Overview:

You will discover the truly beauty of Vietnam if traveling with Vietnam Passion 16 days 15 nights. After one day in Hanoi city with old ancient houses beneath tree shady roads, smooth green lakes, lovely parks and museums, the trip offer you the feeling of adventure by trekking to a few ethnic minority hill tribes in Sapa, on the way seeing sculptured, emerald-green rice terraces.

From the mountain to mystical sea HalongBay, there are no words to describe the real beauty of World Heritage Site. You will really feel relax and convenient on board, all worry of daily life seems to be left behind. 

In Hue, home to pagodas, temples, places & tombs make you re-live in the imperial atmosphere of the Nguyen Dynasty. The next destination in Hoian, you can see the architecture mixture of Chinese, Japanese & European influences and enjoy the peaceful life of riverside town, especially join in Cooking Class to cook traditional specialties by yourself.

Fly to the SleeplessCity, Ho Chi Minh show off dynamic and bustle. The following days with welcoming introduction to life along the MekongRiver, you discover quaint riverside towns, sample fruits bartered in the colorful floating markets and visit to local orchards, flower markets.  

Ha Tien is on the Gulf of Thailand, the approach to town certainly helps to amplify its exotic atmosphere-a lush landscape of rice paddies and buffalo wallows, the flatness punctuated by sudden limestone karsts. Taking speedboat to PhuQuocIsland is a splendid tropical getaway set with beautiful white-sand beaches and quaint fishing villages.

Day 1 : Hanoi arrival & Water Puppet Show (D)
Upon the arrival, you are met at the Noi Bai airport and transferred to the hotel by Asia King’s guide. Check-in and take the relax. In the late afternoon, enjoy the Water Puppet Show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists-men and women-stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water, followed to have dinner at nice local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 2 : Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Lao Cai (B,L)
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Have lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups several of which we will see on our forthcoming trek. Then we take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. In the late afternoon, catch the train to Lao Cai. Overnight on aboard

Day 3 : Lao Cai – Sa Pa – Cat Cat Village (B)
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa.  The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours to make our way up the mountains. Arrive Sapa have breakfast at the local restaurant. Enjoy hotel facility and Sapa town. This afternoon at 1pm from the hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sansaho village home to the H'mong hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at hotel in Sa Pa

Day 4 : Lao Chai & Ta Van Village – Train back to Hanoi (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel, then embark on a lovely walk that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village.  Opportunity to meet with local people and study the art of making batik and local weaving villages - study textile tradition of craft women o Black H'mong and Red Dzao. In the afternoon, back to Sapa to prepare for train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train

Day 5 : Hanoi – Halong Junk Cruise (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner on board. Overnight on Junk

Day 6 : Halong Junk Cruise – Flight to Hue (Brunch)
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hue. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Day 7 : Hue Imperial City (B,L)
We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc. Transfer back to Hue center Hue for lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945, do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

Day 8 : Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B,L)
Having breakfast, then we bid Hue farewell this morning. We continue our south bound journey in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Today our destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way through we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continue on our way down the other side and into Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoian, we spend the rest of the afternoon free and relaxing. Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An

Day 9 : Hoi An – Cooking Class (B,L)
We start the day (8:15am / 1:30pm) with a drink at Hai Scout Café – our meeting point.Visit the colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked.

Recipes (our food contains no MSG):
1. Making fresh Rice paper
2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
3. Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce
4. Marinated Beef on a Sizzling Plate
5. Vietnamese Eggplant in Clay Pot
6. Food Decoration - Pineapple Boat, 3 Colored Flowers & Vietnamese Hand Fan
Back your hotel & free after. Overnight at the hotel in Hoian

Day 10 : Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh (B)
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for the flight to HCM city. Afternoon we pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Dinner in the local restaurant. Overnight in HCM city.

Day 11 : HCM – Tay Ninh Temples – Cu Chi Tunnels (B,L)
The head quarter of Cao Dai sect is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. After breakfast we travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city.

Day 12 : HCM – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B,L)
This morning we set off for a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be, well-known for it's floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular dish of 'Elephant ear fish', before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Towards the end of the day we arrive in Cantho. Overnight at the hotel in Can Tho

Day 13: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Ha Tien (B,L)
Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to Cairang floating markets. There will be hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostling for trade. Sellers advertisers their wares by crying out across the waters. We visit the lush orchards and are treated to a delicious tropical fruits. After having lunch at the good local restaurant, we drive to Ha Tien, on the way visiting Hon Chong and see round a pagoda on grottoes. Upon arrival, check in hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Ha Tien

Day 14 : Ha Tien – Speedboat to Phu Quoc Island (B)
Morning after having breakfast, take the speedboat to Phu Quoc Island, is one of the best coastline in Vietnam. Check in hotel & relaxation. Overnight at the hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 16 : Phu Quoc Island (B)
Relax and enjoy your Phuquoc sandy beach: swim, sunbathe and take in the delights of this beautiful holiday resort. Optional sightseeing or visit to offshore islands, scuba diving and other water sports. or just relax and enjoy the resort facility. Overnight at the hotel in Phuquoc.

Day 17 Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh – Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel, after that transferred to the airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh and then connect to the flight back your home country. End of Asia King Travel’s Services.

Trip includes:

• The English speaking guide as guided time
• Accommodation based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast
• Mini-hotel for freshen up & breakfast after get off the train (in Hanoi and in Sa Pa)
• Halong Bay cruise 1 night on board
• Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• All transfers with the air-conditioned private car
• Boat excursions in Hue, Can Tho
• Cooking class in Hoian
• Domestic air tickets: Hanoi – Hue, Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam Airlines/Economy Class)
• Speedboat: Ha Tien – Phu Quoc
• TSC Train (Soft sleeper & AC, carriage of 4 berths) : Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi
• All entrance fees
• Water & cool towels
• Government taxes & service charge

Trip excludes

• International Airfares.
• Early check in/ late check out
• Meals not indicated
• Drinks & beverage..
• Surcharge for gala diner on 24^th Dec and 31^st Dec
• Vietnam stamp fee: ( 25 USD/ per person)
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
• Tips and gratuities