Places to be seen

PLAN A

Hanoi → Mai Chau → Halong bay

Day 1: Hanoi / Arrival

Explore the Temple of Literature, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover the rich history of Vietnam's first university. Walk around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, and visit the Ngoc Son Temple, perched on an island in the lake. Continue your exploration at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the diverse ethnic groups of Vietnam through fascinating exhibits and artifacts.

Take a cyclo tour for sightseeing around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Watch video.

  • Overnight in Hanoi.
  • B,L

Day 2: Hoa Lu

After breakfast at hotel, we transfer you to Hoa Lu (in Ninh Binh), the ancient royal capital of Vietnam. Take a sightseeing tour and take a bike to reach Tam Coc. Enjoy lunch and start exploring the famous 3 caves. Return to Hanoi.

  • Overnight in Hanoi
  • B,L

Day 3: Mai Chau

Morning, transfer to Mai Chau. Upon arrival in Mai Chau, enjoy a traditional lunch.

After lunch, visit Mai Chau Valley, biking for sightseeing and visit nearby villages in Mai Chau. Visit Thai living museum for Traditional BBQ dinner, watch Thai traditional dance.

Watch Video of this tour.

  • Overnight at a bungalow
  • B,L,D

Day 4: Mai Chau

Walk to Mai Chau market, meet the local people and see them trading their handmade products in the market. We then steps up to 1000-step-cave to explore the cave.

After lunch at a local restaurant, your leisure time until we transfer you back to Hanoi.

  • Overnight in Hanoi
  • B,L

Day 5: Halong bay

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel and depart for Halong Bay at approximately 8:00am.

Upon arrival in Halong Bay, we will board the vessel and partake in a delectable lunch. During the meal, we will cruise through thousands of stunning islands and islets. Following lunch, you may freshen up in your room before embarking on a visit to the Surprising Cave, kayaking, swimming, and other activities. Later, return to the vessel, get a drink and enjoy the picturesque sunset scenery in the bay. Halong photo.

  • Overnight on boat in Halong bay
  • B,L,D

Day 6: Halong bay

Morning, breakfast on board. Cruise further and stop at a Pearl Farm village. Continue cruising through many island and islet to explore the hidden charm of the bay. Lunch on board while going back to the prier. Transfer back to Hanoi.

We transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.

  • B,L

PLAN B

Hanoi → Sapa → Halong bay

Day 1: Hanoi / Arrival

Arrival in Hanoi. Our driver meets you at airport and transfers you to your hotel.

After a refreshment, take a city tour, visit the most famous places in Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum & Ngoc Son Temple. Watch video

  • Overnight in Hanoi
  • L

Day 2: Hoa Lu

After breakfast at hotel, we transfer you to Hoa Lu (in Ninh Binh), the ancient royal capital of Vietnam. Take a sightseeing tour and take a bike to reach Tam Coc. Enjoy lunch and start exploring the famous 3 caves. Return to Hanoi.

  • Overnight in Hanoi
  • B,L

Day 3: Sapa

After breakfast, pick you up at hotel and transfer to Sapa. Arrival in Sapa around 13:00, take a little time for refreshment. Enjoy a tasty lunch of local Vietnamese dishes.

Then, we embark on a short trek to Cat Cat village. This village, home to the Black H'mong ethnic group, is nestled in a deep valley near the base of Fansipan Peak. With a knowledgeable guide, we explore the village, witness daily life, and visit the picturesque waterfall that once powered a French-built Hydraulic Power Station. We capture memorable photos before hiking uphill to meet our return bus to Sapa town. The trek covers 3.5 km and lasts about 2 hours. We return to Sapa Town by 17:00.

  • Overnight at hotel.
  • B,L

Day 4: Sapa

After breakfast, we start our trek, get through the rice terraces in Muong Hoa valley. We reach the village of Black Hmong, see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain. Enjoy picnic lunch at Lao Chai Village.

Continue our trek to Ta Van village – home of Dzay ethnic people. Enjoy the scenery until we meet our van at Ta Van bridge and head back to Sapa town. The total trekking distance is about 12 kms and it lasts for 4.5 hours.

A late lunch will be prepared for you near the craft centre and then visit a village school. Later, we make our way back to Sapa town and return to Hanoi.

  • Overnight in Hanoi.
  • B,L

Day 5: Halong bay

Morning, enjoy breakfast at hotel and depart for Halong Bay at approximately 8:00am.

Upon arrival in Halong Bay, we will board the vessel and partake in a delectable lunch. During the meal, we will cruise through thousands of stunning islands and islets. Following lunch, you may freshen up in your room before embarking on a visit to the Surprising Cave, kayaking, swimming, and other activities. Later, return to the vessel, get a drink and enjoy the picturesque sunset scenery in the bay. Halong photo.

  • Overnight on boat in Halong bay
  • B,L,D

Day 6: Halong bay

Morning, breakfast on board. Cruise further and stop at a Pearl Farm village. Continue cruising through many island and islet to explore the hidden charm of the bay. Lunch on board while going back to the prier. Transfer back to Hanoi.

We transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.

  • B,L

End of the journey!

Details

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Best of Northern Vietnam


PLAN A


DAY 1

Hanoi – Arrival.

Arrival in Hanoi. We welcome you at the airport and transfer you to hotel. After check in the hotel, our guide takes you to visit some famous places in Hanoi. You will start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-palace. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live in the past. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam’s first University constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed our visit at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which focuses on the 54 officially recognised ethnic groups in Vietnam. This fabulous collection relating to Vietnam's ethnic minorities features well-presented tribal art, artefacts and everyday objects gathered from across the nation, and examples of traditional village houses. After that we will take you to Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water, and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Meaning 'Temple of the Jade Mountain', Hanoi's most visited temple sits on a small island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge, constructed in classical Vietnamese style. Take an hour cyclo tour for sightseeing around the bustling old quarter to see the ordinary life in Hanoi. Read more about these attractions / Watch video At 18.00, Back to your hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner and a short while to explore the streets of Hanoi on your own. Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2

Hanoi – Hoa Lu (B,L)

08.00 Our guide will pick you up at your hotel and leave for Hoa Lu - Tam Coc. On the way to Hoa Lu, you have a good chance of seeing and enjoying the fresh air of the Vietnam countryside along the way.

10.30 Arrival in the province of Ninh Binh and then the guide will take you to visit Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam.

11.30 AM Continue to reach Tam Coc by bicycle. On the road, the guide will show you the daily life of the local people and the beauty of the area.

12.10 Lunch at a local restaurant in Tam Coc

13.00 After lunch, take small boats to visit Tam Coc, which is literally known as "three caves". The first Cave is the longest which is considered a true rainbow in the water during the morning time that extends on both sides of the Ngo Dong river. The silent movements of the oars create a sort of musical rhythm inside the cave. As the boat leaves the cave, you can see what appears to be an old man with a white beard, a fairy who flies through the clouds, peasants who collect fuel and a group of white goats that graze on the hills. After that, the guide takes you to the second cave and the third cave.

17.00 Return to Hanoi

19.00 Arrival in Hanoi

DAY 3

Hanoi – Mai Chau (B,L)

Mai Chau is a mountainous area of outstanding natural beauty, inhabited by a Thai and H’mong ethnic minority groups. This trip offers an easy trekking combined with homestay in villages of Thai , where you have experienced with the local lifestyle of these minority people. Watch Video of this tour.

Morning, at 08.00, pick up from your hotel and head west towards Hoa Binh to have refreshment. Leave Hoa Binh for Mai Chau Valley, about 2hrs away, stop for snapping pictures. Arrive in Mai Chau and have lunch in a family house in the local village around 12.00.

After lunch, riding bicycle around the surrounding villages of White Thai Ethnic people. Learn more about their lives and cultures as your guide can help answer any questions.

At 18.00, have dinner with the family, get a closer look into their real life. Drink “ruou can” (traditional alcohol) with your new family.

Sleep in the village, in a stilt house, the most interesting part of the trip. Stilt houses are unique to Mai Chau and you cannot find this experience in other tour.

OR staying overnight in a bungalow by your choice. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

Mai Chau – Hanoi (B,L)

The early morning is the most peaceful time to walk around the villages. Feeling the fresh air and seeing women prepare foods on the wooden fire while the sun is rising over the beautiful mountains which you can not feel in the crowed cities.

Breakfast in the village then walk to Mai Chau market. After breakfast, you will climb to 1000 Step Cave which is breathtaking and is the view of the area from the entrance of the cave. Have lunch in the village. The rest of time before getting back to Hanoi is your leisure. Going back to Hanoi at 17.00.

Arrival in Hanoi at 21.00.

Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)

DAY 5

Hanoi – Halong Bay ( B,L,D)

Around 8.00am, Our guide Pick you up at your hotel and go to Halong bay on a shuttle bus. Take a rest at Humanity center and enjoy local specialties after 2h. Arrival in Halong at 11.45. The captain and crew welcome you aboard. Savor the delicious lunch as boat pass through thousands of Islands and Islets with different shapes. After the lunch, explore the biggest and the most amazing cave in Halong Bay - Surprise Cave. Then Kayaking for an hour around the fishing village and discover the life of community there. Then back to boat for Sunset Party, get to calm, clean water place for swimming. Enjoy delicious and romantic dinner with some barbecue courses. In the evening, free time for entertainment with the funny plays such as squid fishing, karaoke program, stars watching on sundeck… Spend romantic night aboard. Stay overnight on boat in Halong bay.

DAY 6

Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,L)

Early morning, start your new day on Halong bay with doing morning exercises,Taichi or hunting photos. Breakfast with coffee or tea. After breakfast, our bus takes you to Cai Beo harbor, get on “Day Boat”, back boat. Then visit Ba Hang Fishing Village by tender to experience the lifestyle of local people. Back to boat restaurant to join cooking class and enjoy lunch. 12.00, Disembar. go backward Hanoi and transfer straight to airport for your departure flight.

PLAN B


DAY 1: Hanoi – Arrival.

Arrival in Hanoi. We welcome you at the airport and transfer you to hotel. After check in the hotel, our guide takes you to visit some famous places in Hanoi. You will start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-palace. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live in the past. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam’s first University constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed our visit at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which focuses on the 54 officially recognised ethnic groups in Vietnam. This fabulous collection relating to Vietnam's ethnic minorities features well-presented tribal art, artefacts and everyday objects gathered from across the nation, and examples of traditional village houses. After that we will take you to Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water, and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Meaning 'Temple of the Jade Mountain', Hanoi's most visited temple sits on a small island in the northern part of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge, constructed in classical Vietnamese style. Take an hour cyclo tour for sightseeing around the bustling old quarter to see the ordinary life in Hanoi. Read more about these attractions / Watch video At 18.00, Back to your hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner and a short while to explore the streets of Hanoi on your own. Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2: Hanoi – Hoa Lu (B,L)

08.00 Our guide will pick you up at your hotel and leave for Hoa Lu - Tam Coc. On the way to Hoa Lu, you have a good chance of seeing and enjoying the fresh air of the Vietnam countryside along the way.

10.30 Arrival in the province of Ninh Binh and then the guide will take you to visit Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam.

11.30 AM Continue to reach Tam Coc by bicycle. On the road, the guide will show you the daily life of the local people and the beauty of the area.

12.10 Lunch at a local restaurant in Tam Coc

13.00 After lunch, take small boats to visit Tam Coc, which is literally known as "three caves". The first Cave is the longest which is considered a true rainbow in the water during the morning time that extends on both sides of the Ngo Dong river. The silent movements of the oars create a sort of musical rhythm inside the cave. As the boat leaves the cave, you can see what appears to be an old man with a white beard, a fairy who flies through the clouds, peasants who collect fuel and a group of white goats that graze on the hills. After that, the guide takes you to the second cave and the third cave.

17.00 Return to Hanoi

19.00 Arrival in Hanoi

DAY 3: Hanoi  – Sapa (B,L,D)

After breakfast at hotel, we pick you up at hotel and transfer to Sapa.

Arrival in Sapa, take a little time for refreshment. Then, we will set off to begin trekking and exploring the Muong Hoa valley.

A 12kms of trekking will see us visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages. Here we will have lunch with a local family or in a drinking shop by the river, we continue hiking to Ta Van village (here resides the Dzay people) where we settle for the night in a local village family home. This provides a great opportunity to share their customs and home life. Your tour guide and host family will set up a temporary cooking class so you can share a Vietnamese cooking experience!

We stay overnight in a local family. Here you have opportunity to experience their daily life, work and original custom.

Overnight homestay at a local house of Dzay family in village. (B,L,D)

Option 2: Go back to Sapa town. Overnight at hotel. (B,L)

DAY 4: Sapa – Hanoi (B,L)

After breakfast at house, we leave Ta van village, head off on an uphill trail, past fascinating terraced rice fields and small pockets of H'Mong housing before walking through a bamboo forest to a picturesque waterfall. Here, we rest briefly and admire the scenery, following this we continue walking for about half and hour to Giang Ta Chai village, home of the Red Zao people- this sits on top of a hill and overlooks the Muong Hoa River.

After spending time with the villagers and enjoying their genuine hospitality we will cross the river via a suspension bridge and head upwards again to visit a local handicraft centre where H'Mong and Zao women gather to share their crafts and skills and have a good chat!

A late lunch will be prepared for you near the craft centre and then it is time to relax and become acquainted with the local school children and their teachers. Later, we make our way back to Sapa town.

Option 2: (Hotel stay in previous night)

Visit Cat cat village and Sin Chai Village.

Breakfast at hotel. A walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then next 6 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way a jeep to go back to Sapa.

Return to Hanoi

Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)

DAY 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay ( B,L,D)

Around 8.00am, Our guide Pick you up at your hotel and go to Halong bay on a shuttle bus. Take a rest at Humanity center and enjoy local specialties after 2h. Arrival in Halong at 11.45. The captain and crew welcome you aboard. Savor the delicious lunch as boat pass through thousands of Islands and Islets with different shapes. After the lunch, explore the biggest and the most amazing cave in Halong Bay - Surprise Cave. Then Kayaking for an hour around the fishing village and discover the life of community there. Then back to boat for Sunset Party, get to calm, clean water place for swimming. Enjoy delicious and romantic dinner with some barbecue courses. In the evening, free time for entertainment with the funny plays such as squid fishing, karaoke program, stars watching on sundeck… Spend romantic night aboard. Stay overnight on boat in Halong bay.

DAY 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,L)

Early morning, start your new day on Halong bay with doing morning exercises,Taichi or hunting photos. Breakfast with coffee or tea. After breakfast, our bus takes you to Cai Beo harbor, get on “Day Boat”, back boat. Then visit Ba Hang Fishing Village by tender to experience the lifestyle of local people. Back to boat restaurant to join cooking class and enjoy lunch. 12.00, Disembar. go backward Hanoi and transfer straight to airport for your departure flight.

Price & Incl

PRICE IN USD

OptionsGroup tourPrivate tour
Homestay399590
Basic
3 star
420650
Deluxe
4 star
590790
Luxury
5 star
950
First class
5 star ++
1,350

PRICE INCLUDES:

Hotel & accommodation

Meals (B,L,D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Transfer vehicle.

English speaking guide.

Entrance and sightseeing tickets.

EXCLUDES:

Drinks.

Tips.

Personal expenses.

International flights.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:

May be applied with solo traveler.

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