Day 1 Arrival Hanoi, Vietnam
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam! On your first day, you can arrive in Hanoi at any time as the only activity scheduled is the airport pick up. The car driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you have checked in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city and form your own first impressions of Vietnam. The airport transfer is included in the itinerary, so you don't have to worry about arranging transportation on your own. Stay overnight in Hanoi and get ready for an exciting adventure!
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Accommodation Options:
TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar
Lenid Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar
Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar
Day 2 Hanoi - Sapa - Cat Cat Village - Sapa (B, L)
Having early breakfast at the hotel.
6:30-7:00 am: Our driver and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi to depart for Sapa. At 10:00 am, we will follow the highway to Lao Cai City, with a comfortable short break on the way to Sapa. Upon arrival at 13:00 pm, you will be amazed by the colorful traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic people. Enjoy welcome drinks and an itinerary briefing before having lunch with local Vietnamese dishes before checking into your hotel. At 14:30 pm, we will start hiking downhill to Cat Cat village at the bottom of Muong Hoa Valley. Enjoy spectacular views of the beautiful valley towards Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam and Indochina. Upon arrival at the village, you will have a chance to visit the Black H’mong’s traditional stilt houses as well as watch people weaving, embroidering, and drying their clothes. Then, keep walking to visit the dramatic and picturesque Cat Cat Waterfall, which is a great spot for photo-shoots. At 17:00 pm, we will return to Sapa town for dinner. Enjoy your free time in the afternoon to explore Sapa Market and town. Overnight at the hotel.
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Accommodation Options:
Sapa Luxury Hotel - 3-star or similar
Chau Long Sapa 2 Hotel - 4-star or similar
Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel - 5-star or similar
Day 3 Trek to Lao Chai - Ta Van Villages | Back to Hanoi (B, L)
8:00 am - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
9:00 am - Start trekking from Sapa towards another part of Muong Hoa Valley to witness the breathtaking landscapes of the mountainous region. Trek through lush rice terraces to reach Lao Chai village and experience the daily life and traditional culture of the Black H’mong people.
11:30 am - Arrive at Ta Van village, which is inhabited by the Tay minority and has a strong influence from Chinese culture. Take a bus ride back to Sapa.
14:30 pm - Free time in Sapa for refreshment.
15:15 pm - Board the bus to return to Hanoi.
21:15 pm - Arrive in Hanoi, check in, and stay overnight in Hanoi.
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Accommodation Options:
TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar
Lenid Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar
Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar
Day 4 Halong Bay with overnight on a cruise (B, L, D)
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, our private mini-van/bus will pick you up between 8:30 am to 9:00 am to begin your journey to Halong City. During the 3.5-hour drive, you will have the opportunity to view the simple countryside and rice paddy life along the way. Once you arrive at the port, you will board your private boat - an authentic Chinese Junk - and begin your amazing cruise through the stunning Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. Lunch will be served on board and will consist of a selection of the freshest seafood.
During the cruise, we will visit "the Amazing cave" and then take a swim in the tranquil emerald waters of Halong Bay. We will then cruise further into a quiet area where we will anchor and spend the night. You will enjoy dinner and relax as the sun sets over the bay. Afterward, you are free to swim in the phosphorescent water, retire to your cabin, or even fall asleep under the stars on the top deck, surrounded by the magic of Halong. You will spend the night on the boat, taking in the stunning surroundings of the bay.
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Accommodation Options:
Glory Legend Cruises - 3-star or similar
Pelican Cruises - 4-star or similar
Paradise Sails Cruises - 5-star or similar
Day 5 Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi (B, L)
Wake up early in the morning to witness a beautiful sunrise and breathe in the fresh ocean air. Enjoy breakfast served on the boat as we leisurely cruise through thousands of stunning and seemingly never-ending islands. This is an amazing opportunity to capture some breathtaking photographs of the scenery. We will also make a stop to visit a floating fishing village and hear legendary stories of the fishermen's daily life.
Lunch will be served on the boat as we cruise back to the Halong City pier. From there, we will return to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi around 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Check in at your hotel and take advantage of some free time to explore the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi on your own. Take the opportunity to indulge in some delicious local street food or browse the shops for souvenirs. You will spend the night in Hanoi.
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Accommodation Options:
TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar
Lenid Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar
Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar
Day 6 Hanoi Sightseeing Tour/Concludes (B, L)
After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up by our friendly guide to begin your exploration of Hanoi City. The first stop will be at Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. This pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi and was built in the 6th century. Admire the stunning architecture and learn about the history and culture of this important landmark.
Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you will have the chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. Take a leisurely walk around the garden to see the two houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Then, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, which worships the Goddess of Mercy and is considered the most unique pagoda in the world.
Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. If your tour falls on either of these days, an alternative itinerary will be arranged.
Afterwards, head to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. However, if your tour falls on a Monday, the museum will be closed, and you will visit the Women’s Museum instead.
Enjoy a delicious lunch at our restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to taste some of the best Vietnamese cuisine.
After lunch, continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam established in the 11th century. This is a great place to learn about the education system of Vietnam in ancient times.
The city tour will conclude with a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the "Hanoi Hilton."
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The Hanoi City Tour full day typically ends between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Your tour guide will drop you off at your hotel for your own arrangements or we can provide transportation to the airport for an extra charge of 35 USD$ (for a maximum of 4 persons). If you choose the airport transfer, you should arrive at the airport around 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. If you wish to extend your stay in Hanoi, we can arrange a room at the same hotel where your tour started, subject to availability and additional charges.
Before the tour ends, your guide will confirm the details of your drop-off or airport transfer. Please make sure to inform your guide if you have any special requests or requirements.
