OVERVIEW 
  
Our Vietnam Classic Tours will allow you to discover this marvelous country in depth, from the magnificent Halong in the north to the majestic Mekong Delta in the south, visiting tropical beaches in between... Vietnam has everything that is required for an ultimate tropical holiday destination...
 
Day 01: Hanoi
On arrival, welcome at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi / Hoalu / Hanoi / Lao Cai (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer through the countryside to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the 10th century. On arrival, bicycle ride or buffalo cart through the traditional village to Bich Dong Pagoda and then continue to Thung Nang pier. Board a small sampan for a spectacular 2-hour cruise through numerous waterways and beautiful rural landscape of limestone cliffs and rice paddies and visit one cave. Return by have lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh Dynastic temples before transfer by road back to Hanoi. Local dinner before going to the railway station for overnight train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Day 03: Lao Cai / Sapa (B)
Arrival at Lao Cai railway station early in the morning. Transfer by coach to Sapa (45 mn) Breakfast on arrival at the hotel. Free time in the morning to relax after night train. After noon, visit Sapa market, Thac Bac Waterfalls and Traurion Pass to have a splendid view on Mountains and valleys. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 04: Sapa (B/L) < Light Trekking>
Breakfast at hotel. Full day discovery of minority villages located in Sapa Valley. Road to Lao Chai and then trekking (2km) through the rice fields to visit a traditional Black H’Mong house and then continue trekking to Tavan village (2km) to visit a Giay minority village. Picnic lunch on the way and then walking through the bamboo forest till Giangtachai, a Red Dzao village. This part of trip is very interesting at all levels: beautiful landscaping and knowledge on ethnic minorities since Red Dzao has a nice and colorful costumes and interesting traditions. Your driver will be waiting for you at Giangtachai village and bring you back to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 05: Sapa And Its Surroundings < Minority Market> (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Check out from the hotel. Excursion to one of the beautiful minority markets in the region (depending on the day of the week). Local lunch. Transfer to Lao Cai for evening train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train. ** Market days: - Tuesday: Coc Ly market where you will meet the ethnic minorities from H’Mong Flower, Lachi, Nung and Fula. After visiting the market, take a cruise on the Clear River before going back to Lao Cai. - Saturday : Can Cau market located on the other valley of Sapa. To reach the market, we follow a spectacular road with beautiful scenery. This market is weekly meeting point of Flower H/Mong, Fula, Black H’Mong. This is one the most authentic markets in the region After the market, we will visit some villages near before returning slowly to Lao Cai. - Sunday: Muong Khuong or Bac Ha markets : the busiest market of the region where you will meet the H’Mongs, Fula, Dzao and other ethnic minorities to come and exchange not only the goods but the news of their own community.

Day 06: Hanoi Arrival/ Halong (B/L/D)
Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning. After breakfast at local restaurant, morning visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), its former residence, One Pillar Pagoda Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of Literature. Continue the road to Halong Bay. Arrive around 12h30 and board a junk for a memorable cruise through the mystical Halong Bay. Be delighted by food on board and spend your day admiring one of the natural marvels of Vietnam: Visit islets, natural caves and, if weather permits, enjoy a swim in the clear waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Dinner and overnight on the junk.

Day 07: Halong / Hanoi (B/L)
Breakfast at 7h00 then discover man’s head Island, Tortoise Island, Luon cave, Bai Tu Long bay, Ton Island and Bai Tho Mountain. Enjoy an early lunch on board at 11h00. End of the cruise at 12h, then drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 08: Hanoi / Hue (B)
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Hue. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, Emperor Tu Duc and Emperor Khai Dinh’s mausoleums. Overnight in Hue.

Day 09: Hue / Danang / Hoi An (B/L)
After breakfast, take a boat for a cruise on the gentle Perfume River. Visit Dong Ba market, Thien Mu Pagoda on the river bank. Transfer to Danang via the Hai Van Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. On arrival visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain and continue the trip to Hoian. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 10: Hoian (B/L)
Morning visit the riverside town of Hoi An which was an important trading port during the 17th and 18th centuries and which, nowadays, is officially listed as a world heritage site. Take a walking tour round Hoi An ancient town and explore its treasures: the Japanese Bridge, PhucKien Pagoda, PhungHung Old Merchant House, Quang Dong Assembly Hall. Afternoon, free time at leisure for own visits. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 11: Hoian / Danang / Saigon (B/L)
Transfer to Danang Airport for your morning flight to Saigon. On arrival, transfer to your selected hotel. In the same morning, discover bustling Saigon: Enjoy a tour in the Old Colonial Residential Quarter and discover the old Hotel de Ville, the Opera House, Notre-Dame Cathedral (built in the 19th century), the dazzling French-style post office and the Reunification Palace (outside). In the afternoon visit the War Remnants Museum, then continue to Cho Lon and stop at Binh Tay Market. Finally, end the day with a visit to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda and a lacquer ware factory. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12: Saigon / Cai Be / Vinh Long / Can Tho (B/L)
Morning departure from Ho Chi Minh City and drive overland to Cai Be, in the heart of the Mekong Delta. On arrival, board a sampan for a cruise on the Mekong River and its multiple canals to Vinh Long. Visit an old colonial house, a rice corn factory and taste local specialties for lunch. In the afternoon continue to Can Tho, the main town of the Mekong Delta. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 13: Can Tho / Cairang / Chau Doc (B/L)
After breakfast board a Sampan to visit Cai Rang floating market and a family run noodle-making factory and witness the rural life and the beautiful vegetation along the riverbanks. Discover Can Tho’s market then drive to Chau Doc, not far from the Cambodian border. On arrival, visit the Sam Mountain, a popular pilgrimage site gathering temples of Chinese, Cham or Khmer influences, before checking into your hotel. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 14: Chau Doc / Saigon (B/L)
After breakfast cruise through a surprising village of floating houses where fish are bred in their natural environment, and learn more about Cham culture while visiting a small village and its mosque. In the afternoon drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive early in the evening. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 15: Saigon Departure (B)
Free time until transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight.

PRICING - US DOLLARS PER PERSON (Valid till 30 Sep, 2011)

PRICING – US DOLLARS PER PERSON (Valid from 01 Oct to 20 Dec, 2011)

NOTES :
- B: breakfast; L: lunch; D: dinner
- Above prices is net per person and quoted in US dollars
- Tariff rates and conditions subject to change without prior notice
- Christmas and New Year’s dinner supplement (will be advised at time of booking)
- Itinerary is subject to charges depending on road conditions

INCLUDING :
- A/C vehicle transfer with driver
- Hotel accommodation in twin sharing room with breakfast
- Sightseeing and entrance fee at all mentioned sites
- English, French speaking local guide
- Meal as stated in itinerary
- Boat trip in Halong, Hue, Mekong
- Train ticket Hanoi –LaoCai –Hanoi with normal train in 4berth-cabin sharing
- GOV tax tour

EXCLUDING :
- International/domestic air tickets
- Drinks, personal expenses
- Entrance fee for photo or video camera to the sites
- Others not mentioned in the price above
- Tips and gratitude for guide, porters and drivers

HOTEL LIST :

NOTES :

-          Deluxe option : Departure to Laocai on weekdays, discount 89 USD/person (Weekend departure : Hanoi to Laocai on Friday and Laocai-Hanoi on Sunday), applicable only for the period till 30 Sept, 2011

-           (*) There is no 5 star hotel in Halong so we book Novotel Halong hotel as your Deluxe 1 and Deluxe 2 option

-          (*) There is no 4 star hotel in Chaudoc so we book Victoria Chaudoc hotel for Superior option

-          In case the aforementioned hotels are fully booked, Asian Destination Travel has right to book similar hotels