Arrive at Noi Bai
International Airport, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. The
driving time is approximately 40 munites.
Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means
is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The
city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics,
ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings,
tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming
cities of Asia.
Afternoon, visit Hoan
Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi
and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword”
comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King
by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle. Discover
special Vietnamese traditional art of
water puppetry as well as Vietnamese folklore through a compelling puppet
show and
walk at leisure in the Old Quarter
of 36 ancient streets.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fees, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax,
Hotel accommodation.
Morning, start a full day city tour beginning with Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the
life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit Ho Chi Minh
Mausoleum where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Mondays, Fridays, every afternoons
and through October - November) and the rural style house on stilts where Ho
Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva
Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom
rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple
of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by
the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.
Afternoon, our guide and private transfer to the highland town of
Sapa. Go through the highway which is one of the largest, longest and most
modern in Vietnam. Reach to Sapa after 5,5 hour transfer, check in hotel for relaxing.
A 6 km car ride from Sa Pa will take you through a
scenic landscape to Lao Chai village,
a settlement of the Black Hmong ethnic
minority people. From a vantage point on the main road, you can catch a
panoramic view of the village located right in the Muong Hoa valley at one of
its ends and backed by mountains. Enjoy sighting fields, streams and interact
with hospitable villagers. Continue by trekking about 4 km to Ta Van village which is clusters of
rural houses embraced by the wavy curves of the terraced paddy fields.
Villagers here are the Giay ethnic minority people, a small group only
inhabiting Northern highlands of Vietnam.
After lunch, hike for 3 km over hills and through a
bamboo forest. Stop at a waterfall to rest before entering Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dao ethnic minority people.
Explore the village and observe villagers in their daily life activities. You will
be picked up and return to Sa Pa by car. Overnight
in Sapa.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fees, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax,
Hotel accommodation.
Afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi city, check in hotel
& relaxing.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fees, 02 bottles of mineral water, Hotel
accommodation.
Morning, transfer to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km
or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red
River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working
in paddy fields. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes
and embroidered paintings. Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in
aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising
while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning
Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly
dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and
heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around
2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay
cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi
Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at
Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go
fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax, Hotel
accommodation.
Wake up at 06:30 AM and refresh your body and mind with
a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck. Tai Chi is an ancient internal martial art
often practiced in soft and gracefully slow moves to enhance internal harmony
and vitality. Have tea and coffee onboard before proceeding to Titov Islet or
Soi Sim Island to trek and swim.
Check out at 09:30, have a buffet brunch while cruising
back to shore.
Disembark at 11:00 AM to transfer to Noi Bai
International Airport in Hanoi for departure.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax.
Note: your departure flight should depart at around 18:00
or a bit later.