Overview:

This tour gives you the interesting and unforgettable experiences during traveling along S-shaped Vietnam, from the South to the North. The tour combines the diverse types of tourism: introduce city tours with visiting pagodas, tombs, museums, galleries, markets, architecture and fill up the history & culture of Vietnam; stay at home with the local people to learn more about the daily life of rural or mountainous people as in Mekong Delta & Sa Pa; snorkel & swim on the perfect beach Nha Trang. One thing is must do – take the cruise in mystical sea Halong Bay with limestone karts rising from under emerald water, to understand the floating fishing village people’s life, to explore the caves. The trip is more attractive with cycling tour in Ninh Binh on the countryside path. Let us show you our beautiful country.

Highlights:

- Explore some French colonial structures, pagodas & fascinating bustle market in Ho Chi Minh
- Have chance to see the famous underground network Cu Chi
- Stay with the local people and explore the daily life of people living along Mekong Delta
- Find the beauty of nature in Da Lat, with its green trees, rolling hills, misty lakes and fragrant pine forests
- Relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views Nha Trang
- Drive the scenic ‘Pass of Ocean Clouds’ and past picturesque beaches on the road from Hoian to Hue
- Discover the graceful, atmosphere and exotic capital city Hanoi – thousand year of culture
- Take a cruise on Halong Bay to enjoy mystical and incredible feat of nature
- Venture with cycling around Ninh Binh and take the nice photos of living and sightseeing of countryside
- Discover some ethnic hill tribes in the mountain areas – Sa Pa.

Day 1 : Arrival  Ho Chi Minh city (D)
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, welcomed by Asia King Travel's guide and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. If time permits, we stroll around Saigon down town. Welcome diner at the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh City Tour  – Cu Chi tunnels (B,L)
Morning 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. In the afternoon, we spend a half-day seeing some major sights of the city. 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 Saigon Post Office. After seeing, the Jade Emperor Pagoda and then we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale! Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh city – Ben Tre (B,L,D)
Drive to Mekong Delta, we take a riverboat for a cruise along the riverbank of the Mekong Delta. Landing on the Tortoise Island to visit fruit garden, enjoy some of tropical fruits. Take a horse cart to visit from garden to garden in a small village. Rowing boat cruise along wonderful canals to visit orchards and the houses of local people. Visit a coconut candy workshop in Ben Tre.  Then takes a boat cruise to small waterway and come to have lunch at a local restaurant. Boat cruise again to a small riverside village and joining a home stay in the garden to learn Vietnamese culture of the Mekong Delta. Take some catch fishing tools, the farmers will show you how to catch fishes and shrimps in the canals and learn to cook local cakes and foods. Evening you will have dinner with Mekong family atmosphere and Mekong Music show. Overnight at home stay

Day 4 : Ben Tre – Cai Be floating market – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
Drive to Cai Be and take a boat to the floating market to practice the age-old art of bartering. Visitors will be supplied with sweets, sugar, milk, etc. which they can then barter for different kinds of local fruits. The trip includes a visit to an old house, a family-run business producing a local version of popcorn. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Day 5 : Ho Chi Minh city  - Da Lat (B,L)
Today we start our north bound journey with the first stop being Da Lat, one of Vietnam’s most charming towns. At an elevation of 15,000 meters, Da Lat, called the "city of eternal spring", has been established as a hill station at the beginning of the last century. The city is set around a lake and surrounded forests, waterfalls and rolling countryside. Overnight at hotel in Da Lat.

Day 6 : Da lat – Nha Trang (B,L)
Our sightseeing tour of Da Lat takes in the former residence of Emperor Bao Dai, Hang Nga House, Xuan Huong Lake, the Central Market, the Love Valley and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda. The afternoon, our will take us out of Da Lat and back down the Prenn Pass for a stop at the ''Chicken village,'. From here, we will head east and down the Ngoan Muc pass to the coastal lowlands. Our next destination today is Nha Trang, the country's premier Resort town. This part of the country was once inhabited by an ancient civilization known as the Cham, and our next stop will be at the Po Klong Garai Cham tower. This amazing structure, which has endured the test of time, the elements and indeed war, was built in the 13th century. Arrive in Nha Trang by mid to late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang

Day 7 : Nha Trang (B,L)
The picturesque coastal town of Nha Trang is an ideal place for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape. Taking a boat trip out we explore some nearby islands of the South China Sea and spend a half day on the turquoise water enjoying swimming, snorkeling, or simply lazing on a beach and feasting on seafood lunch. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 8 : Nha Trang – Danang  - Hoian (B,L)
We board a flight to Da Nang. The tour of central Vietnam begins with Cham museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An, we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and relaxing. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian

Day 9: My son (B,L)
We drive to visit holly land My Son. This is a former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second and thirteenth centuries. Hinduism from India heavily influenced their religion. Located 60 km from Danang, My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations. It is one of four World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to do your endless shopping in Hoian. Overnight at hotel  in Hoian

Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Hue (B,L)
We embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Da Nang as we are climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the picturesque fishing villages of Lang Co. Afternoon we visit the Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple city, the Emperor's private residence. Both were almost destroyed during the Tet offensive of 1968. We visit vibrant Dong Ba riverside market. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Day 11 : Hue Imperial City – Night train to Hanoi (B,L)
This morning we board our dragon board for a cruise along lovely Perfume river with a stop to visit Thien Mu pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue. It is active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of its most poignant displays 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 cruel treating of Buddhist. We then disembark the board for a visit to Tu Duc royal tomb. Later afternoon we take overnight soft sleeper train to Hanoi. Overnight on board

Day 12 : Hanoi City Tour (B,L)
Arrival Hanoi in morning, you will be transferred to our hotel for freshen up and breakfast. Spending a full day in Vietnam's capital, we take time to visit Ba Dinh square, where we have the opportunity to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and former residence. With its history of nearly 1000 years, Hanoi offers us many interesting sights such as the beautiful One Pillar Pagoda, the impressive Temple of Literature (Vietnam first University was founded in 1076) and the intriguing old quarter with its age-old traditional crafts and wares, visit Museum of Ethnology, take a cyclo tour to discover the simple life of Hanoian. Tonight we enjoy Water Puppet show. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 13 : Hanoi – Halong Junk Cruise (B,L,D)
Morning 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. Overnight on board

Day 14 : Halong Junk Cruise – Ninh Binh (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 areas that are more secluded. 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 to back to Ninh Binh via Thai Binh & Nam Dinh. Overnight at the hotel in Ninh Binh

Day 15 : Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu Cycling to Tam Coc – Hanoi – Lao Cai (B,L)
Morning we start cycling on the countryside road, onto Hoa Lu - an ancient citadel, maybe with a stop for its history in the 10th century. Then we continue our riding through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc, passing rice paddies and through the rural villages. Here we are in Tam Coc and lunch is served in the local restaurant that has view over the boat pier, great chance for photos here. And transfer back to Hanoi. Tonight we take soft sleeper & AC train to Lao Cai. Overnight on board.

Day 16 : Lao Cai – Sa Pa - Lao Chai & Tavan Village (B,L,D)
Arrival to Lao Cai station is scheduled at 6am you will be pick up and transferred to hotel. Freshen up and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We then embark on a lovely walk that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a spectacular walking through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people that you can meet along the way. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way to the family in Ta Van village. Overnight in lovely homestay in Tavan village

Day 17 : Tavan – Sa Pa - Cat Cat Villlage - Night train back to Hanoi (B)
After breakfast from home stay, there will be a walking to the bridge where the Jeep waiting for us to transfer to hotel in Sapa for freshen up. Afternoon you will free to visit Sapa town, and transfer to Lao Cai for visiting the Kieu Bridge, the border gate which connects Vietnam and China. And we take overnight train back to Hanoi

Day 18 : Departure (B)
There is a free time to relax or further exploration of Ha Noi until the departure transfer to airport for your flight home. 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 Sapa)
• Halong Bay cruise 1 night on board
• Meals as indicated by Vietnamese foods at the restaurant (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
• All transfers with the air-conditioned private car
• The private boat excursions in Mekong Delta, Nha Trang, Hue
• Domestic air tickets & airport taxes: Nha Trang – Da Nang (Vietnam Airlines/Economy Class)
• Water puppet show & cyclo tour in Hanoi
• Cycling in Ninh Binh
• Reunification Express (Soft sleeper & AC, carriage of 4 berths):  Hue - Hanoi
• TSC Train (Soft sleeper & AC, carriage of 4 berths) : Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi
• Entrance fees and permits during guided time.
• Service charge & Government taxes
  

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