Your Grand Indochina Tour is an individual tour with a flexible
schedule. There is no other traveler on the tour. You will have a
private English speaking tour guide and a private air-conditioned
vehicle at each destination.
The tour activities:
Sightseeing, Culture & History, Minority, Leisure Activities &
Entertainment, Cruising, Cuisine, Shopping, Discovery & Adventure...
The tour pace: The
pace of the tour is at the traveler's pace. At each destination, the
traveler will be guided by our local tour guide and independent time to
explore the place in their own way.
The accommodations: Vivutravel
specializes in private and personalized Indochina tour packages so we
will sellect best hotels, cruises in your requested hotel range of 3, 4,
5 stars which are central located, comfortable, safe, secure...Your
requested hotels or room types are welcomed, and we always advise you
some more information to make your stay a beautiful time in Indochina.
ITINERARY
Please contact us at
info@vivutravel.com for a free quotation and best price!
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Meals: B
+Guide
Upon
arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. Hanoi, a city
where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new
Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of
Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in
harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of
the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.
Free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Train to Lao Cai
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Today we enjoy a full day city tour of this charming capital city
including the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (close on
Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh's house
on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the
impressive Ethnologic Museum, the beautiful West Lake, the Tran Vu
Pagoda, the peaceful lake of the Restored Sword.
Late afternoon we take a cyclo tour for a short excursion through the
bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once
offered for sale at these places then enjoy a fantastic traditional
water puppet show.
At 20h00, we transfer you to the train station for overnight train to Lao Cai.
Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa Tour
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Arrive
in the early morning in the border town of Lao Cai where it's a short
transfer to Sapa. In the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the
monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colours of
its hill tribe population. It is here you will find hands stained with
colour from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately
embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps,
purses and leggings.
Take a morning walking tour of Sapa for a visit to the busy market
where Red Dao, Black & Flower H'Mong, Tay and other ethnic minority
people converge from the surrounding countryside to sell their
silverware and handicrafts, and to buy provisions. Afterwards, we will
do one of the most beautiful Sapa Tours by driving to
visit Lao Chai and Ta Van village of the Black H'mong and the Day people
where you can enjoy fresh air, amazing scenery of the imposing mountain
range, trek down world's most beautiful terraced rice fields, visit
some local family on the way and learn unique culture and life of these
ethnic groups. Back to Sapa by private car, free at leisure for the rest
of the day. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa – Market Tour & Train to Hanoi
Meals: B, L
+Guide
The
markets in the Northern Vietnam are always the colorful meeting places
for the hill tribes. Minority people come down from the mountains to
sell their products, or just for catching up on the latest news, gossip,
drinking away troubles or seeking for lover. In the morning, drive to
visit one of the areas weekly markets;
Market days:
Can Cau - Saturdays
Bac Ha or Muong Hum or Muong Khuong - Sundays
Cao Son - Wednesdays
Lung Khau Nhin - Thursdays
Coc Ly - Tuesdays
In the late afternoon transfer back to Lao Cai to catch the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
Meals: B, L, D
+Guide
Pick up from the train station, this morning, we have already arranged a
room in a mini hotel for you to have shower and breakfast before
driving to Halong Bay (165km), Vietnam most scenic sight and highlight
of any Vietnam Tour, a recognized World Natural
Heritage Site. Upon arrival, board your deluxe traditional wooden junk.
Welcome drink on board. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious
seafood lunch while cruising through the wonderful Ha Long bay visiting
its amazing grottoes and caves. Opportunity to dive off the boat and
have a pleasant swimming in the deep blue water of East Sea before
relaxing on your sun deck to view a Halong sunset. Dinner on board with
excellent fresh seafood.
Day 6: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue
Meals: B
+Guide
After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the
boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the
dock, then transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue with Vietnam
airlines. Pick up by our guide in Hue and transfer to your hotel.
Day 7: Hue – Hoi An
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Morning cruise leisurely along the romantic Perfume River visiting
the Thien Mu Pagoda, Citadel and the Imperial tomb of the Emperor Minh
Mang. Afternoon drive to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th
and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed
little over the years. This scenic drive passes through the fishing
village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Upon
arrival in Hoi An, free to take walking tour of the Hoi An ancient town
centre. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Transfer from Hoi An to My Son Holy land, once the spiritual capital
of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand
years and occupied most of the central parts of Vietnam from 2nd century
to 16th century with very rich in history and culture. Contemplate its
remarkable red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th
and 13th centuries.
Drive back to Hoi An, visit the former merchants' homes, the 400
year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien pagoda and the colourful
riverside market.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoian – Danang - Ho Chi Minh
Meals: B
+Guide
This morning, we pick you and transfer to Danang for the flight to Ho
Chi Minh (VN). Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to your hotel.
Ho Chi Minh, the most exciting city of Vietnam, a mecca of commerce,
also a city with a chequered history and a rich culture, its pagodas,
museums, public buildings, parks and boulevards make it one of the most
delightful places to visit in Vietnam. Upon arrival, check in at the
hotel, free time at leisure. Overnight in Saigon
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Morning pick up from the hotel for Cu Chi tour, en route to visit the
bustling market at Thu Dao Mot. Upon arrival in Cu Chi, we visit the
incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometres
hand-constructed by Vietnamese guerillas and was the military base of
the North Vietnamese Army during the US-Vietnam war. Afternoon leave Cu
Chi to Ho Chi Minh, visit the Independent Palace, Vietnam War museum.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be floating market – CanTho
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Today we will start our exploration of the Mekong Delta, a major rice
producing area. This must be one of the most fascinating riverine
deltas in the world. The Mekong splits into nine major arteries. A vast
network of rivers and waterways with thousands of ships of all sizes
plowing the waters gives the Mekong Delta a very special atmosphere. We
will make a boat trip to the Cai Be floating Market, visit villages and
meet the people of the Mekong Delta. Continue your boat trip to An Binh
Island for Lunch (on own) in a local family and bike trip in the
afternoon. Continue to Can Tho for overnight.
Day 12: Can Tho (Cai Rang floating market) – Chau Doc
Meals: B, L
+Guide
Starts from Ninh Kieu boat quay, we cruise along the small and picturesque tributaries, we will see the Cai Rang floating market
(the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats). Take in the beautiful
scenery and the daily activities of the locals who lives along the
Mekong canals and you will roam through the village to visit a rice
husking mill and a rice noodles making shop. Then continue going to Chau
Doc via Long Xuyen. Check in on arrival. Visit the Sam mountain to
enjoy the a breath-taking view on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border with
flat rice fields and nice canals, visit caved pagoda. Overnight in Chau
Doc.
Day 13: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
Meals: B
+Guide
After breakfast, get on speed boat to Phnom Penh, Upon your arrival
in the afternoon, visit Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Raung Damrie and
National Musuem. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 14: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Meals: B
+Guide
In
morning departure by flight to Siem Reap with Vietnam airlines: VN
9853 PNH 12:10 REP 13:00. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Free at
leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 15: Siem Reap
Meals: B, L, D
+Guide
Pick up and start the city tour to visit the Angkor Thom: South Gate,
Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King and Phimean
Akas temple. In the afternoon, continue to visit famous temple of
Angkor Wat with enjoying sunset from top of Bakheng Hill. Dinner at
local restaurant with Apsaras show & overnight in Siem Reap
Day 16: Siem Reap
Meals: B
+Guide
This morning, we will take Cruise on Tonle Sap Lake for 1hour, visit
floating village and fisherman life, then back to visit Chantie
Ecole-Artisan D’Angkor. Lunch at local restaurant. Free afternoon at
leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 17: Siem Reap – Luong Prabang
Meals: B
+Guide
Free at leisure until we transfer you to the airport for your flight
with QV to Luongprabang. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Overnight
in Luong Prabang.
Day 18: Luong Prabang
Meals: B
+Guide
If
you wish, get an early start (6:00am or so) and go watch or participate
in the traditional Lao rite of Almsgiving to the monks. In the city,
some 300+ monks file through silently collecting alms. This is an
amazing sight and your guide will be on hand to demonstrate and explain
this important ritual. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, begin a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide on the
mighty Mekong River to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha
Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou
Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images
that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King
Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many
still pay respect with this old tradition. Walk through the caves before
returning to your boat and to Luang Prabang town. Enjoy lunch en route.
Return to the hotel to relax or explore on your own. Luang Prabang is
a wonderful walking town, and you can find dinner on your own at any
number of fine international restaurants. Overnight in Luong Prabang.
Day 19: Luong Prabang Departure
Meals: B
Free at leisure until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
END OF GRAND INDOCHINA TOUR
