On arrival in Hanoi you will be met at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time until your tour briefing.

Le Jardin Hotel or similar

Depart for Dong Ngac village after breakfast which is located at Tu Liem district and just outside Hanoi. Dong Ngac still kept intact the cultural features and old historical architecture despite the impacts of rapid urbanisation. In Dong Ngac the group will cycle through the local markets, buying ingredients which will be served for lunch. Visit the oldest house in the village, preserved for more than 300 years, which belongs to the Do family given by the king.

Continue cycling deeper into the village, visit the Communal House, which is a venue for the most important ceremony’s the village has. Conclude your cycle tour at a local house, which is owned by a veteran who joined the Vietnam War. Take the opportunity to participate in a private cooking demonstration and enjoy the authentically prepared dishes. After lunch, the group will make their way back to Hanoi, where the rest of the time can be spent at leisure.

Le Jardin Hotel or similar

Breakfast and Lunch

Spend the morning exploring a few of the unique sites of Vietnam’s capital city.  The groups first stop will be the Ho Chi Minh complex, comprising of Ba Dinh Square, Presidential Palace and the private residences. In the same complex you will see the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.

Continue on to the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, formerly known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the American War. Your tour also includes the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.  Constructed in 1070, the gardens and the well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

In the evening the group will embark on an overnight sleeper train to Sapa.

Fanxipan Sleeper train or similar

Breakfast

Arrive early into Lao Cai Station and transfer to your hotel in Sapa for breakfast before starting your guided walking tour. Visit the Lao Chai and Tan Van villages, nestled peacefully in the valley of Muong Hoa. Descend into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terrace in the Sapa area. If you visit the valley sometime between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the local’s plant and harvest the rice, one of the most important activities. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black H’mong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority.

Bamboo Hotel, Sapa or similar

Breakfast

Today the group will head north from Sapa, with several stops along the way offering magnificent views of Fansipan and the Sin Chai valley. Pass several waterfalls before arriving into Ban Khoang, a village of the Red Zao ethnic people who live their unique way of life with traditional values. Spend over an hour walking and exploring the remote village for a better understanding of local life.

Leaving Ban Khoang and proceed along the road to Ta Giang Phing valley inhabited by the Black H’mong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream.

Enjoy lunch on the banks of a stream before walking along a village path which connects the villages together. Witness the daily life of the locals who spend most of their time tending to their land and fields. Take the opportunity to interact and learn from this traditional way of life.

Bamboo Hotel, Sapa or similar

Breakfast and lunch

Meet your guide after breakfast for a leisure drive offering more spectacular views of Fanxipan Mountain. En route we’ll stop at the magnificent Silver Waterfall before continuing on towards the Heaven Gate and Tram Ton Pass. At 2047m above sea level, the Heaven Gate and Tram Ton Pass is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. Enjoy some free time to walk around the area and the catch the scenery from both sides of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Enjoy the drive back to town, stopping along the way to see a few more farms with unique vegetation. Tonight you will take an overnight train back to Hanoi

Fanxipan Sleeper train or similar

Breakfast

Arrive early morning into Hanoi where you will enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant, before heading to Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh offers a world of natural wonders and plenty of heritage to explore. Stop at the Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam in the 10th century and is referred to as the ”Halong Bay on land” and offers some great scenery.

After visiting two temples in commemoration of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh in the ancient capital, you will enjoy the amazing boat trip to Trang An grottoes which are a gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna. Continue exploring this beautiful area before having the rest of the day at leisure.

Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel or similar

Breakfast

Marvel at the towering limestone karsts and vast paddy fields as you make your way from Ninh Binh to Halong City, the gateway to Halong Bay. Dotted with 3,000 limestones karsts, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s stunning natural wonders. Board a beautifully appointed junk boat and begin to cruise the impressive emerald waters of Halong Bay. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch before stopping to explore the many secluded corners of the bay. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, relax on the main deck or at the bar.

Victory Star Cruise or similar

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Watch the sunrise as you enjoy Tai Chi on the sundeck. Relish in a delightful brunch on board before cruising back to port to disembark and drive back to Hanoi. This afternoon, enjoy some free time before meeting with your group to share a farewell dinner.

Le Jardin Hotel, Hanoi or similar

Breakfast and Dinner

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.

Breakfast