Description:
Vietnam is becoming popular for travelers world-wide. Famous for friendly people, good food, interesting culture…and it's also good for shopping. The strength of production in Vietnam is handicrafts such as silk, lacquer ware, bamboo production and many other kinds of goods. Our tour is designed for travelers who are interested in Vietnamese culture, people, and of course with a shopping passion as well. Only shopping? No, not at all. The highlights of the tour are that you actually see how people make the products, understand it and even get a try to make your own things sometimes. That would be fun, educational and totally relaxing. Please have a look at our itinerary to get more information. Tour starts from Hanoi and concludes in Saigon.

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Depart for Halong Bay in the morning. Our bus trip will take some stop-overs on the way for photography or refreshment. Boarding upon arrival. Lunch will be served on board with a welcome drink. Cruise around the bay with famous sites such as Fighting Cock Islet, Stone Dog or Joss - stick Bowl Islet….Visit Thien Cung cave. Walk around to visit beautiful stalactites and stalagmites which have been formed millions of years ago. Back to the Junk boat and continue cruising to view the fabulous scenery of Halong Bay. After a 4 hour boat trip we will take a coach trip back to Hanoi. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi. ( B, L, D )

Day 3: Hanoi – Chuong Village ( Conical hat maker - traditional village)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Chuong village which is one of the most interesting historical handicaft village in Ha Tay province. Its time for our guide explain to you the importance of this simple hat, why so many woman still prefer wearing it today. You also understand its processes from the very first preparation to the last step to make it.
Afternoon back to Hanoi for lunch. Walking tour in the old quarter of Hanoi to see 36 Streets, each named by the manufacturing and selling that has been done in each since ancient times. Rest of the day is your own. Overnight in Hanoi. ( B, L, D )

Day 4: Hanoi – Mai Chau ( Weaving in Tho Cam – specialty clothes of Tai People. )
Depart for Maichau after breakfast at the hotel. Three and half hours takes you to the mountainous area. Crossing through rice fields & villages where you will have a couple of stops to visit with the local people or photography. Arrive in Maichau valley & receive a welcoming tea ceremony. The owner of the house will guide you through his special place, his culture and their style of life. After lunch we have a short walk through a couple of surounding  villages before sitting back for a short lesson about the Tai textile. You will learn lots. Some thing can have more than one funtion; the design of the clothes contain heaps of stories and there is meaning behind it. Everyone can have a try on the loom to help the local people with their weaving. Dinner and overnight in a local homestay in Lac village. ( B, L, D )

Day 5: Maichau – Hanoi – Hue ( Embroidery Story )
Farewell your local family and head back to Hanoi. Take a day room in Hanoi before having free time. We recommend that you buy some snacks for the overnight train tonight. Dinner and boarding on the Reunification Express train to thecentral city of Hue. Overnight on the train. ( B, L )

Day 6: Hue – Embroidery lesson
Arrive in Hue in the morning. Transfer to your hotel. Breakfast at your hotel then head out for a brief city tour. First stop is Thien Mu pagoda, very representative of the Hue religion. Afterward, visit an incense making village and try to make some for yourselves. After lunch, we depart for XQ embroidery workshop to help you understand the history of this special production. Sit back for a short demonstration of the general skills necessary for embroidery. Make your own products before heading back to the hotel for rest. Dinner and overnight in Hue. ( L, D )

Day 7: Hue – Hoian – Cooking class
Morning drive to Hue. Stop over on the Hai Van cloudy pass, Lang Co beach, Marble Mountain and the famous China Beach before getting into the ancient town of Hoian, a World Heritage site. Check into your hotel. Push bike to the old quarter where we have a light lunch ( we are saving for a big dinner! ). We take a one hour heritage walking tour with our tour guide to visit the main sites of Hoian town such as a pagoda, some old houses, the Japanese covered bridge…
Meet your professional cook and shop for ingredients in the busy Hoian market. Our food shopping tour is for your cooking class this afternoon. Back to the restaurant by boat ( on Thu Bon river ) and dock at our restaurant on the riverside and the cooking demonstration begins. Our cook will briefly introduce to you some hightlights of Vietnamese food first before he actually shows you how to make it. And of course, you receive recipes for your home cooking later. Dinner and overnight in Hoian. ( B, L, D )

Day 8 : Hoian – My Son Holyland World Heritage - Lantern making
Early departure for My Son ( It's normally very hot in My Son so an early departure is always recommended ). Enjoy your morning drive through the Hoian countryside. Visit My Son and back to Hoian for lunch. In the afternoon you will be accompanied by our guide to a family in Hoian's old quarter where you actually join with family members to make the lanterns which are one of the most famous symbols of Hoian. The lantern expert will explain about the history of her family & her job while showing you some techniques so you will be enable to make your own one easily. The rest of the day is free time for shopping in Hoian. ( B, L, D )

Day 9 : Hoian – Relaxation
Enjoy a free day in Hoian for shopping and relaxing. ( B )

Day 10 : Hoian – Danang – Saigon
Free morning until check out time and depart for Danang airport where we take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city ( Saigon ). Upon arrival, receive a free transfer to your central hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure. Dinner and overnight in Saigon. ( B, D )

Day 11: Saigon – Cuchi – Lacquer workshop
Visit the Cu Chi fighting tunnel complex in the morning. Visit the underground system while learning stories of the war from our local experienced guide. Get inside the tunnels where VC villagers used to live and fight during wartime.  If you are that way inclined, you can purchase ammunition for various weapons up to a 30-calibre machine gun and fire them safely at the rifle range! Back to Saigon in the afternoon for lunch before transfer to Nam Son Lacquer workshop where you will see the manufacture of this Saigon handmade specialty; the lacquer is best in the south. Dinner and overnight in Saigon ( B, L, D )

Day 12: Saigon - Mekong Delta Homestay – Handicraft villages
After breakfast we travel south west by coach to the Mekong Delta area for a home-stay at Vinh Long. We transfer from the coach to boat, as the best way to get around and see life on the Mekong is on the water. Visit handicraft villages such as coconut candy, mattress making village, brick makers….highlight of the tour will be the local homestay tonight. ( B,L,D )

Day 13 : Mekong Delta - Saigon
We come back to HCM City by coach via a lunch stop at Trung Luong Restaurant, a large and interesting collection of separate open buildings in which we can sample some of the best cuisine that Vietnam can offer while we watch the river traffic pass. After the return to the city we have left the afternoon free for shopping or the option of a visit to the War Museum. Dinner on Saigon River during an evening boat cruise. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L,D )

Day 14 : Saigon free day shopping
Today is a free day in Saigon to make your own exploration in this  central shopping paradise, maybe wandering along Dong Khoi street, Diamond Plaza, Ben Thanh market or finding cheaper goods in China Town or just simply relax at your hotel’s swimming pool after the last two busy weeks. Tonight we have a farewell dinner with our tour guide at one of the finest restaurant in town. Overnight in Saigon. ( B, D )

Day 15: Saigon departure
Saddest day - to say goodbye to your tour guide and your companions and take your free transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport to catch your flight home or your next travel destination. ( B )

• Accomodation with twin share and daily breakfast
  
• Experienced tourist guide throughout
  
• Domestic flights ( Danang - Saigon )
• Comfortable soft sleeper express train from Hanoi - Hue 
  
• Meals as indicated ( B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner )
  
• Boat cruise in Halong Bay
  
• Entrance fees
  
• Cooking class arrangement
  
• Handicraft visit and arrangement.

Trip excludes :

• Airfare and airport taxes
  
• Meals not mentioned above
  
• Personal expenses
  
• Tips and gratuities

Trip Price: In USD per person based on 2 people min - Please contact us for the new price if your group is more than 2 people.

• Standard ( 3 star Hotels ) - $1394
• Superior ( 4 Star Hotels ) - $1708
• Deluxe ( 5 star Hotels ) - $1995

FAQs OF THIS TOUR