Tour:

  VIETNAM Pathways ! HANOI - LAO CAI/SAPA - HALONG Bay - HUE Royal City - DA NANG – The Old Town HOI AN - HO CHI MINH City - Mekong Rivers/CAI BE - VINH LONG - CAN THO - CU CHI Tunnels - TAY NINH CAODAI HOLYSEE. (13D/12N) Day 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI (by A/C car) Arrival in Hanoi, warmly welcome to everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting of the tour guide in the meeting point's Noi Bai Airport. Hanoi - its legendary beginnings from 1,010 to 15th century then before the World War II, after 1954 as well, is the cradle of Red River Delta civilization with green rice-fields, its Old streets and colonial Quarter, its calm lakes, the shaded boulevards, its verdant public parks and sunny smiles with truly Far-East Asian faces ...Our experienced tour guide will transmit you the most lovely aspects of Hanoi - the ancient city of 1,000 yrs, during 45' by coach from the airport to your hotel in the centre city. Please note that standard check in time is 14.00, check out at 12.00. Early check in or late check-out is subject to room availability. Hotel would probably guarantee early check in or late checkout as an extra surcharge on depend to the rooming’s status at that time. Transfer to hotel for check in and free at leisure for your own activities. Overnight in Hanoi. Day 2: HANOI - Full Day Tour – LAO CAI (by A/C car, rickshaw, night train) After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of Hanoi, let’s experience the basic concepts of political Vietnam currently by visit to the Chairman Palace area, there are Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Ba Dinh National square, Stilt House; One Pillar Pagoda, a nice group picture should photo in the parade yard of Ba Dinh National square with the great back view of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Continuing to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple are located on an islet of West Lake, then the Temple of Literature, is a classic Confucianism temple from the category "Confucianism", was founded as a Confucian Temple and a huge statue and alter to Confucius remain there today, the first university in Viet Nam was founded here and many rows and rows of big stone slabs that sat on the backs of stone tortoises. These slabs are actually the stele of the school's successful doctorate candidates. Afternoon, you visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology where contains more than 10,000 objects which depict all aspects of life, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. You will enjoy later an interesting tour by traditional Pedicabs, the best and most stylish way as far more charming to see Hanoi and to take in the sights and sounds of the Old quarter is by Cycle ( a tricycle ), your people will enjoy 1 hour cycle tour the Old Quarter and shopping streets to watch the daily lives of the people living on and around the busy areas, the small rickshaws will carry you strolling around the Old Quarter and shopping streets, to relax and view to daily-life surrounding or communicating is a good way to have a full impression of the city, catch the spirit of Vietnam. Rickshaws will return back at the Garden of Hoan Kiem Lake - the Return-Sword Lake, to visit Ngoc Son – Heroic Temple, But Tower, where you will be fascinating with legendary stories from 600 years that a turtle stole a king's sword and took it to the bottom of this lake. A moment free in Garden of Hoan Kiem Lake to enjoy the lovely Hanoi landscapes in the sunset until the time of water puppet show, a unique art form of Vietnamese, at Thang Long Water Puppet Troupe, and you will also experience more about a specific culture in South-East Asia coming from agriculture of wet rice during the performance. After that, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for excursion to Lao Cai – a boundary town in the range after range of mountains with China. Welcome on board for departure to Lao Cai ETD 21:15PM. You overnight on the train to Lao Cai, enjoy your night in A/C Superior cabin. Overnight on Train (B) Day 3: LAO CAI- BAC HA , SAPA (by A/C car) Arrival in Lao Cai in morning ETA 06:00AM. You will be picked up at Lao Cai Railway Station. Then, drive to local restaurant for breakfast and a moment of rest. After breakfast, transfer to Bac Ha, take time to discover spectacular mountainy sceneries. Your vehicle will drive along the exciting curvy road, surrounded by steep mountains to discover the most famous market of the region – Bac Ha. Arrival Bac Ha market (OPEN ON SUNDAY ONLY). Here you can meet all the different minority groups of the region: Hmongs, Tay, Thai, Nung. The colorful market is well known for its various handicraft objects. There are many trees around Bac Ha, and in the spring the countryside is white with blossoms. Bac Ha hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands and the Chinese border. It is a trading centre and meeting place for couples, friends, and relatives, and it is a typical weekly activity for the H’Mong and other minority groups living in the locality. Local products for sale or barter are carried on horseback. A short walk to Na Hoi Tho Hamlet to visit the old palace of H’mong King - Hoang Yen Chao Castle, just 300m from Bac Ha Market, its network of walls, bunkers, and battlements were reinforced by a mortar mixed with sugar molasses. In a distance, the white castle was built on between 1914 and 1921 jutting out from the valley looks imposing and majestic. Transfer back to main road and come-down in Trung Do, a short trekking to Tay minority village, the road will cross into lovely cottage roofs, rocky-cliffs, rice-fields, rivullts, and bendy country lanes, you will stroll towards the Chay riverbank, then take a motor steel-boat downstream to Bao Nhai. Sightseeing alongside Chay River is quite particular interesting and typical of the distant mountainous region. After this sightseeing, transfer to Sapa Town, a small market town perched dramatically on the western edge of a high plateau facing the hazy blue peak of Fan Si Pan Mountain. The refreshing climate and vaguely Alpine landscape struck a nostalgic chord with European visitors. On 1,600 meters above sea level, is the kingdom of colourful Orchids, a big summer resort, the homeland of Nung, Dao, Tay, Cao Lan, Paxi, and Xa Phong minorities. Sapa’s invigorating air is a real tonic after the dusty plains, but cold nights make warm clothes essential throughout the year. Check in hotel and free time at night. Overnight in Sapa. (B) Day 4 : SA PA TREKKING – LAO CAI - HANOI ((by A/C car 38km, trekking, night train) After breakfast, today enjoy a walking tour to visit the liveliest context of Sapa, visit Sapa Market, are crowded and merry, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods and products, proceeding to Sapa Church – as an impress mark, timing witness of this solitary mountain region. After that, start trekking to CatCat village (12 km from Sapa Townlet), is an age-old village of H'Mong ethnic group remaining unique customs, including the custom of “pulling wife”, and practices that are lots in other villages, live Red Dao, black Hmong minorities. Walk inside the village to visit Red Dao, black Hmong houses and experience the daily lives to understand better their culture and customs. Taphin village (15 km from Sapa) where live Red Dao, black Hmong minorities. Walk inside the village to visit Red Dao, black Hmong houses and experience the daily lives to understand better their culture and customs. Then, drive back to Lao Cai Railway Station for a night train ETD 20:15. Enjoy your night in A/C cabin. Overnight on train. (B) Day 5 : HANOI – HA LONG BAY - HANOI (by A/C car 175km, a Cruising tour by wooden junk) Arrive in the Hanoi Railway Station in the early morning at 05.00AM, welcome and drive straight up to Halong Bay. Your breakfast will be served at local restaurant en-route. Landscapes en route are very interesting with the immense rice-fields, farmers are working in the fields, small and peace villages ….there are the sweet beginnings to talk with then explanation of Vietnam by our tour guide. Upon arrival in Halong bay, transfer to the Marina for a 4-hour cruising tour by a big wooden Junk on Ha Long Bay constituted by 3000 small and big islands of all shapes. In 1994 UNESCO classified Halong Bay as a World Natural Heritage and in November 2000, the World Heritage Committee reconfirmed this classification, your excursion to Halong Bay will re-evaluate the classification of UNESCO to this fairyland. In the book intituled "Wonders of the World" published in 1950. The French marshal Lyautey compared it with Venice rocks in the "Letters of Tonkin and Madagascar" (June 24, 1895). The French novelist Yvonne Schultz did not hesitate to praise the miraculous beauty of this bay: All heights and ten thousand forms; imagination, imitation, pagodas, Hindu temples, menhirs, Chinese towers, pieces of chess-board or true immense mountain. And the extraordinary flows simulating the ruined keeps, the broken down bastions, a succession of palaces with open belly & tribes of mutilated idols. HALONG BAY is nearly a hidden bay with thousands of limestone islands densely rising from the blue jade water in a sea area of over 1500 square kilometers. Its 1969 green islands enfeeble the strong winds blowing from the ocean to leave the transparent water of the bay often calm in cool and healthy air. From time to time, sailing Junk appearing and disappearing between the islands make the poetic sight more colorful like sparkling pearls or coral reefs found out in the bay. The beauty of the bay is not monotone, at different positions of viewing, it will astonish viewers with quite different fascinations. In the caves and grottoes of stone islands, visitors will discover and admire how many impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The caves have strange but very accurate names, have their own legends in their names as Thien Cung (Heaven Palace) grotto, Dau Go (Wooden Head) grotto, stop-over to visit the caves, your sailing Junk will continue to visit around the shapely islets of fighting cock, incense-burner and others. You will have a romantic lunch with very fresh sea-food on-board, since after visit the floating-rafts/houses of living sea-food, taste the specilities of Halong Bay is quite a life-time experience. The Junk sailing back to Marina and drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (B) Day 6: HANOI - NINH BINH (by A/C car 90km, boat) After breakfast, you will departure to Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh, where people commonly call “Halong Bay on Land”, to enjoy its marvellous nature, the poetic delight views of lush rice paddies and lime-stone shapely mountains. There is really Historical & Cultural Vestiges, a most ancient land and first capital city of the monarchical Vietnam – Hoa Lu Ancient Royal Capital. Visit Dinh Temple worships King Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Temple worships King Le Dai Hanh, they were built in 17th century. Proceeding to Van Lam Village, take a rowing boat alongside streams through the rice-fields to admire the picturesque views, into beautiful landscapes with channels meandering between rocky hills, grottoes and gaze with veneration at gigantic sceneries of three caves Tam Coc to be adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites shapely and colourful. Later, enjoy an interesting tour along the peaceful country road to visit Bich Dong Pagodas hide itself on the slope’s rocky hill range, built on Ngu Nhac Mountain, is divided into three levels: lower pagoda, middle pagoda and upper pagoda. On the mountain peak stands the statue of a scholar Mandarin looking at the horizon in hope of viewing the spectacular landscapes of Hoa Lu. From the upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in year of 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honour of the beautiful pagoda and landscape, who said that Bich Dong Pagodas was the second nicest pagoda in Vietnam, after the Perfume Pagodas. After tour drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (B) Day 7: HANOI - HUE ROYAL CITY (by A/C car, plane) After breakfast, check out to transfer to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue Royal City. Warm welcome to everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting then self-introduce with tour guides in the meeting point's Phu Bai Airport. Welcome to Hue Royal City – the Complex of Monuments, the heart of central Vietnam served as Vietnam’s political capital 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty and was recognized as the World Cultural Heritage Site. Hue – has been the Capital of a unified Vietnam, built at about the beginning of the 19th century, combines the oriental philosophy with the traditions of Vietnam. Intimately mingled with the natural environment, the beauty and special richness of the architecture and decorative art of the building are an original image of the Vietnamese monarchy at its most prosperous period. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a half day tour in the Royal city of Hue, and spend time strolling around this ancient Imperial City, photo-stop at the Royal National high-school and its Royal Stele on the bank of Perfume River, which was the most famous National school in Vietnam, visit The Imperial City - Purple Forbidden City, is the best-preserved remnant of a vast citadel and royal quarters that once existed on the site. To put the ruins into context, it is important to consider how they were originally used., there are a network of palaces, gates, and courtyards that served as The Emperor’s home and the administrative core of the Empire, visit The Flag Tower – a huge structure of three flat-top pyramids, the nine holy cannons are housed in two buildings beside the The Nhan and Quang Duc Miradors in the Citadel of Hue, Palace of the Supreme Harmony, was the building for great court’s meetings. It faces the Noontime Gate (Ngo Mon Gate) and lies right on the central axis of the Citadel, The Mieu Temple is situated southwest of the Citadel and facing south, dedicated to ten Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, then The Royal Theatre – DUYET THI DUONG was the oldest of Vietnamese traditional stage that remained. Then transfer to the Royal Marina and continuing boat upstream to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of Heavenly Lady). While the wind smoothly moves the bamboo branches. One hears the Thiên Mụ bell, and the Thọ-Xuong rooster’s song. Thien Mu Pagoda located on a sloping pine hill with the front side facing the Perfume River, was firstly built in 1601 which its 21-metre-high tower of seven storeys and refined bell are always the most beautiful sceneries of the ancient pagodas in whole country, and the highest spirit of Vietnamese also. Transfer to hotel for check in and free at leisure at night for your own activities. Overnight in Hue. (B) Day 8: HUE ROYAL CITY - DA NANG - HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (by A/C car 135km) Breakfast at hotel, depart to Da Nang City, an ancient land closely connected with cultural traditions, mixing the famous beautiful sites, the white sand beaches. The trip passes many spectacular scenarios along the National Highway 1, via the breathing Hai Van Pass, literal meaning is “Sea and Cloud”, is the highest and longest pass in Vietnam with the north- south national highway zigzagging through it for almost 20 km. Reaching to a height of 496 m above sea level the pass seems to be lost in the clouds almost all of the time. In the 15th century King Le Thanh Ton when stopping here to admire the dreamy and majestic scene of sky cloud and sea called it “De Nhat Hung Quan” (the First Grandiose Landscape of the country). From the highest point of the pass you get a bird’s eye view of the rich lowlands encircling the city of Danang with its image reflected on the waters of Han River. To the south and at the foot of the mountain lies the Nam O seashore where there is a fine beach with gentle waves and fishing boats crowding the water front. Photo-stop somewhere in the Pass, get your perfect pictures of Lang Co beach, a spectacular landscape & peaceful fishing hamlet. Arrival Danang city, brief visit to the Museum of Cham Sculpture, began in 1915. This is the only museum dedicated to preserving the unique Champa sculptural heritage in South East Asia. There are about 300 items of sculpture exhibited here. Most of them are original works carved in sandstone, some are terracotta. Items exhibited include altars statues and decorations from Cham towers and palaces. The statues include the Gods Siva Vishnu Brahma as well as the brahmanists Buddha dancers and musicians elephant lions the holy cow Nandin and the holy bird Garuda. These date from the 7th century to the 15th century. Then stone carving villages at Marble Mountains, where visitors will see the skilful artisans working on the products of marble / granite and visitors can choose a collection of excellent stone products for souvenir. From Da Nang you continue to Hoi An ancient town, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River, 30 km south of Danang, has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets still remains almost intact. Occupied by early western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. All the houses were made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese characters. Pillars were also carved with ornamental designs. Arrival in Hoi An, you will enjoy an interesting town-tour by walking. It is the best way to discover Hoian ancient town, visit The Japanese Covered Bridge where retains a harmony of architectural styles, combining Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese cultural characteristics. Ong Pagoda is one of the typical pagodas in Hoi An’s old quarter, built in 1653 and is dedicated to Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong). Fukienese Assembly Hall was built in 1692 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants, is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and beautiful statues, Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An’s cultural character. Tan Ky Ancient House, constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese merchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century, Hand-made Silk workshop as a last destination. Transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hoi An. (B) Day 9: HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN- DA NANG - HO CHI MINH CITY (by A/C car 80km, plane) After breakfast, transfer direct to Da Nang Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Warmly welcome to everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting then self-introduce with Indochina Incentive House's representative and tour guides in the meeting point's Tan Son Nhat Airport. Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City, a young city with the age of more than 300 years, a centre of culture, education, commerce and tourism of Vietnam, the biggest city of Vietnam mix with the West and the Orient, and once known as the "Pearl of Far East". Upon arrival, you will visit Neo-Roman Notre Dame Cathedral - one of the most splendid and typical of the beautiful French-built churches in Ho Chi Minh city, next Municipal Post Office - Saigon's French-style main post office to admire and take photos of its nice architecture that is one of the Ho Chi Minh City’s symbolizing images, then drive slowly along a historical boulevard which the impressive buildings as the old US Embassy the Prime Ministerial building and many more, there are like the historical witnesses to the ups and downs, political upheavals of a Nation and its generations. Followed up, you will visit to the Reunification Palace – a symbol of Saigon old Government before 1975, (also called former President Palace) to learn the sorrowful historic of Vietnam Ideology War from 1954-1975. Later, pass by Ho Chi Minh City People Committee (also the old French City Hall before 1975), and Municipal Theatre built in 1899. Then drive slowly along a historical boulevard which the impressive buildings as the old US Embassy the Prime Ministerial building and many more, there are like the historical witnesses to the ups and downs, political upheavals of a Nation and its generations. Left time is saved for you to do shopping at Ben Thanh Market – a most typical market of Vietnam, is a big marketplace in the downtown area of Ho Chi Minh City, with how many things are available for your choice. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and today is considered one of symbols of Ho Chi Minh City, popular with tourists seeking local handicrafts, textiles, áo dài (traditional long-dress for female Vietnamese), and souvenirs, as well as local cuisine. Transfer to hotel for check-in and free at leisure for your own activities for the rest of day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (B) Day 10: HO CHI MINH CITY – VINH LONG - CAN THO (by A/C car 180km, motor-boat, rowing-boat) After breakfast, take an excursion to Mekong Rivers, overland 100 kilometres to Vinh Long Province - the "Gateway of Mekong River and its Delta" short stopover at Cao Dai Temple in Ben Luc town, a very specific religion of countrymen in Mekong Delta which combines Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism, and native Vietnamese spiritualism. Mekong Delta - the rice granary of Vietnam. Arrival Vinh Long and transfer to the bank of Mekong River, take a motor river-boat which to be rent exclusively for the group then crossing the Upper River and cruising along Cai Be floating market – an interesting style of market in Mekong delta. Then disembark and visit An Binh island with some highlights: Pop – rice, rice – paper making workshops, Ancient house – the landlord’s home in the past, farming – tool display, rice processing and enjoy a Vietnamese traditional music performance. Later strolling along the village roads to visit to the Brick kilns, pottery – kilns and coconut candy workshop. Finally you would visit an orchard or bonsai garden or nursery garden. Till now rivers and artificial canals are an important circulation system of the Mekong Delta. Then go straight to the centre of Mekong Delta. Slow-down for photo and picturings, set-off and a moment on peak of My Thuan bridge for gaze away out to rivers & delta, it is a longest and most beautiful bridge of Vietnam measuring 1,600m across the Upper River. Cross Lower River by big ferry to reach Can Tho – the capital of Mekong Delta. Arrival in Can Tho, check-in then take your time to free at leisure, enjoy yourself the romantic and pleasant views of Vietnam countryside. Nothing is more refreshing than a view to the sun that is about setting in the horizon, sight and sound by the riverside at sunset, and salubrious countryside breeze, which blows over are indeed soothing and invigorating. Overnight in Can Tho. (B) Day 11: CAN THO - HO CHI MINH CITY (by A/C car 170 km, motor-river boat) This morning, after breakfast, transfer to the pier then embark on an elegant traditional Mekong wooden ship, and cruising during sunrise, visit Cai Rang floating market where thousand commercial boats on the busy river are exchanging their specialities of Mekong Delta. Explore the treasures, strange-looking views of Mekong Rivers. Cruising back to the Pier, Stop-over Ninh Kieu wharf on the bank of Lower river – is a beautiful city garden where hundreds of shuttle-boats are waiting the passer-by, a good and memorable Group-picture should be take place, proceeding to visit Cantonese Congregation Pagoda, It is called Ong Temple built at the end of the 19th century using construction materials such as wood pillars, grinstones and rafters from Kuang Tong, China. Back to your hotel, check-out then visit Khmer pagoda of Munirangsyaram, on Hoà Bình street, there is very popular due to its elaborate sculptures and modeled on the Tam Bao (Three Treasures) tower, which is part of Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat complex. If the time may permit, you will visit to Binh Thuy ancient house. The house features the French architectural style with five compartments and two roofs. Binh Thuy ancient house was constructed in 1870 by the Duong family. Especially, the house contains a large number of valuable “antiques” which have been preserved until now. They include two set of furniture (tables and chairs) originated from Van Nam, China, a set of salon table originated from the era off Louis 15th, etc. Then drive back to Saigon and free leisure at night. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (B) Day 12: HO CHI MINH – CU CHI TUNNELS – TAY NINH (by A/C car 200km) Morning depart to Cu Chi Tunnels located at the threshold of Saigon and adjacent to the revolutionary base, played an important role in the two wars on before 1975. Visitors will have a lot of questions as knowing that Cu Chi was an "underground village" with its labyrinth of interlaced tunnels having a combined length of more than 200 km of tunnels built here by the Communist guerrillas are the highlight of South Vietnam tours. You will be guided to the bedrooms, meeting rooms, air-raid shelters, smokeless kitchens, and experience life underground during your short visit to this extraordinary tunnel complex. Opportunity to crawl into the tunnels for discovering and hearing all things of it. You can also try shooting with real bullets here (your own account). Continue to Tay Ninh province, 100 km far from Ho Chi Minh city to the west. Visit Cao Dai Great Temple. The construction is a harmonious fusion of Asian and European styles, with domes and embellishments showing the spirit of Cao Dai - a combination of Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism and Catholicism. Enjoy the peculiar solemn ceremony at noon with followers attired in lively red, yellow, blue and white as well as particular accompanied religious hymns. Then we will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. End of tour. Back to the hotel for good night. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (B) Day 13: DEPARTURE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY (by A/C car) After breakfast, free at leisure for your independence activities until time to check-out (at noon) then transfer to Tan Son Nhat international airport for flight come back home. Have a safe trip come home! It’s timely; you have to say good-bye Vietnam. You surely have plentiful memories of the Orient - my colourful country land. We (Toan Vinh Tours) thank you very much for your choice of our company as your ground handler in Vietnam then may be Indochina countries on further, be sure all our people are your best friends always and beyond. May we will meet and honoured welcome you have other voyages to Indochina in the days coming, continuing to discover, to experience the endless imposing landscapes, and then get the really restful moments in a diversified World and this colourful Sub-region of the Mekong River: VIETNAM - LAOS - CAMBODIA - THAILAND - MYANMAR! GOOD-BYE & DO HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN! (B)

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