Day 1  Arrive Saigon (D)
On arrival in Saigon, you will transfer to your hotel. Relax and freshen up. This afternoon will be your first introduction to Vietnamese handicrafts as we visit some of the craft workshops and retail outlets in Saigon during our city tour. This evening board the Saigon River Boat for your welcome dinner and your introduction to Vietnamese cuisine as you cruise the Saigon River. Check in time: 14:00 hrs and early check in is subject to availability upon check in. Overnight in Saigon

Day 2  Mekong Delta (BLD)
2-day Mekong Delta Tour. The quickest way to understand the locals is by being a local. Today, travel southwest to the Mekong Delta for an overnight at a local home-stay. Embark on a three-hour drive through a wide variety of scenery, from the developing Saigon city to the peaceful delta. On arrival, board the Mekong Queen to explore the life and agriculture on the river. The hustle and bustle of Cai Be floating market, where hundreds of boats filled with fruit, vegetables, and other products anchor along the riverbanks. Traders live on the river and some have linked their lives with boats like mobile houses for generations.

Optional visit coconut sweet and rice paper making houses.
Continue the cruise to your lunch stop. Take a 10-minute walk to an ancient house and an opportunity to interact with the family members. After lunch with, stroll around the orchard with your guide to learn about various fruits. Continue to visit a bamboo basket weaving family and a brick making factory. Make your way back to where you will be spending the night. Freshen up and relax or take a walk through the island paths. Join the family members and your guide to prepare the dinner. The locals here get into bed very early so you will settle yourself on your bunk. Mosquito nets and all bedding provided. Do not expect too much, but it is interesting to lie in bed and hear the night sounds and to reflect on your day. Overnight at home-stay in Cai Be.

Day 3  Mekong Delta, Saigon (BLD)
Watch as early morning on the delta comes to life and join a typical breakfast in the Mekong Delta. Visit a rural village market with the family to select locally produced food, vegetables and spices for your lunch. Back home and explore gardening activities such as watering, pruning or harvesting. Return to Saigon with a stop to see the Cao Dai temple. Tonight board your cyclo (cycle rickshaw) for a very special treat - the infamous pancake restaurant. Not pancakes as we know them, rather a savoury-style omelette served along with BBQ and fresh vegetables, all wrapped up in a fresh spring roll wrapper and dipped in a delicious dipping sauce. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 4 Saigon, Danang (by Air); Danang - Hoi An (BD)
This morning we transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang in Central Vietnam. Arrive Danang and transfer to Hoi An, stopping at China Beach and Marble Mountain. Time to explore the shops and marble sculptures before continuing to Hoi An. Everything from small nik-naks to carved lions and Eagles the size of a room. Evening visit to a highly recommended tailor in Hoi An. Dinner tonight at the prestigious Pho Xua Restaurant. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5  Hoi An Cooking School (BLD)
Hoi An Red Bridge Cooking School. The group will rise early to be taken by your local teacher to the market to buy the ingredients for the dishes you will learn to cook today. As you wander the markets the fresh fish will be bought ashore, local traders set up stalls with the fresh produce and the market is a busy mix of rural people selling their wares. Spices and herbs mingle with fresh mangoes and pineapple; you will certainly know you are in Asia. Rest of day to visit artists and home industries. Hoi An is one of the best and cheapest places to have clothes tailor made. There are also wonderful cottage industries: art, furniture, inlaid Mother of Pearl in rose wood and ceramics. Your guide will introduce you to the well-known local dish Cau Lau. This evening another well-known local dish Cha Ca, marinated fish and vegetables cooked at your table on a table BBQ. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6  Danang - Hanoi Flight (B)
Hanoi - Lao Cai (Local Train 2130/0600+ next day). Free day in Hoi An until check out of hotel by 12:00 noon. Transfer to the Danang airport for the late afternoon flight from Danang to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to Hanoi down town for an orientation tour of the city and then to a local restaurant for your dinner (at own accounts). Evening, transfer to the railway station for your train to Lao Cai near the Chinese border. Overnight on train

Day 7  Lao Cai to Sapa (B)
Arrive early morning at Lao Cai station, near the Chinese border; take a scenic one-hour drive up to the hill station of Sapa district. Breakfast is at the hotel. Begin your short journey with a 30-minute drive south toward Muong Hoa valley. Walk downhill through the valley, which is the largest terraced rice paddy in the Sapa area. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black H'mong minority to Ta Van village of the Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church; Opportunity to see the difference in tradition and costumes of the two ethnic groups. Back to Sapa, remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure to relax or wander about this small town. Early check in today is NOT included and subject to the hotel availability.
Overnight in Sapa

Day 8  Bac Ha Sunday Market – Train to Hanoi (B)
Today is the Sunday Market at Bac Ha and we are headed overland to see it. Hill tribes come from miles around to sell their handicrafts and other wares. In the afternoon we transfer back to Lao Cai for the overnight sleeper train to Hanoi arriving early morning. Late check out today is NOT included and subject to the hotel availability. Overnight on train.

Day 9  Hanoi city tour (B)
Arrival in Hanoi early morning, Transfer to hotel breakfast. Hanoi City tour. The tour includes the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ho Chi Minh’s house, where he preferred to live simply, One Pillar Pagoda, a small but significant pagoda with a Buddhist representation of the world and the Temple of Literature originally built in 1070. The afternoon is set free for shopping.
Early check in today is included. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10  Halong Bay (BLD)
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before departing Hanoi by road for Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Huong Hai traditional sailing junk. Sample the regions fresh seafood whilst cruising the exquisite waters. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and then on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board

Day 11  Halong – hanoi (Brunch, D)
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even General de Gaulle’s nose! Disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi by road, with a stop in Phu Lang to visit the Pottery Village. Transfer to hotel on arrival. (No lunch is served on board). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12  Hoa Binh ethnic minorities (BLD)
Today we journey east to the area known as Hoa Binh. Built close to a large lake, which is also a power generated hydro scheme. The area is well known for its tribal people who have their own unique handicrafts, in particular, embroidery. Arrive to LAC, a Thai tribal village at noon. After a lunch break, the whole afternoon is spent visiting villages scattered around Mai Chau valley, exploring Thai's unique culture. There are plenty of opportunities for meeting people at home and at work. Thai women spend most of their time making brocades and embroidery. Evening is highlighted with a Thai folk performance. Stay overnight in a traditional stilt house of the Thai People.

Day 13  Hanoi (B)
Take a morning walk around the village to view daily activities before driving back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi at noon. Check into hotel. Afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 14  Departure (B)
Free time until your transfer to the airport.

LOCATION
Saigon to Hanoi, Vietnam

Escorted Journey departs with minimum  6 travellers
DATES
5th September 2011
7th May, 16th July 2012
2011 Tour price escorted journey NZ$4265.00
Single Supplement NZ$610.00
2012 (Approx) Tour price escorted journey NZ$4735.00
Single Supplement NZ$678.00

Independent travellers on demand (minimum 2 travellers)
14 days / 13 nights
Independent travellers on demand from
2011 NZ$4180.00
Single from NZ$610.00
2012 (Approx)NZ$3763.00
Single from NZ$678.00
Discounts for 4 or more travellers

INCLUDED

• 12 x Breakfasts
• 5 x Lunches
• 8 x Dinners
• Active Travel Company Tour escort
• Local guides
• Modern air conditioned vehicles
• Flight Saigon to Danang
• Flight Danang to Hanoi
• Sleeper berth on return train journey Hanoi to Lao Cai
• Hoi An Cooking School
• All entrances fees and permits
• Accommodation
• Meals as indicated

Accommodation styles vary from 4 star superior hotels to family homestays.

Key terms & conditions
Prices are subject to change. Set departure dates as stated on twin share basis in first class hotels. Tour can also depart on any day to suit with Minimum 2 travellers as a private tour with choice of hotels. The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. While every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided our company reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as indicated by circumstances and conditions beyond our control. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our website.

Join this trip with

• Pre or post tour to Cambodia
• Pre or Post tour to Thailand
• Pre or post tour to Laos