Best of Vietnam 14 Days / 13 Nights

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by the guide of Jasminecruises.com and transferred to Hanoi City, the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Restored Sword Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Much of the city was transformed by the French when it became a French protectorate in the 1880s and there are wide boulevards and large colonial buildings which are now home to government departments and foreign embassies. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Hanoi, answer any questions you have, and make arrangements for the following day. Transfer to hotel in the city center to refresh. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: N/A, Hotel: HaNoi Hotel

After breakfast at your hotel .The guide pick you up at your hotel and then visit the capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days' tour will visit the highlights. See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the 'icon of Hanoi' - The One Pillar Pagoda, West Lake's Tran Quoc temple. After lunch, visit the beautiful Temple of Literature, take a cycle for visiting the bustling Old Quarter and enjoy water – puppet show. Then free time until about 19h00. Our tour guide come to pick you up from your hotel then transfer to Ha Noi Railway Station and catch the night train to Lao Cai (Overnight on train)

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Sleep on Train

The train arrives at around 6:00 am. Look for the “Jasminecruise’s Logo & Your Name” sign when you exit the train station, as our guide will pick you up there and transfer to the former hill station of Sapa. In the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colors of its hill tribe population - flashes of shining silver jewelry from the necks and wrists of indigo-clad H'mong and the scarlet hues of the turbans worn by the Red Dao can be seen. It is here you will find hands stained with color from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps, purses and leggings. After having breakfast at local restaurant, Walking through the town for about 20 minutes before turning to a dirt road to Ma Tra Village, where inhabited by Black H'mong ethic. Continue trekking up the village and getting through paddies fields will lead you to an ancient Catholic abbey, built by French colonists. Walk 2 km more to reach Ta Phin Village for exploring the daily life of Red Dzao. Here you have a good choices to buy woven and textile brocades, which is made by ethic people and having picnic lunch before exploring village and Ta Phin Cave and small hamlet of Black H'mong people. At the end of day, return to Sapa. Rest of the afternoonand evening at leisure.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, D, Hotel: Sapa Hotel

After breakfast, our guide takes you to villages populated by H’mong and Dzay peoples, respectively called Lao Chai and Ta Van. This popular trip from Sapa is a good chance to traipse around the rice terraces and experience a bit of rural village life. Travel down the valley from Sapa to the Hmong village of Lao Chai,it's a nice ride in itself, with great views of the lush terraces. From there, you'll just follow the valley for a few miles to the next town of Tavan . Along the way, you'll walk through terraced rice fields and among some picturesque villages, and experience a bit of rural life. You’ll have lunch either with an ethnic minority family or on the way back to Lao Cai to catch a night train back to Ha Noi, arriving the next early morning .

Tour Guide: No, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Sleep on Train

Getting back to Hanoi from Sapa trip so early at around 5am.Our tour guide pick you up from Hanoi station to our hotel for breakfast and shower. Jasminecruises.com will come to pick you up around 0800 AM with our shuttle bus to start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Halong Bay through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta. 10.00 Stopover on the way for refreshments 12.00-12.30 Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf – Break and photo opportunities 12.30 Transfer by tender to the boat – enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing and safety instructions. 13.00-13.30 Check in and begin cruise. Enjoy deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu Lunch is served while the cruising through the bay 15.00 Visit exciting Ba Hang fishing village, the village is free from busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen. Enjoy kayaking, swimming, relaxing on the cruise (if the weather permits). 16.00 Return to the boat and join cooking class by Glory Cruise’s Chef. 19.00 Dinner - Deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu Dinner 21.00 Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar. Watching movies and many sort of Vietnam cultural films. Relaxing and spending a romantic night on Glory Cruise’s music. Playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in room and dining room. Passengers may also try their luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat. 21.00 – 23.00 Happy Hour! Buy two drinks - get one free (wine by the bottle excluded) 23.00 End of Program for Day One.

Tour Guide: No, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, D, Hotel: Cruise in Ha Long Bay

06.30: Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. 07.00: Enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes). 08.15 Transfer by tender to the Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down about 100 steps and return to the boat. Proper shoes are highly recommended 09.00 Back to the cruise by tender, then check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay 09.45 Buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) or A la carte Menu while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier. We will settle bills after breakfast. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier. 11.45 Transfer by tender to the pier. Time to say goodbye to the crew 12.00-12.30 Return from Halong to Hanoi by shuttle bus. 14.00 Stop over in Dong Trieu town to visit a ceramics workshop 16.00–17.00:Arrive in Hanoi.You will have free time in Hanoi.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: HaNoi Hotel

Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, Hotel: Hue Hotel

In the morning, we will take boat trip along the scenic Perfume River for sightseeing and next stop will be the famous Thien Mu pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor's mausoleum. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Hue Hotel

This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the stunning long sandy beaches. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarters to see the town's landmarks of Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Temple and then we take a river trip and you will enjoy the scenery along the Thu Bon River and the general view of Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit ceramic village of Thanh Ha, carpentry village of Kim Bong and Dai Chiem Estuary. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Hoi An Hotel

08:00: local guide will see you at your hotel with your bicycle. you will cycle to a local farm in Tra Que village. A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake following steps are raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and many other gardening activities. After all these activities, you will take a short rest and enjoy foot bath before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including ‘tam huu’ spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of people in Vietnam middle region. You can join the cooking with the chef on these meals. After your morning excurtions and your lunch, you will take a Vietnamese traditional post-prandial nap before learning how to harvest and wrap the vegetables. Around 14.00: bid farewell to your host family before riding back to Hoi An. We enjoy a half day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky House and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge constructed in 1593…Continue walking through the small alleys to soak up the atmosphere of a bygone age or back to your hotel for your beach relaxation.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Hoi An Hotel

Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. The tour guide will pick you up at the airport we will visit some interesting sites and landmarks in Ho Chi Minh city City. First stop is Notre Dame Catholic Cathedral and short visit to French built Post Office nearby, and then we will proceed to see the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace. Touring the building and then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city City.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, Hotel: Ho Chi Minh Hotel

At about 8 a.m., we’ll pick you up at your hotel and drive for two hours southwest of Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, which is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Upon arrival, we’ll take a boat cruise around stunning islets and tropical orchards through the canal of Vam Xep to reach a small islet. Next is a relaxing walk along shady, palm-fringed We’ll pass by local villages, where you can see their peaceful daily life. Stop en route to visit a bee farm, sip tea with honey and sample fruits with a local family and share their stories of life in the Mekong Delta. We’ll also visit a small coconut workshop, just to get a glimpse of a typical family-run business in this area. Walk to a lane where a horse-drawn cartwill take you to a handicraft village. Visit acoconut candy factory, enjoy tropical fruit andtraditional music and then relax with a row-boat trip through the narrow canals under shady canals of the Mekong River before returning to My Tho by motorized boat. We’ll drive ahead to Can Tho in the afternoon.You’ll enjoy a tea break with tropical fruits and a cup of green tea along the way. Once you arrive, take a scenic bicycle ride around the village to visit the monkey bridge, the rice fields or watch villagers catching fish in the nearby lake. You can even take a cooking class with one of the local families and enjoy dinner while watching a live performance by local people. Overnight at homestay Or Hotel in Can Tho.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Cruise in Ha Long Bay

After a simple breakfast, you will be transferred to the Ninh Kieu quay to discover the amazing Cai Rang floating market.Take in the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals wholive along the Mekong canals. Roam through the village to visit a rice-husking mill and a rice noodles shop. You’ll also have a chance to discover the daily life of Vietnamese people in Mekong Delta. Have lunch at local restaurant before traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening. Free for leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, L, Hotel: Ho Chi Minh Hotel

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your flight to next destination. Finish unforgettable Classic Vietnam Tour with Jasminecruises.com. Good bye & see you in the next time! Jasminecruises.com can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.

Tour Guide: Yes, Transportation: , Meal: B, Hotel: None