6-Day Hanoi – Halong – Sapa

Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival

A bustling metropolis in a combination with tranquility, Hanoi offers the elegant French charms of its colonial architectures, the rush rhythm of life along 36 old streets to the anarchy traffic by plenty of motorbikes. It seemed like a typical picture you will ever imagine for the South East Asia life and spirit. Welcome to Ha Noi, our friendly driver will meet and greet you at Noi Bai International airport. After a short ride to the city center, you will check in your hotel and save the remaining time of this day at leisure.

Day 2 Hanoi Tour

(Private with local lunch)

After breakfast, start your morning ride to West Lake – the biggest lake in Hanoi and you take a visit to nearby Tran Quoc Pagoda. This is the oldest pagoda and is considered as a typical example of Vietnamese Buddhism with its history of more than 1500 years. The next stop is Hoa Lo Prison Museum, ironically nicknamed the ‘Ha Noi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. Exist and drive you to a must-visit site, you will hear stories about Great Leader – Ho Chi Minh while going on an orientation walk at Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum & Museum). Pass through the One Pillar Pagoda – a unique architecture that is only available in Vietnam. Take a break and enter the ancient landscaped courtyards, gardens and pavilions of Temple of Literature, this is the first university of Vietnam, where many monuments still remain to dedicate to the scholars who graduated here. This afternoon continues walking to explore the Ha Noi Old Quarter. Walk through narrow and evocative streets; you will have the closest view to the French-colonial architectures of ancient buildings and family-run vendor stores.

(SIC with local lunch)

8.00- 8.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City 08.45: Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in HaNoi built in the 6th century. 09.30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas… Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15thJune -15thAugust) for the annual maintaining but still can take picture Mausoleum and visit around that area 11.15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam Special Note : we will visit Women Museum instead of Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays 12.45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with 8 delicious dishes. 14.00-14.15 : Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century 15.15: Leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which was 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 16.15 -16.30: Tour finishes. Back to the hotel.

Day 3 : Hanoi - Sapa - Cat Cat Village

(Private with local lunch and local dinner)

Today, you will travel to Sapa. Located in the northwest of the country, Sapa is the mountainous district of Lao Cai province. As a modest land, it has many wonders of natural scenery with topography of hills, green forests, which makes a fascinating scenic picture. Local tour guide will meet you at your hotel and start the trek down to Cat Cat village, which is the home of the Black H’mong ethnic people. The village is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals and trek with you down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station. Stop for a photo with the bridge and waterfall before you begin the walk uphill to get back to Sapa in the afternoon.

(SIC with local lunch and local dinner)

06:30: Our bus will pick you up at the meeting point in Ha Noi departing for Sapa, following the Noi Bai – Lao Cai high-way. On the half way stop for a short break in Yen Bai province 25 minutes.
13:00: Arrive in Sapa Town, tour guide comes to arrange you to check in at the hotel and have lunch.
14:30: You start trekking to Cat Cat village which is occupied by the Black H’mong tribe. Here, you can see the hydroelectric power station which was built by the French in the twentieth century.
You will experience the tribal way of life of ethnic minorities while enjoying wonderful views of the terraced rice paddy fields and the waterfall in Cat Cat village.
19:00: After dinner, you are free to explore the charm of Sapa by night, enjoy roasted corn,
baked eggs beside charcoal fire or go shopping. Overnight at a hotel in Sapa.

Day 4 Sapa - Fansipan - Hanoi

(Private with local lunch)
The local guide pick you up at your hotel and driver then transferred towards the cable car to visit the Fansipan mountain. 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 3,143meter 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. Later, return to your hotel and check out. You will transfer back to Hanoi by express coach this afternoon. Reach Hanoi in the later evening and relax after a long ride.

(SIC with local lunch)
08:00: After breakfast, transfer to Fansipan cable car station. Lying on an altitude of 3,143m above sea level, the peak of Fansipan is dubbed the “Roof of Indochina ”. Sun, clouds, wind and mountain seem to consist of a harmonious and colorful chorus. Gazing down the fairy scenery at sunrise as well as sunset would always be an unbeatable experience for those who love nature.
11:00: Back to Sapa Town, checkout hotel and have lunch.
16:00: It‘s time to say “Goodbye Sapa!” and drive back to Hanoi. Along the way, once again you have a chance to enjoy the magical beauty of northwest mountains 21:30 – 22:00: Arrive
at the hotel in Ha Noi. Tour ends!

Day 5 Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Overnight on Cruise

From Hanoi, you will travel to Halong Bay in an air-conditioned car. After that, board your traditional junk, where the crew welcomes you with a scrumptious lunch buffet. You can take memorable family photos on the sundeck with the backdrop of thousands of limestone karsts, dotted with isles covered in lush green nature.

If you’d prefer exciting family activities, kayaking is a must-try activity, especially when it is sunset. Paddle your boat through the emerald water and unveil the amazing wonders of this proud UNESCO Heritage Site. You will have exclusive breathtaking photo ops from the boat. Before dinner time, you can join a cooking course to make Vietnamese nem, another delicious recipe for your family meal. At night, if the weather conditions are ideal, you can have a fun Fishing competition with your kids on deck. The thrill of catching fresh cuttlefish in the magical scenery is an experience you will never forget.
(The itinerary is subject to change depending on the cruise we book and the weather conditions)

Day 6 Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Departure

You can join the Tai Chi course on the sundeck to breathe in the refreshing morning air while admiring the picturesque dawn as it unfolds and shines on the mirror-like water. A hearty breakfast will be served in the midst of the breathtaking landscape.
The crew organizes a daily excursion to discover the hidden treasures of Halong Bay. You will have the chance to explore the stalactites that reside deep in the Surprise Cave, or hike the mountain path of Ti Top Island and see the bay from the observation deck located on the summit.
The cruise will end at the pier; then you will leave for the flight back to your home country.