Melody of Mountain and Sea – 9 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!

• Meals: 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.

Follow it with a visit to one of the city’s museums (choose among the National history museum, Hoa Lo, Museum of Ethnology and Fine art museum) before having a break for lunch or some drink (by your own budget).

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 plays 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.

Come back to the hotel. End of the day

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Off the usual path to Sin Chai village, where we met H’mong people.

7:30 AM: Tour guide and driver will pick you up for the trip from Hanoi to Sapa. The new route provides stunning views of rural landscapes, mountains, and the Red River.

Arrive in town and have lunch. In the afternoon, go to Sin Chai village, home to more than 60 Black H’mong households. Immerse yourself in nature’s beauty with flowers, veggies, medical plant farms, and breathtaking rice terraces. Explore the road to Sin Chai village and learn about the Black H’Mong people who migrated to these mountains decades ago. This group is remarkable because of the diversity of cultures, languages, and lifestyles. Visit a primary school and an authentic H’mong home before returning to your hotel.

• Meals: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Beautiful hiking route Meeting H’mong and Dzay people along with Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van.

8:00 AM: Enjoy a lovely 5 kilometer transfer to the west of town to start the day. From Y Linh Ho village, we trek. Follow the trail downwards and talk to the welcoming H’mong women and kids that reside in the valley’s dwellings. Relax a little while admiring the serenity and beauty of the surrounding nature at the cable bridge. Follow the uphill hike up the buffalo route for beautiful views and fewer crowds if you are fit and daring. Take a leisurely stroll along the Muong Hoa River if you’re searching for a short hike.

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 garments. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about their culture and way of life.

Continue to Ta Van hamlet, 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.

Have lunch at a local restaurant then transfer to your accommodation.

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Exploring the picturesque valley, the Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages, and discovering Red Dao culture

Trek from Ma Tra hamlet to Ta Phin village to start your day. You will reach the stunning rice terrace valley after taking this trek. You get a fantastic opportunity to interact with the locals of the Red Dao and Black Hmong ethnic groups. They were from Southern China originally, but they settled in Vietnam in the eleventh century. They continue to live at a high elevation, remote from the modern world. This aids in the preservation of their customs, language, and most notably their traditional way of life. Visit a Hmong family and school in Ma Tra Village while traveling there. You will arrive at the Red Dao group’s Ta Phin village after a 3-hour journey. Interact with locals while walking to learn about their culture and way of life.

Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Hanoi. In the late afternoon, check into the hotel.

Included:

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

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

 An Excursion to Hoa Lu ancient capital, hiking to Bich Dong pagoda & boat trip in Tam Coc

8:00 AM: Meet your tour guide and vehicle at the hotel and journey to Ninh Binh, an incredible destination rich in historical, cultural, religious, and geographical attractions. Stop for pictures as you travel through the Red River delta.

Travel to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s former capital from the 10th to the 11th centuries. The citadel is naturally protected by limestone mountains and rivers, creating a wonderful scenic location.

When you get at Hoa Lu, you will see the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009), who were instrumental in obtaining the country’s independence after a thousand years of Chinese dominance. Both temples were built in the 17th century to honor the King’s efforts.

Continue your excursion to the Bich Dong, a typical pagoda in the Red River Delta area established in the 15th century. When you arrive, cross a stone bridge to Chua Ha, where over 100 steps lead to Chua Trung, a cave pagoda with distinctive clay figures. Then you’ll hike up to Chua Thuong. You can not only learn about Buddhism but also enjoy breathtaking views of the countryside.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Tam Coc, often known as “Halong Bay on Land” and featured in the popular French film “Indochina.” When you get at the port, you will board a private sampan boat for a 90-minute ride down the Ngo Dong River. Pass through three caves to see a breathtaking panorama interspersed with little settlements, rice fields, a cemetery, and temples.

Return to Hanoi at 18h00

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Transfer to Halong Bay, fantastic sailing route, swimming at Titov beach, panoramic views

8h00 Am-8h30Am: Pick up from your hotel. Take a three-hour drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. 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, arrive at the harbor around noon, and be greeted pleasantly at reception.

12:30: Boards the boat and receives a cruise briefing and safety instructions. Begin your cruise and visit Halong Bay

While cruising along the bay, enjoy a buffet lunch with Vietnamese foods supplied, passing by the most beautiful and peaceful spots, such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock, Soi Sim beach, and Coconut Island, The Three Islands

In the afternoon, go to the Tung Sau area, which is surrounded by leaping fish. Cultured pearl fishing is a type of pearl fishing. You may witness the entire process of creating a jewel, from cultivation to harvesting and sculpting. Furthermore, you have the option of kayaking based on your preferences. Enjoy a busy environment with a pearl maker, where you may witness the completion of a pearl. Visiting the beautiful Titov beach for swimming (if the weather permits), Titov Beach is especially famous for its fresh atmosphere, clean water, and smooth white sand that create a great ambiance for tourists to relax, or passengers can take steps to reach the top of Titov island to have a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Back to the boat for some downtime before cruising to the Luon Bo area and anchoring for the night.

18:30: Join a cooking lesson on the sundeck to learn how to prepare Vietnamese spring rolls, a traditional Vietnamese dish. Then, take advantage of Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It’s time to socialize and unwind. Take in the breathtaking sunset over Halong Bay. 

Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu Dinner

Deluxe Vietnamese BBQ Set Menu for Dinner Evening activities include: resting and spending a romantic night on Pelican Halong Cruise’s music, playing cards, chess, and reading magazines in the room and dining area. You can also try your hand at squid fishing and boat fishing.

• Meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Exploring the well-known Sung Sot cave, sailing lazily, returning to Hanoi, and departing

06:30: Onboard, the day begins early with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi, also known as Tai chi chuan, is a kind of exercise that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

Breakfast is provided in the dining area, which has a wonderful view of the bay’s environment.

Transfer to Sung Sot Cave via tender. The cave entrance is around 100 steps up. Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest caves in Halong Bay with exquisite stalactites and stalagmites, takes around 45 minutes to see. Return to the cruise ship via tender. Check out and pay your bill at the front desk.

Enjoy a buffet meal and the bay beauty as you cruise back to Tuan Chau Wharf.

11:30-12:00: Disembarkation

Welcome to the harbor by the driver, then enjoy the journey back to Hanoi. Take a break in the middle of the journey. Drop off at the hotel (in the Old Quarter of Hanoi).

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

You are free and easy before departing to the airport to your next destinations,

Note: Please keep in mind that international flights require you to arrive 3 hours before departure time, while domestic flights require you to arrive 2 hours before departure time.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: NA