TPT-002 - Vietnam Heritage road 12days/ 11nights

Sunday, 29 November 2009 13:42

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 September 2010 12:48

Written by Administrator

Day 1: Danang arrival – Hoian

Day 2: Hoian-My Son-Hue

Day 3: Hue

Day 4: Hue – DMZ – Dong Hoi

Day 5: Phong Nha – Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong bay

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi – Sapa

Day 9: Bac Ha – Sapa

Day 10: Sapa – Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi

Day 12: Hanoi

Day 1: Danang arrival – Hoian

Pick-up at Danang International Airport or at hotel in Danang. Visit the open-air Cham Museum housing the world's finest collection of Cham art. Take a short drive to the riverside town of Hoi An just south of Danang. En route, visit the Marble Mountains and stone-carving village at Non Nuoc. Upon arrival in Hoi An, take a walking tour of this ancient trading port. Visit a traditional Chinese Communal House, a Hokkien Temple, ancient merchants'houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful local market. Visit a workshop where artisans make Hoi An's famous lanterns. Guests learn how the lanterns are made then have a chance to create their own lanterns, from designing the frame to gluing the cloth. Finish the day with a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon river to Thanh Ha pottery village. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 2: Hoian – My Son – Hue

In the morning, visit to the extraordinary ruins of My Son in a remote jungle valley. My Son was formerly the centre of the Cham Kingdom and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over 20 well-preserved monuments remain. In the afternoon, drive north to Hue, imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Overnight in Hue.

Day 3: Hue

Morning boat cruise through the centre of Hue on the romantic Perfume River. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda along the riverbank. Transfer to car to visit the elaborate Khai Dinh and Tu Duc tombs. En route, visit local families making Vietnam's famous conical hats and colourful incense. In the afternoon take a cyclo ride to visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. Evening dinner at Y Thao Garden, renowned for its collection of rare "Bleu de Hue" ceramics and traditional Hue glassware. Enjoy traditional Hue dishes, considered by many to be Vietnam's finest cuisine. Overnight in Hue.

Day 4: Hue – DMZ – Dong Hoi

This morning we drive to visit the remarkable Vinh Moc Tunnels. Just north of the Demilitarised Zone the tunnels are another monument to the tenacity of the North Vietnamese people to triumph in the American war. The 2.8 km. of tunnels are the real thing and unadulterated for viewing by travelers- and are also larger and taller than those at Cu Chi which makes for an easiest visit. Time permitting, we can combine our visit to the tunnels with bathing at the beautiful nearby beaches. We continue our way to Donghoi for the night. Overnight in DongHoi.

Day 5: Phong Nha – Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to PhongNha for a boat cruise along Son river. As we pass through breathtaking scenery of river, mountain we will visit many beautiful cave with hanging multiform stalactiles & stalagmites caves - the Phong Nha cave that lends its name to the entire system is probably the most beautiful with many fascinating rock formations carrying evocative names such as The Lion, the Fairy Caves, the Royal Court and Buddha. Phong Nha also boasts long underground rivers, the large caverns and passageways, wide pristine sand banks and astonishing rock formations. The tropical forest is home to 36 of the more than 750 rare plant species and 89 animal species listed by the Viet Nam Red Book as endangered or protected. This afternoon we board the train to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong

Upon arrival to Hanoi you will be pick up and drive through the red river Delta to Halong bay. Stop en route for breakfast. We arrive to Halong bay where we board our own private boat for a five-hour cruise around the secluded and majestic Ha Long Bay giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Whilst on board a sumptuous fresh local seafood lunch will be served. There will be opportunities for a swim and time to explore some of the limestone caves in the area. Tonight we stay overnight on the board.

Day 7: Halong – Hanoi

After breakfast we head out for a wonderful exploration of Bai Tu Long area. We have time to explore prime beaches and floating villages. We are treated to fresh seafood lunch on board before our drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi – Sapa

A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. In the morning, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's former residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Lake of Restored Sword, and Ngoc Son Temple. A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter is a relaxing way to end the day. The tour includes a stop at an ancient Vietnamese "long house". In the evening, our tour guide escort you transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to take night train to Spa. Overnight on the train.

Day 9: Bac ha – Sapa

Arriving to Laocai station early in the morning you will be pick up and transferred to Bacha, home to the flower Hmong hill tribe minority people. A visit to the Sunday market is a must. The very colourful flower H'mong people converge from far away villages to trade and exchange goods here. Local farm produce, Tho cam (indigo clothes) dogs, cats, pigs, horses and more are on sale here. Local people, especially young men and girls wearing their 'Sunday best' come from many of the surrounding villages in order to catch up with each other. This is a golden opportunity for any budding photographers as the diversity of colours on display is truly magnificent. After lunch in Bac Ha, we drive to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 10: Sapa – Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel we then embark on a lovely excursion to LaoChai village,home to the H'mong people who originated from China, where they emigrated from about 300 years ago. The H'mong people are also easily recognizable due to their dark clothing, usually blue or black. The dye is fashioned from the indigo or hemp plant that is native to the area. H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair rolled up into a turban-like hat, whilst the men wear a black skullcap, long waistcoat and loose trousers. Picnic lunch by the mountain and continue our way to Ta Van village, home to the Zay people. Dzay have become very adept at rice cultivation and, in marked contrast to the H'mong, they have a higher living standard as a result. As we walk through these villages nestled in the valleys below Sapa, we will meet some of the local ethnic minority people on their way to and from Sapa. These minority people, including the Red Zao, Hmong and Tay people, walk to Sapa to trade at the markets. this afternoon there will be a transfer to Laocai station for overnight train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.