VIETNAM – WINDY NORTHERN TO SUNNY SOUTHERN - Private

Breakfast at hotel. Leave for Ninh Binh province about 93 km on National Highway No.1 from Hanoi. Embarking on a small sampan for a spectacular ride through Van Long karst mountain and rice fields then visit the village in Van Long by cart. After having lunch, continue to visit Hoa Lu, the ancient Royal Capital of Vietnam in the 9th century with King Dinh and Le temple. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam almost 10 centuries ago during the Dinh and Tien Le dynasties. It is surrounded by numerous magnificent mountains and consists of three areas: Thanh Ngoai, Thanh Noi, and Thanh Nam. Thanh Ngoai covers an area of approximately 140 ha in Yen Thanh village. King Dinh Tien Hoang erected a flag in Thanh Ngoai Palace. You can admire Ma Yen mountain in front of the palace.Come back to Hanoi. After dinner, proceed to Hanoi station for the night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on train

Arrive in Lao Cai station in the early morning. Our car & guide will pick you up and transfer to local restaurant for breakfast then head to Bac Ha, one of the gems of Vietnam’s north. At a lower altitude than Sapa, it’s not as spectacularly beautiful but it’s still scenic and also much less touristic. The real draw to Bac Ha is the vibrant Sunday market attended by local Flower H’mong, Tay, Dzao, Nung and Giay ethnic minorities. Of all, there are 10 different ethnic minority groups who live in and around Bac Ha, and a visit to the market is a great way to introduce you to their way of life. You could haggle for a pig, a chicken, a water buffalo or perhaps just some handicrafts and some of the renowned local wine. Either way, you’re sure to be charmed by the peaceful town and its friendly people.
Then our vehicle will be waiting for you for the drive back to Sapa. Lunch at local restaurants.
Overnight in Sapa

Breakfast at hotel. This day, you will have chance to come into close contact with ethnic villagers in Sapa to learn more about their culture and customs. Our car & guide will transfer you to Lao Chai village, a Black Hmong ethnic minority village. You will then be able to walk from Lao Chai to Tavan village where the Giay ethnic minority hill tribe lives. Here you can take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your guide in a local house. After lunch, the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest nearby a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa.
Have dinner at local restaurant before transfer to Lao Cai station for the night train back to Hanoi.
Overnight on train

Arrive in Hanoi station, have breakfast, then leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay. The journey sets along rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and daily Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong at noon and board on Cruise for an amazing cruise on the emerald water. After check in cabins, lunch is served while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay admires the fascinating formations on the way with Thien Canh Son Cave, Hon Co Island. Before enjoying scrumptious dinner, you can join cooking class with typical Vietnamese dishes. Night activities: relax on deck, beauty spa service, fishing, etc. 
Overnight on board

Get up early to watch the sunrise over the bay and take part in our morning Tai Chi class on sundeck. Then have light breakfast with bread, milk, coffee, tea. After that, proceed to VungViengfishing village to visit the floating village with the pearl farm. Let’s get chance to experience everyday activities of local people with the primary features in the charming nature. Return to the junk, check out cabins and have international buffet brunch. Arrive at Hon Gai pier thenhead towards Hanoi and directly to NoiBai airport for flight to Hue. Landing in Hue, meet our guide and check in hotel.

Overnight in Hue

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, you will take boat trip on Huong river to Thien Mu pagoda. Stop at the Imperial Citadel including Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh) where all Nguyen Kings Dynasty ruled from 1804 till 1945. Then head to Dong Ba market to experience the daily life of local people. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, proceed to visit Tu Duc King’s Mausoleum. And finish the trip at Khai Dinh's Tomb, which is the typical feature of traditional Vietnamese design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. If time permits, explore Hue Garden House, also Hue’s cultural attraction. Have dinner and back to hotel.
Overnight in Hue

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Hoi An via Da Nang – a modern dynamic city in the Central. The scenic route passes Hai Van Pass (the Pass of Ocean Clouds) - one of the highest passes in Vietnam and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic Lang Co Beach for sightseeing and taking photos. Then stop to visit the Marble Mountains, also referred to as Ngu Hanh Son or Mountains of Five Elements, consisting of five marble mountains: Thuy Son (water) which is the highest, Moc Son (wood), Kim Son (metal), Tho Son (soil), and Hoa Son (fire) and Museum of Cham Sculpture built in 1915 with the most extensive collection of Cham art worldwide. Then continue the journey to Hoian city. Arrive in Hoi An, check in hotel. 
Overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast at hotel
You will visit the Hoi An Old Town with Fukian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien), Japanese Covered Bridge, Old House of Tan Ky, Chaozhou Hall (Trieu Chau) and go shopping at the silk streets. You can find many original souvenirs for your family and friends! Late afternoon, take a boat trip on Thu Bon river (about 1 hour) to admire the sunset of Hoi An before having dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hoi An 

Breakfast at hotel. Check out hotel then transfer to Da Nang airport to take the flight to Saigon (old name of Ho Chi Minh City). Upon arrival, transfer to Tay Ninh province. If time permitting, pay a visit to Cao Dai Temple and Cao Dai Holy Land. There, you can be captured by some worship activities in the temple at noon. 
After lunch at local restaurant, transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels. You will be certainly surprised at an incredible underground tunnel network nearly 250km in length, constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The Cu Chi tunnel system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Vietnamese army in the combat with the French. And it was completed over 25 years later. This was regarded as an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories, hospitals, command centers. The tunnel could house up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open to greet visitors. This is truly a memorable destination for every traveler to Ho Chi Minh City. Back to Hochiminh city in the late afternoon
Overnight in Hochiminh city

Breakfast at hotel
You will discover Saigon center with the first visiting place – Reunification Palace. This remarks one of the greatest victories in our history. Then you proceed to the Colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office within walking distance. In addition, History Museum is also a destination worthy to visit. Lunch is at local restaurant.
The afternoon tour will offer you the sounds and flavors of this enchanting city, from Saigon downtown to Chinatown. You will get to know its history and culture with stops at War Museum and Thien Hau Temple. Moreover, you will not only learn about the past but also get a glimpse of the daily life of stalls and street vendors at Binh Tay Market – another famous market in Hochiminh city. A stop-over at a well-known lacquer workshop helps you pick up some unique gifts for your beloved.
Overnight in Hochiminh city

Breakfast at hotel
Leave Hochiminh city for Tien Giang province. Upon arrival in Cai Be, take a boat trip on Mekong river, enjoy the fresh and peaceful relaxation then stop to explore the floating market – the typical style of commerce in Mekong Delta. Then land to visit the local pop rice, rice paper bakery where you do not only see how to make but try on and taste warm cakes right after the processing. Cross the Mekong river to the island, boat along the canals to witness daily activities of local fishing villages. Stop at Mr. Cai Cuong’s ancient house – a famous landlord in the past& enjoy a cup of tea, some tropical fruits with the traditional music performance. This is the best chance for relaxation in such ancient space. Lunch is served at the ancient house or local family where you can enjoy elephant ear fish in meal. After that, you can stroll on the village paths or row sampan under the foliages to discover daily activities of the local people. Back to Hochiminh city and have dinner at local restaurant. In the evening, free for your exploration city by yourself.
Overnight in Hochiminh city

Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure in the morning for shopping. After lunch, transfer to airport for the flight back to your sweet home.