Vietnam Online Choice - 20 days

Today, you'll arrive in Hanoi and and a driver will meet you at arrivals for your hotel transfer. On the way you’ll get your first impressions of Vietnam, buzzing with street traders and mopeds. Your hotel in situated in the centre of the Old Quarter- the beating heart of Hanoi-surrounded by food stalls and quirky restaurants. Narrow streets criss-cross each other, their pavements displaying all manner of local goods.

In the 13th century, the 36 original streets were divided up among the craft guilds, each guild claiming its own street. This system remains to this day. Shoe Street has only shoe shops (every girl's dream). All street names begin with 'Hang', meaning trade. You'll find silver on Hang Bac, copper on Hang Dong , and silk on Hang Gai. The Old Quarter is also home to a fascinating market with a booming trade in live chickens and fish, and a heady aroma of spices.

After some retail therapy, visit peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and munch on a typical Vietnamese spring roll.

This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel and taken to the coastal town of Halong by air-conditioned minibus (approx. 4hrs). The junk awaits you. Once onboard, you'll kick off your trip with a lunch caught fresh from the sea, and afterwards the boat will begin its superb cruise through the region. You'll anchor off Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog Island and Sail Island. You'll then head to the huge rock chamber of Sung Sot Cave and take a refreshing swim by the beach at Titov. Fishing enthusiasts can attempt to catch their evening meal with a traditional rod and tackle. During dinner, you can mull over the impressions of the day and watch the sunset whilst enjoying a glass of Vietnamese wine. Life really doesn't get much better than this.

The next morning you'll be woken by the wafting scent of a delicious breakfast. You'll then begin your morning cruise, which features trips to Man's Head Island, Tortoise Island, Bu Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain. This entire area is a photographer's paradise, so be sure to keep your camera at the ready. Following this, you will board a small bamboo boat to explore the spooky Luong Cave. Lunch will be served aboard the junk during your return to the mainland. At Halong, your minibus will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi.

At Halong, your minibus will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi. You will then spend another night in the city, dining on local dishes and soaking up the strangely European ambience as you stroll along tree-lined boulevards. 

Halong Bay Legend

Ha Long literally means ‘descending dragons’, and, according to ancient legend, this is precisely what happened at Halong Bay. A long, long time ago when the ancestors were fighting invaders from the north, the gods decided to send help. They sent a family of dragons from heaven to help the local people defend their land. The dragons descended into Halong Bay and began to spew jewels and jade. As soon as these gems touched the water they turned into islands, forming a barrier to keep the invaders away. This allowed the ancestors to keep their land and form Vietnam. After the victory, the dragons liked Earth so much that they decided to stay. Legend has it that the mother dragon still lies in Halong and her children lie in Bai Tu Long. The tails of the dragons form the Bach Long Vi area.

Today, you'll walk a little less (4km or so) to the small village of the Red Dzao people. On the way, you'll cross a couple of bamboo bridges over clear mountain streams. There will be plenty of magnificent views and you'll come across many women working in the fields. Though they may only speak a few words of English, they are incredibly warm and welcoming people, and will often invite you for tea in their homes. The houses are built mostly of wood and cane and there’s usually a fire in the middle of the room. The headgear worn by these people is mostly red. Initially, the villagers might seem rather shy, but if you give them a smile, you'll quickly be rewarded with beaming faces. Once you're back in Sapa, you can just relax or wander round the local market.

On Saturday evening from about 7pm, the Love Market takes place in Sapa. Young eligible men and women from the Dzao region meet here, dressed in finery, in the hope of snagging a partner. We can definitely recommend taking a look.

This morning, it's time to grab your backpack and say farewell to Sapa. You'll take a drive to Bac Ha, a small mountain village famous for its busy market. The market is an amazing trading hub, as people from many different tribes meet here to sell their goods. It is a feast for the senses, with traders dressed in a rainbow of colours displaying fresh vegetables, meats, and other products. It's also a perfect opportunity to pick up a few unique Vietnamese souvenirs made by local people.

After lightening your pockets at the market, you'll drive towards the Chinese border to catch a glimpse of the chaotic jumble of Chinese signs. From here, you can see the bridge and stretch of water that forms the actual boundary between the two countries. At the end of the afternoon, you'll be taken to Lao Cai where you'll have plenty of time to grab an evening meal before boarding the night train back to Hanoi.

You'll arrive back in Hanoi at around 6am. It's very easy to fix the transfer from the train to the hotel yourself- there will be plenty of taxis and tuk-tuks at the station. However, you may find that your room is not quite ready for you. If this is the case, you can leave your luggage in reception and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. You can usually get into your room from around mid-morning. However, if you wish your room to be ready as soon as you arrive, we can book a day room for you at an additional cost. Just let us know, and we'll make the arrangements.

There's nothing else planned for the rest of the day, so you can relax and take things at your own pace. Hanoi has plenty of temples, pagodas and museums, if you're looking for a culture fix. The Temple of Literature is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the midst of the urban sprawl. You could also take a cycle rickshaw tour of the major temples, which usually costs no more than a couple of dollars. From your rickshaw seat, you can see the city pass by at very close quarters, taking in the atmosphere as you go.

Today you'll fly from Hanoi to Danang, an airport close to enchanting Hoi An. The transfers to and from the respective airports are very easy for you to arrange yourself- you'll never be short of taxi drivers in Vietnam. Hoi An is, for many people, the highlight of Vietnam. It is also a perfect halfway point between the north and south of the country.

Hoi An is well known for its enthusiastic tailors, its art galleries, and its narrow streets crammed with tiny wooden cafes. During you stay, you can lazily browse the streets and hire a friendly tailor to sew your made-to-measure outfit. There is plenty to do in and around the port town, including a cycle trip past the paddy fields to the beach. The beach is surprisingly quiet in the daytime, so you can stretch out on a lounger under a thatched parasol and enjoy the peace. At sunset, the beach will fill with locals who come here to cool off, chat, and play football at the end of a long working day.

Today you are free to go as you please or we can offer you the option of visiting the historic temple complex of My Son. If you choose this option, you'll be collected this morning by a driver and your English-speaking guide for a riveting visit to My Son. Despite American bombardment, the temple complex at My Son has been well preserved. The area was the most important religious and intellectual centre in Vietnam until the 13th century and the temples are fascinating buildings to explore. Nowadays, My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage site, lying about 40km southwest of Hoi An in a wild, green valley.

In the afternoon you are free to wander lazily through the tiny streets of Hoi An. This little town is jam-packed with tailors and you can have a good made-to-measure suit made for under $40. The perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe! Although the tailors can put together a suit for you in no time, it's best to plan to have this done a few days before you travel to your next destination. This way any alternations can be made while you're in town.

This is essentially a free day, so you can stay in the old town or head for the beach for some sun-kissed relaxation. However, we can also offer you the opportunity to whip up some authentic Vietnamese dishes in the kitchen. If you choose this option you'll be collected from your hotel and head to the colourful Hoi An market to pick up the ingredients for your lesson. There are many different types of vegetables and fruits to appeal to your senses. This is the best possible way to get to know local Vietnamese cuisine and to become acquainted with the friendly vendors at the market. Armed with your purchases, you'll head for the cookery school where you’ll hear all about typical Vietnamese dishes. Then, you will have a go at preparing your own dishes before gobbling them straight down afterwards.

The afternoon is yours to spend as you please. You'll spend all three nights in Hoi An in comfortable, centrally located hotel in the historic centre of town. Therefore you won't have to worry about taxi cabs or rickshaws to get home, you can simply walk back to your hotel. Walking through the narrow, lively streets and popping into a few of the small souvenir shops is quite a fun way to spend time. The hotel also has a very pleasant swimming pool and breakfast is included during your stay.
 

Today, you' ll leave Hoi An, probably with a whole new wardrobe. You'll take a quick domestic flight from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. We'll book your flight, but you'll organise your own taxis or rickshaws to and from the airports. This is extremely easy to do. Once you've settled in at your comfortable hotel, you can explore the city at your own pace. You'll stay in a luxury room with air-conditioning for a leisurely 3 nights. The hotel is just around the corner from Tham Street, the centre of the bustling backpackers in Saigon. The area is literally crammed with dozens of cosy local restaurants and souvenir shops.

If you wish, you can simply recover from your journey by watching the world go by from pavement cafes. However, if you are feeling full of get-up-and-go, you can visit some places of interest. We can recommend the Reunification Palace and the hard-hitting American War Museum. Alternatively, hire a cycle rickshaw for a whirlwind tour of the city's sights.

Today you'll head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 30km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. You'll travel by minibus, passing peaceful paddy fields and watching delta life, you'll also have a chance to see an unusual floating temple.

The Viet Cong dug the haunting network of the Cu Chi tunnels during the Vietnam War to hide from American forces. The underground labyrinth covers an incredible 250km and enabled the Vietcong to carry out covert attacks. They are very narrow, deep, and unbelievably dark, making them hugely claustrophobic. They include sleeping quarters, kitchens, ammunition stores, weapon factories, and command centres.

You can climb into the tunnels and experience the eerie atmosphere first hand. Many have been enlarged especially for tourists, making them far less hair-raising for visitors. However, if you're feeling brave, you can also try the originals. It's a unique, if creepy, experience. The guide will explain the history and the precise uses of the tunnels. In the adjoining Cu Chi Museum, you can also see a video with vintage American film material.

You'll head back to Ho Chi Minh City at about 2pm, giving you plenty of time to explore more of the city or sit at a pavement cafes and watch the world go by. Try a cocktail at sunset on the roof of the Rex.
 

The next two days are dedicated to the dazzling Mekong Delta. The Mekong River, with its vast fertile delta, is the backbone of the economy in the south. It produces one of Vietnam's most important exports- rice. At 7am, the minibus will arrive to take you in the direction of Cai Be. From here, you'll sail lazily around the floating markets on a beautiful, traditional boat. Vendors will offer their wares from their boats jammed with produce, dangling their goods in the air from a long pole. You'll also small flotillas drifting along, as traders link up to swap goods amongst themselves.

You'll sail through narrow waterways observing local life on the riverbank. You'll quickly understand why the people of the south are renowned for their friendliness, as they smile and wave from their houses when you pass by. You can also cycle through one of the villages on a river island, catching an even closer glimpse of daily life. The boat will then take you to a simple but charming hotel for the night. It lies in Cantho on the banks of the Mekong, where you can relax in the evening with a cool drink and watch the delta sunset.

Today you'll visit the floating market of Cai Rang by boat. This market is more frequently visited by tourists than the Cai Be market, however it is also one of the most important and largest floating markets in the Mekong Delta. In order to get close to the activities, you'll transfer onto a bamboo rowboat. You'll sail amidst all of the boats peddling their wares. Each boat features the goods sold on the boat on a long pole on which each type of fruit and vegetable is speared. Boats sail criss-cross through the market in search of the products they need at the most affordable price. You'll enjoy docking along side these floating market stalls and doing some haggling of your own. After visiting the floating market you will be transferred to Rach Gia.

This afternoon in Rach Gia, you'll take the 3hr ferry journey across to Phu Quoc Island, nicknamed the Emerald Island for its tropical green treasures. It also has magnificent beaches, some of the very best in Vietnam. Whilst on the island, you'll stay in a beach resort on peaceful Ong Lang Beach. This is a spectacular stretch of ivory beach on the west side of the island, fringed by palm trees providing some welcome shade.

During the dry season, from December to June, the temperatures can soar so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen. You'll especially need extra protection from the sun in the months January and February. With clear blue skies and calm seas, this is a fantastic place to get away from it all. Feel the sun on your skin and the sand between your toes as you sip on a cold beer. Perfect. Duirng the summer months July and August, the island can receive quite a bit of rainfall, so it may not be possible to dive during these months.

During your stay on Phu Quoc Island you'll spend the night in tastefully decorated cabins that exude charm and warmth. The owners of the resort are very friendly, and you can certainly expect a very warm welcome. There is an excellent restaurant with a magical seaview for romantic sunset meals and tasty fresh fish is regularly on the menu.
 

Today, you can just stretch out on the white sandy beach or rock gently in a hammock under the palm trees with your nose in a book. If you're feeling lively, you can swim in the azure waters, snorkel, or even take a dive to explore the underwater world. There is a diving school on the island, and it's very easy to arrange lessons. If you'd like to try diving on Phu Quoc, just let us know and we'll organise everything for you.

More restless travellers can explore the tropical wilderness of interior Phu Quoc Island. In 2001, almost 70% of the island was declared to be a national park, so the ecosystems on the island have been completely preserved. It is also mountainous and almost completely covered in rainforest, with a number of natural springs for a quick refreshing dip. The best known and most accessible spring is called the Suoi Da Ban (also called Stony Surface Stream).