Jewels of Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay and Sapa – 07 Days

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 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!

• Meal: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Visiting a World Heritage site, a city museum, traveling to the French Quarter and the Ho Chi Minh complex, taking a leisurely stroll around West Lake and the Old Quarter, and enjoying a water puppet show

9:00 AM: Get Picked up by a tour guide to the Temple of Literature, which was constructed in the 11th century during the Ly dynasty for Confucius worship and to educate Royal children. Take a stroll through the garden to the city’s landmark, Khue Van Cac. The World Heritage “stone steles” that display the names of honor roll students will thereafter be your next stop. Continue your exploration of Quoc Tu Giam, which is regarded as Vietnam’s first national university.

Next stop at the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours.

In the afternoon, you visit the French Quarter, Hanoi’s “little Paris” with tree-lined boulevards, government headquarters, and a large square. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (outside) before taking a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens to the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s mansion on stilts where he used to live and work. One of the city’s icons is the one-of-a-kind one-pillar pagoda. Depending on the amount of travelers, we spend 1 to 2 hours exploring this complex.

Return to the city center for a rest before seeing the unique water puppet show that first debuted in the 11th century. Puppets on water depict the daily lives, culture, and beliefs of the Vietnamese people in these shows. A traditional music performance is frequently included in the show.

After the show, relax with dinner (on your own) or a stroll through the city center. Take a short car trip to Hanoi Train Station in the evening. Take a traditional overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa.

Included: English speaking guide –  Meal:- Private transportation – Entrance fees – Leisure: Water puppet – Train: (Hanoi – Lao Cai) / 22:00 – 06:20 

• Overnight on train (4-berth cabin)
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Famous hiking trail Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van, appreciating the breathtaking scenery

Early in the morning, arrive at Lao Cai train station. You will be escorted by a private guide and automobile on the hour-long ascent to Sapa. After each turn, take in the grandeur of the surrounding landscape and the rice terraces. You’ll also encounter H’mong and Red Dao people. Before exploring the town, have breakfast at a nearby restaurant.

Directly to the village of Lao Chai. The rice field is crossed by a little walkway that leads to a hamlet. Pay a special visit to granny, the last surviving craftsman in the neighborhood who customarily uses beeswax for embellishment to create the distinctive indigo-colored Hmong clothes. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about their culture and way of life.

Continue to Ta Van Village, the picturesque home of the Dzay people, which is perched high above a river and offers breathtaking views of the rice terraces, Hoang Lien Son Mountain range, and a river. As you stroll casually, you’ll come across several folks who will graciously invite you into their homes.

Finally, return to the town and evening is leisure

Included: English speaking guide – Meals – Private transportation – Entrance fees – Accommodation

• Overnight in Sapa
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Trek through Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages while admiring the stunning scenery.

After breakfast, you will begin your journey from Ma Tra hamlet to Ta Phin village. This tour will take you to the magnificent rice terrace valley. You will have the opportunity to meet members of the Black Hmong and Red Dao ethnic groups. They are originally from Southern China, but moved to Vietnam in the 11th century and continue to dwell at high altitudes, distant from the modern world. This assists them in preserving their customs, language, and, most importantly, their ancestral way of life. Make a detour to visit a Hmong family and school in Ma Tra Village. After a 3-hour journey, you will arrive at the Red Dao group’s Ta Phin village. Interact while you’re walking.

2:30 PM: Transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive at your Hanoi hotel around 8:00 PM.

• Overnight in Hanoi
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Biking to the Thung La temple, taking in a live drum performance, and taking a boat tour through the Van Long Nature Reserve

8:00 A.m.: Drive from Hanoi to Ninh Binh through the gorgeous scenery of the Red River Delta, which is dotted with rice and vegetable fields.

Take a 15-kilometer bike ride or walk through the towns. A journey along the dyke will provide you with stunning views of rice fields, rivers, and limestone mountains. There are various stops where you may take lovely photos or interact with the people before walking to Thung La Temple, which dates back to the 11th century. Meet Mr Tuong, the temple protector, and experience a 20-minute drum concert as well as an authentic chat.

Later, take a sampan boat ride along the creek and among the limestone mountains to explore the Van Long nature reserve’s magnificence. If you’re lucky, you might spot white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat ride, go to an embroidered village and join an embroidery class taught by a local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will be proud to demonstrate the techniques of her traditional craft. This is an excellent opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a true craftsman.

Return to your hotel in Hanoi

• Overnight in Hanoi
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Transfer to Lan Ha Bay, where you may admire the beautiful scenery and swim in the less visited part of Ao Ech.

9:00 a.m.: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Take the national route No5B from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay for two and a half hours. Your excursion will take you through the Red River Delta’s communities and rice farms. Make a pit stop for a drink and a potty break. Continue driving to the harbor around noon, where you will be greeted warmly at the cruise greeting.

12:30: You will join our support vessel and proceed from the quay to our elegant yacht via the bay. Fresh drinks, cold towels, and a special meal of fresh food and an assortment of delectable delights will be offered as a welcome. When you indulge in our luxurious crap, you will be delighted. Life doesn’t get any better than this! After that, we set sail for Lan Ha Bay, one of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays.

15:30: We will explore the Dark and Bright Cave – a hidden gem of Lan Ha Bay with its untouched natural beauty and enchanting seascapes. You will have a chance to take some amazing photos of the scenic views and the local life. You will also enjoy bamboo boats and swimming – two fun activities that let you experience the beauty of the limestone mountains and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay. You will feel refreshed and relaxed in the emerald green water of Lan Ha Bay with its swimming activities or in the mini pool with jacuzzi on the cruise.

17:30: Return to the cruise. Join the sunset party on Lan Ha Bay. This is a perfect time for photography lovers to capture the stunning moment of sunset at Lan Ha Bay.

19:30: Have a romantic dinner at the restaurant on the cruise.

21:00: Experience the nightlife of the bay from the top deck. Listen to music, enjoy a cocktail from the bar, watch famous movies and relax on the cruise. Or you can try squid fishing with the sailors or just relax in your room and watch the bay from the balcony.

• Overnight on 5* Cruise
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Visit Trung Trang Cave for a leisurely lunch on departure from Hanoi

From 6:30 to 7:30, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Cruise restaurant.

At 8:00, we will reach the Frog Pond area, where you can kayak and relax in the four-season mini pool on Lan Ha Bay – a stunning landscape of green mountains, blue seas and diverse wildlife.

At 9:30, check out of your room and have lunch at the restaurant. Settle any extra charges (if any) at the reception while we head back to the port.

At 11:30 – 11:45, you will arrive at Tuan Chau International Marina Station.

Our driver will welcome you at the harbor and take you back to Hanoi on the new highway No5B, passing through the Red River Delta and villages. You will be dropped off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).

Our private driver will pick you up at the hotel lobby (Hanoi Old Quarter) and drive you to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic hall according to your request) in about 45 minutes. Thank you for visiting our city.

Note: Please be at the airport 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights.

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