Best Of North Vietnam - 8 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's bustling colonial capital. Your guide will meet you when you touch down at Noi Bai International Airport and you’ll be taken to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of time at your leisure.
Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour.
In the morning, you will leave the hustle and bustle and take to the countryside by bicycle. You’ll pedal through quaint villages and along the river banks, stopping to take tea with a local family to learn about Vietnamese life. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university – before walking through Hanoi’s Old Quarter where you can chat with locals and bag a bargain at the market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Drive to Sapa.
Leave Hanoi for around 6-hour scenic drive to Sapa, home for the ethnic minority people and famous for its breathtaking views of cloud-woven mountaintops and gaping valleys. On arrival, keep driving to Sau Chau Village, which is located on the highest point of the mountain from where you will interact with the ethnic Hmong people, and enjoy the stunning panorama view of Sapa at sunset. Transfer to Sapa town and spend rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa Trekking Tour.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a full day’s trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. Take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages. You have three trekking options to choose from: Soft trek (~ 3 km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~12km). Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. Drive back to Sapa in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Hanoi.
You are free to explore the town yourselves or take part in some optional tours of Sapa.
In the afternoon, your driver will transfer you back to Hanoi. On arrival, check in to the hotel and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu & Tam Coc).
After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu, situated 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 1009 AD. Some of the sanctuaries and tombs have survived the years and can still be seen today. Start cycling on countryside roads onto Hoa Lu and the ancient 10th century citadel. Apart from the historical interest, the area is also one of astounding natural beauty with limestone peaks whose splendor is often said to surpass that of Halong Bay. Continue your ride through the limestone peaks to Tam Coc, passing rice paddies and rural villages. In Tam Coc lunch is served at a local restaurant with a view over the boat pier. The tour includes being rowed along the Ngo Dong River, which makes for a truly unforgettable experience, passing between towering limestone peaks. You conclude an excursion day with a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

Day 7: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.
(The itinerary is a sample, depends on weather and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program if you book other cruise such as Hera Cruise, Halong President Cruise, Emperor Cruise, Halong Violet, Halong Jasmine, Paradise Luxury Cruises, Ginger Cruise, Orchid Cruise, Indochina Sails, Au Co Cruise, Starlight Cruise, Sealife Cruise, Oriental Sails etc.)
Halong Bay is one of the most loved spots in Vietnam for a reason - it's gorgeous. On this Halong Bay tour, we take you away from the hectic pace of life in Hanoi and introduce you to the tranquil, beautiful Halong Bay... Following breakfast, journey northeast through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta (Nam Dinh, Thai Binh & Hai Phong) to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most scenic impressive sights. On arrival you are welcomed onboard a traditional junk. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a two-day cruise around Halong Bay. Along the way, enjoy a huge lunch served on board and admire the picturesque scenery of islands. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. You will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to Sung Sot Cave, one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. The remainder of day is for your own pleasure; observing the bay, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise on Halong Bay.

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of the bay as you navigate back to the harbour. Savor a fresh seafood lunch, served on board before sailing back to Halong City, where your car will be waiting to take you back to Hano’s International Airport for your departure flight.
If you need any further tour arrangements, accommodation booking or excursion, please contact us for assistance.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.