VIETNAM DISCOVERY BY TRAIN 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 HIGHTLIGHTS
   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

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel for check –in. Rest of the day free to explore the 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
Overnight on board
Day 3: Sapa (B)
Arrive in the early morning (around 6am), you will take a 45 –minute drive to Sapa. 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. Check on board and cruise on a traditional Vietnamese wooden Junk on Halong Bay to most caves, have seafood on board for lunch and have pleasure time for swimming and sunbathing. You will have dinner on board as enjoying the sunset; then stay on board for overnight.
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.
Overnight on board
Day 7: Hue (B, D)
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
Day 10: Quy Nhon (B)
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.
Day 16: Mui Ne (B)
Free day to enjoy the beach or resort facilities.
Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne.
Day 17: Mui Ne (B)
Free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Mui Ne.
Day 18: 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.
INCLUSIVE:
All A/C transportation as per the itinerary
Local English speaking tour guide
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 –Hue; Danang -Quy Nhon -Saigon (A/C cabin of 4 soft –sleepers)
Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time
EXCLUSIVE:
International tickets and airport taxes
Vietnam Visa & visa fee
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Food & drinks not mentioned within the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Expenses of a personal nature such as bar bills, laundry and telephone charges
Other services not clearly described in the program
PRICING:
Price per person in USD 2 PAX 3 - 5 Pax Single Supplement
Standard 0 0 0.0000
*The above prices are based on the group from 4 - 6pax and valid until Sep, 2008. All prices might be changed subject to your group size and travel period. Some tours have Deluxe Option available. Please contact us for further information.
Note:

   This tour must be booked at least one week (7days) in advance of your travel date

   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.