• The delights of Northern Vietnam0
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam2
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam3
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam4
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam5
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam0
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam2
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam3
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam4
  • The delights of Northern Vietnam5

The delights of Northern Vietnam

998 USD
10 Day 9-Night
On request
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Dien Bien Phu - Sapa - Halong Bay - Hanoi Departure
 

Day 1 - Hanoi Arrival.

Welcome to Hanoi, the Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Upon arrival, tour guide and driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel. Check in and have a break then. In the afternoon, take a walking orientation around the city center, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions including the Opera House, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Later, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.
Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2 - Hanoi Sunrise & City Tour.

In the early morning, our guide will greet you at your hotel. First, we visit to the famous flower market where hundreds of different kinds of flowers are being sold in bulk to the flower shop keepers. From there, continue to transfer to Long Bien bridge where, underneath is one of the biggest and busiest fruit markets of Hanoi. Both these markets are only seen in the early morning!
Next we will travel on foot and see the Old Quarter begin to wake up. You will see street side markets preparing for the morning. We’ll also make our way to Hoan Kiem Lake to witness, and maybe even take part in, people, young and old, exercising, doing Tai Chi, and jogging. As the sun rises, and the light becomes perfect, take every opportunity to snap some of the best photos of your trip!
Finish the tour with a traditional Hanoi breakfast of Pho Bo or Banh Cuon or Banh Mi, and head back to your hotel to short rest. (Or you can return to enjoy complimentary buffet breakfast at your hotel).
The afternoon tour is dedicated to a more in depth discovery of Hanoi beginning with a visit to visit the Temple of Literature, a structure dedicated to Confucius. It was constructed in 1070, the compound soon became the first Vietnamese university. Then visit the renowned Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays), which houses an interesting collection of artifacts relating to the mosaic of ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.
End the day trip at West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple, enjoy sunset over the lake.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 3 - Hanoi – Mai Chau.

Have lunch in Mai Chau then spend the afternoon trekking off the typical tourist track. Trek through terraced rice paddies and small villages, discovering the natural beauty of the valley and encountering the culture of the White Thai people, living in the region. Spend overnight in Mai Chau.
* Distance: 170 km or 100 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay/hotel in Mai Chau.

Day 4 - Mai Chau – Dien Bien Phu.

Farewell Mai Chau and take the drive to Son La. Let’s stop en route to visit villages of various tribes including the H’mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao and orchard, tea farm in Moc Chau plateau – Vietnam’s premier tea-growing region, before reach Son La (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch.
In the afternoon, continue along winding mountain roads through North Vietnam’s stunning countryside. The most picturesque scenery here is Pha Din Pass, well-known as a historical site during the 1st Indochina War ended in 1954, and a charming and dangerous pass at elevation 1,300m with breathtaking view. According to local legend, “Pha Din” means the connection between Heaven and Earth. On arrival, check in your hotel and spend rest of day at leisure.
* Distance: 320 km or 200 miles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu

Day 5 - Dien Bien Phu Discovery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 6 - Dien Bien Phu – Sapa.

This morning, leave Dien Bien Phu for Sapa. The road is a bit bumpy at times, but the rough route is quickly compensated by the magnificent scenery: yawning valleys, winding rivers, and canonical mountains – a photographer’s dream. The drive to Sapa takes you up Tram Ton – the highest pass in Vietnam – and views of the Fansipan Peak, known as “the roof of Indochina”. Visit the nearby Silver Waterfall. Upon arrival in the little town of Sapa, check in to your hotel. Nestled in a sweeping valley near the Chinese border, Sapa is Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination. Built in 1922 as a French colonial hill station, this quaint town is now a trekker’s paradise, offering hiking routes through terraced rice fields and enchanting hill tribe villages. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the colorful town on your own. Have dinner and stay overnight in Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 7 - Sapa Trekking Tour.

Enjoy your tasty breakfast in the hotel while breathing fresh air of the mountainous region. Today, you will start a bit later to pick up the best time when the sun arises for the best vision & photos. Your guide and driver will transfer you to Sapa vicinity where the ethnic minorities live. En route, stop for magnificent landscapes, silver waterfalls. The first your visit is Can Ho B which is a home for Red Dao people. When walking in this hamlet, you will be so much welcomed by the locals whom you meet on the way. Visit their home to learn how the traditional costumes are made from hemp and dyed by indigo plant. Then, proceed further to Ta Giang Phinh, a Hmong village, nestled in the valleys below Sapa for a four to five-hour trek. As you walk through the authentic village, you will have a great chance to meet and interact with the native people who love to share with you about their life and so. Back to Sapa later and the rest of the day is at your leisure.
* Trekking: 5 hours downhills.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 8 - Sapa – Hanoi.

Spend the whole morning at your leisure or to explore the town yourselves.
You may like to experience cable car ride to Fansipan peak (optional - ticket excluded in the tour package). The world’s most modern three-rope cable car system, Fansipan Legend, was opened to public use on February 2016.
WORKING HOURS: Start: 7:30 A.M – End: 17:30
PRICE: Adult and child (taller than 1.3m): 40 USD/ person | Child: 25 USD/ person.
At noon, you leave Sapa for the long and beautiful drive back to Hanoi. Enjoy several stops en route to savor the beautiful countryside as the landscape changes from arching mountains to the flat plains of the Red River Delta. Arrive in Hanoi in the evening.
* Distance: 320 km or 200 miles.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 9 - Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.

Halong Bay is one of the most loved spots in Vietnam for a reason - it's gorgeous. On this Halong Bay tour, we take you away from the hectic pace of life in Hanoi and introduce you to the tranquil, beautiful Halong Bay... Following breakfast, journey east through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most scenic impressive sights. On arrival you are welcomed onboard a traditional junk. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a two day cruise around Halong Bay. Along the way, enjoy a huge lunch served on board and admire the picturesque scenery of islands. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. You will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to Sung Sot cave, one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. The remainder of day is for your own pleasure; observing the bay, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise on Halong Bay.

(The itinerary is a sample, depends on weather and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program when you choose the cruise such as Era Cruises, Mon Cheri Cruises, Peony Cruises, Paradise Luxury Cruises, Orchid Cruise... etc.)

Day 10 - Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Ha Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will take you back to Hanoi to catch your departure flight home.
Meals: Breakfast & Brunch.
Accommodation: N/A.

PRICE INCLUDES PRICE EXCLUDES
• Accommodation with daily breakfast.
• Halong Bay cruise package (2 days/1 night).
• Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Services of private drivers and an air-conditioned vehicles.
• Service of English speaking guides.
• Entrance fees, boat trip, performance & excursions.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water.
• International flights and visa.
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotel.
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.).
• Tip for your tour guide/driver. We recommend you allow USD$3 - 6 per day, per traveler. 
• Travel insurance.