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  • Vietnam Local Markets Tour

    Duration: 15 days
    Start: Vietnam | Finish: Vietnam
  • If you are looking for a trip, combination of relaxing and touring with something really local, this extensive 15-day tour package is an ideal with an in-depth excursion to explore all the best famous tourist sites as well as being taken to both the most popular and most well-hidden local markets from Northern to Southern Vietnam.

    Taking part in this tour with our local tour guides, you will have chances not only to check-in many iconic beautiful tourist sites throughout Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Mekong Delta), but also having local touches by experiencing many local markets where you can acknowledge deeply the differences in life style and historical changes of each region in this S-Shaped land.

    Come and join with us for this local storytelling trip!

    Highlights:

    • Discover the exotic Hanoi capitaland Dong Xuan Market- immersed yourself amongst thousands of years of culture.
    • Experience Trời Market where you can find many kinds of second-hand products in the heart of Hanoi
    • Discover local life, traditions and customs of ethnic people and Bac Ha Market in the northwestern region
    • Take a cruise on Halong Bayto explore the breathtaking beauty of more than 2000 islands rising from the emerald waters of Halong Bay
    • Discover the Imperial Hue citywell-known for its temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas and Dong Ba Market which goes along with Hue History
    • Visit ancient houses and Hoi An Central Market to witness local life style of Central region
    • Discover the bustling and dynamic Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)with French colonial structures, pagodas
    • Explore China Town, date back since 1865 and Ben Thanh Market, built in 1914
    • Take a boat trip and enjoy the spectacular scenery of Mekong Delta and the largest floating market – Cai Rang
    • Charming hotels in fantastic locations
    • Comfortable spacious vehicle for transfers

    Itinerary in brief:

    Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (-/-/-)
    Day 2: Hanoi City tour – Trời Market - Overnight train to Lao Cai (B/-/-)
    Day 3: Bac Ha Sunday Market - Thai Giang Pho – Sapa (B/-/-)
    Day 4: Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B/-/-)
    Day 5: Ma Tra Village - Sharing Limousine Bus back Hanoi (B/-/-)
    Day 6: Hanoi – Drive to Halong (B/L/D)
    Day 7: Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (B/L/-)
    Day 8: Hue Imperial city - Dong Ba Market (B/-/-)
    Day 9: Hue – Drive to Danang - Hoi An (B/-/-)
    Day 10: Hoi An Ancient Town Tour – Hoi An Central Market (B/-/-)
    Day 11: Hoi An Cooking Class - Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)
    Day 12: Saigon City tour – China Town - Ben Thanh Market (B/-/-)
    Day 13: Saigon – Drive to Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)
    Day 14: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market – Saigon (B/-/-)
    Day 15: Saigon Departure (B/-/-)

    Notes:

    + We specialize in “tailor-made” tours for groups of two or more. We carefully inspect each step of your journey from the accommodation to the perfect guide to suit your needs
    + The itinerary is open to modification to fit your personal travel needs
    + Modifications to the itinerary may increase the price of the package
    + For the price of this trip, just ask for a quote by clicking on "TOUR PRICE"

    + If you are looking for a trip modified to your requirements, please send us your needs by filling out the form in Customize your trip” 
    + We will contact and send you a quote, excluding holiday period, within 48 hours of receiving your request .

  • Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (-/-/-)

    Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min drive

    Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet our driver who then escorts you to the city centre. After making sure of a successful hotel check-in, the rest of the day is free to relax or stroll around the streets.

    Meals Included: None
    Accommodation:
    Hotel in Hanoi

    Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Trời Market-Overnight train to Lao Cai (B/-/-)

    After breakfast at hotel, our tour guide will take you to visit Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius. Otherwise known as the first university of Vietnam, the site also honours the eighty- two Vietnamese doctorates that each passed a number of rigid exams in the medieval ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are each engraved in headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat.

    Then, we will head to Trời Market which has been since 20st century. This special flea market is where you can find much second-hand type of products like electronic components, accessary of type of transports …., at a good price. It can be said, this is a unique market in the center of Hanoi city where many local people live on it.

    We will have lunch (on your own arrangement) or you can decide to have a stop at coffee shop to chit or chat or just relax and enjoy the drinks.

    In the afternoon, it is another chance to witness local life style on a 45-min-cyclo tour to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Dong Xuan Market which is a biggest market in the Old Quarter, since the Nguyen Dynasty in 19th century. Originally built during the French administration in 1889, this colossal structure has seen its fair share of renovations after the fire of 1994. This market is mainly wholesales but you can still find some retail shops here. There are a lot of things travellers can purchase in this market which include: garments, such as the Non La (Vietnam’s famous conical shaped hat), leather shoes, kitchen accessories, handicrafts and souvenirs, and everything in between. For the foodie on the go, the Northern part of Dong Xuan has enough food stalls to satisfy that specific craving. Visitors can try their local cuisines such as the Hai Phong bread, Donner Kebap, and the occasional hot pot during the colder months of the year.

    After visiting, you will be back hotel to relax and enjoy dinner before picking again at around 9:30 pm, to Hanoi train station to get the overnight train to Lao Cai.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Sharing Soft Sleeping Cabin on Chapa Express Train (4 berths per cabin)

     

    Day 3: Lao Cai - Bac Ha Market on Sunday only -Thai Giang Pho-Sapa (B/-/-)

    Arrival Lao Cai Train Station at around 6:00a.m, our guide and driver will meet and transfer you to mini hotel to freshen up.

    After breakfast, we will head to Bac Ha town which is well-known by travelers with the most colorful market of the hill tribes in the North of Vietnam. This every-Sunday-market attended by at least 8 ethnic groups and last from 9:00 AM until 2:00 pm. It is also chance for tourists to discover the H’mong King’s palace (old building built by the French & Chinese). Bac Ha Market is divided into small and characteristic markets such as brocade market, food market, horse market, poultry market, food market, bird market, blacksmith market. Each market is rich in diversity and imbued with the local ethnic identity, especially Bac Ha Market is the best dating place for young men and women of ethnic minorities to meet after hard working week.

    In the afternoon, we go for a light trek to visit Thai Giang Pho, a very beautiful valley inhabited by the Tay in their stilt houses. Going on foot up and down along the side of 3 child and mother mountain with the height of over 1.400m, you can catch the full fill of Bac Ha town scenery in smog and ethnic minorities villages appear and disappear in the mountain and terraced fields around mountain in the sunlight. The hospitality ethnic people will make you comfortable. After visiting, we will be heading to Sapa for overnight.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

     

    Day 4: Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B/-/-)

    After breakfast at the hotel, we start our trek through the beautiful Muong Hoa valley in Sapa. Following the road of just around 2km, we reach Y Linh Ho village home to Black H'mong ethnic people. We continue our walk to Lao Chai village and enjoy beautiful views of terraced rice fields along the way. We then visit a Catholic church and explore local traditions and customs. In the afternoon, we reach the heart of the Sapa valley, the Ta Van village home of Dzay ethnic people.

    After visiting, we will go back hotel for relaxation.

     

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

     

    Day 5: Ma Tra Village - Sharing Limousine Bus back Hanoi (B/-/-)

    After breakfast, we visit Ma Tra Village. Located only about 5km to the south-east of Sapa town, Ma Tra Village was added recently into Sapa’s growing list of stunning destinations. The village is a new must-see for visitors when coming to the mountain town of Sapa and preferring a less commercial track. The Village is home to H’mong ethnic people and only boasts around 50 homes. They survive using their craft such as weaving brocade, silk, forging farming tools and carving silver. They generally only make such items to meet their own needs, but since the growth of tourism in Sapa, many H’mong women make decorated cloth to sell on the town’s main streets.

    You will be back hotel to be ready to pick up at 15.00pm for a drive back Hanoi.

    You will arrive at hotel in Hanoi around 21.30pm. Have a good sleep!

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

     

    Day 6: Hanoi – Drive to Halong (B/L/D)

    Hanoi - Halong: 170km, ~4h drive

    After breakfast, we depart for Halong Bay. Sit back and enjoy the peaceful countryside symbolic of the Red River Delta. We will arrive at Halong Bay’s wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay. Here we enjoy the striking scenery of this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served fresh local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Witness one of the world’s best the sunsets before you sit down for a lush dinner. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island where you’ll have the option night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise

    Day 7: Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (B/L/-)

    Hanoi - Hue: 770km, 1h flight

    After waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip. Then it’s time for breakfast whilst you watch the sun rise over Ha Long bay. The cruise continues to move around the bay for in order for us to discover more secluded areas; we then go kayaking and continue swimming around the bay. The boat will be near us at all times for those who prefer to relax on board. Around midday, we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for the three-hour journey to Noi Bai International Airport for the flight to Hue.

    Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport, our driver & tour guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

     

    Day 8: Hue Imperial city - Dong Ba Market (B/-/-)

    After breakfast at our hotel, we set out to explore Hue's famous highlights, starting with a boat trip along the Perfume River to reach the picturesque Thien Mu otherwise known as the Heavenly Lady Pagoda. One of the most poignant displays here is the car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. We then disembark the boat for a visit the elaborate tomb of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes fifty monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall covering. We then head back to Hue for a well-deserved lunch (your own arrangement)!

    In the afternoon, we visit Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate and Nine Dynastic Urns to name a few. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We then do some shopping at the Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialties of Hue. This market was built in 1887, not only the special architecture iconic, but also

    be a witness to many historical changes in Hue.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

    Day 9: Hue – Drive to Danang - Hoi an - Free at Leisure (B/-/-)

    After breakfast at the hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoi An via Danang. Along the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach for refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views towards Da Nang city. Our next destination is the Marble Mountains - a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngu Hanh Son District, south of Danang City. All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mt. Thuy. Several Buddhist sanctuaries can also be found within the mountains, making this a popular destination. Upon our arrival in Hoi An Ancient Town, we assist you with check-in and the rest of the day is free for your own exploration of this remarkable town.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

    Day 10: Hoi An Ancient Town Tour (B/-/-)

    After breakfast, meet up with our tour guide and we will start our city tour today by visiting Hoi An Central Market where is one of Vietnam’s best, offering an unmissable shopping experience. You can find many things here from fragrant herbs & spices, colourful Vietnamese Silk to huge selection of fresh fish.

    Then, we take a walking tour to Hoi An Ancient Town - an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. We start our day with the Japanese Covered Bridge - one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions. Created by the Japanese living in Hoi An in the 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water, the bridge is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It would be a shortcoming without a visit to Tan Ky House - one of the many ancient houses that making up Hoian Ancient Town. Built two centuries ago with both Japanese and Chinese influences on architecture, this house has been preserved through seven generations. While walking, we will encounter pretty houses of Chinese merchants. Another must-see destination is Phuc Kien Assembly Hall - an excellent work of architecture considered as a heritage of historical significance. Built in 1690, this Assembly Hall is in fact a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

    Day 11: Hoi An – Cooking Class join in group – Flight to Sai Gon (B/L/-)

    After breakfast at hotel, we start the day at 8:45am with a drink at Hai Scout Cafe - our meeting point. Our guide will escort you to a colorful market where you can experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked. 

    Our driver will pick you up after class and we head to Danang International Airport for flight to Sai Gon.

    Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, our driver and tour guide will pick you up and transfer to hotel for checking in.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Sai Gon

    Day 12: Saigon City Tour – Ben Thanh Market (B/-/-)

    08.00am, meet up with our tour guide & driver, we will transfer to visit The Thien Hau Temple officially the Ba Thien Hau Pagoda is a Chinese-style temple of the Chinese sea goddess Mazu on Nguyễn Trãi Street in the Cho Lon.

    Then we move to visit the War Remnant Museum- originally opened in September 1975 which displays old military equipment and other related items from Vietnam War.

    After that, we head to city center to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office and walk to the City Hall then visit Ao Dai Showroom. The last stop is Ben Thanh Market where you can find numbers of vendors and food stalls which provide fresh & delicious dishes. You also can find many goods for daily use as well as a variety of eye-catching local handicrafts and souvenirs.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

    Day 13: Saigon – Drive to Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)

    Saigon - Ben Tre: 107 km, ~2h drive

    After breakfast at the hotel, we leave the bustling city of Saigon behind us and depart for the Mekong Delta known to local as ‘Vietnam’s biggest rice basket’. Upon arrival at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre, we embark a boat to cruise along Ben Tre River, a tribute to the Mekong. With stops at the brickfield to see how bricks are made by hand and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal where we witness how to make these local delicacy. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow abundantly in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or cycle through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere.

    In the afternoon, we will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm trees. We cruise back to the pier and disembark for a drive to Can Tho where we will spend the night.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

    Day 14: Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Saigon (B/-/-)

    Can Tho – Cai Rang- Saigon: 250 km, ~4h30m drive

    Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we have breakfast and start our day with a boat cruise along the seemingly endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River. We arrive amongst Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and most famous floating market in the Mekong Delta. View lot of boats which are packed with mango, bananas, papaya and pineapple, etc. all for selling, buying and exchanging. We visit the lush orchards and are treated to a delicious tropical fruits. After the market, you then visit noodle and rice paper producing family. Then we get on the car to drive back to Saigon.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

    Day 15: Saigon Departure (B/-/-)

    After having breakfast at the hotel, you have free time to relax until our driver meets and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight to your next destination. 

    We thank you for choosing Tonkin-Travel!

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Inclusion:

    • Accommodation as recommended or similar category according to availability.
    • Transfers according to program by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver except free day
    • English-speaking guide’s assistance at every stage
    • Meals as indicated in program (B: Breakfast /L: Lunch / D: Dinner)
    • Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
    • All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
    • Flights: Hanoi – Hue; Danang - Saigon (E-Class on Vietnam Airlines)
    • Halong Bay overnight on boat (sharing boat)
    • Private boat excursion in Hue, Mekong Delta
    • Train tickets: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi (sharing 4 berth-cabin)
    • Hoian Cooking Class
    • Water and cool tissues
    • Government taxes & service charge

    Exclusion:

    • Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
    • Personal expenditures, tips
    • Personal insurance (compulsory)
    • Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
    • International air transfers associated with airport taxes
    • Visa and visa arrangement (available upon request)
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