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VIETNAM DISCOVERY BY TRAIN
Tour Code: VPR-ADV18
Hanoi - Sapa - Bac Ha Market - Halong Bay - Hue - Danang - Hoi An - Quy Nhon - Saigon
- Cu Chi - Cai Be - Vinh Long -
Mui Ne Journey Map
Vietnam is a land of rich natural and cultural beauty. Visit Vietnam by train is
a good chance to enjoy the picturesque scenery of the whole country along the way.
This 18 day program including 6 days in the North, 5 days in the Central, and 7
days in the South, will bring you different experiences with the culture of old
Ha Noi, colorful hilltribe people in Sapa, wonderful Ha Long Bay, the old trading
port of Hoi An and the former Imperial Capital in Hue, exploration of the French
colonial charms of Saigon, the mighty Mekong River and homestay with local family
and relaxation, free time on beach in Quy Nhon and Mui Ne .
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the
culture of old Ha Noi, wonderful Ha Long Bay
- Witness the old
trading port of Hoi An and the former Imperial Capital in Hue
- Learn about colorful
minority people in Sapa
- Explore the French
colonial charms of Saigon, the mighty Mekong River
- Enjoy free time,
sunbathing, lazy on beach in Quy Nhon, Mui Ne
Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel for check –in. Hanoi is sometimes called
the Paris of the Orient, with shaded boulevards, verdant parks and ochre buildings
that retain an old-world charm. You are free to stroll around the city and catch
a first glimpse of this peaceful city.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR & OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO
SAPA (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel; then embark on city tour including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and
“House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One
Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university
of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and “Hanoi Hilton” –a nick
name given by US pilots during the war. Enjoy lunch with authentic delicious Vietnamese
cuisines, then continue to the West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda, which was built in
the 15th century. After that, the trip will be followed by one –hour cyclo tour
through the busy Old Quarter where you can see peddlers are selling wares as if
they have done that for centuries! In the evening, a transfer to Hanoi’s Railways
Station for overnight train to Lao Cai. The train is very basic; we travel in 'soft
sleeper' class which is a compartment for up to four people; a communal environment.
This train journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our Vietnam trips
and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real’ Vietnam.
Overnight on board
Arrive in the early morning (around 6am), you will take a 45 –minute drive to Sapa,
a remote land littered by a patchwork of diversely rich cultures of ethic groups.
Check in hotel for your refreshment and breakfast. Rest of the day, you are free
to explore the town.
Overnight at hotel in Sapa
DAY 4: TRAIN BACK TO HANOI (B)
Today we will take on excursion to a local minority market. Depending on the day
of the week, we can visit Bac Ha Market (only held on Sunday), Can Cau Market (only
held on Saturday) or Coc Ly Market (only held on Tuesday). It is a precious opportunity
for you to have nice photos of colorful market. On the way to Lao Cai railways station,
pay a visit at villages of Flower H’mong people.
Overnight on board
DAY 5: HALONG BAY, GROUP TOUR (B, L, D)
Reach Hanoi’s Railways Station approximately at 5am, take a taxi back to your hotel
for relaxation. At 8am, coach transfer to Halong Bay. It is a three-hour drive to
Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. Views of sailing
junks navigating past over 3000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops jutting out
of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. We travel to Bai Chay (Halong City
West) where we board a Vietnamese wooden junk boat for an exploration of the bay,
enjoying a seafood lunch and dinner (non-seafood also available), as well as spending
a night on board. We visit one cave in the area and, in the warmer months, there
is a chance to enjoy a swim. Conditions may be somewhat more communal compared to
staying in a hotel, however it is a wonderful experience to be spending a night
on the bay – weather permitting, the views at sunset are incredible. Bedding and
towels are provided. All boats used by Indochina Travel Service have twin-share
cabins with en suite facilities and air-conditioning. There may also be the chance
to do some kayaking (optional and extra cost involved) on Halong Bay.
Overnight
on board.
DAY 6: OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO HUE (BRUNCH)
Further cruise on the bay, visit rock piles and sun bathing before getting back
to the wharf in the early afternoon. Our waiting vehicle will transfer you back
to Hanoi. Free time until transfer to Hanoi’s Railways Station for overnight train
to Hue. The train is very basic; we travel in 'soft sleeper' class which is a compartment
for up to four people; a communal environment. This train journey is in keeping
with the adventurous nature of our Vietnam trips and allows you to experience a
taste of the 'real’ Vietnam.
Overnight on board
Hue with splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, notable pagodas and the remains
of the Citadel becomes one of Vietnam’s attractions to tourists from all over the
world, who like to explore the traditional cultural values of Vietnam. We start
our day with guided touring around the Imperial Citadel, visiting the Noon Gate
and Forbidden City; then followed with the Antiquity Museum for some view. After
that, we will drive out Hue outskirt to visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Afternoon at
leisure. In the evening, enjoy dinner, then take boat trip along Huong River and
enjoy Hue Traditional Music Show.
Overnight at hotel in Hue
DAY 8: HUE – DANANG –HOI AN (B)
Breakfast at hotel, road transfer to Danang, watch over Lang Co fishing village
and white sand beach. Continued to Danang. Take the panoramic view of Danang city
from afar. Proceed to Hoian. On the way, visit China Beach, stone sculpturing village
on the foot of Marble Mountain. Visit the Hoian Ancient Town. Visit Phuoc Kien Temple,
Tan Ky old house, where keep many ceramic antiques. Explore the special architectural
style of Bridge pagoda.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
DAY 9: HOI AN – TRAIN TO QUY NHON (B)
Morning free until transfer to Danang for day train to Quy Nhon, departing at 13hrs.
Upon arrival in Quy Nhon, transfer to hotel. Take a rest. Overnight at hotel in
Quy Nhon
Free at leisure. You can book a tour, or rent bicycle or motorbike to bike around
Quy Nhon to visit its Binh Dinh Museum, many Thap Cham (Cham Towers), the precious
traces of Cham nation, once inhabited on this land, or go further to Thap Thap (ten
stupa) pagoda, a very beautiful pagoda in the city.
Overnight at hotel in Quy Nhon
DAY 11: QUY NHON –OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO SAIGON
(B)
One more day free for swimming, sunbathing or stroll around the town until transfer
to the station for overnight train to Saigon.
Overnight on board
DAY 12: SAIGON HIGHLIGHTS AND CU CHI TUNNELS
(L)
Welcome at the station and transfer downtown for dropping off luggage at hotel.
Some refreshment, then visit highlights of Saigon including The Central Post Office,
The Notre Dame Cathedral, The Reunification Palace, The War Crimes Museum. In the
afternoon, departure for the Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive network of tunnels with
a length of over 250 km. This strategic place was used by 15,000 Viet Cong fighters
during the war.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
DAY 13: SAIGON – CAI BE – VINH LONG (B, L, D)
At 8 hours, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Cai Be floating
market; from here we board our river boats for a cruise along the endless waterways
of the mighty Mekong. You can interact with local people, visit local houses with
unique structure specific to southern countryside and some hand – made family business
products coconut caramels, noodle, rice –paper. One of our stops will be to a small
restaurant serving the local delicacies on the river. We arrive at the lush orchards
of Vinh Long, gather at a house where you will be the host tonight, you will join
to prepare dinner by catching shrimps and fish. In the evening, you walk leisurely
to nearby houses and sharing daily life of Mekong Delta.
DAY 14: VINH LONG –SAIGON (B, L)
After breakfast, we bid farewell to our hosts and cruise to big river. On the way,
we will visit Vinh Long market, Tien Chau pagoda and fish- raft village. Boat trip
will end at around 11am in Vinh Long where our waiting vehicle will drive us back
to Saigon.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
DAY 15: SAIGON – PHAN THIET (B)
A transfer to Phan Thiet, Mui Ne where you can enjoy the nice beaches, sand dunes
and water sports available at the resort (your own account).
Overnight at hotel
in Mui Ne.
Free day to enjoy the beach or resort facilities.
Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne.
Free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne.
DAY18: PHAN THIET –FLIGHT HOME (B)
A transfer from hotel straight to Saigon airport for flight home (from Phan Thiet,
it’s required to leave 7 hours in advance). End of services by Indochina Travel
Service.
ADVENTURE TRAVEL PHOTOS
All A/C transportation as per the itinerary
Local
English speaking tour guides
Accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast
Meals as clearly mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch; D: dinner)
Boat cruise as per the itinerary
Train tickets: Hanoi –Lao Cai -Hanoi –Hue; Danang -Quy Nhon -Saigon (A/C cabin of
4 soft –sleepers)
Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time
International tickets and airport taxes
Vietnam Visa & visa fee
Personal expense
Any drinks, beverages
Tip and gratuities
Travel insurance
Services not mentioned above
PRICING
Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based
upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
NOTE:
This private tour can be customized upon your request. Traveling alone? Tight budget?
Want to explore the country on your own way? Please contact us with details of your
tour requirements via email or telephone. Our team of experienced travel consultants
will then help you design your dream vacation to Vietnam according to your needs
and budget.