Day 01: Hanoi arrival (Meals: None)

Arrive at Hanoi by... Upon your arrival, welcome with the guide at the airport in Hanoi and then transfer to your hotel for check-in. The room is at your disposal from 14h00. Free at leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight in Hanoi
 

Day 02: Hanoi City Tour (Meals Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel

8:00 AM– pick up for a full-day tour of Hanoi’s most famous landmarks &sightseeing spots, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda.

Visit the Temple of Literature - the first Royal National university in Vietnam. This is the combination of the Confucius Temple worshiping Confucius which was built in 1070 and the first Royal National university in Vietnam built 6 years later in 1076. Considered “an escape” from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam from 1000 years ago until recent history.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant          

Afternoon, visit Thu Huong Lacquer Arts & Workshop where you will learn about the history of lacquer, when it appeared in the world and how it developed through centuries. You will also learn about the color that is made from tree bark and the technique of using it, making the difference between Japanese or Chinese lacquer with Vietnamese ones, and get to know the reason why the traditional Vietnamese lacquer takes a long time to finish.

Continue to visit the interesting Ethnology Museum. Located west of the city center, this museum offers an informative and well-documented display on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes, weaving designs, musical instruments, fishing implements, work tools and other functional objects. The display continues on to the garden outside with fascinating examples of minority housing from the King’s to the ones of the ethnic groups in Central Highlands.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional water puppet show to learn more about Vietnamese traditional culture. After the tour return to the hotel and free evening. Dinner on your own account

Overnight in Hanoi

Note: HCM Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays and then we will go to Bat Trang ceramic village to explore the daily life of the locals & learn about the process of how to make a perfect product (Mondays – Wednesdays – Fridays)

Day 03: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

Just a 2.5 – 3-hour drive from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is surrounded by a stunning landscape of lush green paddy fields and striking limestone outcrops and is a must if you plan to see the best of Northern Vietnam.

Our tour brings you to Hoa Lu (the old citadel from 968 to 1009) – the remains are the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the two heroes who lived in 10th the century and chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city (from 968 to 1009). The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.

12:00 Depart Hoa Lu for Tam Coc. Enjoy lunch in Tam Coc at a local restaurant (please let us know in advance if you are a vegetarian or have special dietary requirements)

After lunch, take a 5-minute walk to the boat station and then enjoy a lovely 1.5 – 2-hour boat trip to visit Tam Coc. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Tam Coc has three limestone caves stretching along the Ngo Dong river. The boat trip will take you on a relaxing journey along the river with stunning views of the limestone mountains, rice paddies and temple sites from Hang Ca (first cave) to Hang Hai (second cave) and Hang Ba (third cave).

Depart Tam Coc and drive back to Hanoi. Arriving back in Hanoi at 17:00 after an unforgettable day.
 

Day 04: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Overnight on Junk (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out of the room.

08:00 AM – pick up at the hotel and transfer to Halong Bay – around 3,5 h drive. Have a break en-route, have a cup of tea or coffee on your own account. Paying a visit to the famous Pearl Farm & Workshop in Halong. Visitors will have the chance to witness the process of forming a pearl, from cultivation to harvest. The staff will introduce visitors meticulously to each stage of the pearl production. You will definitely feel excited when witnessing every single twinkle pearl is taken out by the skillful hands of artisans.

Arrive in Halong in the late morning. Get on board and start of the cruise for 2D/1N

12.30 – 13.00: Check-in, enjoy welcome drink & cruise briefing.

13.30 – 15.00: Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; admire the fascinating formations on the way.

15.15 – 15.40: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

15.45 – 18.00: Enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach at Hon Co Island, swimming or kayaking.

18.00 – 19.00: Back to junk for refreshing before having dinner on board.

20.00 – 21.00: Relax, enjoy fresh air & overnight on board.

Notes:  The above itinerary is for your reference only as each cruise will have its different itinerary and will be slightly different. *Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change upon weather conditions. Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number, and valid visa to Vietnam for all passengers.

Day 05: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

Tai Chi on Sundeck. Rejuvenating the body and spirit with a refreshing Tai Chi lesson as the sun rises over the acclaimed UNESCO Heritage Site is one of the most relaxing experiences that passengers have. Practicing this beautiful art regularly can help treat a number of human ailments.

Breakfast on board

Paying a visit to Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic row boat, meet the local people, and pass through the floating school and fish farms.

Check-out: 09:30 AM.  Start cruising towards the harbor while an A la carte lunch is served.

Around 11 AM transfer to the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Dinner on your own

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi - Sapa – Cat Cat Village (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Sapa (It takes around 4.5 hours for transferring). Arrive in Sapa in the late morning. Have lunch in Sapa town.

After lunch, a short drive to the gate of Cat Cat village which is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and 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. Meet smiling and warm-hearted Black Hmong people; Talk with them to understand a bit more about their way of life, their customs and traditions.

Trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station; stop for photo with bridge and waterfall then you will walk uphill for bus to pick up to get back to Sapa town. Enjoy some free time for shopping at Sapa Market or have a soothing massage, facial, pedicure, or other treat-yourself treatment. Dinner on your own.

Overnight in Sapa.
 

Day 7: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Sapa –  Hanoi (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel then start to visit Muong Hoa valley. A short journey of 20 minutes by car takes you to Muong Hoa valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in northwest Viet Nam. Descending into the valley by foot you will see the largest terraced rice paddy in the Sa Pa area (If you visit the valley between May and October, there is a chance to experience and observe how the locals plant and harvest rice). The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black H’mong minority to Ta Van village of the Zay minority, providing the opportunity to see the different traditions and costumes of the two ethnic minority groups. Return to Sa Pa by car. Have lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 08: Hanoi departure (Meals: Breakfast)

Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport (without a guide) for the departure flight. Room is at disposal until noon time only. Meals on your own. End of our services

Thank you for traveling with us!

Wishing You a Happy and Safe Journey

Services included

• Transportation by private vehicle with A/C
• Local English speaking guide(s) as mentioned
• Breakfast and other meals mentioned in the program B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner.
• Accommodation in the category chosen basic on Dbl/ Twin or triple sharing or similar
• Join cruise (but with a private cabin) in Halong Bay
• All entrance fees where mentioned

Services excluded

• Drinks during the meals
• Meals not mentioned
• Regional and International flights and Airport taxes, fuel surcharge,
• Vietnam Visa fee (US$/ person)
• Travel Insurance & other personal expenses. Travel Insurance Please kindly note that the full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin should be purchased in advance on your own.
• Tips for guide and driver
• Porterage
• Government Taxes.
• Optional activities
• Any service not mentioned in the program

Notes:

• All rates are subject to changes with or without prior notice
• All rates are subject to surcharges during the Peak season and Holiday season if applicable.
• Halong cruise itinerary is subject to vary without prior notice and each cruise might run on a different program. 
• Transfer times are approximate and subject to local conditions at the time of travel and the daily order of sightseeing is subject to change
• Please refer to Hanoi Premium Travel & tour booking terms-and-conditions