Impression Of Northern Vietnam – 7 Days
Overview
During this one week journey, you will explore the great essence of culture and witness remarkable scenic landscape destinations in Northern Vietnam. Our tour starts in the charming capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, where you will visit famous historic sites and experience the daily life of Hanoian. You’ll learn about Vietnam’s culture, you will have a chance to enjoy the colorful markets of the hill tribes in Sapa as well as the natural world heritage Ha Long bay.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visit the most famous sights in Hanoi, enjoy a cycle tour and attend Water Puppet show to understand more about Vietnam’s culture and the daily life of Hanoians.
- Explore the biggest minority peoples hill tribe market in Northwest Vietnam
- Trek in deep hill tribe villages of ethnic minority to enjoy mountain scenery, see colorful rice paddy terraces and experience the truly life and culture of diverse ethnic minorities
- Relax on the cruise in Ha Long bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire spectacular scenery with more than 1.000 limestone islands and islets, caves, and traditional floating villages
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Tour Route: Hanoi arrival – Sapa – Ha Long bay – Hanoi departure
Starts/Ends: Hanoi/ Hanoi (Pickup & Drop off at the hotel)
Group Size: Private Tour Only
Commencement date: Anytime of the year.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Hanoi (D)
Day 02: Hanoi City Tour – Overnight train to Lao Cai (B, L)
Day 03: Lao Cai – Bac Ha market (only on Sunday) - Sapa (B, L)
Day 04: Sapa – Lao Chai - Ta Van Village – Fansipan by cable car - night train to Hanoi (B, L)
Day 05: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
Day 06: Ha Long – Hanoi (B, Brunch)
Day 07: Hanoi departure (B)
After a warm welcome upon arrival, we transfer you to your hotel in Hanoi. In the late afternoon, you will take an hour cyclo – tour, viewing the charming French colonial architecture, the bustling Old Quarter and attend the performance of the unique water puppetry. Welcome dinner will be reserved at one of the best restaurants in the city.
Overnight in Hanoi.
This morning, you will visit the famous Ho Chi Minh complex comprising his Mausoleum, former residence, the impressive house on stilts and view the One Pillar Pagoda. The One Pillar Pagoda, formally Diên Huu, is a historic Buddhist temple. It is regarded, together with the Perfume Pagoda, as one of Vietnam's two most iconic temples. In the next step, you will learn more about the historical and cultural events at the peaceful Temple of Literature, known as Vietnam’s first University since the 11th century. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ethnology museum, a museum that focuses on the 54 officially recognized. Back to the city central, you continue walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple.
In the evening, transfer to Hanoi railway station for overnight train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on soft sleeper cabin on train
Arrival in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning. Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant, then transfer to Bac Ha market. This Sunday market is attended by many ethnic groups including the colourful Flower H’Mong, Tay and San Chi minorities. The hive of activity and colours at the market are really special to see. Lunch is served at a local restaurant, then transfer to Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.
You will start your short journey by driving south towards Muong Hoa valley. Here you begin your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terraced in Sapa area. The guide wil provide you interesting information about rice. If you visit the valley in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the locals do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in their daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority. We also visit a local Catholic Church.
After visiting we will continue to explore Fansipan by cable car. The cable car system in Sapa is the world’s longest and highest, running up from sleepy Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province to the peak of 3,143-meter: Fansipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop.
Reaching Mount Fansipan used to be a full-day hike at least. But from Feb 2016 the trek up will be reduced to a 25-minute flight by cable car. The 6.5km long cable car can carry a maximum of 2,000 passengers an hour, with each cabin accommodating 35 passengers.
In the late afternoon, transfer to Lao Cai railway station for overnight train to Hanoi.
Approx: 2 hours driving/ 2 hours walking/ 20 minutes cable car
Overnight on soft sleeper cabin on train
Arrival at Hanoi railway station in the early morning. Meet up with our team and enjoy breakfast before departure to Ha Long Bay.
We will pick you up around 08:00 am for a transfer to Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long Bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes
Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.
In the late afternoon, we anchor for the night on the bay and enjoy a delicious seafood dinner on board.
Overnight on a junk boat in Ha Long Bay.
Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. After breakfast we take a Sampan boat to explore Luon Cave. We may have a chance to see the wild monkeys that gather around waiting for food from the tourists. After that we continue to cruise around the bay. Lunch is served on the boat on our way back to the docks then we return to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi around 16.30.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Breakfast at the hotel and free at hotel until transfer to Noi Bai airport for your home flight.
End of the trip!
Important Information
Price Includes, Price Excludes
Meals
Transportation
Accommodation
Price Includes
- All transfer and transportation with air-conditioning
- Hotel accommodation base on twin sharing room
- 01 night on the cruise in Ha Long bay base on twin sharing room
- English speaking tour guide (other language upon request)
- Meals as states in the itinerary: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
- Train ticket: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi (share cabin 4 berths-soft sleeper)
- Boat trip in Halong Bay
- Entrance fees and water
Leave a Comment