Discover the North of Vietnam

(8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS)

Places to visit: HANOI – HALONG BAY – SAPA

Itinerary

DAY 1: HANOI – ARRIVAL

Arrive Hanoi airport by morning flight. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Soon after, start the city tour Hanoi. With a millennium-long history, Hanoi is a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks dotted with French-style buildings and historical monuments. During the half-day city tour, you’ll see cultural and historical highlights, comprising Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh’s former residence, Presidential Palace (for outside photo taken), One-pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son Temple. The tour gives you time for shopping and socializing with local people. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI – HALONG BAY (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

In the morning, transfer to Ha Long (170km), a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1994. Upon arrival, a welcome cocktail is offered and check-in on board. At 12:00, the cruise starts sailing on Ha Long Bay passing by scenic locations including Yen Ngua, Con Coc Mountain and a floating village. A Vietnamese buffet lunch is served on board. En route, visitors will enjoy the view from the sun desk, or relax with a professional massage before the cruise anchors near Trinh Nu & Hang Trong caves for the night stay. During the afternoon, swimming or kayaking activities are proposed. A Vietnamese buffet dinner is served in the elegant dinning room. Overnight on board.

DAY 3: HALONG - HANOI - LAO CAI (Breakfast)

Attend a Tai Chi course in the early morning or watch a fabulous sunrise. The cruise then sails again through the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay heading for the shore. Check out of your cabin after breakfast and transfer back to Hanoi. On the way to Hanoi, visit Bat Trang pottery village. Escorted by a local porter guide, visitors will be thrilled by the sights and sounds of the kilns, explore generation-to-generation pottery techniques and get to know the potters’ daily life. Transfer to the station for night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

DAY 4: LAO CAI - SAPA (Breakfast, Lunch)

Arrive at Lao Cai station in the early morning. Transfer to Sapa, a hill station built in 1922 which lies in a beautiful valley. Sapa has both Hmong and Dzao people, the largest and most colourful ethnic groups in the region. Half day excursion to Tram Ton Pass, for spectacular views of swirling clouds over a deep green mountainous valley. Visit the Silver Waterfall on the way. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 5: SAPA (Breakfast, Lunch)

Full day excursion to Bac Market with boat trip on the Chay River, experience the life of the ethnic minorities. Afterwards, enjoy a short trek to a Tay village and board a boat for a scenic 1.5 hour ride on the Chay River. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 6: SAPA - HANOI (Breakfast, Lunch)

Excursion to Ta Phin to visit Red Dzao hilltribe and Cat Cat Black Hmong villages where people still wear their traditional, colourful embroidering clothing. On the way passing a cascading waterfall, rice fields. Arriving at Lao Cai train station to board an overnight train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

DAY 7: HANOI (Breakfast)

Arriving in Hanoi early in the morning, meet with the tour guide and transfer for breakfast at the local restaurant then transfer to hotel. Rest of the time at leisure for you to explore Hanoi at your own pace. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 8: HANOI (Breakfast)

Relax until transfer to airport for departure.