DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL- Overnight Train to Sapa (L/D)

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, be welcomed by our guide, and transfer to your hotel. The driving time is approximately 40 minutes.

In the afternoon, take a cyclo tour through Hanoi’s downtown to sightsee the Old Quarter of 36 ancient streets, the Trang Tien Plaza shopping center, and the colonial French-built Opera House, an elegant architectural landmark of Hanoi modeled after the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, and visit Hoan Kiem Lake (The Returned Sword Lake, whose name comes from a legend of a sacred sword) at sunset. Enjoy tasty foods at the local restaurant.

Take an overnight train journey from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai and the gateway to Sapa. Overnight in the 4-berth sleeper sharing a cabin on the train.

DAY 2: FULL DAY LAO CHAI-TA VAN-GIANG TA CHAI (B/L/D)

This morning, transfer through a scenic landscape to Lao Chai Village, a settlement of the Black Hmong ethnic minority people. From a vantage point on the main road, you can catch a panoramic view of the village located right in the Muong Hoa valley at one of its ends and backed by mountains. Enjoy sighting fields and streams and interacting with hospitable villagers. Continue by trekking about 4 km to Ta Van village, which is clusters of rural houses embraced by the wavy curves of the terraced paddy fields. Villagers here are the Giay ethnic minority people, a small group only inhabiting the northern highlands of Vietnam. Take a break and have a fine lunch in a local household.

After lunch, hike for 3 km over hills and through a bamboo forest. Stop at a waterfall to rest before entering Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dao ethnic minority people. Explore the village and observe villagers in their daily life activities. You will be picked up and return to Sa Pa by car. Dinner at a well-known local restaurant.

DAY 3: SAPA-LAO CAI-Overnight Train (B/L)

Start this half-day walking tour by visiting the rustic village of Suoi Ho. Take a stroll through its sleepy streets and get a glimpse of village life.

Later, enjoy views of the stunning countryside as you walk along the Suoi Ho River, en-route to the second village of Ma Tra. Soak in its vibrant culture and visit its quaint Christian church before being picked up by car and returning to Sapa Town. Take a rest before transferring to Lao Cai for catching an overnight train to Hanoi. Overnight in the 4-berth sleeper sharing a cabin on the train.

DAY 4: HANOI-HALONG- Overnight on the cruise (B/L/D)

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel, where you will have breakfast before going ahead to Halong. Depart from Hanoi and travel to the seaside port of Halong Bay. Transfer to Tuan Chau Island to board our beautiful boat, a beautifully restored traditional wooden junk with a colorful, modern design. Settle in to your stylish cabin or on the sundeck and enjoy the view from the water.

Set sail to Sung Sot Cav, aptly known as Surprise Cave; this is a highlight of Halong reached via a small opening in the rock. Next, cruise to Lom Bo Canal to visit a floating pearl farm to learn how these precious ‘stones’ are created and harvested. Here, you’re welcome to kayak or walk about the floating village and do some shopping for the freshest pearls in the bay.

Continue floating through the towering, jungle-clad islands before mooring for the evening and take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the onboard chefs! Learn firsthand the art of rolling fresh pho cuon (fresh rice rolls) and elegant fruit carving, with a recipe card provided after to help you recollect and recreate these recipes back home! Enjoy dinner on the deck and wrap up your day with a cocktail or try your hand at squid fishing under the stars of the bay.

DAY 5: HALONG – HANOI (B/Brunch)

Rise early to catch the impressive sunrise over the karsts, and find some serenity in a private Tai Chi class on the sundeck. Sink your teeth into some breakfast before setting sail for Ti Tov Island, where you can relax and swim at the picturesque beach or hike up the mountain for stunning panoramic views of the bay.

Continue your cruise through some of the most iconic sites of Ha Long, seeing some of the most unique inlets and enjoying the natural splendor that makes this World Heritage Site so special. After checking out, enjoy a snack on board before saying goodbye to the crew at the main harbour and transfer back to Hanoi arriving late in the afternoon

DAY 6: HANOI HALF-DAY CITY DEPARTURE (B)

Begin the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969, and his body was preserved for posterity. Every October the mausoleum is closed for a month, and Uncle Ho is given a bit of a spruce-up! Then wander the grounds to see the one-pillar pagoda and the presidential palace. Next, visit the 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius.

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel to the airport for your departure flight.