North Vietnam Tour (10 days)

Itinerary

Day 1(Sun): Arrival in Hanoi. (D)

You’ll be greeted at Noibai Airport and transferred downtown to check in your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore a little of downtown and enjoy a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 2(Mon): Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)

Depart Hanoi at 8.30am and drive by private coach to Halong Bay (3.5 hours) passing verdant farmland and witness the daily life of the local peasant farmers. Arrive in Halong City at noon, board your boat and enjoy lunch of fresh seafood while cruising into the Bay of the Descending Dragon.

You’ll stop to explore one of the many expansive grottoes here then continue cruising to a quiet firth. There will be lots of time for swimming and sun bathing. Cruise to a quiet firth and enjoy a great sunset dinner, relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.

Overnight on the boat.

Day 3(Tue): Halong Bay Sea Kayaking (B, L, D)

After breakfast start cruising further to transfer to an island. Take a basic skills lesson from your expert guide on paddling and safety, then start kayaking the Bay. Exploring at your own pace, your guide will lead to one of the many grottoes, and tidal conditions depending, you’ll paddle through the cave into its lush lagoon.

Stop to relax at some of the many secluded beaches then have lunch on beach. You may have time to toss the Frisbee on the beach, and there’s always time for a swim!

In the afternoon, keep kayaking around and come back to the boat for dinner and overnight on board.

Day 4(Wed): Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)

Enjoy sunrise in the Bay. Have breakfast and continue your cruise around the bay, passing Cua Van floating village to witness this unique way of life. Check-out your room, have lunch. Bus back to Hanoi, arrive 5.30pm.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 5(Thu): City tour of Hanoi (B, L, D)

On this insightful day through Hanoi’s busy tree lined boulevards, you’ll explore such interesting and historic sites as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One-pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature. Lunch. Afternoon visit one of the Museums in Hanoi (Ethnology, History, Fine-arts, Army, Women Museum).

This amazing 1 hours cyclo tour of the historic 36 street in Old Quarter is both a shoppers and photographers delight as the streets are alive with shops and vendors making and selling everything imaginable.

More tourist attraction to see: Saint Joseph Cathedral, Hoa Lo (the Old prison for American POWs)

8:30pm depart by private coach to Hanoi rail way station to catch the night train to Lao Cai (9:30pm-5:30am).

Day 6(Fri): Trekking Sapa (B, L)

Board a bus or van for a 1.5 hour drive up the stunning mountain range sculpted with tiered rice terraces to the town of Sapa nestled at 1632 meters. Lots of sight seeing en route. After checking into your hotel you'll have free time to explore the town and its great market.

After a lunch of Vietnamese food in a local restaurant you’ll take a 3 hour trek down the valley to visit a H’mong hill tribe village.

Return to Sapa and overnight in hotel.

Day 7(Sat): Trekking Sapa (B, L, D)

Start in the morning and trek 5 hours to Lao Chai village to visit the local H'mong hill tribe then onto Ta Van village, home of the Dzay hill tribe. You’ll stop beside a stream and enjoy a picnic lunch. Return to Sapa town and free at leisure to explore the town.

Overnight in Hotel.

Day 8(Sun): Sunday hill tribe markets (B, L, D)

Start early (6.00am) to Bac Ha market. You will have a chance to see Lao, Lu, Black (flat) Dzao and Blue H’Mong minority. After visiting the market go to see Old Castle of H'mong King and Ban Pho, a pure hill tribe village on a mountain. Drive back to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

Day 9(Mon): Free day in Hanoi (B)

Arrive in Hanoi 4.30 am. Check into your hotel. You’ll welcome this free day to relax and recover from you journey north. Lots of time to explore more of Hanoi and pick up some of those last minute souvenirs

Overnight in hotel.

Day 10(Wed): Departure Hanoi (B)

We'll take you from your hotel out to the airport to see you off on your journey home.

Quotation (US$/Person)

Include:

- Twin-shared rooms at 3-4 star hotel, 05 nights in hotel, 02 nights on the Junk.

- Meals as mentioned in the program. Special requirements (vegetarian, diet, Muslim food etc.) could be arranged upon prior notice.

- Land transfer by private A/C vehicle for whole trip.

- Junk in Halong Bay.

- Train ticket from Hanoi to Lao Cai and vice-verse (A/C soft sleeper).

- English or French speaking guide. Other languages are available upon request.

- Admission fee for all sightseeing places.

Exclude:

- Personal expenses.

- Drinks.
- Tips and gratuities.

  Enjoy pictures taken by travelers to Halong Bay:

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