DAY 1: Arrival Hanoi (D).jpg)
You are met at the airport and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere.(If time permit ) we enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.O/N in Ha Noi.(B)
DAY 2: Hanoi -Laocai - Laocai (420km – 10h00: by train)
08.00: Pick up at your hotel to take a full-day city tour of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples.
09.00: The city tour includes such sites as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (ouside), his house on stilt, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.12.00: Have lunch in town at a local restaurant.
13.30: Continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake (the Lake of the Restored Sword) and the Ancient Quarter.Join a water puppet show.
18.00: Return to your hotel.Dinner on your own.Pick up at your hotel and take you to Hanoi Railway Station for the night train at at 9:30 PM to get to Laocai Station.Overnight on train (air-conditioned soft sleeper).
DAY 3: Laocai - Sapa -Catcat village - Laochai - Tavan Village (B/L/D)
Arrive in Lao Cat at 6:00 AM. Pick up at Laocai Station early in the morning by bus. Arrive at Sapa around 8:00 AM & have breakfast.
At 11:00 AM, take a car to the first village of the black H'mong (Catcat), walk around to visit villagers and the hydroelectric power station built by the French in the old days. Have lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon, take the path along the valley between mountains to get to Laochai village. Enjoy the panorama of villages among terraces. Visit H'mong people living in wooden and bamboo houses.Continue going to Tavan village to visit the Dzay minority.Dinner at the home-stay.Overnight in Tavan village at a Dzay family.
DAY 4: TaVan - GiangTaChai (3 hour trek, 6 km, 2 villages.) (B/L)
Breakfast. Go to GiangTaChai village of the Red Dzao minority through paths between terraces and through bamboo forests. Visit Silver waterfall and Rattan suspension bridge ,Visit the villagers. Cross MuongHoa River up the mountain to visit the last village of the trek - Supan village of the H'mong. Picnic lunch en route. Get back to Sapa by car. On the way back, enjoy a visit to the ancient stone circle where stones are decorated with ancient carving. Check in hotel. Dinner on your own.Overnight in Sapa.
DAY 5: Sapa - Batxat - Lao Cai (B/L)
Heading out of town, we make our way through the breathtaking mountain landscape to Bat Xat. The weather in this region is cool due to the high altitude.On arrival, we embark on a short walk, passing through several villages which is populated by the Phu La, Dao and Giay ethnic minorities.They are very poor, but have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing hill tribe people.We continue our trip to Lao Cai border town, our final destination.Dinner on your own.O/N in Lao Cai.
DAY 6: Lao Cai- Muong Khuong - Bac Ha ( Sunday) (B/L)
The weekend market of Muong Khuong also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Dao, Thu Lao, Pa Di, Tu Di and Phu La. After breakfast, we embark on a two hour drive delivering to Muong Khuong Town.There is a wonderful experience to wander around this colorful congregation. In the early afternoon, we travel by roads to Bac Ha. This is basically an overnight stop to break our long journey. After checking into hotel we can enjoy walk to visit the Hmong King's former residence and Ban Pho where villagers make the potent local maize alcohol. Dinner on your own.O/N in Bac Ha.
DAY 7: Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi - Ha Giang (B/L)
Upon leaving Bac Ha we set off on a full day journey through Sin Man and Hoang Su Phi to Ha Giang Town.The rough but scenic route traverse a dense jungle before crossing over a pass and dropping down to Sin Man. This day is a real challenge for our driver as we travel by winding roads with many uphill and down hill drives. Along the way we may encounter the Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao, just some of the many hill tribe groups who have settled there.Dinner on your own.O/N in Ha Giang.
DAY 8: Ha Giang - Sa Phin - Dong Van (B/L)
The remote region of Dong Van and Meo Vac is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful hill villages which are unchanged for centuries. Today we head north west out of Ha Giang Town towards this northernmost tip of Vietnam.The former H'mong royal house at Sa Phin is a primary attraction of the region but the blend of hill tribe people's colorful costumes and the majestic mountainous scenery make this long and bumpy trip an unforgettable experience. Dinner on your own. O/N in Dong Van.
DAY 9: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Ha Giang (B/L)
The ethnic minority people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft.We have time to visit Dong Van Town before continuing to Meo Vac which is conquered by the Lo Lo and Pu Peo ethnic minority people.They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of local people are a highlight of Meo Vac although conditions are very basic.We return to Ha Giang via Yen Minh, using a shortcut way.Dinner on your own.O/N in Ha Giang.
DAY 10: Ha Giang - Bac Me - Bao Lac - Nguyen Binh - Ba Be Lakes (B/L/D)
An early morning start to drive through the rolling hills and the picturesque scenery to Ba Be National Park.The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging however we will have a chance to meet the Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung ethnic minorities who make for the main population of this region. We are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receive very few visitors.Depending on road and traffic conditions we arrive in Ba Be by late afternoon or early evening, but it is till an interesting day.Dinner with a family of Tay at homestay in Bac Ngoi village.O/N at homestay in Bac Ngoi village.
DAY 11: Ba Be Lakes (B/L/D)
The legendary lake of Ba Be is just one continuous water body although the name means'' three lakes''.Today we embark on a boat cruising down the Nang River which is the main water source of the lake.This exciting river trip will give us a taste of the tranquil countryside and an enjoyable exploration of the Ba Be National Park.We traverse en route the Poong Grotto before stopping at some nearby hill tribe villages and getting off the beaten track to the scenic Dau Dang Waterfalls. Dinner with a family of Tay at homestay in Bac Ngoi village. O/N at homestay in Bac Ngoi village.
DAY 12: Ba Be - Cao Bang (B/L)
The following destination of our trip is Cao Bang Town. After breakfast we set off on our half day journey past the spectacular mountainous landscapes, with a mixture of steep terraced rice field and hill villages.Along the way, we can made stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and shoot some wonderful photographs.The remainder of the day will be free to explore the town or simply to relax. Dinner on your own.O/N in Cao Bang.
DAY 13: Cao Bang - Pac Po Cake- Lang Son (B/L)
Heading out of town , we make our way north to the historical cave of Pac Po where Ho Chi Minh set up the headquarter for the August Vietnamese Revolution in 1945. After seeing this vestige site we continue our journey past the many hill villages and the tranquil town of Dong Khe and That Khe.The drive will deliver us into Lang Son by late afternoon. This border town had been all destroyed during the recent Sino - Vietnamese war, but was rebuilt to become an important trade center in north eastern region.Dinner on your own. O/N in Lang Son.
DAY 14: Lang Son - Ha Long (B/L)
The lively central market of Lang Son and the legendary Tam Thanh Cave are visited this morning before we depart for Halong, truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. The drive is difficult at times as we travel through many mountain areas.Their breathtaking scenery is some of the best in Asia. We have some opportunities en route to visit the Tay, Nung and San Diu hill tribe people.On arrival in Halong we spend the remainder of the day for a well- earned rest on a Beach. Dinner on your own.O/N in Ha Long.
DAY 15: Ha Long - Hanoi (B/L)
Today we embark on a sailing boat for an exploration of Halong Bay.This exciting five hour cruise provides a fantastic view of the bay which is dotted with some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves.Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs.After a seafood lunch on board we return to Hanoi.Arrive in Hanoi and check in hotel. Dinner on your own. O/N in Ha Noi.
DAY 16: Hanoi - Departure (B)
There is a free time to relax and further explore Ha Noi.The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure.
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