09 Days - HANOI, SAPA & HALONG BAY

DAY 01: ARRIVAL HANOI
Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. Tour begins with the Vietnam History Museum (closed Mondays and Fridays) followed by Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, take a rickshaw ride through the alleys of the Old Quarter. Tonight, be treated to a water puppet show, a performing art unique to Vietnam.

DAY 02: HANOI -LAO CAI - SAPA (B / L / D)
After breakfast, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (open in the morning only and closed Mondays and Fridays), his Former Residence and Temple of Literature – the first University in Vietnam and the capital of Vietnam about 1000 years ago.
In the afternoon, visit the nearby handicraft villages such as the pottery and silk weaving villages which have been practicing the trade for more than a century.

This evening, be transferred to the railway station to catch an overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa.

DAY 03: LAO CAI - BAC HA -SAPA - MUST BE A SUNDAY (B / L / D)
Arrive Lao Cai early in the morning and drive to Bac Ha to catch the Sunday market. This lively and colorful market offers visitors a glimpse of the various hill tribe people at their very best! 

In the afternoon, we drive to Topas Ecolodge. The rest of the day is free at your leisure

DAY 04: SAPA – HILLTRIBE VILLAGE  (B / L / D)
After breakfast, start your trek to Ban Ho Village, which is home to the Tay minority hilltribe. It is set amongst beautiful rice terraces and commands a great view over the valley. The surrounding area is also home to the Nhang Minority. We then cross the river by a suspension bridge and we are into the Xafo minority hilltribe. These are some of the least commercialized ethnic minorities with beautiful traditional costumes. Return to Ban Ho where we will have lunch in the local village before exploring the surrounding.
 

DAY 05: SAPA – HILLTRIBE VILLAGE  (B / L / D)
Take a short drive to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao hill tribe village, where the trek begins. Visit Ta Van village, the only village in Sapa area inhabited by the Giay ethnic minority. From Ta Van, a 2 hours easy walk through the terraced rice field will bring you to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Drive back to Sapa. Upon arrival, check in Victoria Sapa Hotel

DAY 06: SAPA - LAO CAI - HANOI (B / L)
You have the day free to explore Sapa town. This evening, be transferred to the railway station for your overnight train back to Hanoi.

DAY 07: HANOI - HALONG BAY
Arrive in Hanoi early in the morning. After breakfast, drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay, one of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water of the Bay of Tonkins – it’s indeed an impressive sight.

In the afternoon, take a cruise on the bay with seafood lunch on board. Spend the night in Tuan Chau Resort, on board Emeraude cruise or your private traditional junk cruise.

(Breakfast, lunch included for overnight in Tuan Chau Resort)

(All meals included for overnight in Emeraude cruise or private junk boat)
 

DAY 08: HALONG BAY - HANOI
Continue cruising the Halong Bay and drive back to Hanoi in the afternoon (if you are staying in Tuan Chau resort or Emeraude cruise, you will drive back to Hanoi in the morning).

(Breakfast included)

Classic Junk Boat Cruise in Halong bay: Indochine Junk