Day 1 : HCM City – Phu Quoc (L/D)

Meet at local airport. Transfer to resort by bus. Leave your luggage . Departure to visit Ham Ninh fishing village and buy fresh seafood : crabs, shrimps, squids, sentinel crabs…(guest’s account). Visit Chanh stream for climbing, swimming and enjoying seafood (guest’s account). At noon, back to resort. Check- in and have lunch . Relax at resort. Swim in the resort’s pool or the private beach. In the evening, departure to Duong Dong Port. Getting on Saigon–Phuquoc boat equipped with neon””””s, nets, fishing rods… to go fishing and squid-fishing. The fishing begins at the sunset and the squid-fishing at night. The number of the squid/fish caught depends on the dark. Enjoying a grilling seafood. Back  to the resort to have dinner and overnight at Saigon-Phuquoc resort .

Day 2 : Phu Quoc (B/L/D)

Buffet breakfast at the resort. Departure to visit  fish sauce factory, Khutuong pepper garden and Cau  Castle. At noon , back to the resort to have lunch and relax at resort. In the afternoon, visit Southern Islet: Sao beach, former Phu Quoc prison, the pearl-cultivating farm. Back to resort to have dinner and overnight at Saigon Phu Quoc.

Day 3 : Phu Quoc – HCM City (B)

Buffet breakfast at the resort . Free for shopping at Duong Dong market. Check-out. Transfer to the airport. Back to HCMC. End of service.

Tour  include:

•   English speaking guide
•  All entrance fees
•  Transportation during the tour
•  Boat for fish & squid fishing
•  Internal flight HCMC – Phu Quoc , Phu Quoc – HCMC ( Economic class )
•  Meals as indicated in the program (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
•  2 nights in well-eqquiped room at Saigon – Phu quoc resort based on 2 guests sharing a Double or Twin room.
•  1 bottle mineral water/pax/day

Tour exclude:

• Personal expenses
  •  Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program
  •  Travel insurance
  •  Tips

Day 1: Departure for Whale island from ( Hanoi or Saigon )

Arrival in Nha Trang airport where you meet our guide to take you to Whale Island by bus. Arrive at Whale island dock and take your speed boat to the island. Rest of the day is free for your leisure. Dinner and overnight in Whale island. ( Lunch and dinner included )

Day 2: Whale island relaxation

Wake up to the sound of waves, walk around the island and have a swim before being served a beautiful breakfast. If you wish to do some snorkelling, a boat departs for the best snorkelling site every morning. Rest of the day is free. Maybe just relax in Whale Island bar or read your book under the palm’s shade just near your bungalow. Overnight in Whale island. ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included )

Day 3: Whale Island

Free time for leisure. ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included )

Day 4: Whale island departure

After breakfast, farewell resort staff before your transfer to Nha Trang airport for your flight to Saigon or Hanoi. ( Breakfast included )

Tour includes:

• Accommodation at Whale Island ( Twin shared bungalow )
•     Return air ticket from Hanoi or Saigon to Nha Trang
•     Meals as indicated on above itinerary
•     Round transfer and transport from/to airport
•     Boat trip for snorkelling

Tour excludes:

• Meals not mentioned above
•     Personal expenses

]]> http://vietnam-travel.org/trip-ideas/nha-trang-whale-island-gateway-4-days/feed/ 0 http://vietnam-travel.org/trip-ideas/north-trek-cruise-4-days/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=north-trek-cruise-4-days http://vietnam-travel.org/trip-ideas/north-trek-cruise-4-days/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:32:21 +0000 thaonguyen http://www.vietnam-travel.org/?p=3444 For those with interest in the cultural mosaics and inspirational landscapes of Northern Vietnam, and those with limited time, this is truly ideal for you. A panorama of diverse beauty from Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter, to Sapa’s mountains, terraced rice paddies and ethnic minorities, to the magic and treasures of Halong Bay.

Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Sapa, trek to Ta Phin (~ 14 km)

The night before: 8:30 pm transfer to the Hanoi train station for boarding at 9:50 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabins to travel North to Lao Cai town.

Today’s morning: The train arrives at about 6:30 am; look for the “Footprint Travel” sign when you exit the train station, as our guide will pick you up. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car / van to Sapa (~ 1.5 hours). When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast.

We will then take short ride from Sapa to our trekking base where we start our trek up and down hills through terraced rice fields, bamboo ranges and many minority villages. Lunch break before we keep hitting the road to Ta Phin village. Our Dao host family will welcome you to their traditional home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, train ticket, entrance fee, all meals, permit, homestay.,

Day 2: More in Ta Phin, back to Sapa, then Lao Cai for night train to Hanoi

At the first gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join your host family in some of their activities like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we could take a short morning wander around the village or resulting in more time spent with the host family.

You will be then supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes). When we arrive back in Sapa. Take a rest and pause for lunch on your own. At 2:30 pm we will take an easy walk (~ 5km) to Cat Cat village, homeland of Black H’mong hill tribe and to take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people. We will then be picked up at Sapa town for our ride to Lao Cai. Dinner on your own well before the train leaves for Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at about 5:00 am. Please find your own way back to your hotel.

Note: The music show in CatCat is closed on Wed afternoon, an alternative will be arranged.

Inclusion: Breakfast, transfer, guide, entrance fee, music show ticket, train ticket.,

Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long, welcome on the boat

Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning at around 5:00 am. Please find your way by foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast.

Depart, 8:00 – 8: 30 am on a shared van from your hotel to Halong city. After 3.5 hours driving and viewing simple, country side, rice paddy life, we arrive at the at port. At 12.00, the junk crews welcome guests on board at Hon Gai Wharf. Check- in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing. Lunch with fresh local seafood while cruising to Bai Tu Long bay via Indochina film studio, Teapot islet, Blockhouse islet, Goat Head islet. Stop for swimming, visit mysterious Thien Canh cave. Relax at a wild beach, swim & kayak to explore the bay. Back to junk to enjoy relaxing or the sunset. Dinner and overnight on board nearby Vong Vieng village or Trinh Nu cave.

Inclusion: Shower, transfer, guide, entrances fees, kayak, boat/junk, all meals,  permit, fishing gears.,

Day 4: Explore the tranquil scenery in Bai Tu Long bay, back to Hanoi.

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape.  From 7.30 to 8:00 am have breakfast in the fresh air then visit Vong Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat. Meet the locals, visit floating school & fish farms. More time to swim in the middle of the bay. From 10: 15, we serve on a La-Carte-Menu, you can order any dishes in the menu whenever you want for breakfast and lunch. Continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. 11: 45 check out cabin while cruising back. By noon at 12:00, we will be ashore then hit the road back to Hanoi at around 4:00 pm. Tour ends at your hotel in Hanoi.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide on boat, entrance  fee, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch. ,
2 persons: US$ 400/ per person
4 persons: US$ 360/ per person

S.S:US$ 127

Exclusion:

insurance, drinks & personal expense, tips, others not mentioned in details
What To Bring Items:

Passport, change of clothes, sun-glasses & hat, toiletries, sun-block, insect repellent, flashlights, good shoes, personal first aid kit & medicines, small VND notes for buying drinks. If you feel the need then sleeping bags, cable lock for your bags is recommended.
Notes:

- Sleeper Train to Sapa: Please click here for more information.

- Homestay condition: Very basic, please visit our website for FAQs on http://www.Footprint.vn

- Meals: Vietnam food

- Halong Bay tour: We share mini – van, deluxe Red Dragon or Lagoon Explore Junk with maximum 10 people and twin shared cabin aboard.

- Car / Van Quality: Using new AC car or van depending on your group size

- Tour guide: English speaking guides (on site).

- The trek time is just approximate and depending on speed and weather.

- Please be aware that flight times, trains, hotels and other services are subject to availability. Where flights/trains are cancelled or delayed Footprint will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements of similar value,

- Hotels, flights, train’s details will be updated at time of booking confirmed (your fax of confirmation)

- Check – in: 14:00; out: 12:00 noon. Early check in if it is subject to availability.

- This itinerary and supplementary information has been complied in good faith and was accurate at time of writing.

A soft eco – friendly adventure tour, ride through the historical Long Bien Bridge and typical Vietnamese villages in the outskirts of Hanoi. No noise of vehicle, just bike in about approx. 40km. An escape to the countryside of Hanoi that shouldn’t be missed once visiting this city.

Day 1: Our day trip

Start at 8.00 am from your hotel by a short taxi ride (or to walk) to get our bike. Cycle from the historical Long Bien bridge, join in a bit of the local traffic here in the morning, but it’s totally safe. Cross the Red river then ride though different traditional villages where you can see the life of the locals, it’s a total freedom on your bike so that you can stop to talk to the local at any time, visit the local market, traditional pagodas, temples ….

More riding after a short ferry ride, onto the country road, along the immense paddy field, where our guide will brief you about the wet rice and Vietnamese agriculture.

Lunch will be served at one of the local houses we stop en route. Share with them some of your stories and they will do the same. Maybe a short rest after lunch then we keep riding to more villages. Ride up to the dyke looking over the Red river, where you can see the town inner the river call Hanoi.

Ride back through the Long Bien Bridge into the town, our tour ends at your hotel or at a Bia Hoi store.

Inclusion:

English speaking guide, professional bikes & helmet, entrance fees, ferry, lunch, water, transferred (if any),
2 persons :US$ 55/ per person
4 persons :US$ 40/ per person

Exclusion:

Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
What To Bring Items:

sun-glasses & hat, sun-block
Notes:

- Proper wear is needed to visit the pagoda, it might be hot to wear long pan and long sleeved shirt but your shorts shouldn’t be too short and t-shirt is our suggestion.

- Communication: Very easy to stick with big welcome from local people when you visit local home or travel in small towns/villages. Bring your big smile and maybe some postcards from home to give when telling your stories.

- This tour itinerary and tour prices are subject to change without notice. Please refer to our terms and condition before booking.

- Please travel responsibly: The small things you do will make a big difference!

Cycling is a great way to see the countryside and life of the locals. Visiting the Mekong with a bike and this gives you a great chance to explore the hidden parts of the countryside, people and their culture.

 Day 1: SaiGon – CaiBe – VinhLong – Can Tho

8.00 am departure for Cai Be (2.5 hrs), on arrival, we board on boat for visiting the floating market and cruise over the mighty mekong river (~ 1.5km wide) to Dong Phu island. We start cycling one hour under the green canopy; explore the orchards and daily life of farmers. Lunch break on island & more cruise to Vinh Long. In the afternoon we have 2 hours riding on immense rice fields, cycling through numerous rural riverside villages before our bus picks us up to Can Tho city. Evening free time for a promenade along city quay. Stay overnight in Can Tho.

Inclusion: transfer, guide, hotel, entrances fee, lunch, bicycle, seasonal fruits

Day 2: Can Tho – SaiGon

Morning boat trip to the most chaos Cai Rang Floating Market and up a quiet canal for more cruise on winding arroyos. Then bike backcountry roads 2 hrs to enjoy the beautiful Delta scenery and meet the locals (many on bicycle too). After lunch, we head back to Saigon.

Inclusion: transfer, hotel, entrances fee, breakfast, lunch, local boat,
2 persons: $US 224 /person
4 persons: $US 155 /person
S.S: $US 23.00

Exclusion:

Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
What To Bring Items:

passport, sun-glasses & hat, toiletries, sun-block, insect repel,camera

Notes:

- We use standard 2 star++ hotel, twin shared room. Upgrade is available on request.

- Optional for country side homestay plus dinner on day 1 instead of hotel is available with the following additional cost:

2 persons: $US 17 /person
4 persons: $US 8/person

- Meals: Vietnam food.

- Guide: English speaking guide.

- This tour itinerary and tour prices are subject to change without prior notice, please refer to our terms and condition before booking.

Please travel responsibly: The small things you do will make a big difference!

- Time to travel: Good to travel year – round but best from September to April.

Eco Adventure Vietnam is an ideal package for travelers, who are active, adventure lover and wish to experience the diversity and majestic beauty of Vietnam.

This amazing eco-friendly adventure 15 days package tour to explore the enchanting Vietnam with a colorful mix of culture, history and nature. Further more, it also comprises of soft adventure activities for all from the first-time to the experienced travelers.

Day 1: Good morning Hanoi

Chao Ban! Welcome to Hanoi, we will meet and take you to your hotel, check-in and today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, have your first impressions of Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi.
Inclusion:
transfer,hotel,

Day 2: Hanoi city tour – Vietnam cyclo, night train to Lao Cai.

Depart at 8:00 am from your hotel by van. We will begin our day by visiting Uncle Ho, learning about his great life at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and his residential place. Next stop is the nearby Temple of Literature. The site of Vietnam’s first University, built in twelfth century, to teach Confucius’s theory to royals. Here we will also have a chance to see a traditional music performance. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant for a taste of authentic Hanoi Pho (noodle soup). In the afternoon, choose one from the numerous museums or temples around Hanoi (Museum of Ethnology, Women’s Museum, History Museum or Quan Thanh Temple). In the late afternoon we take a cyclo through Hoan Kiem lake and Hanoi’s fascinating Old Quarter for some great fun, shopping, and street side traditional food. This is your chance to be part of typical Hanoian style and its traditional Vietnamese culture. We finish our relaxing but informative day by attending a Water Puppet Show, a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam. We can help you to get back to your hotel if you wish, but often our guests would rather just spend the evening enjoying a drink with a view of the city. Dinner on your own.

8:30 pm: Transfer from a prearranged meeting spot to the station for your night train to Sapa boarding at around 9: 50 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabins to travel North to Lao Cai town.
(Our tour guide will show you a mini hotel which you will have a shower and basic breakfast before going on Halong bay).

Inclusion:

Transfer, guide, entrance fee, lunch, puppet show ticket,Vietnam  cyclo (pedicab), train ticket.,

Day 3: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Sapa, trek to Ta Phin (~ 14km)

Today’s morning: The train arrives at about 6:30 am; look for the “Footprint Travel” sign when you exit the train station, as our guide will pick you up. Then take a morning drive through the clouds by car / van to Sapa (~ 1.5 hours). When you arrive in Sapa you will be taken to a local restaurant for a morning shower & breakfast. We will then take short ride from Sapa to our trekking base where we start our trek up and down hills (~ 5- 6 hrs) through terraced rice fields, bamboo ranges and many minority villages. Lunch break before we keep hitting the road to Ta Phin village. Our Dao host family will welcome you to their traditional home where we will share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night.
Inclusion:
Transfer, guide, train ticket, entrance fee, all meals, permit, homestay. ,

Day 4: More in Ta Phin and back to Sapa

At the first gleam of daylight, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join your host family in some of their activities like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we could take a short morning wander around the village or resulting in more time spent with the host family.
You will be then supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes). When we arrive back in Sapa, check in to the hotel, shower, and pause for lunch on your own. At 2:30 pm we will take an easy walk (~ 5km) to Cat Cat village, homeland of Black H’mong hill tribe and to take part in a traditional ethnic music performance put on by the ethnic minority people. Your own dinner and evening, sleep in the hotel in Sapa.
Note: The music show in Cat Cat is closed on Wed afternoon, an alternative will be arranged.
Inclusion:
Breakfast, transfer, guide, entrance fee, music show ticket, hotel.,

Day 5: Bac Ha market then Lao Cai for night train to Hanoi

Sunday is the common trading day of many tribes in the Northwest of Vietnam, Bac Ha is one of them. The market is filled with colors of different ethnic minorities coming from different villages and their trading activities are so vibrant, lasting from early morning till midday, from the hand-made fabrics to the dogs and buffalos.

We will leave Sapa early by 7:00 am so that we can be there on time, please pay respect to the locals here and ask permission before you taking photo of anyone.

Lunch in Bac Ha on your own account then we will do a boat trip along the Chay river, this boat ride is about 1,5 hour. We will then be picked up for our ride to Lao Cai. Dinner on your own well before the train leaves for Hanoi.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, breakfast, entrance fee, local boat, train ticket.,

Day 6: Hanoi – Ha Long, welcome on the boat

Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning at round 5:00 am. Please find your way by foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast.

Depart, 8:00 – 8: 30 am on a shared van from your hotel to Halong city. After 3.5 hours driving and viewing simple, country side, rice paddy life, we arrive at the at port. At 12.00, the junk crews welcome guests on board at Hon Gai wharf. Check- in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing. Lunch with fresh local seafood while cruising to Bai Tu Long bay via Indochina film studio, Teapot islet, Blockhouse islet, Goat Head islet. Stop for swimming, visit mysterious Thien Canh cave. Relax at a wild beach, swim & kayak (~ 45 mins) to explore the bay. Back to junk to enjoy relaxing or the sunset. Dinner and overnight on board nearby Vong Vieng village or Trinh Nu cave.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrances fees, kayak, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch, dinner, permit, fishing gears.,

Day 7: Explore the tranquility in Bai Tu Long bay, night train to Hue

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape.  From 7.30 to 8:00 am have breakfast in the fresh air then visit Vong Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat. Meet the locals, visit floating school & fish farms. More time to swim in the middle of the bay. From 10: 15, we serve on a La-Carte-Menu, you can order any dishes in the menu whenever you want for breakfast and lunch. Continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. 11: 45 check out cabin while cruising back. By noon at 12:00, we will be ashore then hit the road back to Hanoi at around 4: 00 pm.

6:00 pm, we pick up from our office or your hotel for night train to Hue. Boarding at 7: 00 pm. You will be in shared AC soft sleeper cabin (s).

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch, train ticket.,

Day 8: Arrival Hue, city tour of Vietnam last feudal dynasty, boat trip

Arrival Hue at around 10:00 am. Station pick up then transfer to hotel to take a short rest, have late breakfast.
In the afternoon, we will visit the former Imperial Citadel. After that we walk/transfer to the boat dock for our cruising on the Perfume River, viewing the city and the tranquil villages on the riverbank. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a nicely located pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River and the beautiful scenery beyond, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam. Visit Dong Ba market if time permits. Transfer back to your hotel. Check in hotel. Free time to relax, shower and stay overnight at your hotel.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, local boat, hotel.,

Day 9: Hue, easy cycling – transfer to Aluoi, hill tribe homestay

Breakfast at your hotel then we pick you up for cycling to visit Vong Canh hill. Stop to visit Giao Heaven to learn more of Hue culture in worship. Arrive Vong Canh hill – here is the best view for you to have pictures of Perfume River and Pine Trees. Cycling back and continue visiting incense–making village and hat–making village.  Going on to visit Electricity With Roots ( Dien Voi Re) where was to make the elephant more victories in battle during the undaunted build industrial base of Nguyen Dynasty as well as nice lake before the temple and more visiting Tiger Right (Ho Quyen). Under the Nguyen Dynasty, this is the arena of e-war between elephants and tigers to the festival sacrifices and service of recreational needs for the Kings, officials and residents. Here is the chance for you both explore hidden charm of Hue countryside as well as learn more of Nguyen Dynasty history sites.On the road back hotel you can see more the hidden sites of Hue city. Lunch on your own account.

In the afternoon, leave Hue city to A Luoi far (~ 60km from Hue city on 49 National Highway). Along the way you can see the life and daily activities of hill tribes such as Katu, Ta Oi. On arrival A luoi Town, you will visit Ashau village – one of the villages in A Luoi where took place the violent battlefield during Vietnam – America war in 19th century. It is also the place received the dioxin poison which is the biggest one of Vietnam in the war from America Army which its result affect local people until now. Next driver transfers you to A Roang village along Ho Chi Minh trail for more enjoyment of beauties of forest. On arrival A Roang you will spend time for relaxing and enjoying at A Roang Hot Spring. Check in at Aka Chi village to homestay. You can meet minority people to know more of weaving textile… of Ta oi people. Have dinner at stilt-house and enjoy traditional music show is performed by Ta Oi minority people to learn of cultural and daily activities of this ethnic people. Overnight in stilt-house.

Inclusion:  Transfer, guide, Mt. bike, entrance fee, all meals, traditional music show, permit, homestay ,

Day 10: A luoi to Hoi An

Wake up early morning to enjoy the fresh air in the mountainous. Breakfast will be served at our homestay, check out then we take an easy walk inside Aroang jungle (~ 3 hrs) and learn more about the rich fauna & flora system here. After that we transfer to Hien for lunch at a local restaurant then onto Hoi An, overnight here. This is also a very good chance for you to get get nice tailor-made clothes at a reasonable price.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, hotel. ,

Day 11: Hoi An – walking tour. Visit Tra Que vegetable village

The center of Vietnam is home to many of World Heritage Sites and Hoian is one of them. Here in this ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Danang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River.
Free time in the morning to relax then in the afternoon, we pick you up at your hotel for walking tour around the town to visit the old charming Hoi An. We will visit the old Tan Ky House, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and the stylish Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. After that you will make a bicycle trip to countryside of Hoi An for more enjoyment at Tra Que vegetables village – a famous one in Hoi An. Walk around for visiting and knowing more of the way local people plant variety of vegetables. Back to hotel before dark. Free time to relax, take shower after full day tour. Overnight at your hotel.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, hotel.,

Day 12: Hoi An – Danang, fly to Saigon, Cuchi tunnels and city tour

Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport in Danang for early morning flight to Saigon. Airport pick up upon arrival them transfer down to visit Cu Chi outdoor museum to learn about the infamous tunnel systems of the Viet Cong. Take this opportunity to get a unique understanding of the guerillas underground fight strategies during the war and crawl through 50 – 100 meters of the 200 km tunnel system. On the way back to Saigon, local rice paper workshops, and views of Vietnam countryside and paddy fields are pleasant sights. Arrival in Saigon, continue our trip to visit the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office, we will drop you off at your hotel around 5:30 pm. Dinner on your own and stay overnight at your hotel.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, domestic flight ticket, hotel.,
Day 13: Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho (easy cycling & homestay)

8.00 am departure for Cai Be (2.5 hrs), on arrival, we board on boat for visiting the floating market and cruise over the mighty mekong river (~ 1.5km wide) to Dong Phu island. We start cycling one hour under the green canopy; explore the orchards and daily life of farmers. Lunch break on island & more cruise to Vinh Long.
In the afternoon we have 2 hours riding on immense rice fields, cycling through numerous rural riverside villages before reaching to our homestay. The host family welcomes us, take rest or just relax under the shade of tree garden, experience the life of local farmer here. Dinner will be served with local special dishes. Stay overnight here.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, Mt. bike or Hybrid bike, entrance fee, local boat, seasonal fruits, all meals, homestay,

Day 14: Can Tho – Saigon

The sounds of morning village life might be waked you up in the early morning. You can join your host family in some of their activities like cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast. We take morning boat trip to the most chaos Cai Rang Floating Market and up a quiet canal for more cruise on winding arroyos. Then bike backcountry roads 2 hrs to enjoy the beautiful Delta scenery and meet the locals (many on bicycle too).
After lunch in a local restaurant in Can Tho town, we head back to Saigon.
Inclusion: Transfer, guide, Mt. bike or Hybrid bike,  entrance fee, local boat, breakfast and lunch.,

Day 15: Departure Saigon, Goodbye Vietnam

Breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have sometime for some more shopping. Then we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Goodbye and hope to see you again soon!

Inclusion: transfer,guide, breakfast,
US$ 1039.00/person (maximum 8 persons traveling)

S.S*: US$ 343.00

Why this Soft Eco-Adventure with Footprint?

• See the highlights of Vietnam but off the beaten track,
•  An active way to travel, not just sit on the bus and watch,
•  Travel on bike, train, kayak, boat, rowboat,
•  Small group only, max 8 persons.
•  Weekly, guaranteed departure by 4 persons,
•  Use locally owned services
•  Free of charge cancellation 10 days before departure.
•  Quality assured or money back.

Exclusion:

• Visa, insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
  What To Bring Items:
• Passport, change of clothes, sun-glasses & hat, toiletries, sun-block, insect repellent, flashlights, good shoes, personal first aid kit & medicines, small VND notes for buying drinks. If you feel the need then sleeping bags, cable lock for your bags is recommended.
  Notes:
•  Hotel:  We use 3 star standard hotel (s), twin shared room (s). Upgrade is available on request.  Check – in: 14:00; out: 12:00 noon. Early check in if it is subject to availability.
•  Sites Closed: Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed on Monday and the whole September and November for the maintenance. Others might be closed too, please check this with our travel consultant. No short or informal wear is allowed in the Mausoleum.
•  Sleeper Train to Sapa/Hue: Please click here for more information.
•  Meals: Vietnam food
•  Halong Bay tour: We share mini – van, deluxe Red Dragon or Lagoon Explore Junk with maximum 10 people and twin shared cabin aboard.
•  Car / Van Quality: Using new AC car or van depending on your group size
•  Tour guide: English speaking guides (on site).

Day 1: Our day trip

Getting started at 08:30 from your hotel, Rockin’ hardcore trek through pine forest, over LangBiang River via suspension bridges to the remote Chil Village. Picturesque views of farmland and forest throughout. This is a demanding physical trek. Be prepared for six hours of fast-paced action. We’ll then drop you off at your hotel around 5.30 pm.

Inclusion:

Transfer, guide, lunch, entrance fee, , first aid kid.
1 persons: $US 41/person
2-10 (join group): $US 24 /person

Exclusion:

 Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
What To Bring Items:

Sun block, sunglasses & hat, insect repellent, good trekking shoes, camera.
Notes:

• Guide:  English speaking guide
• Meals: Vietnam food.
•  Best time to do: All year – round, best from September to April of next year
•  With other tour options: Moutain biking – Skid Marks, Trekking-Dalat-2day(Jungle-Fever), Cayoning-Dalat-1day, or your tailor made tours, please contact us.
•  This tour itinerary and tour prices are subject to change without notice, please refer to our terms and condition before booking
•  Please travel responsibly: The small things you do will make a big difference!

Here’s a few examples:  

Visiting a crocodile farm on the Mekong Delta
Scrambling through the Cu Chi tunnels
Riding an elephant across Lak Lake
Making lanterns in Hoi An
Learning to cook Vietnamese food in Hue
Paddling a ‘basket’ sampan in Nha Trang
‘Rafting’ down a river in the Central Highlands
Visiting the langurs in the Cuc Phuong National Park
Riding a pony in Sa Pa
Catching fish in Ha Long Bay, and so on – almost ad infinitum

Baby food is reasonably easy to obtain, but disposable nappies and diapers are less common are comparatively expensive. Breast-feeding babies is OK, but not in obvious public areas.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is close to several other favoured tourism attractions, including Cuc Phuong National Park in the neighbouring province of Ninh Binh and Mai Chau tourist area in Hoa Binh. The close location combined with lush wildlife make Pu Luong an ideal destination.

Thai and Muong ethnic people in the hamlets surrounding Pu Luong lead lives steeped in tradition and customs, and they remain largely uninfluenced by modern means.

Their cultural observances are celebrated in every season of every year and the natural setting inspires musical performances particular to the area.

When travellers come to visit Pu Luong, they don’t expect high standard accommodation, but certainly can expect the famous hospitality of Thai and Muong people and homestays in ethnic village.

From the moment you arrive in Pu Luong, you are treated as a guest of honour, and a jar of local rice wine will be on hand to celebrate. A few drams of rice wine are sure to enhance the collective spirit, and are an important observance for local people.

Kho Muong Village nestles in a scenic valley, and greets its visitors with views of stilt houses. Drawn on the valley with brisk strokes, springs gush from the earth, and rice paddies puddle at the foot of mountains, shrouded in cloud.

A brisk walk leads to Hang Doi, the Bat Cave. Just one of many caves that riddle Pu Luong, Bat Cave is a roost for several of the 24 species of bats that live in the area.

Several thousand individuals roost here, filling its nooks and crannies, the bats giving a deliciously mysterious and eerie character. Pu Luong is a universe of experiences and sights, with the cool waterfalls of Hin Village, the spectacular views from Son Ba Muoi Village, and the water wheels of Cong and Co Lung villages.

Visiting a Thai village, you should sample the local delicacies and drink, as these aspects run deep in local culture. Com lam (sticky rice, steamed in a bamboo tube) has long been a staple in the area, and makes for a satisfying meal.

Simply put the rice into a hollow bamboo or reed tube heat over a fire. Rotate the tube to cook evenly, and the rice will soon be ready to eat. Simply crack the tube open, and peel it like a banana. Proper, well-mannered and dextrous, Thai girls know how to prepare a delicious meal in a flash.

Every evening the Thai people will welcome you to join their party. The local wild tree symbolises a longing for spring. So when the tree begins to bud and fruit fills the garden, it’s time to celebrate the abundance of food once again. The flower folk dance is particular to the Thai of Pu Luong. They dance to thank heaven and earth for the seasonal return of their prosperity.

Hard to refuse

When invited to dance, it is hard to refuse the offer to jump into the traditional bamboo pole dance. There as you make friends, and learn the dance, you may get more than your ankles caught. Long-lasting memories are forged for guests, as they are welcomed into the fold with open arms.

Local villages lie hidden in the clouds, where people live simply, unaffected but excited and fond of meeting strangers. These rustic folk are enthusiastic and genuinely wish to please their guests. They are happy to receive you and hope you will come again.

There are a bevy of interesting things to see in Pu Luong, and its future tourism potential is easy to see.

Promotion of tourism and raising living standards in the community are synonymous with increased efforts to protect the forest. In order to continue attracting visitors, the forest itself must be as protected as a priceless resource.

In 1999, the Government set aside Pu Luong as a nature reserve, thereby preserving and protecting the lush forests and traditional way of life in the area.

Experts discovered that this unique limestone area is one of the last resorts for some very rare animals like the dotted leopard, muntjac, Asian black bear and serow. The area is also famous for its butterflies and orchids.

Pu Luong was picked for preservation as it lays claim to a rich ecosystem, in which a multitude of plant and animal species thrive among limestone mountains. More than 1,000 plant species thrive in Pu Luong, in a lush floral cascade, and providing refuge for 39 endangered plant species.

The best time for a visit is between October and November or between February and March when the paddy fields ripen. — VNS

Located in Tay Son District, around 50km east from Quy Nhon city, Ham Ho is situated at the confluence of two tributaries of the Con River. The junction has created a unique landscape for the whole area of Ham Ho, which spreads across a 150,000sq.km area. Greenery, rocks and water together in harmony, create an impressive natural landscape. Pure streams reflecting the green trees look like smooth bands of silk, curving round the rocks.

The name “Forest of Stone” originates from the vast quantities of rocks at the site. Not only is it surrounded by giant limestone cliffs, there are uncountable stones in the streams, which have different names due to their shapes such as Hon Vo Ruou (The Wine Jar Stone), Hon Ban Co (The Chessboard Stone) and Hon Dau Chan (The Footprint Stone).

Although there is a path leading to the site, most tourists prefer to get there by water. With a cost of VND30,000 per person, the visitors can take a boat gently down a small stream under the thick shadow of trees, which one tourist dubbed a “green tunnel”.

“I felt like I was visiting a tunnel of dreams created by the thick leaf canopies with the sound of water murmuring through rocks, birds singing and wind playing with the trees,” Hai Thach, a forty-something visitor said.

Floating on the water brought a different feeling to Thu Ha, a visitor from Da Nang. “Although the boat is not a traditional Venetian gondola, I felt like I was in Venice,” she said.

A bright, awe-inspiring scene of giant cliffs and curving streams appears as the visitors exit the “green tunnel”.

From here, the visitors can disembark and start their journey of discovery in the wild beauty of Ham Ho. By wading through the stream and climbing over many huge rocks to reach the river’s source, the visitors will have the chance to witness the untouched natural beauty of the Hai and Ba waterfalls, the Misty Summit and the Sac and Ba chasms.

“I felt dizzy. The stream filled with rocks of different shapes and s, captured the imagination of everyone. Some stones looked like a herd of elephants, some looked like galloping horses, while some others looked like huge crocodiles,” Thach commented.

The unique terrain in Ham Ho has also created several ponds that make ideal natural swimming pools. However, the tourists favourite is a pond called Vung Trau Nam (Buffalo’s Pond), where “the stream bed is not too deep, the shore slope gentle and the water cool and clear”, teenager Minh Thien said.

Palm-leaf-roofed stilt houses are scattered alongside the stream, offering the tourists a place to rest and eat. Located on the cliffs, some stilt houses are ideal places to witness the landscape from above. Otherwise the visitors can choose any bed-d rock to take a rest.

“The stone bed is quite hard, but it is quite cool. We don’t ask for anything other than that on such a hot summers day,” a young tourist said.

The Ham Ho site also offers trekking tours for those who are interested in discovering the jungle. Tourists can select a one-day or an overnight tour.

Hai Khoa, a student at Quy Nhon University, said he experienced a night in the jungle last year with a group of his classmates.

Khoa and his friends have visited the site several times because “the terrain of Ham Ho suits young tourists who are eager to discover and strong enough to climb the cliffs”.

The temperature in Ham Ho is lower than other neighbouring areas, another reason why a huge number of tourists flock to the site during the summer. However, the locals suggest that Ham Ho is at its best in the spring, when the jungle is full of new life and the climate is fit for walking and picnics.

In the flooding season, visitors can witness schools of fish swimming upstream to lay their eggs. The fish sometimes leap into the air as they battle the current. That’s why there is a waterfall in Ham Ho called Thac Ca Bay, which means flying fish.

According to Nguyen Kien Trung, a tourist guide of the Quy Nhon-based Central Tourism Company, the Ham Ho tourist site welcomes thousands of visitors during the holidays. “However, foreign tourists make up a very small percentage,” he said, without giving an exact figure.

When visiting Ham Ho, visitors should not ignore the local specialities, such as crispy fried stream fish served with wild vegetable and rice pancake, roasted sugarcane bird (a kind of bird only lives in the sugarcane farms around the site) and snails. Such tasty delicacies can be found at the Hoa Loc Vung restaurant at the site.

Trung has revealed that the local authority is planning to build a cable car system at Ham Ho, in an attempt to attract more tourists. “The cable car will offer visitors the chance to contemplate the imposing landscape of the area from above,” Trung said. -  VNS