Vietnam Off The Beaten Track 14 Days

Upon arrival, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route.

Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the ASIA TOUR ADVISOR LOGO & your name. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast at your hotel .The guide pick you up at your hotel and then visit the capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days' tour will visit the highlights.

See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the 'icon of Hanoi' - The One Pillar Pagoda, West Lake's Tran Quoc temple. After lunch, visit the beautiful Temple of Literature, take a cycle for visiting the bustling Old Quarter .

You'll end your day with a show at the water puppet theater - a beautifully unique cultural performance from northern Vietnam.

After breakfast, our tour guide and driver will pick you up for a interesting journey to Western Northern Vietnam. Taking high speed road Ha Noi – Lao Cai toward Bac Ha.

You will spend the afternoon for a motorbike tour to Hoang Thu Pho village, up and down hill to see unbreathing sight-seeings. If the weather permits, you can swim at the waterfall. Sleep 1 night at local homestay.

Option 1: If this day is Sunday – Visit Bac Ha Market.

Bac Ha Market is held every Sunday and is the biggest minority peoples market in Northwest Vietnam. Alive with the bright colours and extravagant costumes of the local people, here you will meet Flower Hmong (Red Hmong), Black Dao, Tay, Nung, La Chi, Phu La and other minority groups who come from far and wide to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and livestock, to exchange news and to renew friendships.

In the past the market was a centre for trading horses but now that motorbikes have replaced them it is more common to see buffalo, cows, goats, fish and other livestock being traded. The market opens at around 7.30am and closes mid-afternoon, so an early start is advisable. Take time to wander around the market, enjoy the atmosphere and have fun trying out your trading skills with the friendly local people.

Have lunch in a local restaurant where a variety of foods are available for your delectation and delight. You can even try the traditional local lunch of Thang Co (horse stew) and strong corn wine!
After lunch you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Sleep in homestay.

Option 2: If this day is Wednesday – Visit Sin Cheng Market.

Located in the center of Si Ma Cai districts more than 10km, in the past there have a lot of difficulties when travelling in this road, so Sin Cheng almost separate from the outside. That barrier makes it difficult for Cheng Sin land and people get rich as the lower, but also so that the value of a long tradition still preserved.

On Wednesday morning, started at 8.30am from Bac Ha to Sin Cheng market, it takes us about 1.30 hour.Openned only one times each week from 9.00am to 1.30pm. This market which is in the border area is far 40km from Bac Ha (in Si Ma Cai district) so just few people know this place. . The market is almost untouched by the modern life. Where you will be surprised by the way of living of the people here that you can find nowhere in the modern world.

After the market we come back to Bac Ha for lunch. And then we go to visit some villages of the Mong and Tay ethnic minorities around Bac Ha town about 2 hours.
After lunch you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Sleep in homestay.

Option 3: If this day is Thursday – Visit Lung Khau Nhin Market.

Lung Khau Nhin is a small market very close to the border with China, close to Muong Khuong town. The Black Dao, Giay, Tay, Flower Hmong (Red Hmong) minority peoples all attend this market.

Lung Khau Nhin market is held every Thursday starting around 7.30am and closing in the early afternoon. The market is set in beautiful scenery and is very remote. It is a very ‘authentic’ market with few tourists visiting. The market mainly sells vegetables, seeds and livestock for the minority peoples.

Drive to Lung Khau Nhin (67 km / 2hours from Bac Ha)
Spend time walking around the market taking in the sights and sounds and perhaps trading with the local people.
On the way back we will stop in Muong Khuong and pay a visit to pineapple and tea plantations.
You can have lunch either in Muong Khuong village
After lunch, you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Sleep in homestay.

Option 4: If this day is other days in week – Freetime to explore Bac Ha Town – Ban Phung village.

After breakfast, you will have freetime to walk around the town. You also can visit Hoang A Tuong Palace – Meo’s King.

After lunch, you will be driven to Ban Phung village. Locating on Tay Con Linh mountain range. Phung Village owns unsullied nature and is the home of La Chi ethnic. Villages are connected with steep winding roads. This will literally bring you to off-the-beaten paths (in every sense of the word!). The transfer will stop about 10 km away from your homestay.

From there, you can choose either trek up to your accommodation or hop on back of the bike. Vietnam's extreme north will be greatly rewarded with some of the most breathtaking mountain and cliff views imaginable as well as a peak into the lives of the villagers who inhabit the region.

After breakfast, we start the day to discover Ban Phung on foot. We will explore the terraced fields and the beautiful landscape of Ban Phung. While hiking, we can have the opportunity to meet and talk with locals to better understand their lives.

Most locals are La Chi, they often speak their language, they can speak very few Vietnamese words. After hiking, we stop at a La Chi to visit their house. Return to the inhabitant for your second night.

After late breakfast, we will say goodbye to Ban Phung village, head to Hoang Su Phi. Upon arrival in Hoang Su Phi, you will check in your room and walk around to visit Nam Hong village – Home of Red Dao people to discover their local daily life before having dinner.

"Getting up in the extravagant marvelous of the wildness. A day cannot be better with the home-cooked breakfast with your host. Make sure you eat a lot as you will need energy for an active day.

You will set out on a trek to explore the many villages situated on high altitudes around Thong Nguyen. The path will carry us upwards for about half an hour before spilling out into scenes of lush forest, tea plantations, terraced rice fields and majestic mountain slopes. During our hike we will stop for lunch with another local family, and many encounters can be had with the locals along the path.

The trekking route will be customized basing on your request from medium to hard trek. Your day can also be filled with various activities
Hiking in the area from few hours to full day

Participating in agricultural activities
• Prepare the rice field for transplanting: May – June
• Harvesting paddy rice: September – mid October
• Carp fishing in the terrace fields: August to mid of September
• Tea harvesting and processing: March – April; June-July; October-November

Discovering the rich and various local crafts
Enjoying a bath with herbs or specialties of Dzao ethnic group
Watching and joining cooking preparation
By the end of the afternoon, you will be back to your accommodation, when you’re free to utilize the rest of the day as you see fit, before having dinner"

In the morning, you will head back to Hanoi. En route, you will stop along the way to visit the villages, take memorable pictures and admire the landscapes before arriving in Hanoi in the afternoon.
Distance: 300 km - 7.5 - 8.0 hours

09.10 You will be collected from Hanoi Old Quarter to take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal – Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City where we arrive at around 11h30. The passengers have a chance to experience on longest and newest bridge in South East Asia area. You can take special tea at Peony Cruise’s lounge by warm welcome.

12.15 Transfer by tender to the CRUISE.
12.30 We welcome our guests onboard the CRUISE and then check in, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

13.00 CRUISE proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Have International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island - Thoi Quyt area - Coc Ngoi islet - through Gia Luan area where is belong to Cat Ba National Park
15.00 We progress to Trung Trang cave by our bus on Cat Ba island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave.

Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes that will awe and inspire visitors to use their imagination.
17.00 Cruise gets in the less populated area at Tra Bau where is located in Lan Ha Bay. You will enjoy the green emerald and cool water by swimming
17.45 Returning CRUISE, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
19.30 Sumptuous Candlelight Deluxe Dinner Set Menu is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting

21.30 Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board.
Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
23.00 End of Day One program
Distance: Ha Noi – Got Harbor: 140 kilometers – 2 – 2.5 hours

06.15 Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve the breakfast. Upon completing the breakfast continue our journey and head out to explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is situated.

7.45 You enjoy on your own to kayak at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay
9.30 Cruise welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out
10.00 Whilst cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch
10.30 Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and Vietnamese cultural at this ceremony. Joining Tea Ceremony with our crews team and have great fun with us!
11.35 We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark. We bid farewell at Got ferry, this is the end of the program.

14.00 – 14.30 Return to Hanoi Hotel after moving quickly by the highway.
Arrival back to Ha Noi then our private car will pick you up to the airport.
Take your flight Ha Noi – Danang . Once you arrive at the airport, our another driver will pick you up to our hotel in Hoi An.

Option 1 – Cooking class: Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colorful local markets, buying all the necessary ingredients and head back to prepare. Your cheft will demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cruisine, you will then start cooking yourself and enjoy what you have cooked.

In the afternoon, exploring the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers– all of which are sure to charm you.

Option 2 – Vegetable village:

Breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise and a bike ride to Tra Que Vilage and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables. You will learn how the vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine. You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialties such a Tam huu (spring roll) and Bahn xeo (pancake). Of course you must also join in the after lunch nap before returning to the fiel to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoian for visiting Hoian Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing.

Option 3 – Countryside motor riding (no bicyle)

Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motobike, riding to Tra Que village and then ride back to the river for aboard a local ferry to Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving but weaving sleeping mat as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weave the mat for every day use in the old time before having today popular mattresses. Visit a local family making the famous local noodle – Mi Quang is the other chance to learn the local life. You also have a chance to make make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village , gearing up for an adrenalin pumping 300 metre bamboo bridge river crossing to the opposing landscape of the sea-board side of the island making our way to Duy Hai market and harbour. Here, the local ferry crossing takes guests to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh village. Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back your hotel by motobike.

After checking out, our driver will transfer you to the airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Welcome to the once southern capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, where the streets are lively and the scents are enticing, from chili to garlic, ginger to coriander.

You arrive at the airport and are met by your private transfer who will soon have you relaxing in the comforts of your hotel centrally located within the city. Vietnam’s center of commerce, the modern metropolis, wraps around the Saigon River bringing a vibrant skyline to the soothing waterway. Through a blend of tradition, modernity, colonial history, and reunification, the wonder of Vietnam has begun.

08:30 am: The guide pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Ben Tre. On the way stop over at Mekong Restop for relaxing around 15 minutes.
10:30 am: Arrive at Ham Luong dock, you will take a boat and then cruise along Ham Luong River, a tributary to the Mekong River. The cool breeze from the river and lush tropical islands along its banks will immediately get you excited to explore all the great things ahead.

Arrive and visit various local workplaces to find many wonderful examples of how local people use ageless techniques to create their crafts, including activated charcoal, dried coconut, handy coconut husk brooms, and many family businesses using coir, or coconut fiber, to create amazing art. Cruise around the village roads by “Xe Lôi”, the local vehicle, which is a kind of motorized rickshaw. Kayak through the natural canals to get a unique experience of the peaceful beauty of the Mekong River as well as the rural life there. Having lunch at a local host house.

After lunch, you will have some time for relaxing before take a car back to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City around 4:30 pm. Drop you off at your hotel.

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your flight to next destination.
Finish unforgettable Vietnam off the beaten track Tour with Asia Tour Advisor