and arrive the harbor around noon. There, you will embark on a cruise in the must-see Halong Bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and unvisited.
   This scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard with excellent and freshly caught seafood from the bay. At the end of the day, you will have the chance to enjoy a night fishing session on the boat.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

7. DAY 8: HALONG BAY - HANOI - FLY TO HUE

   Rising to the sound of the bay, enjoy an elegant breakfast before visiting a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then you’ll get back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring beauty while cruising back to the dock, at the same time enjoy your lunch/ brunch.
   Getting back onshore, you will be transferred directly to Noi Bai International Aiport to catch your departure flight Hue city. 
   Upon arrival at Phu Bai airport, you will be picked up by your guide & driver and taken to your hotel. Check in & free at leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Hue.
   Meals included: Brunch.

8. DAY 8: HUE

   Start your day with a visit of Hue Citadel, a well-known UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam for the 1802-1945 period and the last refuge of Vietnamese feudalism. The city’s beauty is characterized by a natural scenic landscape and an extensive variety of historical relics. Continue to visit Khai Dinh tomb, the burial site of Vietnam’s second-to-last king, and the most ornate compared to other kings’ tombs. The tomb shows a vivid European influence in architecture despite its Asian style. Next, visit conical hat making village where you will learn how this charming hat is made.
   Balance your day with the afternoon tour which is spent discovering the vicinity of Hue. Start with a 40 minute drive out of the city centre and into the scenic countryside where Phuoc Tich Village is found. This commune is famous for pottery and now attracting the visitors with 27 ‘Nha Ruong’ - Hue’s traditional houses - and unique gardens. To delve deeply into the local community, you’ll take a walk through the peaceful streets, admiring the historical sites nestled within the scenery, and pay a visit to one of the traditional homes, pottery factory and the special Cay Thi temple which is about 700 years old. The temple retains harmonizing aspects of Vietnamese and Cham architecture, with Linga and Yoni relics.
   Continue winding through the countryside towards to Pha Tam Giang, watching the daily life of the local people and the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient villages. On your way, stop at Quang Cong Village, known locally as the ‘City of Ghosts’, and behold the increasingly lavish and elaborate tombs that the villagers build for their ancestors. Once you arrive in Tam Giang Lagoon, take a boat trip on the lagoon while admiring the sunset. Float past local families living on the riverbank, stopping to meet some of them on your way. Finally, transfer back to your hotel in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Hue.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

9. DAY 9: HUE – HOI AN

   In the morning you will depart from Hue to Hoian town, taking the spectacular “Hai Van Pass” route. This road, which overlooks the bay, will offer you an incomparable panorama. You will make several stops along the way, including one at the paradise beach of Lang Co. You will arrive in Hoi An at the end of the morning.
   Considered one of the most delicious street foods in the world, Banh mi Hoi An (bread) become more and more popular among foreign visitors to Vietnam. Today you will have chance to try its taste.
   In the afternoon, discover the old town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site classified by UNESCO. During your visit of Hoi An, have a stop at the Reaching Out Teahouse, a branch of the Reaching Out brand – which is a retail outlet in Hoi An selling home décor, clothing, bags, jewellery, lacquer ware and other customized and unique products. The smells, the tastes, the atmosphere and the people will awaken all of your senses and refresh the body, mind and Within the Teahouse soul. At the end of the afternoon, relax during a boat trip on Thu Bon River and enjoy the sunset.
   Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

10. DAY 10: HOI AN

    Today you are free at leisure to explore Hoi An town or join our optional tours.
    Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

11. DAY 11: HOI AN – DANANG – FLY TO NHA TRANG

    After breakfast, enjoy your free time until transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Nha Trang. Upon your arrival at Nha Trang airport, our tour guide and driver will greet you and escort you to hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free on your leisure.
    Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

12. DAY 12: NHA TRANG

    Breakfast at hotel. Whole day free at own leisure on beaches.
    Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

13. DAY 13: NHA TRANG

    Breakfast at hotel. Whole day free at own leisure on beaches.
    Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

14. DAY 14: NHA TRANG – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY

    In the morning you will travel to Cam Ranh airport and embark on a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The locals still prefer to call it Saigon.
    Upon arrival you will start visiting some of Ho Chi Minh City’s key highlights. We’ll tailor your tour to suit you, but we particularly recommend visiting the Reunification Palace for an insightful, yet sombre, look into Vietnam’s military history and turbulent past, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House, the Central Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.
    This evening you will be free to visit the night market to discover the authentic local cuisine. 
    Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

15. DAY 15: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA – CAN THO

    Begins the day by picking you up at your hotel and heading down to the Delta, with your first stop being Ben Tre.
    You'll start your exploration of the Delta along a narrow canal lined with mangrove trees, before returning to land for by taking a sampan along a narrow canal lined with mangrove trees, before returning to land for a stroll ride through dense coconut plantations. Then return to the quayside in Ben Tre, where the bustling market and streets full of commercial activity provides a vibrant tableau for street photography.
    In the afternoon, continue your trip to the Khmer cultural heartland of Tra Vinh, where we will visit some of the 141 Khmer temples practicing the Theravada branch of Buddhism – a wonderful opportunity to experience these serene, peaceful places and get some wonderful portraits of the young monks in their saffron-coloured robes.
    Afterwards heading to Can Tho - the capital of Mekong Delta. In the evening, take the short walk to the night market by your own way.
    Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

16. DAY 16: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE

    This morning, you'll get early for departure to the boat station to embark on the boat and explore the river life. What a great morning outdoor activity to get to know more about Mekong Delta’s local life along the way to Cai Rang Floating market, a chaotic, picturesque marketplace with hundreds vendors in boats buying and selling everything from bananas and coconuts to freshly slaughtered pork and sugar cane.
    Then you will stop at the homemade rice noodle Workshop, to learn how to make noodles in the traditional way, and you will have the chance to try their specialty: Noodle Pizza.
    Next, get on your bike for a memorable ride along the beautiful small canals and orchards trails, across ferries that can sometimes only fit half a dozen people, and through charming villages. You will be immersed deep in the Mekong Delta and its unique lifestyle. At each corner, a picture-perfect scene will be waiting for you. Final stop is at the Organic Cocoa garden where you will have the chance to learn how to turn cocoa pods into delicious organic chocolate bars, and of course taste this yummy chocolate.
    Finish the cycling trip with lots of amazing pictures and unforgettable memories of your unique experience exploring the authentic Mekong Delta landscape through rivers and country roads.
    Then you will be transferred back to Ho Chi Minh’s airport to catch your onward flight home or travel on to your next destination. Our tour finish. We are so glad to be a part of your trip. Again, we really thank you for choosing Goway Asia Travel!
    Meals included: Breakfast.