BEST OF NORTHERN VIETNAM 8 DAYS

Fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our driver & guide will be holding a sign with your name and welcome you at Noi Bai International airport, transferred to your hotel for check in. The rest day is free at leisure

Your guide and driver will meet you at 8:30am to drive about 100 kilometres south to Hoa Lu the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties dating back to the 11th century. Not much of the capital remains, but fortunately some of its ruins and tombs have survived for a millennium. The scenery is spectacular and more than make up for the lack of ruins.

After lunch in a local restaurant you will continue to nearby Tam Coc or Three Caves in Vietnamese, an area of natural beauty that is often referred to as Halong Bay on land. Board a small boat and meander lazily down the river to the ancient caves. See limestone karsts jetting skywards out of electric green rice paddies. Returning back to the pier your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi arriving late afternoon for your overnight train to Lao Cai. Overnight on a shared 4 berths a/c cabin

Arrive at Lao Cai railways station at about 06.00AM. Our driver and guide will welcome you take a driver to uphill to the mountainous town of Sapa where the monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colours of its hill-tribes.

Departure at 8.30 to 9.00AM walk from Sapa downhill along a narrow trail for an hour through fruit garden and vegetable farms to the southern end of Cat Cat village ( from 1,486m to 1,288m). Then follow the steps down to Muong Hoa River, enjoy a short rest near Cat cat waterfall (1,212m). Continue to enjoy spectacular views of rice terraced mountains, and see local people dressed in colourful costumes walking along the roadside and return Sapa through the local market. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Sapa

After breakfast, visit Fansipan Mountain by the cable car. As you know the cable car in Sapa is the world’s longest and highest cable car, running up from sleepy Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province to the peak of 3,143-meter Fansipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop. Enjoy the view from the highest point of this incredible mountain. The lush green and subtropical vegetation makes this mountain really very beautiful. Take some pictures for unforgettable experience from the top. After taking scenery then get cable car back to Sapa. Free & easy for shopping at Sapa market until transfer to bus station at 15.00 to travel back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, 12 Lý Thai To Street, make your own way to get back hotel. Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up at hotel at 8.00 – 8.30AM and starting a journey east to Halong Bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters. Overnight on Cruise.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier to get back Hanoi.

Embark on a full day city tour to explore Hanoi’s attractions on a private tour. You will be picked up at 8.30 am and process to visit Hanoi’s old quarter with its bustling 36 street which has been famous for centuries, next, visit temple of literature, the first university of Vietnam, later tea back to Hoan Kiem lake to walk around the lake. Sample, or try the famous egg coffee and and your day with a visit to puppets show. Overnight Hanoi

After breakfast, free at leisure or free shopping at local market until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for flight back home.