Vietnam Package Tour - Vietnam Comprehensive 13 days

Day 1	Hanoi Arrival in Hanoi Transfer Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2	Hanoi - train Sightseeing in Hanoi Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia. ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom. TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment. HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star. HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. The Mausoleum is open only in the mornings, and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Every year, it closes in October and November for renovation and maintenance. OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only). ST JOSEPH CATHEDRAL: a neo-Gothic cathedral finished in 1886, it is noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar and stained-glass windows. In the afternoon, visit one of the following museums: HISTORY MUSEUM (BAO TANG LICH): once the museum of the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, is a building constructed of reinforced concrete completed in 1930. Exhibits include artefacts from Vietnam's turbulent history including some from prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY: This museum brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Visit a Water Puppet Show WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. Transfer By train from Hanoi to Lao Cai aboard the Victoria Express The Victoria Express Train is made up of two carriages and one restaurant car. The two carriages, offering 5 Superior (4 berths) and 2 Deluxe (2 berths) compartments feature air-conditioning, wood paneled interiors, individual reading lights, baggage storage and ample space for hand luggage. The restaurant, with a corner bar and ten four-person tables, offers Vietnamese and Western cuisine, snacks and drinks. The Victoria Express train departs 4 times a week from Hanoi Railway Station: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 09:30 pm (this schedule is subject to change). The journey takes 10 hours in total. Overnight in Train.

Day 3	Lao Cai - Sa Pa Transfer from Lao Cai train station to Sa Pa Excursion to Tram Ton Pass with trekking to Sin Chai Visit Tram Ton Pass, Vietnam's highest mountain pass, with spectacular views of swirling clouds over a deep green mountain valley. From there, enjoy a short trek to the village of Sin Chai. Overnight in Sa Pa.

Day 4	Sa Pa Trekking excursion around Sa Pa Explore the dramatic mountain countryside around Sa Pa, visiting some of the local villages that nestle in the valleys and hillsides around Sa Pa. This area is inhabited mainly by the Black H'mong and Red Dzao peoples, as well as the Tay, and continue a traditional way of life. Overnight in Sa Pa.

Day 5	Sa Pa - Hanoi By vehicle from Sa Pa to Hanoi Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6	Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An Transfer Flight from Hanoi to Danang. By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages. Sightseeing in Hoi An Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot. The walking tour will include five of the following sites: QUAN CONG TEMPLE: founded in 1653, this Chinese temple is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilded statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the construction and repair of the temple. PHUOC KIEN PAGODA: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles. SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. PHUNG HUNG HOUSE: the same family has been living here for eight generations. The house is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles. QUANG DONG PAGODA: this pagoda was open to all Chinese traders or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau it s a small Chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7	Hoi An - Hue By vehicle from Hoi An to Hue Journey north along Highway 1 past Danang, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass. HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views. LANG CO: a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many kilometers of beachfront facing the South China Sea. Sightseeing in the Old Imperial City IMPERIAL CITY: located in the Citadel, it was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum. NGO MON GATE: the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, facing the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond. THAI HOA PALACE: built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. HALLS OF THE MANDARINS: these buildings, in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies held in the Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977. NINE DYNASTIC URNS: these were cast in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiseled into the sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign. FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY: this was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. (Today the site is in ruins). Visit Dong Ba Market DONG BA MARKET: a local market near the Imperial City Overnight in Hue.

Day 8	Hue Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip THIEN MU PAGODA: just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation. TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG: a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs. Sightseeing Hue Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh TU DUC TOMB: Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life. KHAI DINH: this was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Overnight in Hue.

Day 9	Hue - Saigon Transfer Flight from Hue to Saigon. Transfer Sightseeing in Saigon Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, and one will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere. There are street markets, pavement cafes and sleek new cafes and pubs. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883, is set in the heart of Saigon's governement quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary. CENTRAL POST OFFICE: this is a French-style building with its glass canopy and iron frame right next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the largest post office in Vietnam. CITY HALL: completed 1908, also known as "Hotel de Ville" at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With it's ornate gingerbread facade it looks like the town hall of a French town. view from outside only OPERA HOUSE: built around the turn of the century and first renovated in the 1940s, the building housed the lower division of the National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal Theatre and also known as “Saigon Concert Hall”. view from outside only REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state. WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of weapons and photographs from 2 Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century. BEN THANH MARKET: this is the central market of Saigon and the market and the surrounding streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used by the average resident of Saigon is available here. DONG KHOI STREET: known as 'Rue Catinet' during the French years, this is a main shopping street in the centre of Saigon where there is a lot of choice of handicrafts and laquerware. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 10	Saigon Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh CU CHI TUNNELS: Cu Chi was an important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered. TAY NINH: this town serves as the headquarters of one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism. The Caodai Great Temple at the sect's Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of Asia and was built between 1933 and 1955. The area's dominant geographic feature is Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain), which towers 850m above the surrounding plains. Please note that shortly before and during the annual TET festival (Vietnamese New Year) the daily ceremony of the priests in Tay Ninh may be cancelled without prior notice. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 11	Saigon - Can Tho By vehicle from Saigon to Can Tho, with a boat ride from Cai Be floating market to Vinh Long From Saigon, transfer to Cai Be and tour the colorful floating market by boat, continuing through the bywaters and canals of the Mekong Delta to Vinh Long. On the way, stop at different Mekong river islands and visit local workshops producing puffed rice, coconut candy, and other local delicacies. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 12	Can Tho - Saigon Excursion by boat to Cai Rang Floating Market CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET: the largest and most bustling of the Mekong Delta markets, Cai Rang is best explored in the early morning hours, before 9 am. Fruit and vegetable vendors assemble from all over, hanging samples of their wares on long poles above By vehicle from Can Tho to Saigon Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13	Saigon Transfer