Vietnam 14 Days Classical trip
 

Day 1: Arrive in HCM Airport
Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival at HCM Airport, obtain your Vietnam visa (with pre-approval letter), and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside a local Guide of Asianway travel. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. Please note that local guides are not allowed inside the airport.
From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2: Saigon Mekong Delta(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
7.00am: Leaving the busy city, you will start your trip to Mekong Delta. Stop to visit Cai Be Cao Dai Temple. Get on a cruise to visit Cai Be colorful floating market among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop - corn.
Arrive at a home-stay. Have a rest, relax and have lunch.
After lunch, a rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers.
Go back your home – stay and get ready for next activities. You will try catching fish in the river and collecting vegetable. You will be guided to prepare dinner by our Chefs in the late afternoon.
Have some fruits and tea when enjoying the traditional music.
Note: The floating markets in the Mekong Delta are no tourist markets but wholesale markets where produce of the Mekong Delta like fruits and vegetables are traded. For this reason the number of boats on the market fluctuates depending on harvesting seasons and market demand. Furthermore, modern wholesale markets are becoming more popular in Vietnam. This can result in decreasing numbers of boats being present on the markets.Overnight at your home-stay in Tan Phong Islet

Day 3: Mekong Delta - Saigon(Breakfast, Lunch)
Have a breakfast and hop on your bike for a discovery of Tan Phong Islet. You will visit kindergarten. Stopping at a local farmer’s house to learn how to make Jackfruit leafs cake and then cycling to Bonsai garden and talking to him to understand how local farmers take care for their gardens, then try plucking the fruits and tasting them. 
After cycling back to your home-stay, you will take short rest and check-out at about 11:00. After lunch, your boat will transfer you back the tourist boat Cai Be for driving back to Ho Chi Minh City.  
End of the tour today at 17:00 in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 4: Saigon - Cu Chi – City Tour(Breakfast, Lunch)
Morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels:  At 7.00, pick up at hotel & enjoy scenic drive through the countryside as people work on their rice paddies and thatched hut villages scattered along the way. Visit a local village making rice paper, a well-known product used to make the delicious spring rolls. Arriving at the Cu Chi Tunnels to explore part of the 151-mile underground network that zigzagged from the southern tip of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Cambodia to the Saigon River. Cu Chi is a must for anyone interested in understanding a vital aspect of guerrilla warfare fought by the Vietnamese against both the French and the Americans. These criss-crossing tunnels were begun in the late 1940s by local resistance fighters looking for a place to hide their weapons from the French. Discover secret trapdoors, field hospitals, command posts, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.
Afternoon tour of HCMC: we’ll discover Saigon's historic landmarks including the Independence Palace. Also known as Reunification Palace, the building was used to be the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the American War. It was the site of ending the War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.
Next visit the FITO Museum, it is the first museum of Vietnamese medicine. On display are nearly 3,000 items dating back to the Stone Age. Exhibits include tools used to prepare medicine, knives, mortars and pestles, documents and objects from a traditional pharmacy. The museum regularly screens a documentary about the history of medicine. Continue visiting to the 1880's General Post Office and the late 19th century Notre Dame cathedral, located in a peaceful part of the city. Ending at Ben Thanh Market or House of Saigon for shopping and café.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City 

Day 5: Saigon – Fly to Hue(Breakfast, Lunch)
You will take a morning flight to Hue. Flight code VN1370, 07.30 – 08.50
Welcome to Hue. We will pick you up and transfer to your hotel. If the rooms are available, you can take an early check in. Or the rooms are not available; you will store your luggage at the hotel and start the trip in Hue City.
You will start with visiting the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City nearby. Modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century, the city was badly damaged during the war but the imposing city walls surrounded by a large moat afford good views of Hué. The palace retains a feeling of its past scale and importance, with detailed stonework and pavilions and it is at the moment in the process of being restored to its former magnificence.After Lunch, you will visit Tu Duc King Tomb. Stop to visit Tiger Arena and Voi Ré Temple on the way.Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, sitting on the riverbank outside the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its huge bell is said to be audible from the city. Take a down-stream cruise for sunset on the river.
Overnight in Hue 

Day 6: Hue - Hoian Walking in the Old Quarter(Breakfast, Lunch)
This day, we will leave Hue for Hoian.
Stop en-routes at several for beautiful scene and witness local life. Firstly, we will stop at Thuy Thanh village; visit the local market and a farmer tool at a family. Chance for taking photo when you pass Lang Co Beach and Hai Van Pass. In Danang, you will stop to visit Cham museum.
In the afternoon, discover how the traditions of the past are treasured in the present in Hoi An on the Thu Bon River, a key international trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved, centuries-old streets, dwellings, temples and pagodas, touring Hoi An's historic highlights, explore its shop-lined streets, view the red-painted Japanese Covered Bridge - the three Chinese characters over the door mean "bridge for passers-by from afar" and tour the 200-year-old "Phung Hung" house, noted for its unique architecture. What you'll see there will reveal much about the lives of Hoi An merchants long ago. Visit the workshop of a traditional lantern maker for a demonstration of this time-honored craft; meet the artisans and try your skills as you create your own lantern to take home.
Overnight in Hoian 

Day 7: Hoian Tour(Breakfast, Lunch)
This day starts after brief introduction and some biking guidance. You will take a cycling trip to Hoian countryside. A local boat will bring you to Kim Bong - a village of wood carving. Visit around the village and partake in a wood carving activities for which the village is famous for, then you’ll continue cycling to Duy Nghia sedge mat making village. Upon the arrival at Duy Nghia village, you’ll visit some local families making mats and enjoy the short break. The route takes you through paddy fields and along lovely rivers to Duy Hai village where local people make fish sauce.
Taking a rest before continuing the journey, you will experience another local boat ride to the water coconut and bamboo carving village. You’ll have a chance to visit a family that makes a lot of bamboo things such as bamboo chairs, bamboo tables, bamboo lamps, bamboo telephones and even bamboo bicycles! After lunch at a local family with unforgettable memories you’ll continue the journey to Tra Que organic village through the rice paddy fields and hamlets. Here you’ll learn how the local people plant so many different herbs and vegetables. Enjoying a special juice made from the local herbs and you’ll cycle back to Hoian and end the great trip here.
Overnight in Hoian 

Day 8: Hoian - Danang – Hanoi(Breakfast)
Morning tour to My Son holly land, a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu Temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa .The temples are dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva, known under various local names, the most important of which is "Bhadresvara".  From the 4th to the 14th century AD, the valley at My Son was a site of religious ceremony for kings of the ruling dynasties of Champa, as well as a burial place for Cham royalty and national heroes. 
Free time until departure for the flight
Take a flight from Danang to Hanoi. Flight code: VN172, 17.20 – 18.40. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 9: Hanoi – Ninh Binh(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
In the morning, you will take a 2 – hours driving from Hanoi heading to the South to Ninh Binh province. This place was the first capital of Vietnam in Tenth century. You will visit King Ding Tien Hoang’s Temple and King Le Dai Hanh Temple. Two temples are small but they have special historic and spirit value. You also see beautiful work of sculpture on wood and stone.
You get back on your coach again to Tam Coc. After Lunch, you will take a rowing sampan to visit Tam Coc which is considered as “In – land – Halong Bay”.
Checking in your hotel, relax and flexible activities as:
- Riding bicycle/walk from your hotel to visit village around
- Ride bicycle/by coach to Bich Dong Pagoda
- Ride bicycle/by coach to Thung Nham bird garden.Overnight in Ninh Binh 

Day 10: Ninh Binh – Halong(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
7.00 – 7.30: after Breakfast, you will take a driving trip to Halong City.
11.45 – 12.15: Embark at Hon Gai International harbor.
12.30 – 13.00: Embark on the boat. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.
13.30 – 14.30: Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; Start sailing among famous Islets (Indochina studio, Am Islet…) of Bai Tu Long Bay, the wildest beauty with the panoramic natural views.
15.00 – 16.30: Visit and explore the well – hidden Co Cave (known as Thien Canh Son cave) where you can hike to the middle of the mountain to see the wild and mysterious beautiful cave, contemplate numerous sparkling stalactites appear like “hanging lamps” inside the Cave (No swimming)
Return to the boat and enjoy Happy hour. You will have 30% discount off from the special menu drinks including of cocktail, mock-tail and mixed drinks (from 16.30 pm to 19.00 pm.).  
16.30 – 17.30: Enjoy kayaking and relaxing on the cruise in Cong Do Area.
17.30: Take part in carving flowers on the sundeck.
18.00 – 19.00: Attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (spring roll).
19.00 - 21.00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. You can enjoy the charm of Bai Tu Long Bay at night.
21.00 - 22.00: Enjoy evening activities (Squid Fishing, Movie Night, Board Games, and Massage & Spa services) or relax at the leisure then overnight at private cabin at Cong Do area.
Note: the schedule of the cruise can be different due to the different cruise, weather and tidy without prior notice.Overnight in Halong bay

Day 11: Halong discovery(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
06.00 - 06.30: Welcome a new day with an amazing dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay with a Tai-chi session on the sundeck.
07.00 - 07.45: Catch the morning view of seascape while enjoying the breakfast in the restaurant.
08.00 - 08.15: Transfer to Day Junk (Day Boat) and start cruising to admire the widest beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay.
08.30 - 10.00: Visit Cong Dam Area - Deep into Bai Tu Long Bay, the famous hidden lagoons covered by majestic limestone islands and islets with wild beaches.
10.00 - 12.00: Kayak through lagoons at Geological Park in Cong Dam and relax at one of the most beautiful beaches in Bai Tu Long Bay.
12.30 - 13.30: Enjoy the lunch in the restaurant on day boat while cruising to Thay Cave.
14.00 - 15.30: Bamboo boat and discover Thay cave, one of the well-hidden cave in Ha Long Bay.
16.00 - 16.30: Transfer from Day Junk (Day Boat) back to main boat - Huong Hai Sealife Cruise.
17.00 - 19.00: Enjoy Happy hour on sundeck & attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (spring roll).
19.00 - 22.00: Have dinner, enjoy evening activity (squid fishing) or relax at leisure then overnight on board in Cong Do area. Overnight in Halong bay 

Day 12: Halong – Hanoi(Breakfast and Lunch)
06.30 - 07.00: Welcome a new day with an amazing dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay. Refresh your body and soul with a Tai-chi session on the sundeck.
07.00 - 07.30: Catch the morning view of seascape while enjoying the breakfast with cookies and tea, café in the restaurant.
07.30 - 08.30: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat or kayaking, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms. (No swimming) .
08.30 - 09.30: Pack up the luggage and check out of the cabin.
09.30 - 10.40: Enjoy the brunch in the restaurant while cruising back to Vinashin tourist harbor.
11.00: Disembark from boat.
12.00: Your driver takes you back to Hanoi.
16.30: arrive at your hotel. Check in and relax.Overnight in Hanoi 

Day 13: Hanoi Tour(Breakfast, Lunch)
Full day tour of Hanoi: Morning, you'll head out with your guide and begins with a visit Ba Dinh Square to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (close during this period for annual maintenance), the museum to his life and the simple cottage where he lived and worked, along with his "house on stilts" and his final resting place; and take in Hanoi's famous One-Pillar Pagoda, constructed in 1049 to resemble a lotus blossom. Continue to the Museum of Ethnology, where we'll learn about the fascinating cultural diversity of this ancient land.
This afternoon, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local sights. Go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue to the Temple of Literature, which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius. Take a cyclo ride through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance, a uniquely North Vietnamese art form celebrating rural life and folklore for over 1,000 years, this evening.
Enjoy the left time of the day free.Overnight in Hanoi 

Day 14: Hanoi departure(Breakfast)
Today is your final day. You are free to chill out and relax. Depending on your departure flight, your private driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport in time for your flight to the next destination. They will ensure you are the correct gate. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey

Included:
11 nights at hotels with breakfast on a private double/twin sharing room
02 nights on a cruise in Halong bay
Complimentary Vietnam visa pre- approval letter
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Daily buffet or set menu breakfast at hotel and all hotels taxes and service charges
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the program
Travel by air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced and safe driver
Flight ticket 1 routes: HCMC - Hanoi
Activities as in program
English speaking guide 
01 bottle of mineral water/pax/ day and souvenir
VAT, all taxes and service charge

Excluded:
Tipping for guide and driver
Bank fees for both sides
Vietnam visa stamping (25 USD per pax for one time entry)
Early check in and late check out at all hotels
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping)
Peak season surcharge or Compulsory Galar dinner at accommodations on Occasions of Christmas and New Year
Low season discount (normally from May to September)
Drinks and other meals which are not indicated in the program
Travel insurance  
International air ticket and airport tax
Other services which are not mentioned clearly in the “Including” item