Northern Charm Discovery 8 days

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a guide in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, which celebrated its 1000 year anniversary in 2010. With its emphasis on the arts and learning, local law stipulates that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple tube style and in harmony with its age-old colonial ambiance. You will be able to explore all the city has to offer before taking in a unique water puppet show. Followed by a welcome dinner in one of the finest restaurants in the city. You’ll then have a restful overnight stay at the hotel.

Meal: Dinner
Tour guide: English speaking guide

The full day tour takes you around Hanoi’s highlights sites including the Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and his stilt house, Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda to learn about Buddhist practices in Vietnam. You also have chance to visit historic University – The Temple of Literature dates back to the 11th century. Continue the trip to Ethnology Museum the very informative museum including indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Back to the Old Quarter to walk through the narrow streets that were famous for its specialized craft making guilds, the guild streets were named for their product or location and still bear such names nowadays. Afterward, have a light break at a small hotel near to the train station. Then later that evening, our staff will escort you to your cabin on the train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Tour guide: English speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Arrive at Lao Cai train station at around 6 am. Pick up and transfer to hotel in Sapa (1 hour drive). Once in Sapa, have breakfast and check-in to your hotel (the early check-in is upon availability and hotel’s policy). Some free time is offered to explore the town by yourself. The afternoon is started by an enjoyable walking tour to the hill tribe village of Cat Cat, home to the H’mong minority peoples. You will have the opportunity to get cultural interaction with the families that live in the area before heading back to Sapa in the late afternoon. Overnight in Sapa.

Meal: Breakfast
Tour guide: English speaking guide

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, by 8.30 am, take a car ride 5 km to the North East of Sapa. From here, take off car to visit Matra village of the H’mong people. After this village, do a 4-hour trek through the mountain and reach Ta Phin village – a handy craft traditional village of 2 different minorities: the Red Dzao and the Black H’mong. The Ta Phin village is surrounded by mountains and the landscapes are beautiful. Have some free time in the afternoon to explore Sapa markets in town. Late afternoon, we bring you back to Lao Cai Railway station for overnight train to Hanoi. Overnight is on the train.

*If today is Tuesday, Thursday, Sat or Sunday, we will recommend visiting some of the most beautiful markets in North West Vietnam

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English speaking guide

Around 5.00am, Arrives at Hanoi and our staff picks you up at the train station. Rest and breakfast in a small hotel nearby the Hanoi train station. At 08:00, you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay (3.5 hour drive) and board the boat at noon time. The magical bay is home to thousands of limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons’ teeth. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board, you’ll enjoy cocktails or cooking classes while watching the sunset, before indulging in a lavish dinner on board. Afterward, you can choose to do anything from joining movie night, playing board games, or relaxing at the beauty spa before retiring for the evening.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English speaking guide on board

You’ll start the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise and an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, you will be taken to a beautiful limestone grotto before returning to the junk for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Check out at noon time and the vehicle is waiting for you to take you back to Hanoi. Free time to shop or chill out the nightlife in the Old Quarter. Overnight at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English speaking guide on board

A free and easy day to relax or shop at the Old Quarter or to do some of your own explorations.
Optional day tour to Ninh Binh (2,5hour drive from Hanoi): a visit to Tam Coc- Kenh ga, where you’ll glide down a narrow stream on a sampan, passing through caves and green paddy fields that will make you feel you are somewhere in paradise. The drive back and forth is rewarded with beautiful and scenic rural landscape along.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch – applied if visit Ninh Binh)
Tour guide: English speaking guide (applied if visit Ninh Binh)

Morning with leisure or a late breakfast then enjoy your free time until departure to the airport for your onward flight. End of services.

Meals: Breakfast
Tour guide: None