PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Fri 02 March 2018 : Hanoi arrival (VJ776 @18:30) (-) | Guide and driver
Arrival in Noi Bai airport , you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The check-in is available at 2 pm. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Tour guide contact - Mr Hoang (+84) 912 696 658
Day 02 . Sat 03 March 2018 : Hanoi city tour - train to Lao Cai (B, L) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Then back to the Old Quarter for a 1.5 hour walking tour, then you will have a deeper insight of local daily life . We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. Relax at a mini hotel till being transfered to the railway station for night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train (private cabin)
Note: Please leave big suitcase at hotel in Hanoi before travelling by bus to Hanoi from Sapa
Day 03 . Sun 04 March 2018 : Lao Cai arrival - Bac Ha market - Sapa (B, L) | Guide and driver
Arrive in Lao Cai 6:00am, and drive to Bac Ha by car to visit Bac Ha market. This is the biggest local ethnic market of the region and takes place every Sunday. Tribal people from surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Most still use horses to carry their loads, which means an early departure to get to the market in time.
If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend, you will frequently meet locals in their colorful costumes heading to the markets as this is the best time for youngsters to find a partner to marry. Spring in Sapa, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February), is therefore a very joyful time despite the cool temperatures. This is the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting.
After lunch, you will leave the colorful market behind, to follow a zigzag road along the mountain to visit Ban Pho 1 and Ban Pho 2 villages, inhabited by Flower H'mong people. Return to Sapa in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 04 . Mon 05 March 2018 : Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - bus to Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the morning, you will commence your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. The guide can provide you interesting information about rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the local do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in the daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church. After having lunch, you are free till being picked up by bus back at 3PM to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 05 . Tue 06 March 2018 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
08:00 - 08:30: depart to Halong Bay, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk.
12:00 – 12:30:Embark the LaFairy Sails at Tuan Chau International harbor. Enjoy welcome drink, cruise briefing & start cruising.
13:00 – 14:30:A sumptuous lunch is served while cruising into the magnificent Halong Bay with its thousands of extraordinarily shaped limestone islands, considered as the heaven on the Earth.
15:15 – 15:45:Explore Lờm Bò area and be charmed by this outstanding masterpiece of Mother Nature. Visit Mê Cung Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and climb up to see the panoramic view of the bay from above.
16:00 – 16:45: Explore Ngoc Trai area by kayaking.
17:00 – 19:00: Return to the LaFairy Sails for a Sunset party to admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Enjoy everyday promotion HAPPY HOUR - BUY 2 GET 1 FREE all beverages from 5 to 6pm.
19:00:Savor a sparkling and dreamlike dinner on top deck under the light of a thousand stars in middle of the tranquil Bay with extremely delicious food and be awed by a fascinating fruit and vegetable carving show. Delight in traditional music performances. Afterwards, socialize with the artist, new friends and crew members, join squid fishing. Overnight on-board.
Day 06 . Wed 07 March 2018 : Halong – Hanoi (B) | Guide and driver
06:30 – 07:00:Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07:15 – 08:00:Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the Bay.
08:15 – 09:15:Visit Titov Island for swimming in the emerald water. Then hike up to the top of the island to take the breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay.
09:45 – 10:15:Pack your luggage and check out of the cabin while cruising towards the harbor.
10:15 – 11:45:Join a cooking demonstration before enjoying an exceptional Buffet lunch.
12:00 – 12:30:Disembark the LaFairy Sails & Farewell.Around midday we will return to the main harbor & drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 07 . Thu 08 March 2018 : Hanoi departure (Bangkok Airway 4284 @ 12:40) (B) | Driver
Freetime before the transfer to the airport at 9AM for your flight off.