Vietnam Major Battle Fields 14 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Arrive at Noi Bai international airport. Visa arrangements. Welcomed by your local tour guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take an orientation on the tour. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2:Hanoi City Tour (B/L)
Depart at 8:00 am,after checking out,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 the royals the Confucius theory. 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. In the afternoon,choose one from the numerous museums or temples around Hanoi (Museum of Ethnology,Woman's Museum,History Museum or Quan Thanh Temple).

A late afternoon walk around 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 get back to your hotel if you wish,but often our guests would just rather spend the early evening enjoying a drink with a view of the city. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3:Hanoi - Hue (B/L/D)
Fly to the most beautiful city in Vietnam. Visit the citadel of the city and recall the battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive,when the NVA held the city for the three weeks.

Day 4:Hue - Dong Ha (B/L/D)
Drive up highway 1;passing Camp Evan and Fire Support Base Nancy;continue to the battle site of Quang Tri. Next pass the site of Ai Tu Combat Base and airfield of the 3rd Division Headquarters of the former South army. Next reach Dong Ha enter the quadrilateral area bordered by Con Tien,Gio Linh,Dong Ha,and Cam Lo which was nicknamed Leatherneck Square during Operation Buffalo. Continue up Highway 1 across the Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River which once demarcated North and South Vietnam. Visit the tunnels in Vinh Moc and the Con Thien Fire Support Base before overnight at Dong Ha.

Day 5:Dong Ha - Khe Sanh (B/L/D)
Ride paralleled to the DMZ (Demilitarize Zone) along Route 9 to Khe Sanh. En route pass a series of Fire Support Bases the Rockpile,Da Krong Bridge,as well as the Huong Hoa District headquarters.

Day 6:Khe Sanh - A Luoi - Dong Ha (B/L/D)
Tour Khe Sanh Base,a coffee plantation,an old French fort and the Montagnard Village. Continue on Route 9 to Lang Vei special Forces Camp. Visit the Lao Bao Border town where illicit border trade remains very active. With advanced notice,a border crossing to Laos is possible to follow Operation Lam Son 719,where South Vietnamese soldiers surged in to attack the Liberation Front soldiers strongholds in the neighboring country. Travel to A Luoi and visit the special Forces camp there. Visit Landing Zone Cunningham,Landing Zone Erskine and Landing Zone Razor. Upon special advanced request continue south to A Sau Valley and infamous Hamburger Hill. Return to Dong Ha this evening.

Day 7: Dong Ha - Hue (B/L/D)
Optional excursion to the ancient tombs of Khai Dinh and Tu Duc and a cruise on the Perfume River. Otherwise,enjoy a free day in pleasant in Hue.

Day 8:  Hue - Danang (B/L/D)
Leave Hue for Da Nang,the fourth largest city of Vietnam. Tour the city,recalling the chaos of march 1975,when the Saigon government abandoned Da Nang and countless refugees fled the city. Also visit the beach where the US Mariners first came ashore,beginning major American involvement in Indochina.


Day 9:Danang - Qui Nhon Via Chu Lai (B/L/D)
Morning visit to Hoi An. During the 17th century traders stopped at this port when travelling en router to Malacca in Malaysia. Continue on the coastal plain to Chu Lai airbase and see the work of the Skyhawks. Stop at the Son My District,sense of infamous My Lai incident. Travel along the rugged Animate mountains down to Route 1. Sarcastically referred to as "The street without joy" by French soldiers. Evening arrive in Qui Nhon,a major port and supply depot that kept Route 1 open during the war.

Day 10: Qui Nhon - Nha Trang (B/L/D)
Leave Qui Nhon for Nha Trang,once the headquarters of the US Fifth Special Forces Group in the second Corps.

Day 11: Nha Trang - Dalat (B/L/D)
Enjoy the turquoise water and fine sandy beach. Take a boat to nearby Bamboo Island for snorkeling,to the Mieu Island for a visit to a fish breeding farm and to the Ponagar Cham Tower,a fine example of 2nd century Cham architecture. Then,leave Nha Trang for the central highland city of Da Lat.

Day 12:Dalat - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Visit the Valley of Love,the central market,the Lake of Sighs. Travel through the central highlands to Bao Loc,visit silk farms and mulberry plantations. Evening arrive at HCMC,which retains much flavor from the war era.

Day 13:  Ho Chi Minh City - Iron Triangle - Cu Chi (B/L/D)
This morning travel on the National route 13 past the town of Phu Cuong. Visit the Phu Loi Base used to relocate villagers. Through the Cau Dinh jungle,pass a staging area of the 503rd Airborne Brigade. At Ben Cat,see the site of the bases of the 173rd Airborne and the 11th Armored Cavalry Arrive in Ben Suc,the Northern tip of the Iron Triangle,and continue to Dau Tieng Reservoir and the esoteric Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh. Visit the restored tunnels at Cu Chi before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14:  Departure (B)
We will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to airport for your flight to home,your luggage full of a lifetime's worth of memories. We wish you a pleasant journey.

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: info@footsteptravel.com to get more information and assistance

Highlights of the North 11 Days

Day 01: Arrival - Ha Noi
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. (If time permits) we enjoy a short cyclo ride around the old quarter streets, giving you a chance to explore the different local ways of life. Oernight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi (Breakfast)
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nations founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minhs house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history, are not to be missed. We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 03: Hanoi - Sapa (Breakfast)
An early morning start to drive along the Red River to Sapa. The roads are bumpy at times, but various scenic landscape changing from the delta area to the Tonkinese Alps make for an interesting journey.

At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa was once a hill resort of French administrators when the summer heat became unbearable. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of ethnic minority people are a highlight of Sapa although conditions are basic. After checking into hotel in Sapa we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around this hill town. The ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Sapa and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 04: Sapa (Breakfast)
The range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnams highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today we have enough time to visit the bustling Sapa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We then get well off the beaten track as we embark on a walk to explore this beautiful mountain region. Along the way we visit several rustic villages and see many mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of verdant mountain backdrop and colourful population makes for an unimaginable view. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 05: Sapa - Bacha (Breakfast)
Upon leaving Sapa we set off on our scenic drive through the border town of Lao Cai to the colourful Sunday Market at Bacha. This market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay. They still retain their old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The experience of this congregation is colorful and unique. After the market we enjoy a walk around the area, visiting the Hmong Kings former residence and Ban Pho where the villagers make the potent local maize alcohol. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 06: Bacha - Hanoi (Breakfast)
The return journey begins as we depart Bac Ha Town and pass through the verdant and rugged mountain scenery to Hanoi. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops along the way to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 07: Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda - Ninh Binh (Breakfast)
An interesting drive through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to the Perfume Pagoda, which is not just one pagoda but many shrines and sanctuaries built into mountainsides. This famous complex of pagodas is also one of Vietnam great pilgrimage sites. On arrival we enjoy a leisurely boat excursion on the Yen River past the spectacular landscape of flooded rice fields and undulating mountains. After two hour river trip we embark on a rugged walk uphill to explore some of the many pagodas and the sacred grotto of Huong Tich. We then drive to Ninh Binh, our final destination. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 08: Ninh Binh - Haiphong (Breakfast)
The capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. After a short drive we visit these two remaining structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers, then climb 200 steps to the top of Ma Yen mountain for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. The next stop of our trip is Tam Coc which is surnamed Inland Halong Bay. We take a boat trip on a river through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. Upon leaving this site we commence our scenic drive to Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. Overnight in Haiphong.

Day 09: Haiphong - Halong (Breakfast/Lunch)
Heading out of town we travel by roads to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnams most impressive scenic sights. On arrival we embark on a boat for a memorable trip around the Bay which will give us a chance to explore the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands, rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we continue our exciting cruise and have time for another swim. Overnight in Halong.
Day 10: Halong - Battrang - Hanoi (Breakfast)
The very good roads make our journey back to Hanoi much more pleasurable. Today we have plenty of time to observe the rural landscape and visit the riverside village of Bat Trang, where distinctive ceramics are made and used throughout the delta region for over 500 years. The vitality of this village is still blown up by the hundreds of pottery kilns on fire day and night. We stroll around various cottage industries and watch craftsmen forming, painting and glazing their products in traditional ways. The reminder of the day will be free to explore Hanoi's older quarters or simply to relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi - Departure (Breakfast)
There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Hanoi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noibai Airport for your ongoing flight. End of the tour.
 

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: Salesdetectvietnam@gmail.Com to get more information and assistance

Hoang Lien Son Mountainous Explorer 8 Days

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau 150km. (Lunch/Dinner)
Drive to Mai Chau, sight seeing en-route. Lunch in Mai Chau, walk around the Mai Chau valley to visit the villages of Thai people with house on stilt, embroidery art and home stay with hill tribe people, enjoy their common life and activities. Stay overnight in stilt House Mai Chau (Home stay)

Day 2: Moc Chau - SonLa - Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu -  (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).
Drive to Son La, a stop in Moc Chau with hundreds of giant grass farm for cows...visit the ancient prison in the French war period. Stop for lunch in Tuan Giao. Continue on to Dien Bien, enjoy the wonderful scenery in Pha Din pass. Start overnight at Muong Thanh hotel in Dien Bien.

Day 3: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).
Visit the old battle field in the French colonial period, war museum, Muong Thanh airbase. Drive to Lai Chau with stop en route to visit the hill tribe village
Overnight at Lan Anh hotel

Day 4: Lai Chau - SaPa (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).
Drive to Sapa. Check in and lunch. Short walking around Sapa, Dragon Mountain, Sapa valley,

Overnight at Chau Long hotel in Sapa (old wing) or similar

Day 5   Sa Pa (B/L/D)
After breakfast. We embark on a lovely walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the Hmong minority people. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Back to Sapa town for lunch.

After lunch, transfer to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit the Zay people. The Zay are a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. Development has meant that some of their old customs have been lost but many women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. Visit the Zay houses are built of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. Back to Sapa. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6:  Sapa – Can Cau Market – Sapa (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).
Drive to visit Can Cau Saturday colourful market, set in the mountains near the Chinese border.
The Flower Hmong minority is the most common here, and their colourful dresses makes is a beautiful sight. The products at the market are interesting, and many different groups of ethic minority people represent make the market an unforgettable experience.Lunch at restaurant n Bac Ha
After a rest, trekking about 5 km of mountain path to Ban Pho Village - home of  Flower HMong people, get in touch and witness their traditional life style,  habit and customs.Drive back to Sapa

Day 7   Sapa – Ta Phin – Lao Cai – Night Train to Hanoi
AM: free for shopping the specialty from Sapa
Drive to the direction of Ta Phin village (abt 40 minutes)- home to the Red Dao people. Here you have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families of Black Hmong and Red Dao that live in the area. This will be about a 2 hour hiking experience.

The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves. Continue drive to Lao Cai station for night train to Hanoi by 4 berth compartment train. Overnight trip.

Day 8:   Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi at 0530 in the morning.

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: FootStepVietnam@Gmail.Com to get more information and assistance.

Highlights of the North 11 Days

Day 01: Arrival - Ha Noi
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. (If time permits) we enjoy a short cyclo ride around the old quarter streets, giving you a chance to explore the different local ways of life. Oernight in Hanoi.

Day 02: Hanoi (Breakfast)
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nations founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minhs house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history, are not to be missed. We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 03: Hanoi - Sapa (Breakfast)
An early morning start to drive along the Red River to Sapa. The roads are bumpy at times, but various scenic landscape changing from the delta area to the Tonkinese Alps make for an interesting journey.

At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa was once a hill resort of French administrators when the summer heat became unbearable. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of ethnic minority people are a highlight of Sapa although conditions are basic. After checking into hotel in Sapa we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending time to wander around this hill town. The ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Sapa and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 04: Sapa (Breakfast)
The range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnams highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today we have enough time to visit the bustling Sapa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We then get well off the beaten track as we embark on a walk to explore this beautiful mountain region. Along the way we visit several rustic villages and see many mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of verdant mountain backdrop and colourful population makes for an unimaginable view. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 05: Sapa - Bacha (Breakfast)
Upon leaving Sapa we set off on our scenic drive through the border town of Lao Cai to the colourful Sunday Market at Bacha. This market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay. They still retain their old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The experience of this congregation is colorful and unique. After the market we enjoy a walk around the area, visiting the Hmong Kings former residence and Ban Pho where the villagers make the potent local maize alcohol. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 06: Bacha - Hanoi (Breakfast)
The return journey begins as we depart Bac Ha Town and pass through the verdant and rugged mountain scenery to Hanoi. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops along the way to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 07: Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda - Ninh Binh (Breakfast)
An interesting drive through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to the Perfume Pagoda, which is not just one pagoda but many shrines and sanctuaries built into mountainsides. This famous complex of pagodas is also one of Vietnam great pilgrimage sites. On arrival we enjoy a leisurely boat excursion on the Yen River past the spectacular landscape of flooded rice fields and undulating mountains. After two hour river trip we embark on a rugged walk uphill to explore some of the many pagodas and the sacred grotto of Huong Tich. We then drive to Ninh Binh, our final destination. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 08: Ninh Binh - Haiphong (Breakfast)
The capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. After a short drive we visit these two remaining structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers, then climb 200 steps to the top of Ma Yen mountain for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. The next stop of our trip is Tam Coc which is surnamed Inland Halong Bay. We take a boat trip on a river through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. Upon leaving this site we commence our scenic drive to Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. Overnight in Haiphong.

Day 09: Haiphong - Halong (Breakfast/Lunch)
Heading out of town we travel by roads to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnams most impressive scenic sights. On arrival we embark on a boat for a memorable trip around the Bay which will give us a chance to explore the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands, rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we continue our exciting cruise and have time for another swim. Overnight in Halong.
Day 10: Halong - Battrang - Hanoi (Breakfast)
The very good roads make our journey back to Hanoi much more pleasurable. Today we have plenty of time to observe the rural landscape and visit the riverside village of Bat Trang, where distinctive ceramics are made and used throughout the delta region for over 500 years. The vitality of this village is still blown up by the hundreds of pottery kilns on fire day and night. We stroll around various cottage industries and watch craftsmen forming, painting and glazing their products in traditional ways. The reminder of the day will be free to explore Hanoi's older quarters or simply to relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi - Departure (Breakfast)
There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Hanoi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noibai Airport for your ongoing flight. End of the tour.