NORTHERN VIETNAM
MOUNTAIN TO THE SEA

NORTHERN VIETNAM – MOUNTAIN TO THE SEA

BRIEFING AND TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY 

Day 1
HANOI ARRIVAL

You will meet your guide on arrival Hanoi airport, be transferred and check-in to your chosen hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Hanoi, answer any questions you have. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the day.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to more than seven million people. Traditional and refined, with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe elderly people practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade.

Hanoi has many great restaurants with French, Vietnamese and international cuisines available. Ask your guide for personal recommendations.

Included meals: None
Accommodation in HANOI

Day 2
HANOI – HIGHLIGHTS CITY VISIT & STREET FOOD

Accompanied by your guide early this morning to visit Long Bien Market under the historic Long Bien Bridge to get to explore the local life of Hanoi.

Visit the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi – located beside the dazzling West Lake.

We then continue to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, centre of Vietnam’s military power for over a millennium. The complex’s monumental palaces and pavilions reflect a unique Southeast Asian culture specific to this region, as the crossroads between influence from China to the north and the ancient kingdom of Champa to the south.

Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university.  Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Enjoy a one hour tour by cyclo, a chauffeur-pedalled tricycle, through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as “36 streets”. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore, especially by cyclo, with plenty of photo opportunities all around you.

Afterwards walk through Ha Noi’s vibrant Old Quarter on a special tour. Experience the area’s world famous street food as we venture through local shops, small eateries, and roadside markets selling fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables. The owners of the food stalls are always helpful and love to explain how they prepare their dishes. We then visit a renowned local coffee shop, where we will get a demonstration and tasting of a delicious Hanoi specialty, egg coffee.

Get back to hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch street-food
Accommodation in HANOI 

Day 3
HANOI – DUONG LAM VILLAGE – MAI CHAU

Depart your hotel this morning and travel west (1.5 hours drive) of Hanoi to Duong Lam village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta which still preserves many hundred-year-old houses.

On the way, stop at Tay Phuong Pagoda. The pagoda offers beautiful architecture and ancient and unique sculptures. It was one of the first pagodas built in Vietnam and has magnificent dragons and demons carved into the wooden roof.

Wandering along the village and explore rural life and Vietnam’s ancient architecture. Visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu commune – the only hamlet whose original village entrance remains intact. Continue on through the narrow alleys to see the old laterite houses which make up this charming village. The village well – the traditional feature of communal life – is also worth a look.

After included lunch at a local house, continue driving to Mai Chau. Check in the hotel on arrival in late afternoon and rest of the time is free at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in MAI CHAU

Day 4
MAI CHAU VISIT

Breakfast at hotel.

A short drive to Mai Hich/ Buoc/ Khoe and take light trek/ walk (about 2-3 hours) through the village which is home of the Thai hill tribe. Have chance to learn to know about the local life and enjoy the picturesque Mai Chau Valley surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations and rice paddies.

Enjoy an included simple lunch which is served at the local house of the village.

Drive back to your accommodation and free at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in MAI CHAU

Day 5
MAI CHAU – NINH BINH

After breakfast and enjoy the peaceful picturesque valley of Mai Chau. Walk or bike around the local villages to experience the local daily life.

Check out the hotel and depart for Ninh Binh. The drive is about 4 hours with photo stop en-route. Arrive Ninh, the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. The ravages of time have destroyed the ancient citadel but some vestiges including King Dinh and King Le worship temples still stand to this day among the rice paddies and are a worthwhile visit to get a glimpse of the ancient Vietnamese past.

After simple lunch at local restaurant, take a boat cruise of Trang An which is a nature reserve similar to Tam Coc. Limestone hills surround a peaceful river which passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness). An ‘eco tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.

Check in the hotel and enjoy a peaceful night.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in NINH BINH

Day 6
NINH BINH – HALONG OVERNIGHT CRUISE

Your morning departure from your hotel in Ninh Binh to Halong Bay takes you on a journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. Observe everyday life of Vietnamese Villages as you see the villagers work the local rice fields, take live pigs to market on bicycles and plough the fields with their large water buffaloes.

Arrive in Halong and board a traditional sailing junk. As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by the Crew Team who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard. Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the cruise services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you could attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Defined to be one of the highlights of your stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages (with extra charge applied) for drink).

In the evening enjoy the entertainment activities as movie night, squid fishing or just enjoying a cocktail surrounded by limestone rocks majestically springing out from silent waters in the night.

NOTE: This tour is subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation in HALONG

Day 7
HALONG BAY – HANOI DEPARTURE

Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some delights with a light breakfast and follow by a colorful brunch.  . Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your cruise will come to an end at the pier in Halong late morning and you will be met and transferred back to Hanoi. The drive will take around 2.5-3 hours with technical stop en-route. You will arrive in Hanoi around mid afternoon.

Transfer to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.

Included meals: Brunch

TOUR PRICE(S):

Standard 3*    : from US $ 768
Superior 4*     : from US $ 894
Deluxe 5*        : from US $ 1,095

* Prices are based on twin/ double share for group of at least 02 passengers travelling together and depend on availability and season.

All our itineraries can be customised. For questions or further information, Enquire Now!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION