ITINERARY IN BRIEF

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
DAY 2: HANOI
DAY 3: HANOI - THAI NGUYEN – BABE NATIONAL PARK  (250km drive)
DAY 4: BA BE – CAO BANG (100km drive)
DAY 5: BAN GIOC WATERFALL
DAY 6: CAO BANG – HANOI  (DRIVE 400KM)
DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG  
DAY 8: HALONG – HANOI
DAY 9: HANOI - DEPARTURE

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

Welcome to Vietnam by our guide and transferred to hotel for check in. Ha Noi,  Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. Dinner at local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI

Morning, city tour to visit Hochiminh Complex, this complex  comprises the Mausoleum of the nation’s founder Hochiminh (closed on Monday, Friday and the whole months of October-November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070. Afternoon, we visit the Ethnological Museum, the most interesting museum in Hanoi. We will view Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam's oldest pagoda, built in the 6th century and located on Cayang Island in the middle of the lake.  We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with Ngoc Son Temple, take 1-hour Cyclo trip around with 36 streets of Ha Noi old quarter and enjoy the performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long theatre. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI - THAI NGUYEN – BABE NATIONAL PARK  (250km drive)

Morning, head out of Hanoi, over the Red River on the Chuong Duong bridge, the suburbs quickly give way to the sprawling farm lands of the Red River Delta. Travel north along High way 3 to Thai Nguyen for a stop to enjoy a lunch of traditional Vietnamese food. Worth a visit here is the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam Ethnic Groups. Lunch at local restaurant. 

Afternoon, leaving the delta behind, you'll start climbing into the mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. Take a short boat trip (30 minutes).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Homestay in Thainguyen

DAY 4: BA BE – CAO BANG (100km drive)

Ba Be National Park, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, is Viet Nam's only natural mountain lake. This important eco-system is best known for its over 330 species of butterflies! Have breakfast with your Tay hosts. The lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains is your backdrop as you explore the lake. Reach the end of the lake and stop for a trek to Dau Dang waterfall. Lunch at local restaurant.
Late afternoon, Meet your Jeep, head north through the lush mountain passes to the city of Cao Bang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Homestay in CaoBang.

DAY 5: BAN GIOC WATERFALL

Jeep ride to Ban Gioc, visit the waterfall. On this day you'll take a scenic insightful day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc waterfall near the Chinese border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. The drive there offers unique landscapes, limestone karst formations soar from the verdant rice paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic minorities. Along the way, you'll see Tay, Hmong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, heading back to Cao Bang, stop to explore the expansive 2, 144 meter Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its brilliant stalactites.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Homestay in CaoBang.

DAY 6: CAO BANG – HANOI  (DRIVE 400KM)

Free leisure time until transfer back to Hanoi. Lunch at local restaurant on the way.
Arrival Hanoi. check in and free at leisure

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG        

08:00     Our guide and driver pick you up from hotel, transfer to Halong via vehicle  (160km driving one way - 3.5hrs drive). This will be your first opportunity to see some of the rural areas of Vietnam. The drive goes through the Red River delta, so we'll have plenty of chance for taking photo of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy field. At half way, we will have a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes and embroidered paintings.
12h15:     Check-in registration, Boarding on Junk. Welcome drink is served
12h45:     Start cruising
13h00:     Have lunch board
13h30:     A fantastic cruise in Ha Long bay, visit Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Titop beach.
17h30:     Relax and enjoy sunset
19h30:     Enjoy dinner on board.
21h00:     Fishing or relax and spending a night on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Stay on Huong Hai Junk or similar in Halong

DAY 8: HALONG – HANOI

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of Bay's landscapes. Sitting on the upper desk we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the Bay. We can hear the birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and  gentle breeze.
7:00     Have breakfast
7:30     A morning cruise to visit Man's head island. Tortoise island. Visit to Bai Tu Long bay.
10:00     Arrange luggage and check out then have lunch on boat.
11:45     Arrive at the pier. Transfer to Hanoi for check-in. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Meals: Brunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 9: HANOI - DEPARTURE 

Full day free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight.
Meal: Breakfast.



Price Include: 

• 4 night hotel accommodation as listed below or similar,
• 1night on board in Ha Long, 2night at Homestay, 
• 8 breakfasts, 7lunches and 2dinners,
• modern transportation throught the tour,
• entrance fees as stated in the tour program,
• experienced local English or French speaking guide,
• Gov’t tax and service charge,
• Mineral water is available (free)
• Vietnam Visa Approval letter (free)
• Vietnam Traditional Gift (free)

Price Exclude:

• Visa.
• International air ticket.
• Travel Insurance in all kinds.
• Any meals, Other foreign language guide.
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses.
• Peak tourist season or special event rates.
• Compulsory dinner for Xmas and New Year Eve