Absolute Vietnam

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for check in. The rest of your time is at leisure

Meet with your English-speaking guide to begin your day’s adventure, and depart on a two-hour scenic journey to the west of the capital. Take in the valleys and breathtaking scenery as you approach the summit of Ba Vi Mountain, where locals grow a variety of crops along the hills in stunning terraced landscapes. Next, start a short trek through the cloud forest and take in fantastic views of the Da River from 1200 meters above sea level.
After enjoying the park’s fresh air, rejoin your vehicle and descend to ancient Duong Lam Village, the only village in Vietnam listed as a national heritage monument. Upon arrival, enjoy a tasty lunch at a local home, where you will meet with a native of the village who will illuminate the area’s history and traditions.
After lunch, set off on a cycling tour of the village, and ride leisurely past ancient temples and pagodas dating back nearly 400 years and housing some of Vietnam’s most incredible collections of Buddha statues. After your journey through the village’s winding alleyways, return to your vehicle for your transfer back to Hanoi.

This tour begins at 09:30. Join with a local foodie to sample the best food that Hanoi has to offer. Start with a bowl of pho, Vietnam’s national dish. Slurp a bowl of this delicious noodle soup at a popular local shop, getting a first taste of Hanoi’s culinary culture.
Continue to a ‘wet market’ and browse the aisles of fresh produce and exotic items such as live frogs. The market is always busy with shoppers buying ingredients for the day’s meals.
Step out of the market and back onto the streets in search of more tasty treats. Wander through smaller laneways where vendors set up shop along the roadside. Grab a small stool and sample typical Hanoi dishes like banh xeo, a crispy pancake, and bun cha, fresh rice noodles with grilled pork.
Then walk off some of the food with a stroll through the bustling Old Quarter. Find a street side café and sip a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee while people watching.
With a full belly and better understanding of Vietnamese gastronomy, return to the hotel.
Rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Late check out is included. This evening transfer to Hanoi train station for the overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa.
Overnight on the train in a soft sleeper compartment.

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Meet your guide and transfer to the small Giay village of Ta Van, in the breathtaking Muong Hoa Valley. Enjoy a scenic walk through the tranquil rice terraces towards the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai. Marvel at the cascading paddy fields that cling to the mountainside and take in one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking views before arriving at the home of Ms Moo, a local Black H’mong lady. Soak in the view whilst learning more about the traditional life and culture of the Black H’mong people and enjoying a traditional H’mong herbal foot bath! Afterwards head over to nearby Lao Chai village where you will learn the art of Batik painting.
 
The beautiful textiles of the Black H’mong are famous around the world and Batik is a traditional part of H’mong culture. Under threat from modernization, Batik is now only practiced by a handful of villagers. Join a hands-on master class led by a local expert and take your creation home! You will be supporting a sustainable tourism project that supports local women and ensures this amazing art form is handed down to the next generation. The tour concludes with a stroll to the main road before transferring back to Sapa town.

This morning after breakfast, leave Sapa for a 30-minute road transfer to Ban Khoang Valley. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Hoang Lien Mountain Range along the way, also known as The Tonkinese Alps.
The first stop is at Lu Khau Village in Ban Khoang Valley, Lu Khau Village is home to Blue Hmong and Red Zao minorities. Explore the village on foot, meet the friendly local people and learn about their colorful culture and lifestyle in the countryside.
Depart from Ban Khoang Valley for a 8-km road transfer to Ta Giang Phinh Valley and enjoy a local lunch there.
This afternoon, take a leisurely walk through the charming Ta Giang Phinh Valley. Walk on the village path which winds down the impressive valley, home to Blue Hmong ethnic minority people. Visit some local houses to see some handicrafts workshops, observe villagers working in the fields tending their crops with buffalos. 
Head back to Sapa Town in the later afternoon.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Sapa.

Spend the morning at leisure until it is time to check out at 12:00. This afternoon head back to Hanoi by bus.
Arrive in Hanoi late in the evening and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart from Hanoi and travel about four hours to the port of Halong Bay. Take a small tender boat to meet your junk, which will be anchored just offshore. After a short safety briefing, set sail to the outer reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay, passing by stunning limestone karsts jutting out of the jade waters. Relaxing on a white sandy beach or taking to the water for a spot of kayaking. In the evening join in a cooking demonstration before a pleasant evening on board.
Overnight on Halong bay

Start a new day with Tai Chi on the sundeck with a beautiful morning view of Bai Tu Long, followed with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air while cruising to the Cong Do area.

Explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son Cave, one of hundreds in the Halong area, before enjoying a final example of Halong hospitality with an early buffet lunch on the way back to the harbour. Drive to Hanoi airport in the afternoon for flight to Danang. Upon arrival, meet with our local guide and transfer to hotel for check in.

Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market.
Overnight in Hoi An.  

Take a half day trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. On the way back to Hoi An visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here. 
Overnight in Hoi An.  

You will be met with our local guide and transfer to airport for departure flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in
Much of the daily life takes place on the streets, which are lined with shops, stalls and vendors with their wares spread out on the footpath. Don’t miss the bustling Ben Thanh Market – a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are several interesting sights in Saigon . The War Remnants Museum has a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled ‘Requiem’ which is dedicated to Vietnamese and foreign journalists and photographers who perished during the French and American conflicts. The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Close to the Palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported in its entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam’s largest post office. For all of its French colonial history, Ho Chi Minh City is by far Vietnam’s most modern city. It has numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars

We will pick you up at your hotel at 7:00 and then transfer you to Bach Dang Pier where you will embark on a luxury speedboat heading towards Cu Chi Tunnels. While the boat is cruising through the original landscapes along Saigon riverbanks, you will be served with fresh seasonal fruits and soft drinks and observe the local life style of Saigoneses.
Arriving at Cu Chi Tunnels (Dinh Pier), a documentary film about the tunnels during the war time will be introduced first.
Afterwards, we will have a soft walk into the jungle to visit the traps, the secret entrance, the bunkers and the underground hideouts. There offers you a special and fantastic chance to relax with shooting real guns and real bullets at the riffle range as well as to witness the rice-paper (spring roll skin) making. You can even try to crawl into the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Take a rest with green tea and tapioca, the main food served during the war time, to learn more about the life of Viet Cong in the war.
Saying goodbye to the historic land before having traditional Vietnamese lunch in the romantic riverside restaurant on the way back. You can choose to come back to Saigon downtown by shuttle bus or by our return speedboat to Bach Dang Pier.

7:30am Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho. Free time to visit bustling Can Tho market.Overnight in Can Tho

Wake up early this morning for a boat trip to visit morning Cai Rang floating market. Experience the flurry of vendors trading their wares as boats teeming with fruit, vegetables and household goods ply the waters. Then return to hotel for breakfast.
Check out your hotel and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City with lunch on the way at Anh Vo Traditional House.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight.