Northern Vietnam Discovery 7 days (ATD-V07)

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, you are greeted by your tour guide and driver and then taken to your hotel by private transfer. You might like to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake, a short walk from your hotel. It’s beautifully lit up at night.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, dive into the sights, sounds, and aromas of Hanoi. Start with Ho Chi Minh Complex including his Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all afternoon, every Monday & Friday, and from late September until December), the Presidential Palace, the historic Stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Continuing on your journey through Hanoi, you head to Tran Quoc Pagoda (which means “Stabilizing the Nation”), the oldest pagoda constructed in the sixth century in the Westlake and also a famous attraction for pilgrims.

From there, you will proceed to the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or “mandarins”.

Around 12.30: you will have lunch at a local restaurant. After that drive out of the city to visit the Museum of Ethnology, a museum of the 54 officially recognized Ethnic Groups in Vietnam (Ethnology Museum is closed every Monday).

Head back to the City centre to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart and soul of Hanoi.

End up your day with a fun cyclo/ rickshaw ride through the French Quarter and then enjoy a Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Around 18.00 – 18.30, return to your hotel where the rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hanoi

Depart early in the morning from the hotel for a 2-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam – Ninh Binh, on the way, you experience the peaceful scenery along the Highway 1A, stop for a short break to stretch your legs.

Upon arrival at Trang An Wharf, you will embark on an exciting boat trip through the various caves admiring the spectacular Limestone Karsts with rich fauna and flora.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will head to Mua Cave with stunning rice fields with buffalos, goats…along the road till approaching Mua cave. You’ll walk up to the top of the mountain where Mua cave is located, visiting lovely stalactites and stalagmites inside, enjoying the spectacular view of the ricefields and the Ngo Dong River below.

Get back to Trang An and then continue to visit Tuyet Tinh Coc (the on top pagoda inside the cave) from there you can see the romantic lake surrounded by Karsts and jungles.

Finish the tour and wind your way back to Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hanoi

After early breakfast, you will be picked up by your driver and then depart for a five-hour drive to Sapa, the Former French Hill Station. Arrive in Sapa after mid-day and check into your hotel.

In the afternoon, meet your guide and driver again, then take a short drive to Y Linh Ho village. From here you will trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai, admire the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the riverside and after that continue your trek until you reach Ta Van village where Dzay Ethnic People inhabits. Here you will be greeted by the host family and then enjoy a cup of welcome tea before checking in to the local home. You will have dinner cooked and served by the family members. Tonight you will be provided with simple clean bedding, pillows, blankets and a mosquito net.

Trekking distance is about 10 km and it lasts for 3-5 hours

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Ta Van Village

After enjoying breakfast prepared by the family, you will say goodbye to the host and start a new day with a more interesting trek for almost 3 hours through the paddy fields and bamboo forest. Finally, you will reach Giang Ta Chai, a village of Red Zdao minority. Here you will enjoy a short rest by the waterfall, then proceed to the meeting point where the driver will take you back to Sapa town.

You will be at your leisure in Sapa until you are picked up and driven for five hours back to Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast 
Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast you will leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where you will discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.

Once there, you’ll be welcomed aboard your traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bay’s rocky islands and hidden caves.

After lunch on board, you will take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses.

Return to your Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before enjoying a scrumptious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.

Note: If your time permits, we would highly recommend an additional night on board which gives you a lot more time to relax and take in the amazing landscape. You’ll get to cruise deeper into the Bay where it’s more beautiful and less crowded. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board in Halong Bay

The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, a brisk walk to catch one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight

*** Note: In case your flight departure is in the morning or early afternoon time, one more night in Hanoi should be added.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch