Ha Noi – Ha Long – Sapa – Bac Ha Market – Ninh Binh (8 Days)

DAY 1: HA NOI ARRIVAL (NO MEALS)

The car/van will pick you up from Noi Bai airport (in Ha Noi) and take you to the heart of the city.

Arrive at the hotel after a 40-minute drive, check in, and have a free day to walk around the Old Quarter, the night market in Ha Noi downtown. Overnight in Ha Noi hotel.

DAY 2: HA NOI CITY - TRAIN TO SAPA (MEAL: B, L)

AM: 7.45 – 8.15: Free pick up at your hotel. Then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, and to one side of the Mausoleum lies the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by Emperor Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

Then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam). Then visit Bat Trang pottery village (applied on Mon, Wed & Fri).

Lunch at a local restaurant. PM: After lunch, proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat), the Literature Temple - Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 – its gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters. and the beauty of Ngoc Son Temple. In the end, journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll then have a chance for some shopping and exploration.

Tour ends around 15h30 – 16h00. 21:00 pm: Meet at your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi train station.

Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in shared sleeping compartments (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment).

Notes: Our tour guide will not accompany us on the train.

– Train schedule is subject to change.

– Private compartments on request at a surcharge.

– Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabin space is shared with other local passengers (unless a private cabin is requested and all berths are paid for – with a supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Overnight on Train

DAY 3: SAPA - BAC HA MARKET (SUNDAY ONLY) (MEAL: B, L, D)

Located at 110km from Sapa, Bac Ha mountain town is well-known by travelers with the most colorful market of the hill tribes in the North of Vietnam. This every-Sunday market is attended by at least 8 ethnic groups and lasts from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It is also a chance for tourists to discover the H’mong King’s palace (an old building built by the French & Chinese).

In the afternoon, we go for a light trek to visit Ban Pho, a village that is home to the Flower H’mong minority. We are invited to enter several local houses to have some green tea and corn wine, listen to the host talk about their family, talk with them… and then enjoy the landscapes on a roundabout way to Bac Ha, then back to Lao Cai, and continue up to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 4: SAPA TREKKING – BACK TO HANOI (Meals: B, L )

7.00 – 7.45: Have breakfast at the hotel and prepare a light pack for trekking.

7:45: Trek from Sapa to Y Linh Ho, then trek through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain.

11.00: Picnic lunch at Lao Chai Village.

12:00: Heading to Ta Van village – home of the Dzay ethnic people.

13.30: Bus picks you up at Ta Van Bridge to Sapa. The trekking distance is about 12 km, and it takes 4.5 hours.

14.00: Have a shower at the shower room of our hotel.

15:00: A limousine will pick you up from the hotel to take you back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 5: HA NOI - HA LONG BAY (MEAL: B, L, D)

7.45 – 08.20 Our guide will meet you at your hotel. The shuttle bus or private car pick up.

– Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands, and the Red River Delta.

– You will have a chance to take photos. Comfort break. The drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay takes approximately 3.5 hours.

12 – 12.30 noon, arriving at Tuan Chau Marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Meet the captain, crew, and join us for a welcome cocktail as we tell you about life onboard.

– Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind

– Set sail as our chef prepares lunch.

– Join us for a relaxing lunch in the restaurant or on the outdoor dining area. Enjoy the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islands as we sail through the calm waters.

Afternoon, while we make our way to the amazing Van Gia fishing village, relax on the sundeck and watch the world go by, or take an afternoon nap in your cabin. Arrive at Van Gia floating fishing village in the middle of the afternoon. Our guide will share information and interesting facts about this fascinating village and its local community.

– Disembark and you can choose which options when you visit the village by Kayak or local bamboo boat to visit the village. They will be your guides through their fishing village, where you can meet the locals and see at first-hand what life is like living on the water. We are proud of our working partnership with and support of this community.

– Our cruise will take you to the Soi Sim natural beach for swimming and snorkeling, and you can enjoy our interesting games such as football and basketball. On the way, cruising, you will enjoy the sunset party with us, featuring fruit and wine complimentary. Back on board the cruise, we head towards the sleeping area.

Early evening, take the opportunity to refresh yourself, then join friends for a pre-dinner drink at the bar. Dinner is served in the restaurant or, if the weather permits, in the outdoor dining area, and is a gastronomic delight.

After dinner, unwind in the bar where there is a selection of books, magazines, and board games, or watch a movie on our plasma TV; join some of our team to go cuttle fishing at night. Accommodation and overnight on a boat.

DAY 6: HA LONG BAY - HA NOI (MEAL: B, L)

(Tai Chi – Breakfast – Surprising Cave – Cooking Demonstration – Lunch – Your hotel and Farewell)

06:30 am, for the early risers, join us for a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands.

Breakfast, coffee, and tea served. After breakfast, we sail through the waters and pass by a number of caves, and we drop anchor at Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave. Disembark and visit Surprise Cave located on Bo Hon Island. It is one of the widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

09:30 am: We board the cruise again. Take time to refresh and relax before checking out. Bags can be left in the luggage store. You will join our short cooking demonstration class on how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served.

12 noon: return to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew says farewell. Transfer to a minibus or private and return to Hanoi.

Arrival back at your hotel approximately 17:00. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 7: HOA LU - TRANG AN - MUA CAVE (Meal: B, L)

07:45-08:15: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi city to depart for Ninh Binh province (120 Kms).

Start Hoa Lu - Trang An full-day tour. Hoa Lu: Visit Hoa Lu – the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties.

13:00 Depart to visit the Trang An tourist attraction, then take a boat trip to explore the cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Nau Ruou, in mystery and wildness, and see the scenery of mountains and rivers in Halong Bay on the land of Ninh Binh.

15:30 Visit Mua Cave – the highlight attraction in Ninh Binh. Challenge yourself with 500 steps up Cave Mountain, where you will enjoy a great panoramic view of Tam Coc and the rice fields.

18:00 Leave Ninh Binh for Hanoi.

20:30: Tour Trang An full-day tour ends. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 8: HANOI DEPARTURE (Meal: B)

Free for leisure in Ha Noi old quarter, shopping, walking until your flight. Our driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport. Finish the package tour to Ha Noi - Ha Long - Sapa, then fly back home.

Note: 

• The itinerary can be changed due to weather, tide levels, and operating conditions.
• Special requests (diet or vegetarian, …) should be sent before your departure date.
• The price applies to groups of 2 or more.
• Children under 3 years old are not allowed to get inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday mornings. And closes from 5th Sep to 31st October.
• Bat Trang pottery village will be visited on Mon, Wed & Fri (without Ethnology Museum). The Ethnology Museum will be visited on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat (without Bat Trang pottery village).
• Should bring: Hat, Umbrella, Raincoat, Light bags. Should not wear shorts, mini skirt or shirt without sleeves.