# 13-Day Vietnam Classic Wonders with Sapa: Walking in an Idyll

Adventure into the very soul of Vietnam, walk around the market in Sapa with local people in their festive costums, trek across the hills terraced by rice paddies, hop on a motorbike to roam about the city of Saigon and sneak into an underground tunnel used by the Viet Cong. Walking in timeless charm of Vietnam, this trip will be rewarding you an unforgettable experience.

## Highlights

- Trek on a less-traveled route in Sapa
- Visit a local market on its busiest market date
- Sit on the back of a motorbike to get familiar with Saigon
- Cooking class in the imperial city of Hue
- Halong Bay cruise with wide-open vistas

## What's Included

- Private transfers and English-speaking Vietnam tour guides in every destination
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- Internal flights including taxes and fuel as specified in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels, lunches for every guided day and one soft drink per person for the Halong Bay Cruise
- Governmental taxes

## Price per Person in US Dollars

Nov.1 - Mar.31 | Handpicked Comfort | Luxury
--- | --- | ---
2-5 People | $#AH-2,st,25,2016-11-10# | $#AH-2,lx,25,2016-11-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-2,st,69,2016-11-10# | $#AH-2,lx,69,2016-11-10#
Apr.1 - Oct.31 |  |
2-5 People | $#AH-2,st,25,2016-09-10# | $#AH-2,lx,25,2016-09-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-2,st,69,2016-09-10# | $#AH-2,lx,69,2016-09-10#

Note: The price is only for reference and subject to change on final confirmation.

## Suggested Itinerary

Day 1Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

As your flight slowly lands in at Ho Chi Minh City Airport, your private tour guide and transfer will be waiting for you in the lobby. They will transfer you to your hotel where you will be all at ease.

- Entry flight

Among all the international transport hubs, we’d recommend Bangkok or Hong Kong for your entry,as there are better airfares and it is easier to get around.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Parkroyal Saigon Hotel (Handpicked Comfort) / Grand Hotel Saigon (Luxury)

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, has continuous energy. You will take in this city in a different way: sit on the back of your tour guide's own motorbike and roam the city. You will probably swing by and make stops at Saigon Opera House, the Post Office, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown and a local market. Make stops at the sites you find interesting.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be free at leisure.

- The motorbike

1. A motorbike ride is fun when you are with a local insider and, of course,be sure to wear a helmet!
2. For a family with young children, we would suggest a gentle trip: a rickshaw trip in the city. The ride route is flexible and the rider can make stops at whatever places you find interesting. Make a request in advance for this option.

Day 3Ho Chi Minh City - Danang (1 1/2 hours by air) - Hoi An (40min by car)

As the Vietnam–-US war is always a controversial subject, why don’t you take a look into it with some close-up experiences in one of the wartime remains? After breakfast, we will drive you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where the history will be narrated from today’s prospective and you may go underground to experience what life was like for the Viet Cong during the battle.
Have lunch when we finish the tour and then drive to the airport. Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa (Handpicked Comfort) / Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Cu Chi Tunnels: You can try to get into the tunnel to see what it's like
Day 4Hoi An

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An Ancient Town is just the right definition of Vietnam’s timeless charm. This morning, you will have some insightful visits at ofthis town’s essence: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fukian Assembly Hall and the Old House of Tan Ky.
After lunch at a charity restaurant,the White Lotus Restaurant, a class will be taken on how to make lanterns. Wouldn’t it be nice to take home something special?

- White Lotus Restaurant

The restaurant is wholly owned by the Australian non-government-aid organisation Project Indochina. Their major goal is to help disadvantaged children and families in Vietnam and Cambodia by offering hostipitality and language training as well as a chance to work at restaurants or hotels, like who you see at the restaurant. Get a chance to know about the young staff or chefs for the U-turns of their lives.

For any special requirements, non-spicy or non-pork, should be made beforehand
Day 5Hoi An - Hue (3 1/2 hours by car)

Have the whole morning free to yourself.
In the afternoon, at about 2pm, we will drive you up to Hue via Danang. We will make stop at Hai Van Pass for some great photos. Free at leisure upon arrival.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Hotel Saigon Morin (Handpicked Comfort) / Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Day 6 Hue

In the morning, you will have a Cooking Class at Y Thao Garden House in Hue, good way to know how the kings treated themselves.
Hue used to be the capital city during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). Take an easy tour to visit the Purple Forbidden City, a small replica of the one in Beijing, China. When you have learnt enough about the imperial life, it will be time to discover the local lifestyle at the Dong Ba Market.

Day 7Hue - Hanoi (50min by air) - Lao Cai (8 1/2 hours by train)

Take a morning flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.

As a preview of your upcoming trip to Sapa, you will visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about colorful cultures of Vietnam's minority groups. Visit Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. You will have some free time in the Old Quarter for dinner and shopping. At night you will board on the train to Lao Cai at 10pm.

- Overnight train to Lao Cai

The train leaves at 10pm and arrives at 6am in Lao Cai. A superior or higher level of cabin is booked for your comforts.

Accommodation:

1 night on Orient Express Train - Soft Berth (Handpicked Comfort) / Sapa Victoria Express Train - Soft Berth(Luxury)

Day 8Lao Cai - Sapa (1 hour by car)

Breaking the morning mist, you will arrive in Lao Cai at about 6am.

Take a short break and have some simple breakfast upon arrival. Later, you will be on the road to a nearby local market. Each village has their own market date, your local tour guide will pick one accordingly. The Local Market Visit will be about 4 hours, including the transfer, and it will bring you into the colorful daily life of the ethnic minority people in Sapa. At the market, you will see all kinds of odd goods, such as worns and beef skin, are on sale and families devoting themselves into an intense bargain just for a wicker hat.

- Market visit in Sapa:

1. Market date: Monday - Ban Theit or Phong Hai Market; Tuesday - Coc Ly or Ban Cam Market; Wednesday - Cao Son or Sin Cheng Market; Thursday - Lung Khau Nhin or Binh Lu Market; Friday - Chau or Phong Hai Market; Saturday - Can Cau , Phang Long or Tam Duong Market; Sunday - Bac Ha, Muong Hum or Muong Khuong Market.
2. If you don't feel like travelling too far after a long train ride, your tour guide will firstly take you to Sapa Victoria Resort & Spa for breakfast and a short break, and then check in hotel at noon. You will have the rest of day free at leisure, preparing for the trekking to come.

- About your time in Sapa, you should know:

1. On the day you arrive in Sapa, some relaxing time is needed for getting ready for the upcoming trekking.
2. We have chosen where you will stay based on the accessibility to the trekking route. Luxury accommodation or a hotel that goes over budget is not necessary. You can also let us know whichat hotel you have in mind, if possible.

Accommodation:

1 night at U Sapa Boutique Hotel & Spa (Handpicked Comfort) / Sapa Victoria Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Day 9Sapa - Ta Van Village (6 hours at easy pace of trekking)

Breaking the path, your Sapa trekking trip is designed in a special route. After breakfast, you will start the trekking trip from Sapa Town to Giang Ta Chai Village, passing Lao Chai Village (for to see the Hmong people), Ta Van Village (for the Zay people).

You will reach Ta Van Village in the afternoon. Have a simple dinner and stay at the Victoria Sapa – Homestay facility.

- Good to know:

1. Pack light for the trip. Your luggage will stay in the hotel in Sapa and you will only need a few things for the trek: a sturdy pair of shoes and a light backpack for your gears, a camera, and water.
2. Any traveler in good physical condition will find it easy to do the trek. You can also make stops when needed.

Accommodation:

1 night at Sapa Victoria Homestay

Day 10Ta Van Village – Giang Ta Chai Village (3 hours at easy pace of trekking) – Lao Cai (2 hours by car)– Hanoi (8 1/2 hours by train)

Have breakfast before we continue to Giang Ta Chai Village at an easy pace.

Compared to Cat Cat Village or Ta Phin Village, Giang Ta Chai Village, which is quite a distance from the heart of Sapa, remains a less-touched terrain. It has undulating mountains that are laced with rice paddies, and swaying bamboo groves. The village is scattered with small thatched houses, and feature crystal clear waters weaving through the mountain creeks. It’s also home to the Zao people, also known as the Red Dao, famously known for their stunning headdresses.
By the afternoon, you will be transferred back to Lao Cai Train Station, where your luggage will already be waiting for you to get onboard. Take the overnight train back to Hanoi at about 9pm.

- Here come the kids!

Instead of candy bars, we'd suggest you give out notebooks, penciles and story books to the local children.

Accommodation:

1 night on Orient Express Train - Soft Berth (Handpicked Comfort) / Sapa Victoria Express Train - Soft Berth(Luxury)

The Red Dao people is often recognized by their headdresses.
Day 11Hanoi - Halong Bay (3 hours by car)

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning and have breakfast at a hotel. Later we will drive off to Halong Bay.

Board the cruise and enjoy the relaxing journey.
Your Halong Bay cruise will take you to Cua Van Fishing Village, Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Me Cung Caves, Virgin Cave, and Surprise Cave, as well as some small islets, such as Flight Cock Islet, Human Head Islet, and Toad Islet etc (subject to different itineraries of different boats).
In the evening, the junk will harbor anchor in a less-crowded area for your sweet dreams under the stars.

- About your cruise:

1. Big suitcases? No worries, your private tour guide and driver will help you get the luggage onboard at the pier.
2.Meals on the cruise are basically seafood, so notifications of any seafood allergies should be made ahead of time, as well as other special requirements, such as Muslim and kosher.
3. All meals onboard are inclusive except for drinks and wine. Your private tour guide will take you shopping for some snacks, fruits and drinks on the way to Halong Bay.

Accommodation:

1 night on Paloma Cruise (Handpicked Comfort) / Paradise Luxury Cruise (Luxury)

Day 12Halong Bay - Hanoi (3 hours by car)

The cruise will reach the shore at about 11am, after a brunch. Your private tour guide and driver rwill take you back to Hanoi.
Free at leisure in Hanoi.

Accommodation:

1 night at La Siesta Hotel & Spa (Handpicked Comfort) / Apricot Hotel Hanoi (Luxury)

You will have a passing-by visit at a floating village of Halong Bay
Day 13Hanoi Departure

After breakfast, you will have some free time in Hanoi before your flight home.

Tour Map

## Asia Highlights Handpicked Hotels

Asia Highlights chooses hotels with a balanced mixture of traditional Vietnamese style and modern comfort, easy access to everything yet quiet enough for a good night's sleep.

Ho Chi Minh City - Parkroyal Saigon Hotel

- Top10 4-star hotels ranked by TripAdvisor, winner of Certificate of Excellence.
- 15 minutes of driving distance from the airport and 15 minutes to the city center.
- Featuring with great food, a swimming pool and nice indoor facilities, just ideal for a short stay before a long trip.

Hoi An - Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, ranked 6/119.
- Secluded and rural setting, 15 minutes to walk to the Ancient Town of Hoi An.
- Featuring with great spa center, outdoor swimming pool and nice food. Connecting rooms are great for families.

Hue - Hotel Saigon Morin

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence of TripAdvisor, ranked 21/110 of all hotels in Hue.
- Centrally located, easy walk to Dong Ba Market and close to the Imperial Palace and restaurants.
- Rich experience in serving high-end travelers, spacious rooms with good view of the Perfume River.

Lao Cai - Orient Express Train

- Ranked 21/111 in all hotels in Hue, wn.
- Private compartment with soft beds and great pricy.
- Recommended for small groups to book the entire 4-berth cabin.

Sapa Town - U Sapa Boutique Hotel & Spa

- Ranked 2/49 of all hotels in Sapa on TripAdvisor.
- Located in the heart of Sapa Town, easy to find restaurants nearby.
- Rooms are larger than most hotels in Sapa, good breakfast and friendly staff.

Ta Van Village - Victoria Sapa Homestay

- Recently open and run by the Victoria Brand.
- In the rice fields of a village of Sapa.
- In a traditional H'Mong wooden house, clean and soft beds and bathrooms.

Halong Bay - Paloma Cruise

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor and ranked 17/166.
- Cruising through a less-crowded bay Bai Tu Long Bay with more islands to see.
- We choose your cabin on the 2nd deck with private balcony for better views and quieter night.

Hanoi - La Siesta Hotel & Spa

- Travelers' Choice 2016 by TripAdvisor, ranking 2/546.
- In the Old Quarter, surrounded by numerous shops, cafes and restaurants yet with a touch of senerity.
- Colonial-style deco, spacious rooms, Red Been Restaurant one of the best restaurants in Hanoi.

Note: Your comfort counts! It's totally possible to change hotels based on your interests and budget. From guesthouses to high-end luxury resorts, just let us know your preferences and we will help you choose.

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