HIGHLIGH OF VIET NAM- 9DAYS-8NIGHTS

Highlight: Hanoi – Tam Coc – Sapa Trekking - Hill Tribe Market – Ha Long Bay
 
Itinerary:
 
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi Capital (D)

 
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai International Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, visit Hanoi’s main attractions: the Old Quarter, also known as the “36 streets”, with narrow streets of clumps-of-industry principle remains selling or producing the same items, and the classic tube houses. Continue to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Pass by the Opera House before savoring a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese food at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B)

 
Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature which is considered the country's first national university; the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an outstanding place of interest not only for the capital city but also for the country as a whole; the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake.
Later in the afternoon enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture.
Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 3: Hanoi – Tam Coc - Ninh Binh – Hanoi (B)
 

Enjoy breakfast at hotel before driving to Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital. Visit to temples and walk hundred steps up to top of a mountain for a panorama view of the old capital. After lunch, enjoy a leisure cruise to visit Trang An, a nature reserve similar to Tam Coc however less visited. Limestone hills surround a peaceful river which passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). It is an “eco-tourism” area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river. In the afternoon journey back to Hanoi (or you can request to overnight in Ninh Binh).
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 4: Hanoi – Drive to Sapa – Via New Highway > Muong Hoa Valley (B/L)

 
After breakfast, your guide & driver will meet you at the lobby of the hotel then leave Hanoi for Sapa on a four & haft hour journey on the Vietnam’s longest and modern highway which just opened to public in September 2014.
On arrival,
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.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
 
Day 5: Sa Pa – Love waterfall – Cat Cat village (B)

A 40 minute drive takes you to Tram Ton Pass at the height of 2047 meters above sea level (the highest pass in Vietnam) where great views are offered of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there you will trek 30 minutes through forest. Along the way you have many chances to see wild flowers. Trekking along the stream you will arrive the Love Waterfall . It is the best place for relax in Sa Pa then return Tram Ton and drive back to Sa Pa.
In the afternoon you will visit Cat Cat cultural village, just 3kms from Sa Pa town. A leisurely walk through the old village offers an overview of the traditional customs and practices of the ethnic Black H'mong minority. Stop by a stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station, constructed by the French during the colonial era in Viet Nam. Follow a dirt trail snaking through the mountain and enjoy spectacular scenery while trekking along a narrow river until you reach Y Linh Ho village, home of the Black H'mong minority. Take a rest by the Muong Hoa Stream before climbing toward the road where your driver is waiting to transport you back to Sa Pa.
Overnight in Sa Pa.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.
 
Day 6: Sapa – Coc Ly Hill Tribe Market –- Night train to Hanoi ( B/L)
 
Early morning your driver and guide will take you to one of the local markets (Coc Ly on Tue – If you travel by other day you enjoy: Cao Son Market on Wed, Lung Khau Nhin Market on Thu, Can Cau Market on Sat and Bac Ha Market on Sun).

Drive from Sapa to Coc Ly market where situated between stunning mountains by the Chay River. Every Tuesday morning, the people from the surrounding ethnic villages such as Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gather to sell and buy their products. Having explored the market, you will have a boat trip to Flower H’mong village of Na Nen then trek to Trung Do village of Tay minority people. Enjoy the picnic lunch in local house with Tay people. From there you can travel by boat down the river and experience the magnificent sight of the beautiful river banks.You will be picked up in Bao Nhai village then transfer you back to Lao cai train to catch the night train back to Hanoi
Overnight in an AC soft sleeper cabin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 
Day 7: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay (B/L/D):
 
Today your train will arrival Hanoi around 5:30 AM , TOM Travel staff and driver will waiting you at the station to pick you up then transfer to the hotel for freshen up and have breakfast before depart to Ha Long Bay.
7:45: Hotel pick-up in Hanoi Old quarter

12:30: Arrive at Hon Gai Harbour, Ha Long City.
12:45: Enjoy a welcome drink onboard the Tonkin Cruise boat.
13:15: Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay and into Ha Long Bay.
15:40: Visit Vung Ha beach for kayaking, swimming, and relaxing in one of the Bay’s hidden coves.
17:00: Relax back at the boat as we cruise into the secluded Dong Tien Lake where the boat will anchor overnight.
17:30: Sunset party and happy hour on the sundeck.
18:00: Cooking class offering lessons in traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
19:30: Dinner on the sundeck.
20:45: Relax and enjoy the evening or choose from a variety of activities including board games and squid fishing.
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner.
Accommodation: Freshen Up room in Hanoi - Overnight on Cruise in Ha Long Bay.
 
Day 8 : Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/L)
 
6: 30: Rise early for morning tai chi on the sundeck.

7:15: Enjoy a light breakfast while cruising to Vung Vien fishing village.
8:30: Explore Vung Vien village and learn about life in Ha Long Bay communities.
10:00: Return to the boat for check out.
10:30: Enjoy the last of the Ha Long Bay scenery over brunch as the boat cruises back to shore.
12:00 Transfer back to Hanoi.
16:00: Drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ,
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 9 : Hanoi Departure (B)
 
Today you have time for fee & leisure or shopping around Hanoi Old quarter before driving to the airport to catch your departure.
Meals: Breakfast,
 
Tour End.
 
Inclusive
 
• Accommodation based on twin sharing room at locals (3 star in average)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B- breakfast, L- lunch, D- dinner)
• Joining Cruising trip in Halong Bay – Sharing cruise
• English speaking guide
• Soft sleeper train ticke Lao cai – Hanoi – sharing cabin 4berths
• Sightseeing fees and entrance fees as per itinerary
• Private car/ Mini Van transfer as program with A/C
 
Exclusive
 
• Visa stamping fee to Vietnam
• Personal expenses
• Other meals and drinks
• Early check in & late check out for accommodation at the places
• Airport tax and departure tax
• Insurance
• Tip for tour guide & driver
 
Things to bring:
Hat,.sun block ; good walking shoes; tee-shirt & shorts; medical kit; camera with plenty of film.
 
Notes:
• Times of activities may vary slightly. Itinerary and Program subject to change when necessary or bad weather condition
• Advanced reservation is required with full passenger details, including Full Name, Date of Birth, Nationality, Passport Number, Visa Expiry Date etc.
• A valid passport is required upon check-in onboard.
• What to bring: Swimming suites, sun glasses, insect repellent
• Special requests on food (diet or vegetarian) please inform us before departure.
• Chartered cruise (Available upon request)
• Connecting family rooms are available on request.
 
Best time to do: All year round, best from September to April of next year.