The winding road along Vietnam's coastline connecting the country's important cities and towns has borne witness to many twists and turns in her recent history. Built in the 18th century by Vietnamese foot soldiers and mandarins, it was called mandarin route. From the hectic traffic and fast business pace of Hochiminh City to pristine beaches in Phan Thiet,
Nha Trang, Danang...and historical sites in Qui Nhon, Hoi An, Hue and Hanoi, the mandarin route will be with you wherever you go. You will set foot on a maiden expanse of land between Dong Hoi and Ninh Binh where you wil find the local people and landscape exotic beyond your imagination. Sixteen days of travelling along this backbone route will give you an opportunity to tell your friends that "I have been there and have learnt about Vietnam".

 Day1: HoChiMinh ( L )
Arrive at TanSonNhat airport. Meet and transfer to hotel. Visit the most exciting crowded city: Unification Palace Thong Nhat, Maria Cathedral, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, China town, Thien Hau pagoda, Cho lon market. Boat trip along HoChiMinh city river with live music.Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: HoChiMinh city - MyTho (B,L )
Departure to My Tho. Visit VinhTrang pagoda (Ancient Cham culture), boat cruise in Mekong river to Thoi Son islet. Stroll through verdant orchards, sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks and meeting with peasants at local home. Return to HoChiMinh city.Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 : HoChiMinh city - DaLat (B,L )
AM : Depart   to Da Lat, stopover to visit Ponguar Water fall  and Ga village of K`ho ethnic with traditional weaving brocade. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: DaLat - Nha Trang (B,L )
Visit DaLat market, King Bao Dai palace and some other architectures of DaLat. Leave for NhaTrang with Prenn waterfall. Stopover at NgoanMuc pass and Po Klong Giarai Cham Tower. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: NhaTrang (B,L )
Visit the Tropical Marine park, boat cruise to visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium, HonTam islet, sunbathing. Visit Yersin Museum, Po Nagar Cham Tower.Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Nha Trang - BuonMeThuot (B, L)
Leave for BuonMeThuot. Visit Jarai ethnic village, Highlands Minorities Museum, central market. Overnight at White horse hotel.

Day 7: BuonMeThuot - Lac Lake -Pleiku (B,L )
Full day visit the Lac lake and enjoy elephants working, ridding, Drai Sap waterfall , then transfer to Pleiku. Overnight at Pleiku.

Day 8: Pleiku-Hoian ( B,L )
Leave for HoiAn. Stopover in Pleiku to visit Giarai village, enjoy welknown Cham Towers: Silver Tower, Bronze Tower, Chien Dan Tower. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Hoi An-DaNang-Hue ( B,L )
Visit HoiAn ancient city. Coach trip to Da Nang. Visit Cham museum, Ngu Hanh Son mountain. Across the steep & winding Hai Van Pass to Hue. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Hue (B, L )
Boat cruise on the Perfume river to visit Thien Mu pagoda, King Minh Mang`s Tomb. Visit Dai Noi Imperial Citadel and King Tu Duc`s Tomb. Floating dinner with Hue folk song. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Hue-Hanoi ( B, L )
Morning fly to Hanoi. Pick up at the airport. Transfer to Classic hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi. Free time. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Hanoi -HoaBinh-SonLa ( B,L )
Leave to SonLa with stopover to visit the MaiChau area, continue to MocChau. Visit YenChau on the way. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: SonLa - DienBienPhu ( B, L )
Visit the centre market, SonLa mansion. Continue to DienBienPhu. Visit the DienBien market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: DienBienPhu - LaiChau - PhongTho ( B, L )
Visit the DienBien museum, Elianne hill, De Castrie cellar. Coach trip to LaiChau, Phong Tho, stopover to visit the Thai, Meo village along the way. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: PhongTho-Sapa  ( B, L )
Leave for Sapa a welknown resort in Vietnam. Stopover to visit some ethnic villages on the way. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Sapa ( B, L )
Visit the Meo and Red Dao in Sapa, Sapa market, Dragon Head mountain . Overnight at hotel.. .

Day 17: Sapa-Lao Cai-Hanoi ( B, L )
Return to Hanoi. Visit beauty spots along the way. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18: Hanoi - HaiPhong-Ha Long ( B, L )
Departure to Ha Long Bay - the World Heritage granted by UNESCO in 1994. Stopover to visit Flower market, Trang Kenh temple, Du Hang pagoda and Woollen Carpet Trang Kenh factory. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19: Ha Long - Hanoi ( B, L )
Boat trip through majestic Ha Long Bay. Enjoy beautiful landscape of Ha Long naturally formed by islands and islets, explore natural caves or sunbathing. Return Hanoi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20 : Hanoi City tour ( B, L )
Visit Ho Chi Minh`s mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh museum, One Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam (built in 1070), Ngoc Son temple and 36 old streets. Overnight at hotel.

Day 21: Hanoi (B )
Shopping before coach transfer to airport for departure.

Trip Summary:

Where:	Trip starts in HoChiMinh city and ends in Hanoi
When:	All year round;
Grade:	Moderate to Strenous; Adventure, Nature tour
Accommodation:	Tourist-class hotels (Standard)
Transport:	Private car or bus, boat,
Meals:	As indicated; (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

 Hotels ( click to see )

Cities 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 4/5 stars Hanoi Classic Thienthai <Sunway Sofitel Plaza Halong Van Ly Bach Dang Heritage Halong Plaza Sapa Royal Bamboo Victoria PhongTho Lan Anh 2  Lan Anh 2  Lan Anh 2  Lan Anh 2 Sonla SunRise SunRise SunRise SunRise DienBien Muongthanh Muongthanh MuongThanh MuongThanh Hue BinhMinh Dong Da Saigon Morin  Saigon Morin Hoian ThuyDuong3 VinhHung Resort Life Resort Nhatrang TramHuong Green Saigon Yasaka VinPearl Saigon Phoenix Empress Rex New World Dalat Golf 2 Empress Novotel Sofitel Dalat Pleiku Thanh Lich Yaly hotel Yaly  Yaly  BanMeThuot ThanhCong White Horse White Horse White Horse

 

- Full transportation as tour program indicated.
- Domestic flight ticket : Hue -Hanoi
- Breakfast at hotels
- Lunches at the local restaurant
- English/French - speaking guide
- Entrance fees.
- Boat trip in Nhatrang, Lak lake, Tiengiang river in Mytho and Halong bay.
- Twin-share accommodation with daily breakfast;

 

    * International airport tax in Hanoi at USD 14.00 nett per person
    * International airfare to/from Vietnam
    * Personal insurance
    * Expenditure of a personal nature, tips, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, emergency transfers & etc.
    * Visa to Vietnam