Arrive in Kunming (Monday)
Arrival transfer, overnight in Kunming. Optional pre-tour in Kunming & Lijiang is available.

Kunming/Jianshui (B/L/D)
In the morning, drive to Jian Shui county, 1200 meters above sea level, 220 kilometers to southeast of Kunming, Jianshui is a 1200-year-old town with a vast collection of historic heritages. More or less a living museum of old buildings or residences, it boasts more than 100 architectures built in Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, 50 odd-arched ancient bridges, and quite a few old residences that were built in the Qing Dynasty.
Upon arrival in Jianshui, visit the following sites.
A major attraction in Jianshui, the Zhu Family Garden is a complex of nearly 100-year-old buildings built in late Qing Dynasty of 42 courtyards, covering a total area of over 20,000 square meters. It's a typical private garden with local touch. A small portion of the garden were renovated in 1999 to 28 rooms that are scattered in 4 sections, namely "Plum Hall", "Orchid Courtyard", "Bamboo Groove" and "Chrysanthemum Garden. 
The Confucius Temple is undoubtfully the greatest site in town. Built in 1285 and enjoyed over 40 renovations, it is China’s second largest Confucius temple, after the one in Qufu, Confucius’ hometown. The temple complex runs along a 625-meter-long axis and comprises six courtyards and 31 buildings.
Nicknames as Lesser Tian’an Men Tower, the Chaoyang Tower were built in Ming Dynasty and towering Southern Yunnan for centuries.
There are also dozens of old water wells scattering among the small lanes in Jianshui.
Lunch & dinner en tour at local Chinese restaurant
Overnight at Hongmantian Hotel

Jianshui/Yuanyang (B/L/D)
Chinese breakfast at hotel. The whole day will be devoted to an extensive visit of Jianshui. The visit takes us to the Zhang Family Garden at Tuanshan village.
Zhang Family Garden, also called Tuanshan village, is 8 kilometers to the west the county seat. The village has currently 237 households and over 90 percent still bear a common family name of Zhang. With four gates at the directions of east, north, west and south, the village was self-sufficient. A dozen of old residences still survive the Cultural Revolution in the 1970's and fine work of wood carving and stone carving can be found all over the village.
Continue to drive to Yuanyang county by overland drive of 150 kilometers, or 4 hours through subtropical landscape with great views of deep ravines, lichee groves, and terraced rice paddies to Yuanyang. Lunch & dinner en tour at local Chinese restaurant
Overnight at Yunti Hotel ***

Yuanyang (B/L/D)
Chinese breakfast at hotel. Yuanyang, 1800 meters above sea level, is now attracting more and more attention from overseas tourists for its unparalleled terraced paddies and diversified ethnic cultures of the Hani, Yi, Dai and Yao.
We’ll get up early this morning to secure that good pictures of terraced paddies can be taken when the sun is rising above horizon. Visit also of a Hani minority village of Qingkou. Populated 1.3 million in Yunnan, Hani minority single out themselves in their traditional costumes with silver accessories and mud brick houses roofed with pine leaves that look like mushrooms from a distance.
The Hani minority in Yuanyang has been renowned for creating a harmony between man and nature in the village, forest, river and terraced paddies. Here, paddy fields are terraced from the foot of the mountains onto the very top. During February to early April and September to early November, when water is filled in the paddies after harvests, a natural grandeur of thousands of mirrors are formed when the sun is low near the horizon at both ends of the days (05:00-06:30 AM and 17:00-18:00 PM). Locations to witness this spectacular scene are Lao Hu Zui (the Tiger Mouth).Markets are set on special days of the month in economically backward areas where local minorities in their traditional costumes sell and buy their daily necessities.
Lunch & dinner en tour at local restaurant
Overnight at Yunti Hotel***

Yuanyang/Hekou (Lao Cai)/Sapa        (B/L/D)
Chinese breakfast at hotel. In the early morning, drive to Hekou [400KM, about 6 hours]
After arrival at the border in the afternoon, the clients can pass the border by themselves.
Lunch en tour at local Chinese restaurant.
Arrival in Lao Cai (Vietnamese/Chinese border), transfer to Sa Pa. Dinner in Lao Cai or Sapa
Overnight in Sa Pa

Sa Pa/Lao Cai/Train (B/L)
Excursion to Cat Cat and Ta Phin with trek. Travel down a winding road to the Black Hmong village of Cat Cat, past beautiful mountain scenery. Wander through the village, visiting the traditional houses and observing the rural way of life.Afterwards, continue to the handicraft village of Ta Phin, inhabited by the Red Dzao, known for their distinctive red headscarves.All Transfer to Lao Cai train station - By train from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
Overnight in Train

Hanoi/Halong (cabin onboard) (B/L: Bai Tho Junk 1/Dinner: Bai Tho Junk 1)
Transfer to/from train station - By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay - Cruise aboard a traditional junk through Halong Bay, Day 1 of 2
These traditionally built junks have facilities, which include private cabins with ensuite bathrooms, a spacious dining room serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The first day's itinerary passes Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi Island, Sung Sot cave, before stopping at Ti Top beach for a swim. Dinner is served on the boat as the sun sets.
Overnight in cabin / onboard (Vietnam)

Halong (cabin onboard)/Hanoi (B/L: Bai Tho Junk 1 )
Cruise aboard a traditional junk through Halong Bay, Day 2 of 2 
Enjoy breakfast on board, while continuing to cruise around the waters of the bays, visiting MAN'S HEAD ISLAND, TORTOISE ISLAND, and LUON CAVE.  Return to the pier just before noon and disembark.
By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi/Danang/Hoi An (B/L/D)
Sightseeing in Hanoi with a visit by cyclo to the Old Quarter 
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shophouses invite exploration by cyclo, while its many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Begin your day visiting the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best surviving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture.  Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam first university. 
Continue to the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Also dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh's final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials. Begin at the HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed in the afternoons, on Mondays and Fridays, and closes annually in October and November for restoration (can only view from the outside).  Continue through the park to HO CHI MINH STILT HOUSE, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1948 until his final days. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows.
Finally, discover the OLD QUARTER of Hanoi by cyclo. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shophouses is also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lovers paradise and an endlessly interesting place to explore local life.
Afternoon flight to Danang, road transfer to Hoi An, overnight in Hoi An

Hoi An (B/L)
Sightseeing in Hoi An
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot.  The walking tour includes:
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. 
SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history.
TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles. 
PHUOC KIEN ASSEMBLY HALL: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese clans that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). 
LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP: Visit one of the lantern workshop in Hoi An. The framework of lantern will be made by the industry itself and clients can observe locals making silk cloth on the lantern.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An

Hoi An/Danang/Saigon (B/L/D)
Transfer to Danang airport - Flight from Danang to Saigon. Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
Never discovered by American forces, the CU CHI TUNNELS were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Today, you can walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the VC, see the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists.
Overnight in Saigon

Saigon (B/L/D)
Excursion to My Tho with a boat trip to Mekong River islands
From Saigon, transfer to My Tho, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta and visit the VINH TRANG PAGODA, a beautiful temple and a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children. Afterwards board a local boat to explore the MEKONG RIVER ISLANDS, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea while listening to local music and THOI SON islet. The trip also includes a brief sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the island.
Overnight in Saigon

Saigon (B), Saturday
Transfer to airport for flight onward.

*If the above departures don’t fit your schedule, please let us know, we can customize it according to your date. *Price per person in US dollars, minimum 2 passengers traveling together *Canadian travelers please click here (www.xe.com)  for price in Canadian dollars 2 passengers category: $2,529.00 3-6 passengers category: $2,389.00 7-9 passengers category: $1,869.00

Includes:

• Hotel accommodation based on twin sharing
  • Jianshui: Hongmantian Hotel or similar
  • Yuanyang: Yunti Hotel (local 3*) or similar
  • Sapa: Chau Long Hotel (new wing) or similar
  • Train: Tulico Train VIP compartment (2 beds/cabin)
  • Halong Bay: Bai Tho Junk 1* (Deluxe, 2 days/1 night, without Kayak)
  • Hanoi: Flower Garden Hotel (4*) or similar
  • Hoi An: Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa (4-5*) or similar
  • Saigon: Duxton Hotel (4*) or similar
• Road transfer
• Private sightseeing with admission & English speaking guide (one guide from Kunming all the way)
• Daily meals as indicated in the itinerary, B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner, breakfast box in lieu of standard breakfast when early morning flight
• Domestic airfare Hanoi/Danang/Saigon
• Current fuel surcharge and airport tax
• Train ticket according to itinerary
• Boat ticket according to itinerary

Excludes:

• International airfare and taxes
• Any fuel & airport tax increase for domestic flights in 2010
• Travel insurance
• China & Vietnam visa
• Optional tours
• Personal expense & gratuities
• Separate luggage car upon request

***Notes***
All hotel ratings are according to the local accreditation authority.
During peak periods, hotels may apply a surcharge not included in this quotation. We will inform clients should this happen.