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Vietnam Family Holidays 2013: Travel Hanoi Lao Cai Sapa Ho Chi Minh city Mekong Delta Phan Thiet (12 days)

The 13-day tour is specially customized for family travel, small group holidays touring Vietnam. There are boath active adventure outdoor activities and beach breaks offering a bid difference. Start the tour taking the overnight train from Hanoi to Laocai. Travel uphill to Sapa where you enjoy the overnight hike through terraced paddy fields, local hilltribe villages. Arriving back in Hanoi, you continue the trip with the two-day tour to Halong bay. Enjoy boat cruise with optional watersport such as sea canoeing, snorkeling, scuba diving. The trip continues with a cycling adventure to the Mekong delta. The biking trail is easy as you cycle on flat roads. The final part is a beach vacations to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet. You can chose other beach place or extend this leisure package.

Itinerary:

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Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai by train. In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for overnight train to Laocai. Train???. Departure at??? (To be advised). Overnight on board train. Day 2: Arrive Laocai. Visit local hill tribe market. Travel to Sapa. Arrive Laocai Railway Station early this morning. You will be greeted by Lotussia local team and transferred to a local restaurant in town for breakfast. Travel to Muong Khuong district enjoying beautiful scenery along the road. Upon arriving in Muong Khuong, we will take another road which goes up in mountains. Pine trees forests and villages surround the tinny market. Flower Hmong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric. After exploring the market, we will have a short walk to a Black Dao village. Then head back to Muong Khuong where your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant. After lunch, travel to Sapa where you will spend the night. Day 3: Trekking Sapa villages. Travel to Sin Chai village. This is a beautiful village, located right at the foot of Hoang Lien mountain range and inhabited by the Black Hmong minority. There we start our trekking journey uphill. Once we reach to the top, you will take a small trail descending to Catcat village. Your lunch will be provided near a waterfall. In the afternoon, we will take another trail sneaking through mountain. The scenery is also spectacular. Take a short break upon arriving Y Linh Ho village before climbing up to the main road where our vehicle will be waiting for us for the journey back to Sapa. Day 4: Continue trekking. Travel to Laocai. Overnight train back to Hanoi. The morning will be free at leisure. In the afternoon, start a short walk downhill through beautiful orchids gardens and pine forests. You will then reach a small village of Suoi Ho is inhabited by Hmong ethnic minority. Their house normally built of land has no windows because of the cold in the winter. You will then continue your walk through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery to Ma tra. It is possible to stop by a primary school for a quick visit. Then get on our vehicle again and travel to Laocai for overnight train back to Hanoi. Overnight on board train. Notes: two-hour day use will be provided in a mini standard hotel before the train trip.

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Day 5: Arrive Hanoi. Travel to Halong bay. Cruise, kayaking. Arrive in Hanoi early this morning. You will be greeted by Lotussia Travel team again and transferred to a local restaurant in town for early breakfast and quick shower. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay or have one-hour kayaking trip through strange shaped rock formations. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk. Day 6: Halong bay – Hanoi. Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. Disembark at the dock at Halong City at 11:00 and travel back to Hanoi. Enjoy one-hour massage package in one of most finest spa salon in town - A full body massage both invigorating and relaxing. This massage helps to reduce tension, soothe sore muscles and increase circulation. Overnight in Ha Noi. Day 7: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon). City tour. Transfer to Noibai airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city, still called “Saigon”. Flight ??? Departure at??? (To be advised). Welcome at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh city by Lotussia Travel local team and then escorted to your hotel in town. In the afternoon, start the half day city tour tour with Ho Chi Minh City major highlights such as the Post Office, cathedral, Reunification palace, centre town, then continue towards Cholon, visit Thien Hau temple and Binh Tay market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. Day 8: Biking the Mekong Delta (Ho Chi Minh city - Can Tho). Transfer (approx 2 hrs) to My Tho to avoid the teeming traffic. My Tho is the gateway to the Mekong Delta and a wonderful place to start our ride. In My Tho, unload the bikes and start to pedal on the beautiful and quiet country

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lanes along the Tien River to Cai Be. Along the way, pass through the heart of rural Mekong along narrow lanes, passing banana plantations, sugarcane fields and the lush rural landscape of the Delta. After Cai Be, cross on Dinh Khao ferry to Cho Lach. After the ferry, cycle for a couple of kilometres and then shuttle the rest way to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho. Day 9: Continue cycling. Travel back to Ho Chi Minh city. After enjoying an early morning breakfast visit the Cai Rang floating market, weave through teeming early morning market bustle along the banks of an active riverfront. Ride on a narrow paved road to Phong Dien floating market. Absorb the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading/unloading rice, tiny vibrant markets. Continue by bike on the narrow lane to explore the hidden backwaters of the Mekong Delta. Lunch in a local restaurant in town. In the afternoon return to Saigon. Day 10: Travel to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet. Travel to Phan Thiet (Muine). The scenic 200km drive north on Highway One passes through the bustling city of Bien Hoa before cutting through dense rubber plantations. Arrive in Muine and check into resort. Overnight in Muine. Day 11 & 12: Mui Ne beach resort. Full day free at leisure to enjoy the prime beach of Muine or just relax on the hotel/resort poolside. Optional golf course or beach activities can be arranged on the spot with hotel/resort. Please check with your hotel/resort staff for more information. Overnight in Muine. Day 13: Travel back to Ho Chi Minh city. Free at leisure until transfer back to Ho Chi Minh. Lotussia Travel is a Hanoi based tour operator offering a wide selection of multi-activity tours in all over Vietnam. The above multi-activity tour is only a sample we list on this site for your reference. That can be flexible, customizable and subject to weather conditions and other circumstances. We have lots of other itineraries which will be available upon request. If you need further information or have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to either mail to travel at lotussia.com or visit our following sites:

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