Guide

English-speaking guide.

Others

Transportation Accommodation hotels in Double/Twin shared room Overnight cruise in Halong Bay Local English speaking guides Entrance fee at indicated sights Hanoi City Group Tour, Sapa Group Tour to Cat Cat village, Halong Bay Group Tour Seat-in-Coach Limousine Bus (Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi) Water Puppet Tickets in Hanoi Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner Gov’t tax and service charge Luggage handling and drinking water

Accommodation

Hanoi: Hanoi Boutique Hotel & Spa (Superior Room) http://www.hanoiboutiquehotel.vn/en-us or Similar ones. Sapa: Sapa Luxury hotel (Superior Room) http:www.sapaluxuryhotel.comor Similar ones. Halong Bay: Luxury Flamingo Cruise (Deluxe Cabin) http://flamingocruises.vn/ or Similar ones.

Meals

Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner.

Transport

All transfers and excursions with private air-conditioned vehicles with drivers.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident or illness).

Others

Visa stamping fee on arrival Optional Tours from Sapa to markets Travel Insurance in all kinds Single room (quoted separately) Other foreign language guide Peak tourist season or special event rates Tip, drinks and other personal expenses

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival

When you arrive at Noi Bai airport – Hanoi, right after getting out of the restricted area, you will see our guide waiting for you at the lobby with a board of your name. Then our driver will take care and transfer you safely to Hanoi center for checking in hotel in Hanoi.

* Meal code: (no)

* Services: Pick-up private car with guide, Hotel in Hanoi.

O/N in Hanoi.
Day 2 Day 2: Hanoi Full Day City Tour – Water Puppet Show (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Hanoi Full Day City Tour – Water Puppet Show (B/L)

After breakfast in our hotel then at 08h00 to start the journey to visit the Hanoi old quarter by bus. We will take you pass Hoan Kiem lake, see the peaceful waters and visit Ngoc Son temple, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle’s O final resting-place. Just nest door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, lying to one side of the mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, this structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

Continue to visit Quan Thanh temple and Buddist Tran Quoc pagoda on West lake ( one of the oldest in Vietnam) Lunch time then proceeding to visit the Ethnology museum, continue to visit the literature temple and Quoc Tu Giam, which is the first university of Vietnam since 1070. It’s gardens and well-preserved architecture offers a relaxing glimpse in to Vietnam’s past. Getting back to our hotel at round 16h30 for relaxing, shower… then you will be free to go out for dinner.

By the end of day (at around 18:30 or 20:15), you will have a chance to enjoy the first-class tickets for a “Water Puppet Show” prolonging roughly within 1 hour. You can totally walk by yourself from your hotel to the Water Puppet Theatre for around 3 – 5 minutes.

Free time to visit and relax in Hanoi, overnight in Hanoi hotel.

* Meal code: (B,L)

* Services: Hanoi City Group Tour, Water Puppet Show, Hotel in Hanoi.

O/N in Hanoi.
Day 3 Day 3: Hanoi – Seat-In Coach Bus To Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B/L/D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Hanoi – Seat-In Coach Bus To Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B/L/D)

06h30 – 07h00: Pick up at hotel or at the meeting point and then start departure to Sapa, following Noi Bai – Lao Cai high-way.

Along the way, you will have chance to contemplate the beauty of northwest mountains that terraced fields are sparkling in sunlight or dim in thick fog. Have a short break for 30 minutes then continue the trip to Sapa.

13h00: Arrive in Sapa, check in hotel and have lunch.

Afternoon: Start trekking to Cat Cat village, about 45 minutes walk from Sapa, this is the village of Black H’Mong hill tribe. The village is on the slope of the hill and easy walking, rice and corn are grown here.

Visiting Cat Cat village, you will have a chance to visit a big waterfall on the stream and the old Hydro Electric Power Station built by French people.

That is the image of young women sitting by looms with colorful pieces of brocade decorated with designs of flowers and birds. When these pieces of brocade are finished, they are dyed and embroidered with beautiful designs. A note worthy is that H’Mong women use indigo plants and leaves to dye these brocade fabrics. And then they roll around and smooth section of wood covered with wax on fabrics to polish them, making their colors.

Evening: After dinner, you are free to explore the charm of Sapa by night, enjoy roasted corn, baked eggs beside charcoal fire or go shopping. Especially on Saturday night, we highly recommend a stop at the Love Market which is one of unique cultures of ethnic minorities HMong, Dzao in Lao Cai in particular and North West of Vietnam in general.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Sapa

* Meal code: (B,L, D)

* Services: Bus Limousine to Sapa, Group Tour to Cat Cat Village, Hotel in Sapa.
Day 4 Day 4: Sapa – Free – Optional To Minorities Markets (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Sapa – Free – Optional To Minorities Markets (B)

Today, you will have free time in Sapa to relax and discover Sapa town by yourself.

And if needed, you can choose one of below optional tours:

Option 1: Coc Ly Market, Private Tour (Tuesday only)

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 2 people is USD 85.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 3-4 people is USD 75.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 4-8 people is USD 60.- per pax

Highlights:

This is a unique market, which takes place only on Tuesday. Coc Ly is a very small market where you can meet several ethnic minorities such as Flower Hmong, Black Zao, Phu La, Nung and Tay. The trip offers you a one-way boat ride along Chay River and a short walk to Trung Do village of Tay minority

Itinerary:

After having breakfast, you will travel by car from Lao Cai Railway Station. The ride is relatively flat from Lao Cai. It will take you through rural area. The road is rougher for the last 30km. You arrive in Coc Ly by the time where the market is the most crowded.

Coc Ly market locates by the Chay River, which flows from China. Every Tuesday morning, minorities from surrounding villages such as Flower Hmong, Black Zao and Tay, gather to sell and buy their products. After visiting the market, you travel by boat downstream. Along the ride, you can enjoy magnificent sight of the beautiful caves and life on the riverbank. You will have lunch on a beach or later in a village.

The trip will also offers you a visit to Trung Do village of Tay minority, where you can stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. You will go further downstream until you arrive to Bao Nhai Bridge. Here you get on the car for the journey back to Lao Cai.

Approx: 5 hours driving/ 1.5 hours boat cruise/ 0.5-hour walking/ 1-hour lunch

Option 2: Cao Son Market, Private Tour (Wednesday only)

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 2 people is USD 82.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 3-4 people is USD 72.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 4-8 people is USD 68.- per pax

Highlights:

Cao Son is the most stunning part of Lao Cai province. The wonder of Cao Son is ever inspirational with mild weather, authentic culture of local hill tribes, spectacular views toward lush valleys and mighty Chay river.

On this trip you will visit one of the smallest local markets in the area, which locates in a beautiful landscape. The market still keeps its original aspect as it is. Here you will meet Flower Hmong , Black Dao, Tay, Nung minorities.

Itinerary:

After having breakfast, you will travel by car from Sapa. You will enjoy beautiful scenery along the ride until you arrive in Muong Khuong. From there, you turn in a dirt road, which goes up in mountains. Pine trees forests and villages surround the tinny market. Flower H’mong, Black Dao, Tay, Nung ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric.

People coming to the market not only for selling or buying something but also importantly to meet friends, relative and to sip some cups of wine until the dawn comes. No where else but here, Flower H’mong people greet you with a temptation of corn wine and endless hospitality. After exploring the market, you will be able to visit a village of Flower H’mong or a village of Tay people. You will then head back to Muong Khuong and have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, you get on the car for journey back to Lao Cai

Approx: 6 hours driving/ 1-hour walking/ 1-hour lunch

Option 3: Can Cau Market, Private Tour (Saturdays only)

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 2 people is USD 85.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 3-4 people is USD 75.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 4-8 people is USD 60.- per pax

Highlights:

Although Can Cau is not a big market in the area but it is very beautiful, animated and colorful. The market is open only on Saturday. You will meet there several ethnic minorities such as Flower Hmong, Black Zao, Phu La as well as Chinese people. Another highlight is the boat trip along Chay River and a short walk to a Tay village.

Itinerary:

You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast (optional). Then start our drive to Can Cau market. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai bridge.

After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey uphill offering beautiful views over the valleys. Situated 20 km from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small, but very colorful market. Opening only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong, Black Zao, Phu La ethnic costumes. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, you will leave the market for Bac Ha town for lunch.

In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets.

The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Coc Ly where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Lao Cai. End of tour.

Approx: 6 hours driving/ 1.5 hours boat cruise/ 0.5-hour walking/ 1-hour lunch

Option 4: Bac Ha Market, Group tour – Sunday only

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 2 people is USD 85.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 3-4 people is USD 75.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a private group of 4-8 people is USD 60.- per pax

=> The tour price applied to a group tour is US$ 45.-per pax

Highlights:

Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas.

The highlights of this trip is to live yourself in Bac Ha colorful market that happens only on Sunday and also to take a wonderful boat trip upstream Chay River, to have some pleasant walks through Tay village.

Itinerary:

You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast (optional). Then start our drive to Bac Ha town. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey up to Bac Ha. Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area.

Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets.

The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea before taking a boat cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will end at Bao Nhai bridge where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Lao Cai. End of tour.

Approx: 5 hours driving/ 1.5 hours boat cruise/ 0.5-hour walking/ 1-hour lunch

Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

* Meal code: (B,)

* Services: Hotel in Sapa.
Day 5 Day 5: Lao Chai And Ta Van Villages – Sapa – Seat In Coach Bus To Hanoi (B/ L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Lao Chai And Ta Van Villages – Sapa – Seat In Coach Bus To Hanoi (B/ L)

09h00: After breakfast, we start trekking down to Lao Chai village of Black H’mong ethnic people. Here we will discover their daily life and how they make traditional clothes, handicraft, indigo… We will visit the biggest valley which provides the best view for golden rice terrace fields in Vietnam. After Lao Chai we walk to Ta Van village of Dzay people. It is a small group of ethnic people in Vietnam with a rich culture and beautiful houses located on rice paddy fields.

Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages, about 8 km from Sapa town, where black H’mong and Dzay people are living, it is also the beginning of the valley which is called Muong Hoa. From a high point of the main road, great view of the whole villages open wide to offer the marvelous panorama views, backed by high mountains and facing the river.

Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terraced fields, stream, discover and visit some Black H’mong families. You will have a welcome feeling at any house of the hospitable people there. You can interact them, learn about their culture and customs…We will have lunch with the locals in one of the local houses.

The bus will pick you up from Ta Van village to Sapa Town.

Afternoon: Free time at leisure for shopping or visiting Sapa on your own.

16h00: It‘s time to say “Good bye Sapa!” and drive back to Hanoi. Along the way, once again you have a chance to enjoy the magical beauty of northwest mountains.

21h30: We arrive in Ha Noi.

* Meal code: (B,L,D)

* Services: Lao Chai & Ta Van Group tour, entrance fees, Bus Limousine to Hanoi, Hotel in Hanoi.

O/N in Hanoi.
Day 6 Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight On Cruise (B/L/D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight On Cruise (B/L/D)

07:30 Our shuttle bus with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels

(Note: This pick-up is just applied for those who use our shuttle bus service)

10:30 Stopover in Hai Duong City where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12:30 Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities such as: boarding Luxury Flamingo Cruise for departure, Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager

13:30 Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets.

15:00 Kayaking around Pearl Farm Village, visit Titop Island. Free choice of activities such as sunbathing, swimming and conquering the peak of the biggest island in Halong and taking panoramic photos of Halong bay in the afternoon.

17:30 Happy Hour. Buy 2 beverage get 1 for free

18.00 Cooking Class. Our Chef will demonstrate the preparation of a particular Vietnamese cuisine in the dining room. Our guide will let you know what item will be prepared and will explain the process during the demonstration. Duration about 20 – 30 minutes

18:30 Enjoy Sunset Party with fruits and tea

19:30 Under the magnificent night sky, our luxury set menu dinner is served with variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods

21:00 Joining the squid fishing on boat with our crews and can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef or laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar

Overnight on Luxury Flamingo Cruises.
Day 7 Day 7: Halong Bay Discovery – Hanoi (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Halong Bay Discovery – Hanoi (B/L)

06:15 Tai Chi class on the Sun-Deck

07:15 Have light breakfast with Coffee, tea, and bakeries on board

07:45 Arrive at the Surprising cave, the biggest cave in Ha Long Bay with 10,000 square meters, when you visit the cave like our Vietnamese house with three chambers as lobby, dining room and bedroom with most beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. We will tour the cave for about 60 minutes.

09:00 Upon return to the boat you will have time to freshen up and finish packing. When checking out please remove all of your belongings from the cabins, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins.

10:00 Relaxing on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier

10.45 Brunch is served.

After brunch, Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier.

11:45 Disembark at Marina coffee – Gate 26 in Tuan Chau New Marina.

Around 5 pm, you will arrive in Hanoi.

O/N in Hanoi.
Day 8 Day 8: Hanoi – Departure (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Hanoi – Departure (B)

On time as your request, our car & guide will come to take you to the airport for catching your flight to other city or home.

* Meal code: (B)

* Services: transferred-car with guide.

8 days tour

Vietnam Northern Tour To Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Vietnam Northern Tour To Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival

Day 2: Hanoi Full Day City Tour – Water Puppet Show (B/L)

Day 3: Hanoi – Seat-In Coach Bus To Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B/L/D)

Day 4: Sapa – Free – Optional To Minorities Markets (B)

Day 5: Lao Chai And Ta Van Villages – Sapa – Seat In Coach Bus To Hanoi (B/ L)

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight On Cruise (B/L/D)

Day 7: Halong Bay Discovery – Hanoi (B/L)

Day 8: Hanoi – Departure (B)

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