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.

Have some time at leisure before our exciting overnight train journey to Lao Cai.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight on Train

We arrive in Lao Cai around 5 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 check into 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 village where the village is eagerly awaiting our arrival. With the children’s glee and excitement and a village full of big smiling faces, we are welcomed by a local Black Hmong people.

After a welcoming and a rest, we stroll around the village, learning about the traditional way of life of the Black Hmong. 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 drive back 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.

We start our trek at the village and continue down the valley, along local trails and across rice paddies to visit Dzay ethnic minorities and Black H’mong communities living within a different environment.

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

We return to Sapa for some free time before our transfer to Lao Cai for our overnight train to Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight on Train

Your Vietnam Beach vacation begins with trip to Halong Bay, a collection of almost 2000 islands and jungle-clad limestone pillars in the Tonkin Gulf. Called “Bay of Descending Dragons” in Vietnamese, the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous travel destination.

Leave hotel and go ahead Halong with pass through wonderful scenery en route for tranquil villages and buffalo on fields.

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

After breakfast we board a small boat to cruise toward Cat Ba Island.

We disembark at Viet Hai pier where we have a leisurely bike ride through the island to Viet Hai commune – a small village in the middle of Cat Ba National Park, enjoying the wonderful scenery and fresh air, whilst observing the daily life of the people here.

We stop for lunch at a local family home, before our return bike ride back to the pier. We re-board our boat for our transfer to Cat Ba Island.

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Cat Ba

The day is free at leisure on the island, before we are picked up at 2.00pm for our transfer to the pier.

We board a hydrofoil boat to Hai Phong, where we are met by our vehicle for our return drive to Hanoi.

This evening we bid you farewell and would like to invite you to join your guide in a farewell celebration dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast,., Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

All good things must come to an ends, you have free time until transfer to airport for a departure flight with a bid farewell (Late checkout is exclusive and subject to availability)

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip ends.