Halong, Sapa & Beyond

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Included meals: No

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

 

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam!

Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, you are welcomed and greeted by Custom Vietnam Travel tour guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. The rest of the day will be free to relax or explore at your own leisure.

DAY 2: HANOI - SAPA

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

ou will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi early in the morning (about 7.30 AM). This morning, you will travel to Sapa on the HW Noi Bai – Lao Cai. This is the longest highway in Vietnam. The scenic drive from the Red River Delta, through the midland to Lao Cai province, will be a good start for your trip. Arrive in Sapa by noon. Have lunch at a restaurant in town. After that, you will be transferred by the car to a trekking point to Y Ling Ho Village, Muong Hoa Valley. Muong Hoa is the biggest valley in the Sapa region and bottomed by a rocky river. This is one of the most scenic trekking paths in Sapa. Begin with a slope to the valley, the scenery of the rice terraces along your way is very beautiful and could be the highlight of the day. Cross the river on a small suspension bridge and continue on the trek uphill. This is rather challenging when it is wet but definitely offers you a spectacular view over the valley. Finish your trek at Lao Chai Village where your private vehicle awaits you. Get picked up at the end of the trek and make your way back to Sapa town. Check-in a hotel for the night.

DAY 3: SAPA - MUONG HUM MARKET - Y TY (Sunday)

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Home-stay (alternative is at an eco-lodge)

 

Breakfast is served at the hotel, as usual, check out of your hotel and depart for Y Ty, the northernmost region of Lao Cai province and also one of the scenic rice terrace spots in Vietnam. If today is Sunday, you will have a stop to visit Muong Hum market in the midway. This market is a tribal one where many different colorful ethnic minority people gather around to trade; If it is not on Sunday, you just drive through and have some stops on the way for photo opportunities. Arrive at Y Ty around noon.

After lunch and rest, the tour guide will take you down a valley for a trek to view the highlights of Y Ty. Get picked up at the end of the trek and check-in your accommodation for tonight.

DAY 4: Y TY - HANOI

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This morning, take it easy with your breakfast. Check out of the room at 9:00 a.m for a 7-hour drive back to Hanoi.

Lunch is at a restaurant in Lao Cai City.

Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi, check-in and relax for the remainder of the day.

DAY 5: HANOI CITY TOUR

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This day tour to learn about the capital city of Vietnam occupies your whole day with featured sites, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university for the morning. Your lunch today is served at a restaurant in town with local tastes. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to one of the following museums (you can pick the one you like): the Ethnology Museum, Army Museum, National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Hilton prison or Vietnam Women Museum). Followed by a short walk or a cyclo ride in the Old Quarter. End the day tour with a traditional Water Puppet show.

DAY 6: HANOI - CAT BA ISLAND

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Cat Ba town (Alternative is homestay at a local house)

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At 9:00 meet your guide and driver again and heading to the coastal province of Hai Phong. The morning drive on a highway and a short ferry ride take you to Cat Ba Island. Arrive at Phu Long Commune, have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, take a boat ride on a small river through Phu Long Mangroves to a trekking point at a side of Cat Ba National Park. The trek lasts for about 3 hours passing some lush valleys, and farms that are surrounded by sheer limestone mountains. Get picked up at the end of the trek by car. Check-in your hotel and stay overnight.

DAY 7: LAN HA BAY CRUISE

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on a private boat

 

This morning is on your own discovery of Cat Ba town or just spend your time on a beach. Around noon, check-out and transfer to Beo tourist wharf to embark on your private cruise today. The cruise is through a fishing village at first and heading to the middle of Lan Ha Bay. The anchor is dropped for lunch with fresh seafood on boat. In the afternoon, with your guide, you will explore the bay with some kayaking and swimming in the green water of the wonder. Dinner and stay overnight on boat.

DAY 8: LAN HA BAY - HANOI

Included meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This morning, wake up early for the sunrise and fresh air on the top deck if you wish, otherwise, you can remain in the cabin until breakfast time. The morning, the boat will take you to a small jetty for you to take a scenic bicycling tour to Viet Hai village which is located inside Cat Ba national park area. After a quick look at the village and learn about the daily life of the locals, ride back on the same road to the boat. Take a quick swim on the bay before heading back to the wharf. An early lunch is served on the boat today as you will disembark at 11:45 am. The afternoon drive takes you back to Hanoi. Arrive at your hotel, check-in and spend he last night in Hanoi.

DAY 9: DEPARTURE FROM HANOI

Included meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available

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Today is your last day in Vietnam! Enjoy your morning at the hotel. Check out by midday and get picked up by your private transport, make your way back to Ho Chi Minh City airport. Take your flight home and goodbye Vietnam!