Day 1: Departure
Depart UK on a flight to Hanoi via Kuala Lumpur.
Depart UK on a flight to Hanoi via Kuala Lumpur.
Day 2: Arrive Hanoi
Transit through Kuala Lumpur and fly onwards to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.
In the evening, attend a performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry. The stage is actually a large container of water where the characters (carved wooden puppets) “act” out the story.
Transit through Kuala Lumpur and fly onwards to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.
In the evening, attend a performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry. The stage is actually a large container of water where the characters (carved wooden puppets) “act” out the story.
Day 3: Hanoi City Tour (B/-/-)
This morning visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former residence and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Also visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure for you to wander the streets of the city at will.
This morning visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former residence and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Also visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure for you to wander the streets of the city at will.
Day 4: Mai Chau Lodge (B/L/D)
We leave Hanoi at 8am for the scenic drive to Mai Chau. On arrival, a welcome briefing on the activity options and Lodge facilities is followed by lunch. At 1pm you can check into your room and take a shower. There is then an optional buffalo cart ride or trek to the nearby Thai villages of Pom Coong and Lac. Here we have time for handicraft shopping from the local artisans or enjoying a coffee with the friendly villagers.
At about 4pm there is an optional trip to a private cave attached to the Lodge. The cave, which used to be a military base, is looked after by a team of local hill tribe people. During the cave tour you will learn more about the limestone karst cave and its history in the local region.
A fabulous dinner is served at 7pm, accompanied by a traditional dance performance by the local Thai tribe.
We leave Hanoi at 8am for the scenic drive to Mai Chau. On arrival, a welcome briefing on the activity options and Lodge facilities is followed by lunch. At 1pm you can check into your room and take a shower. There is then an optional buffalo cart ride or trek to the nearby Thai villages of Pom Coong and Lac. Here we have time for handicraft shopping from the local artisans or enjoying a coffee with the friendly villagers.
At about 4pm there is an optional trip to a private cave attached to the Lodge. The cave, which used to be a military base, is looked after by a team of local hill tribe people. During the cave tour you will learn more about the limestone karst cave and its history in the local region.
A fabulous dinner is served at 7pm, accompanied by a traditional dance performance by the local Thai tribe.
Day 5: Mai Chau – Hanoi - Overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai (B/L)
After breakfast you are welcome to join a two hour cycling tour or walking trek through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. You will meet the local hill tribes going about their daily routines such as planting rice, herding buffalos or building traditional houses.
You will then leave for Hanoi after lunch where you will take the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai in the northern Sapa region. Overnight on board the train.
After breakfast you are welcome to join a two hour cycling tour or walking trek through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. You will meet the local hill tribes going about their daily routines such as planting rice, herding buffalos or building traditional houses.
You will then leave for Hanoi after lunch where you will take the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai in the northern Sapa region. Overnight on board the train.
Day 6: Lao Cai / Sapa / Topas Eco Lodge (B/-/D)
Early morning arrival into Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan. Pick up by Topas Ecolodge driver and drive to Sa Pa. The journey starts with a 38km drive on winding roads up the mountains to Sapa town, approx. 1500 m above sea level. Then you will take the hotel bus to the Topas Ecolodge. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Early morning arrival into Lao Cai, the border town to Yunnan. Pick up by Topas Ecolodge driver and drive to Sa Pa. The journey starts with a 38km drive on winding roads up the mountains to Sapa town, approx. 1500 m above sea level. Then you will take the hotel bus to the Topas Ecolodge. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 7: Sapa (B/-/D)
Today is at leisure. As well as excellent trekking opportunities, there is also a good range of local markets in the region which can be a great place to see the local tribes-people trading goods, having a drink with friends and catching up on the local gossip!
Today is at leisure. As well as excellent trekking opportunities, there is also a good range of local markets in the region which can be a great place to see the local tribes-people trading goods, having a drink with friends and catching up on the local gossip!
Day 8: Sapa / Lao Cai Overnight train to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Another day at leisure.
Drive back to Lao Cai station to take overnight train back to Hanoi. Overnight on board.
Another day at leisure.
Drive back to Lao Cai station to take overnight train back to Hanoi. Overnight on board.
Day 9: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Arrive into Hanoi at around 04:30 hrs, you have the chance to discover Hanoi in the early morning; enjoy the romantic flower market and join the locals in their morning Tai Chi and aerobics around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake.
Depart Hanoi for the drive to beautiful Halong Bay. Board the boat and set sail through the bay while your buffet lunch is served. Enjoy an Asian Buffet lunch as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing the Fighting cocks islet, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet and the Soi Sim Island.
This afternoon enjoy a range of activities on board before enjoying a cocktail at the open air bar located on the sundeck before your 5 course dinner. Overnight onboard Paradise Cruise.
Arrive into Hanoi at around 04:30 hrs, you have the chance to discover Hanoi in the early morning; enjoy the romantic flower market and join the locals in their morning Tai Chi and aerobics around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake.
Depart Hanoi for the drive to beautiful Halong Bay. Board the boat and set sail through the bay while your buffet lunch is served. Enjoy an Asian Buffet lunch as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing the Fighting cocks islet, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet and the Soi Sim Island.
This afternoon enjoy a range of activities on board before enjoying a cocktail at the open air bar located on the sundeck before your 5 course dinner. Overnight onboard Paradise Cruise.
Day 10: Halong Bay / Overnight train to Hue (B/-/-)
This morning you have the option to wake early to join in the tai chi lesson on the back sundeck before your buffet breakfast.
The boat will continue to cruise through Halong Bay until it gets to Titop Island where you can spend some time hiking, swimming, kayaking or simply relaxing on the beach. This afternoon leave your cruise boat and be driven back to Hanoi for your overnight sleeper train to Hue. Overnight on board.
This morning you have the option to wake early to join in the tai chi lesson on the back sundeck before your buffet breakfast.
The boat will continue to cruise through Halong Bay until it gets to Titop Island where you can spend some time hiking, swimming, kayaking or simply relaxing on the beach. This afternoon leave your cruise boat and be driven back to Hanoi for your overnight sleeper train to Hue. Overnight on board.
Day 11: Hue (B/-/-)
Arrive into Hue. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon drive to the Imperial Citadel built along the same lines as the Forbidden Palace in Beijing, which was the country's administrative centre. Evening at leisure. Overnight Hue.
Arrive into Hue. Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon drive to the Imperial Citadel built along the same lines as the Forbidden Palace in Beijing, which was the country's administrative centre. Evening at leisure. Overnight Hue.
Day 12: Hue / Da Nang / Hoi An (B/-/-)
This morning take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Then depart for Danang via the scenic Hai Van pass offering spectacular views of mountains, idyllic beaches and villages. Continue further south to the charming historic city of Hoi An, transfer to your hotel. Overnight Hoi An.
Days 13 – 14: Hoi An at leisure (B/-/-)
Days at leisure to relax and enjoy the Resort and the region.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
This morning fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, drive to visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels (70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. After your visit, transfer onwards to your chosen hotel. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City / Departure (B/-/-)
Today is at leisure until your flight back to the UK.
Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: info@footsteptravel.com to get more information and assistance
This fascinating holiday/tour of Vietnam takes in all the most wonderful aspects of the country. Your experience includes Hanoi with its French colonial charm, Sapa and the minority hilltribe communities
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