6DAYS/5NIGHTS HANOI-HALONG-SAPA BY BUS

DAY 01: HANOI – ARRIVAL / HALF DAY CITY TOUR (D)
Upon arrival Hanoi airport, you will meet to our local representative and will transfer for the half day city tour in Hanoi
Start the city tour with visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex in Ba Dinh Square, one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi. First stop is Hochiminh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday, all afternoon and during renovation period June – August yearly) to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to the Temple of Literature and Quoc Tu Giam, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 – it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then visit the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam)
Free at leisure or you may be your own arrangement on discovery Hanoi Old Quarter, Dong Xuan market, Opera House, walking to Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful green waters, The Huc Bridge, Thap But (Pen Tower) and Ngoc Son temple. Dinner will be served at local restaurant. In the evening attend the performance of the famous Vietnamese Traditional Art of Water Puppetry at Theatre. Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 2 : HANOI – HALONG TOUR – HANOI ( B/ SEAFOOD LUNCH)
AM: Pick up at hotel and start a journey 165-km east of Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of the must-see attractions in Vietnam listed as World Nature Heritage by UNESCO. Upon arrival, board the boat and set off on a relaxing and wonderful 4-hours cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations, such as the Dinh Huong (the Incense Urn), Cho Da (the Stone Dog), islands with sandy beaches, and Ga Choi (the Fighting Roosters) islets. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea”. You will visit Thien Cung (Heaven Palace cave) – the most beautiful primitive cave of Ha Long Bay and the longest dry cave in Asia. Then continue hiking to nearby Dau Go grotto, listen to the legend about the cave and admire its a mysterious waterfall, with hundreds of stalactites instead of water. Fresh seafood is served on the boat before disembark.
PM: sail back to harbor and disembark for the drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Optional Kayak or rowling boat in the bay are available upon request.

Day 3: HANOI – HOA LU – TAM COC – HANOI (B/L)
Depart for Ninh Binh, 110 km far from Hanoi, this is a cultural and historical destination combined with natural beauty scenic landscapes. It also known as “Halong bay on land”. Upon arrival, visit the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties. Then proceed to Tam Coc for lunch at local restaurant.

PM: After lunch, boat trip on Ngo Dong River to visit Tam Coc to see the beauty of the karst formations as you pass along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone. Then, take a bike and start riding around the village to explore the gorgeous rice fields surrounded by limestone mountains with a unique route. Then return to Hanoi
Optional visit to Bich Dong Pagoda under the introduction of our local guide to know more about the Vietnam history and understand the origin of Buddhism. Leave Ninh Binh and drive straight back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 4 : HANOI – SAPA BY BUS – CAT CAT VILLAGE ( B/L)
AM: 07:00- 07:30 depart hotel for a 295-kilometres drive from Ha Noi to Sapa by new highway going through 5 provinces and city: Ha Noi, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Yen Bai and Lao Cai. Stop and have a rest in 30 minutes along the trip.
11.00: Second comfort break at Lao Cai city before approaching Sapa
13:00: Arrival Sapa town with colorful traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic People.
PM: 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. Experience the daily life activities of the locals, go trekking down to the valley bottom to the waterfall – Hydraulic Power Station; stop for photo with bridge and waterfall then you will walk up the hill for the bus to pick up to get back to Sapa. Trekking distance is about 2.5 km and it lasts for 2 hours. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 5 : TA VAN – MUONG HOA VALLEY – GIANG TA CHAI – HANOI ( B/L)
AM: make your way to Ta Van where you will visit the Giay minority people and see the special Rattan bridge. This tribe traditionally fished for a living and as a result established themselves close to rivers. They have mastered the art of fishing with bamboo sticks, and cook the fish inside bamboo. Nowadays however you are more likely to see the Giay working in fields planting or harvesting rice. We will continue 3-4 hour trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails, through an impressive bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, and then on to the village of Su Pan where you will be able to rest your legs and take in the stunning mountain scenery as we stop for a picnic lunch.
Return to Sapa town. Relax and leisure on your own, have a shower in the public bathroom in the hotel if you want. Then get on the bus to go back to Hanoi with two comfort breaks. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 6 : HANOI – DEPARTURE ( B)
Time at leisure until transfer to Hanoi/Noi Bai International Airport for departure flight.