Explore A Mountain Odyssey in Northern Vietnam 8 days in the most charming places in Northern Vietnam. Start with a visit to Hanoi, which is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, and oriental pagodas and temples. Then cruise to the UNESCO World Heritage Halong Bay, known as the Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam. And at last visit one of the most spectacular mountains and valleys of Vietnam – Sapa with its unique culture.
Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel and get picked up by the guide between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. (we will inform you about the exact time the evening before the tour). Start your sightseeing by visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is located on Golden Fish IsLand in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century.
Continue to Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, then walk around the garden to see the house where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. You will also visit One Pillar Pagoda, which worships the Goddess of Mercy. It is the most unique pagoda in the world.
Later we will visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.
After museum visit, we will stop for lunch at the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11 century. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the garden in the Temple of Literature and beautiul traditional Vietnamese architecture. Then leave for Hoa Lo Prison Museum which originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners, and later for U.S. prisoners during the Vietnam War. It is also called by American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”. Around 16:15-16:30 we will take you back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi
Notes:
– You should dress modestly and cover your shoulders and knees when visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples and pagodas.
– Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
– Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed from June,15 to August,15 for the annual maintaining. But you still can take pictures of the building and visit the surrounded area.
– Ethnology museum is closed on Mondays, on this day we will replace the visit by the Women Museum.
Halong Bay is a natural wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and once you arrive there, you will understand why. Get ready to be amazed by the world’s most breathtaking views, and have a relaxing time on the cruise, enjoying the exciting activities we have prepared for you.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. The cruise team will meet you at the hotel lobby between 8:00-9:00 am (we will confirm the exact time the day before the tour).
Arrive at the jetty around noon and take a boat to the cruise. After a welcome drink onboard and check-in, enjoy the delicious lunch while the cruise is making its way through the hundreds of islets.
In the afternoon, enjoy some activities such as swimming and kayaking or visiting caves (depending on each boat’s itinerary), or just spend relaxing time on board.
Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night in a beautiful place, so don’t miss the sunset before having dinner.
Overnight on cruise
Note:
In case of bad weather, the itinerary might be changed or canceled if the boats will be not allowed to leave the port. Your travel consultant will plan other arrangements for you in this case.
Get up early to enjoy the views of the sunrise over the bay and enjoy a light breakfast. Then enjoy some morning sightseeing prepared by the cruise team. Enjoy an early lunch while the cruise is making its way to the port and disembark. You will be transferred back to Hanoi. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi
Have an early breakfast at the hotel and complete the check-out formalities. Take the limousine bus to get to Sapa, the travel time will take around 6 hours. Upon arrival to Sapa, you will be transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore this charming town right in the middle of the mountains.
Overnight in Sapa.
Have breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide around 9:30 am and start your 12 km trekking, visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the Hmong minority. On the way, enjoy the scenic beauty of the rice terraces and mountain peaks.
Stop for lunch at the local family in Lao Chai or in a cafe nearby the river.
Then keep hiking to Ta Van village of the Dzay people, where we stay overnight with a local family. Here you have the opportunity to experience the local daily life, traditions, and customs.
Overnight at homestay
Enjoy the local breakfast at the homestay and get ready for trekking. We will leave around 9:30 a.m. and hike for about 8 km. and visit 2 villages of the red Dzao and the Hmong minorities: Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan villages. Visit a beautiful waterfall and rattan bridge. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the valley and walk through the bamboo forest on the way to the main road, where the bus will pick you up and transfer you to Sapa. Spend some time exploring the town and leave for Hanoi around 15:00 by limousine bus.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.
Trip Ends.
