SOFT ECO - ADVENTURES

( 15 days / 14 nights )

Ha Noi – Lao Cai – Sapa – Taphin – Bac Ha – Ha Long – Hue A Luoi – Hoi An – Tra Que – Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho

Day 1 : ARRIVE IN HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi, transfer to the hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some of Asia's most striking colonial architecture, many peaceful lakes, parks and oriental temples making for a relaxing atmosphere.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : HANOI - LAO CAI (B)

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.

In the evening, transfer to the Hanoi Railway Station for the overnight train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on train.

Day 3 : LAO CAI  - SAPA  - TA PHIN  (~ 14 km) (B)

Arrive in Lao Cai in the early morning. Take a morning drive through the clouds by car to Sapa, about 1 hour. When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a morning shower, breakfast, a short rest and some last preparations before our inspiring trek.

Take a short ride from Sapa to our trekking base. Our trek through the terraced valleys, up and down hills will take about 5 to 6 hours. We will pass rice paddies, bamboo forests, and minority villages. Lunch break along the way depending on our pace. When we arrive in Taphin village, our Dao host family will welcome us to their home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner.

Overnight in homestay .

Day 4 : TA PHIN –  SAPA (B)

At the first gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join your host family in some of their morning activities like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we can take a short wander around the village or spend more time enjoying the view and company at the homestay.

You will be then supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes). When we arrive back in Sapa, check into the hotel. Then we will take an easy 5 km walk to Cat Cat village, home of Black H’mong hill tribe, and to take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people (closed on Tuesday afternoon).

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5 : BAC HA MARKET – LAO CAI - HANOI (B)

After breakfast, you will travel by car to one of the famous markets here where you can meet many ethnic minorities such as Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Phu La, Tay, Nung ...These markets gather only one time per week and they offer its variety of local products, which could not be found in others areas (Bac Ha market & Muong Hum market on Sundays, Coc Ly market on Tuesdays, Lung Khau Nhin market on Thursdays & Can Cau markets on Saturdays only).

Their vibrant trading activities last from early morning till midday. Look for hand-made fabrics, the black smithing area, as well as the buffalo zone.

Afternoon we will leave for a boat trip along the Chay river, The boat ride is about 1.5 hours. Late afternoon, transfer to the Lao Cai Station for an overnight train to Hanoi.

Overnight on board the train.

Day 6 : HANOI – HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

Early morning pick-up at Hanoi Railway Station. After having breakfast, overland to Ha Long Bay (165 km), the most wonderful scenic sight of Vietnam, the World Natural Heritage Site with over 3000 limestone islands and islets rising fantastically from the clear and emerald water. Board a traditional-style wooden junk to travel around this magnificent landscape 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. Enjoy excellent fresh seafood.

Overnight on board

Day 7: HALONG BAY – HANOI – HUE (Brunch)

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of karst landscape.  We have breakfast in the fresh air, then visit Vong Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat. Meet the locals, visit a floating school & fish farms. Later take one more swim in the middle of the bay. There is ample time for the 11:45 am check-out from the cabin while cruising back. Lunch on the boat as we slowly cruise back to port. 

Return to Hanoi .Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 8 : HUE CITY (B)

Enjoy a morning cruise on the romantic Perfume River to visit Hue’s oldest and most revered site Thien Mu Pagoda, then the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City, the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the bustling Dong Ba market.

Overnight in Hue

Day 9 : HUE – A LUOI HOMESTAY (B)

Breakfast at your hotel then we pick you up for your morning cycling trip and visit to Vong Canh hill (a great spot for pictures). Cycle and explore hidden charm of Hue's traditional, handicraft villages and countryside as well as many historical sites for the Nguyen Dynasty. Back to hotel for a shower, check out at noon 12:00 then followed by our lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, leave Hue city for A Luoi (~ 60 km). Along the way you can see the life and daily activities of the Katu and Ta Oi hill tribes. On arrival A Luoi town, you will visit Ashau village (a historical war site). Travel to a second village, named A Roang for some time relaxing and enjoying a local hot spring there.

We'll check-in to our homestay at Aka Chi village then take some time to meet and learn about the local culture of the Ta Oi people. Have dinner and enjoy a traditional music show.

Overnight in stilt-house home stay.

Day 10: A LUOI – HOI AN (B)

Wake up early morning to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Breakfast will be served at our homestay. Check-out, then we take an easy walk through the Aroang jungle (~ 3 hrs) to learn more about the rich fauna and flora system here. We will drive to Hoi an for hotel’s check in

Overnight in Hoi an.                     

Day 11: HOI AN  - TRA QUE VILLAGE (B)

The center of Vietnam has many World Heritage Sites, and Hoi An is one of them. This ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Danang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. 

After breakfast your guide will pick you up at your hotel for our bicycle trip to the countryside of Hoi An Town.

Arrival at Tra Que Organic village, then have a walk to visit the gardens of local farmers. Learn about their traditional methods and farming techniques - no machines here. Later, we will partly join-in some of the garden work followed by a short feet-soaking in Vietnamese herbs - a lovely treat.

Afternoon, we head back Hoi An town then take free time to take a rest as you wish until 2:00 pm. We'll walk around the town and experience its charming culture. We will visit the old Tan Ky House, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and the stylish Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. Back to hotel in the late afternoon. Free time to relax and discover other corners of Hoi An on your own.

Overnight in Hoi an.

Day 12 : HOI AN –  DA NANG – HO CHI MINH (B)

 Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport in Danang for an early morning flight to Saigon. Airport pick up and then straight to the Cu Chi outdoor museum to learn about the infamous tunnel systems of the Viet Cong. Take this opportunity to get a unique understanding of the guerillas underground fighting strategies during the war. Crawl through 50 to 100 meters of the 200 km tunnel system if you dare. On the way back to Saigon visit a local rice paper workshops and take in views of the Vietnam countryside.

Back in Saigon, we continue our trip to visit the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Drop you off at your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh. 

Day 13 : HO CHI MINH – MY THO – CAN THO (B)

Travel by road into the Mekong Delta (125 km), stopping in the town of My Tho, board a private sampan for a cruise on the mighty Mekong river to visit the fish market, get onto the Unicorn island visiting fruit garden to taste diverse types of fruits, tea mixed with bee’s honey, enjoy Mekong Delta’s traditional music and songs. Continue to Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta region (100 km)

Ovenight in Can Tho.

DAY 14 : CAN THO – HO CHI MINH (B)

Morning visit the famous floating market Cai Rang, the biggest floating market of Mekong River whose trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples or sugar canes…Continue to visit a vermicelli making shop, a rice husking mill and fruit gardens. Back to Ho Chi MInh City

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

DAY 15 : HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have some more time for shopping. Then we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Goodbye, and hope to see you again soon!

Inclusion:

•     All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver

•    9 nights hotel base on twin sharing room

•    1 night on board the junk in Ha Long

•    2 nights on board the train

•    2 night home stay in Taphin , A luoi

•    Train ticket Hanoi / Lao Cai / Hanoi (soft sleeper, air-conditioned compartment)

•    Meals as mention in program

•    English speaking tour guide

•    Entrance fees, bike

•    Boat trips in Song Chay ,Ha Long, Hue, Mekong Delta

•    Traditional music show in Cat Cat , A luoi

                        •   1 FOC for group of 15 paying pax up, base on twin sharing room, for land cost only.

Exclusion:

•    Visa to Vietnam

•    International and domestic flights

•    Drinks

•    Other meals

•    Single room

•    Travel insurance

        •    Tip

•    Personal expenses

•    Any optional tours or activities during free time