Hanoi is well known for its history, architecture, charm, tranquility and cuisine. Our first visit is to the most well respected site of the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, and includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Then visit the 11th century Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first University. From here, continue to Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous local spot where President Barack Obama dined with Anthony Bourdain.

Afternoon, we drive approximately 25minutes to the Ethnology Museum. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting a historical perspective of the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

End your day at a by walking through the Hanoi Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors. 

We return to our hotel in the late afternoon for some time at leisure to explore this fabulous city.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

This morning we head South of Hanoi to the local town of Ninh Binh.

We start our picturesque journey through remote villages, we travel around 90km to Ninh Binh, with this town offering absolutely stunning landscapes, due to its proximity to the mountains of Non Nuoc and Canh Dieu.

After a stop for lunch, we arrive in Ninh Binh, we check into our hotel, charmed by the marvelous scenery, offered by the mountains, rivers and pagoda.

After some time to admire the beautiful scenery and breathe the fresh mountainous air, we board a row boat for an amazing ride to Tam Coc (Three Caves).

The first visit is to Hang Ca cave, being enclosed by the scenic beauty of huge rocks standing along the river and scattered green rice fields, all combines an image of a poetic painting of the countryside. Only nature could produce such a miracle.

The quiet movements of the oars create a musical rhythm inside the cave as we approach Hang Mua (Cave of Dance), the beauty of this cave creates an effect which pull one's mind away from reality into a dream world. The rocks eaten by sea water over thousands of years have been carved into a series of caves here. Although the sea is far away from the locality, now the caves remain.

Only a hundred metres away is Hang Ba, which is the coolest of the caves due to its lower formation. The attraction here is the natural light inside the cave reflected by the water. The huge and even rocks lying in the stream provide excellent platforms for those who wish to bathe in the waters.

After our magical journey, we return to the village to rest and relax or some time for you to explore the handmade handicrafts of the village or head out on a leisurely cycle, exploring this township and admiring its mythical mountainous range.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh

Awakening to the most peaceful and pleasant sounds of nature, we devour a delicious breakfast, before we bid farewell to the village for our drive to Ha Long Bay.

A 2 hour journey heading north east, through local minority villages, we arrive in Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay is by far one of the most enchanting and memorable experiences in Vietnam. The postcard pictures you so often see of Ha Long Bay will become a memory to last a lifetime.

Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious freshly caught seafood lunch whilst sailing out of the Bay passing amazing shaped mountains. Enjoy the seascape from the sundeck or even in your private cabin through glass window. Take swimming, kayaking and visit caves on the island to get more experience. In the late afternoon, we take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the on board chefs and enjoy the seafood feast for dinner as stars emerge from behind those jungle-clad limestone pillars.

Spending night on board in elegant cabin and handicraft wooden interiors with air-conditioning. Or there is an option of night fishing before an overnight stay aboard.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cruise in Halong Bay

This morning we take a small bamboo boat to visit Luon, a beautiful tunnel cave set within a lagoon.

We re-board our boat and continue cruising the bay, through the old part of Ha Long City, known as the fishing town and the new built harbor bridge, whilst we enjoy our seafood brunch before heading back to the pier for our return to Hanoi.

On-route, we make a stop at one of our favorite organizations in Vietnam. Hong Ngoc Humanities centre in Sao Do Town. This wonderful establishment has been set up to provide skill and employment to people from small villages throughout the north of Vietnam, creating jobs and providing accommodation to disadvantaged people.  You have the opportunity to purchase some exquisite local handicrafts and wares or just watch and admire the amazing and intricate workmanship involved in the production.

We return to Hanoi in the late afternoon, with time to relax or grab another bargain before our exciting overnight train trip to Sapa.

On-route to the station, we make a stop for dinner at a quaint, hidden little treasure, where we can sit and relax enjoying the beautiful ambience and delicious array of foods on offer!

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Overnight on Train

We arrive in Lao Cai around 5.00 am and met by our transport for a spectacular hour’s journey up the impressive mountains to Sapa.

Seeing is believing! The imagination could not visualize, nor appreciate the beauty of the stunning vistas and breathtaking mountainous rice terraces until you observe in true form.

Upon arrival in Sapa, we have breakfast and leave our luggage at the hotel for a little rest and relaxation before our exploration this afternoon.

In the early afternoon we commence our exciting trek downhill from Sapa town to Cat Cat Village. Our 2 hour walk takes us through rice paddies passing by different ethnic minority villages hard at work and flower and vegetable gardens until we reach a magnificent waterfall set within the lush mountains.

We take a rest and continue to Cat Cat villages of Black Hmong tribe. Enjoy the waterfall in Cat Cat and beautiful scenery along the way.

After a welcoming and a rest, we stroll around the village, learning about the traditional way of life of the Black H’mong. We observe the fascinating demonstration of traditional fiber processing including; Weaving, Dying hemp cloth, Peeling bark from the dried hemp stalks, Tying stripped bark ribbons to form bundles and with the locals strongly encouraging  us to try our hand in perfect their art….they certainly get a lot of laughs watching us!!

We say goodbye to the village and continued our walk returning to Sapa.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

After breakfast you will check out and leave your luggage in the hotel, get ready for the trip. We are picked up by our vehicle and transferred to Lao Chai. Trek down to visit the Tay and Day tribes then keep going along the bottom of the Sapa valley to get to Ta Van village which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area.

The interaction and closeness we experience with the local minority groups is an absolutely incredible experience.

We return to Sapa for some free time to enjoy what the town has to offer, bargaining for some local wares, before our transfer to Lao Cai for our overnight train to Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight on Train

We return to Hanoi around 6am, and head to town for breakfast at local restaurant. After freshening up, you will have free for last shopping in Hanoi before transfer to airport for departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip ends.