09-DAY THE NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT OF VIETNAM

DAY 1: ARRIVAL HANOI
Meet on arrival at Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: FULL DAY CITY TOUR IN HANOI (B/L)
AM: 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. Then continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam).
PM: visit 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. Continue to History museum-one of the finest ones in Vietnam or Ethnology Museum. Head to one of the largest and oldest churches in Hanoi – St Joseph’s Cathedral – and admire the Gothic architectural style, often compared to Notre Dame de Paris. Then free time to walking around Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful green waters, The Huc Bridge, Thap But (Pen Tower) and Ngoc Son temple.
At the end, you will watch Water Puppet show a traditional performance that dates back as far as the 11th century in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam or spend time for 01 hour cyclo ride along street to explore the daily life in the Old quarter. Discover a unique part of Vietnamese culture before transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday, Friday and during renovation period June – August yearly and museums are closed on Monday.

DAY 3 : HANOI – HALONG BAY ( O/N ON BOAT) (B/L/D)
AM: pick up at hotel and start a journey 165-km east of Hanoi to Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea” as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.
Upon arrival, have welcome drink on board prior to your check-in.
Lunch with fresh seafood will be served while the boat is cruising through many stone islets, floating villages, and small beaches.
PM: Arrive in kayaking area “Luon Cave”. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature. Cruising to Titov island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Titov or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay. Return to cruise. Enjoy Sunset Party on sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Dinner and overnight on cruise.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations.

DAY 4: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/BRUNCH)
Early morning, start Tai Chi demonstration on sundeck.
We will pass by many islets before making a stop at Surprise Cave, one of the widest and most special caves of Halong Bay. So you can explore this stunning attraction of Ha Long Bay. Inside the cave, there have thousands of stalactites and stalagmites along the 500-meter paved passage. Light posts line the passage and serve as signposts and ornaments, illuminating various hidden shapes. The artificial additions may not be to everyone’s taste, but the space is impressive nonetheless.
Brunch is served on boat while the junk boat continues cruising towards the wharf. Be ready to disembark from boat at about 10.30-11:00 am prior board the transfer back to Hanoi.
En-route, stop at a famous traditional ceramic craftsmanship village named Dong Trieu. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon for check in. Free time to walking around Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful green waters, The Huc Bridge, Thap But (Pen Tower) and Ngoc Son temple.
Evening: Enjoy a Water Puppet show a traditional performance that dates back as far as the 11th century in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam or take 01 hour city tour by pedicab (one person per one pedicab) in the Old streets of Hanoi.
Ovenight in Hanoi.

Day 5 : HANOI – HOA LU – TAM COC – HANOI – LAO CAI (B/L/D)
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.
Arrive in Hanoi, drop at the Hanoi Railway station for take shower. Your trip to Sapa starts with an overnight train journey from Vietnam ‘s capital city to the border town of Lao Cai. Overnight on train.

DAY 6 : HANOI – SAPA BY BUS – CAT CAT VILLAGE ( B/L)
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1 hour. Once at Sapa, upon availability, we will check into the Hotel in order to freshen up, and have breakfast and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town with its 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 7 : SAPA – BAC HA MARKET – SAPA (B/L)
AM: After having breakfast, you will travel by car to Bac Ha, which is 64 km Northeastern Lao Cai. The ride is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai, where you will be taken through rural area. Bac Ha is the largest market in the area, situated inside the small town of Bac Ha. On every Sunday mornings, it is literally a riot of color as many different ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, Nung minorities… gather to buy and sell. After spending the whole morning exploring the market, your lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
PM: continue to visit Ban Pho village where you can take a short walk around the village where Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung minorities live; enjoy an hour long horse carting trip from Ban Pho village to Na Hoi village. Then downhill back to Sapa town
Overnight in Sapa
Note: local market can be replaced depend on your date of travel
Every Monday: Phong Hai Market
Every Tuesday: Coc Ly Market
Every Wednesday: Cao Son Market
Every Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market
Every Saturday: Can Cau Market
Every Sunday: Muong Khuong market, Muong Hun Market, Bac Ha Market, Tam Duong Market

DAY 8 : 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 transfer back to Lao Cai Station for overnight train to Hanoi. Overnight on train.

DAY 9 : HANOI – DEPARTURE(B/-/-)
Arrival Hanoi at 5h00 am. Free leisure untill transfer to the airport for flight to departure