Best of Vietnam and Myanmar journey

Be welcomed at the airport by our Authentik Travel tour guide and transfer to your hotel in the city center.

Check in at your hotel (after 12:00 pm) or leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy a walk in the Old Quarter. The city was built in the 10^th century by the villagers near the Red River Delta. You can see the special architecture in the houses with their narrow width and deep length. You will be able to discover some popular streets such as Ma May, Hang Ma, Hang Dong, Hang Bac, and Hang Gai, and for tourist sites stop at Dong Xuan market, the biggest market in northern Vietnam, Bach Ma temple (White horse temple) and the traditional ancient house at 87 Ma May Street.

Return to the city center and take a break before attending the water puppet show, a unique performance that originated in the 11th century. These shows depict the daily life, culture, and beliefs of the Vietnamese people through puppets moving on water. The performance often includes traditional music as well. 

Come back to the hotel. End of the day​.

Exploring the Temple of Literature or Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, the outstanding Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, visiting the French Quarter, and discovering the Hanoi Old Quarter

9:00 AM: Get picked up by tour guide to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "stone steles” which shows the names of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered the first national university of Vietnam.

The next stop is the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments, and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours. 

In the afternoon, visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum before continuing the day with a walking tour in the Hanoi Old Quarter. Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da quietly located in a small alley - only a few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism in the 19th century. Your tour guide takes you to typical streets of Hanoi, such as Lan Ong Street, which sells traditional medicine, and Lo Ren Street, where metal items are produced. Stop to visit the Dong Xuan Central Market - the largest in Hanoi. Continue walking to the famous area for night activities and street food - Ta Hien Street, where you can see the vibrant streets with a lot of amazing local foods and drinks. Try to taste some for an unforgettable experience.

In the late afternoon, take a night train to Sapa.
Overnight on Train (Share 4 Berth AC cabin).

Arrive in Lao Cai in the early morning, our local guide will pick you up at the railway station and transfer to Sapa town. 

Enjoy breakfast at local restaurant and start a full day of trekking from Cat Cat Village of the Black Hmong. Visit its beautiful waterfall then follow the path to Y Linh Ho village.
Arrive at Y Linh Ho bridge. Stop to relax a little bit then resume trekking along the buffalo path through the hills. You will have chance to enjoy the splendid view over the rice terrace valley considered one of the most fantastic of the world.
Lunch will be served on the way.
After lunch take a short break before trekking to the Lao Chai village of the black Hmong and Ta Van village of the Zay people.
At 16.00 meet our driver and transfer to Sapa
Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast at your hotel, our guide will meet you for a visit to Silver Water fall. This is one of the highest and most beautiful falls in Sapa.

Transfer further 3 km to reach Tram Ton Pass – 2000m from the sea level. You will feel the drop of temperature but the views are so gorgeous.
It time for you to relax and take photos before driving back to Sapa town for your own lunch, relax then checkout the hotel before exploring the Dragon Jaw Mountain. Walking up to the mountain is the way to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes and alot of flowers on the way.

From the top of the Dragon Jaw Mountain, you will able to view all charming Sapa town and the Peak of Fansipan from distance.
Dinner is on your own then transfer to Lao Cai railway station for night train to Hanoi.
Overnight on train ( Share 4 berth AC cabin).

Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning, check in a hotel by the railway station for your refreshment and breakfast.

08:00 - Meet our driver for a transfer to Halong via Bac Ninh and Sao Do. Extensive rice fields as far as your eyes can see will follow you along the way.
12:00 - Embarkation at Hon Gai port, relax with a welcome drink.
13:00 – Enjoy a seafood lunch on the boat while cruising in to the bay through the enchanting landscapes of Bai Tu Long Bay ( Small Dragon Bay).
15:30 - Take part in activities according to the boat such as: visit Thien Canh Son cave, go kayaking, take a bamboo sampan ride to the Vang Vieng fishing village or simply just relax on the boat.
18:00 - Return to the boat, shower and take a rest.
19:00 - Enjoy a delicious dinner on the boat.
Stay overnight in a private cabin (with air conditioner and shower)

You are advised to get up early to enjoy the fresh air and sunrise in the beautiful scenery of Bai Tu Long.
Breakfast on the boat.

08:30 - Enjoy activities. Either visit the cave or embark a small bamboo sampan to visit Vung Vieng Fishing village, one of the spectacular floating villages in Halong. Encounter the locals and fishermen’s farm as well as a floating school (depends on the boat’s activity schedule)
09:30 - Return to the boat and check out of the cabin.
10:00 - Cruise back to Hon Gai port. On the way back, we will enjoy lunch on the boat. Last look at the legendary bay where dragons once descended.
11:45 - Arrive at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi and directly to airport for a short flight to Danang city.
On arrival, pick up and transfer to Hoian ancient town.
Note: Cruise’s activities order will be depend on each cruises and tide. It is adjustable.
Overnight in Hoian.

Enjoy a city tour in Hoian ancient town which is listed in the Heritage of Humans.

Some real treasures that need to be discovered are Hoian Museum, Japanese bridge, China Town, Quan Thang ancient house, the local market and the old busy port of the 15th century for the international boats from China, Netherlands, Japan, and Poland.
Finally, visit the Thang Loi silk factory, known as a good establishment in Hoian to have tailor-made silk clothes.

In the evening, Embark on a small boat in Hoian town then depart to Thu Bon River which was once a very busy exchange place for a lot of international ships throughout the 15th century. The boat trip will take you along the river. This is a good chance for you to appreciate the landscape of the peaceful village by the river bank and admire the fishermen’s activities on the river. Enjoy the sunset in the late afternoon from April to November.
Overnight at Hoian.

Transfer to Danang airport and take a morning flight to Saigon.

On arrival, Meet our tour guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. Leave you luggage and enjoy a full day city tour.
Visit the Reunification palace (or the war memorials Museum), Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office inspired by Orsay Station in Paris.
Then, transfer to Cho Lon District to discover its old quarter, Binh Tay Market and the colorful Quan Am pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in the city. Its architecture and decorations have remained since its construction.

Return to Saigon city for a walk in the city center visiting sites like the former Catinat streets, the Opera house, City Hall as well as Ben Thanh market.
Overnight in Saigon.

Get picked up from your hotel and transfer to Cai Be ( 120km – 2.5 hour driving). Visit Cao Dai temple on route.

Upon arrival, embark on a boat trip on a branch of the Mekong River to Vinh Long. Experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River with a visit to Cai Be floating market and the orchid canals .
Visit crafts workshops of rice, popcorn, coconut caramel and rice cake.
Cycle or walk on the village paths to discover the ancient and beautiful Phu Chau pagoda where serenity reigns and meet the local people.

Enjoy  lunch in an open air restaurant where you can taste a famous local specialty, the Elephant ear fish. Then enjoy tasting delicious fruits while rowing a small rowboat in the canals shaded by the fruit trees.
Continue your boat trip to Vinh Long and meet our driver at the pier for a transfer to Can Tho. Arrive in Can Tho in the late afternoon.  Check in at your hotel and relax.

Enjoy free time on your own to discover the city located on the Mekong River.
Stay overnight in Can Tho.

Have breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the pier for a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most lively market in the Mekong Delta.

There are so many colors and smells in the bubbling atmosphere where hundreds of sampans are filled with goods such as rice, fruits, and craft products. Everything is shown to sell from the early morning.
Leave the market and continue the boat trip through the canals and visit a fruit garden (Option - replace the garden with the nursery field by the river)
Head back to An Binh Market which is full of fish, fruits and vegetables.

Stop at Binh Thuy ancient house which contains the orchid garden where “The Lover” was filmed.
Transfer back to Saigon and arrive in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Saigon

Take morning flight to Yangon - Myanmar.

Upon arrival in Yangon airport, local Authentik Travel’s tour guide and driver will welcome you and transfer to hotel in the city center.
Visit to the 2500 year old magnificent Shwedagon pagoda, the most famous and sacred place of Myanmar. In the middle is a huge bell shaped stupa, plated with tons of gold and thousands of diamonds and rubies decorating the top of the stupa. The pagoda is surrounded by other shrines, temples and many other religious structures inside it. The sunset from the Pagoda should not be missed.

Enjoy a welcome dinner in Yangon
Overnight in Yangon.

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Bagan.
Arrive in Bagan in the morning and be greeted by our local tour guide and driver at airport, then transfer to your hotel in the area. Leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy a full day trip to discover this tranquil area.

Head to Swhezigon pagoda before the hottest part of the day. This is the gold plated pagoda built to house the Buddhist relic brought from India a thousand years ago.
The next stop is a short visit to discover Nyaung U market. A bustling market where locals meet to exchange fruits,vegetables, lacquerware and  pottery.
After the market, visit Gubyaukgyi Temple, famous for its mural. Our guide will translate the great story from the ancient pictures on the wall.
Enjoy lunch and relax at your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Ananda temples built in 1105 AD, home to four standing Buddhas, each one facing the cardinal directions of North, West, East and South.  Then visit Htilominlo temple to admire the four Buddhas that face each direction. 
End of the day at Shwesandaw temple and enjoy the sunset over the mountains.
Stay overnight in Bagan

Have breakfast at your hotel and spend a whole day exploring this mysterious region. 

Begin the day with a journey on a horse cart to Manuha temple, which contains three images of seated Buddhas and an image of Buddha entering Nirvana.  This is one of the oldest temples in Bagan.
Discover the famous traditional handicraft lacquerware in the Myinkabar village then move to Dhamayangyi Pagoda, the biggest temple in Bagan, before continuing to Myauk Guni, Sulamani temple.

In the afternoon, observe the local way of life in the West Pwazaw and Minnanthu village to see how Burmese people live their daily lives. It is a real exploration into the local rural life.
Finally, enjoy a boat trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River to capture the great sunset.
Return to you hotel to enjoy your evening.  We recommend visiting the Sunset Garden Restaurant to feel the peaceful atmosphere by the river.
Stay overnight in Bagan.
 

Take morning flight to Mandalay.

Upon arrival in Mandalay in the morning, meet our tour guide at the airport and enjoy a full day tour of the city before check in at your hotel.
On the way from airport, we will turn left over a bridge and head to Sagaing hill where a lot of Buddhist monasteries are situated. Sagaing is a hill terrace, so from this site you can view the great Ayeyarwaddy River, and Mandalay city with its numerous temples and monasteries. The major attraction on Sagaing hill is U Min Thoze pagoda.

The next stop will be Inwa, separated by a small river. It is necessary to take a ferry across the river then on arrival, take a horse-drawn cart to enjoy the beautiful rural scenery. The horse-drawn cart will take you to Bagaya wooden monastery, Nanmyint watch tower (a leaning tower) and the brick Aungmyaybonza monastery.
Transfer back to Amarapura to visit the silk weaving village and enjoy a gentle walk along Ubein Bridge, the longest teakwood bridge in the world, to capture the awesome sunset. 
Transfer to your hotel in the late afternoon and stay overnight in Mandalay.
 

Have breakfast at your hotel and meet our tour guide for a transfer to Mandalay jetty and take a boat trip along the Ayeyarwaddy River up to Mingun in the North.  After a 1 hour journey, arrive in Mingun and enjoy a short walk to visit the must-see highlights of the region: 

First, Pahtodawgyi temple, a gigantic, uncompleted monument. You can climb up one hundred steps to the top of the temple and get a great view of  the Ayeyarwaddy River and the surrounding area.The next destination, Mingun bell, is just a couple of minutes walk away. This is a huge bell weighing 90 tons and is currently the second biggest ringing bell in the world.
Next, a short walk will lead us to Hsinbyume Pagoda, built in 1816 by King Bagyidaw, and dedicated to his wife. He named the pagoda following his wife’s name.

Return to the boat and head back to the city for lunch and explore some of the most outstanding cultural and historical sites. Visit Mahamuni Pagoda, a marble sculpture, to see how local people make Buddha statues from marble, the gold leaf making center, and the Shwenandaw monastery, or Golden Monastery, well known for its great wood carvings. Also, visit Kuthodaw pagoda, known as the biggest book in the world, with 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s doctrine. Take in the beautiful sunset from the top of Mandalay hill and stay overnight in Mandalay.
 

Transfer to Mandalay airport for flight to Heho in the morning.

Upon arrival at Heho airport, meet our tour guide and driver for 1 hour transfer to Nyaungshwe town. This drive will offer you delightful scenery of the hill station region, passing by the picturesque landscapes along the way.
Check in at your hotel in the town by the lake and embark on a boat trip in the huge lake to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and see the local Intha people working on the lake. They skillfully stand and row the boat with 1 leg, a truly unique way to row a boat.

Pass the floating gardens on the lake and listen as the guide tells you about the lifestyle, culture and how they cultivate their vegetation as well as the way they catch fish in the lake with their traditional traps.
Explore the Nampan villages at the end of Inle Lake and visit their traditional handicraft villages such as silk weaving lotus, cigarette and boat making as well as the blacksmith village.
Return to Nyaungshwe town and stay overnight.
Note: An overnight stay at the resort on Inle Lake is available on request.

Get picked up from your hotel and visit a 5 day rotational local market. This is the most fascinating way to explore the daily life of the ethnic minority groups. Continue the boat trip to Indein Pagoda.
The boat will leave the lake and enter a small canal. After 30 minutes, arrive in Pa O tribe village. From the village, take a walk through the old cover path to hundreds of pagoda ruins. The main stupa on top of the hill offers gorgeous views over the surrounding mountain ranges and the lake in distance.

Walk back to the jetty and embark on the boat to the Lake.  On the way, make stop at the long neck women's village and their silk shop, Phaung Daw OO pagoda (Jumping Cat pagoda) before returning to your hotel in Nyangshwe town and transfer to airport for a flight to Yangon.
On arrival, get a pick up to hotel.
Stay overnight in Yangon.

Enjoy a full day tour to discover this charming city. 
Starting from your hotel, visit the colonial style buildings. Walk along the streets to enjoy the beauty of these historic buildings, built last century and following British architecture. Then, visit the famous landmarks in the city such as Sule Pagoda, built in the 3rd century and located right in the city center.

The next landmark is Botahtaung pagoda by the grand Yangon River. According to the locals, the pagoda was built over 2000 years ago and enshrined by the sacred relics of the Buddha.
Explore the Chaukhtatgyi Buddha temple which houses one of the most revered reclining Buddha images in the country. It is the most well-known Buddhist temple in Bahan township of Yangon and is also one of the biggest Buddhas in Myanmar. The reclining Buddha image is 66 meters long and was built during the 1900's.
In the late afternoon, visit Scott market or Bogyoke market (closed on Monday) selling the medicines, foodstuffs, garments, electrics, souvenirs, jewelry, and art to witness the local way of life. 
Transfer to airport for your flight home or your next destinations.

Tour ends.