ITINERARY IN BRIEF
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
DAY 2: HANOI – HALONG
DAY 3: HALONG – HANOI – SAPA
DAY 4: SAPA
DAY 5: SAPA – COCLY MARKET (TUESDAY ONLY) – HANOI
DAY 6: HANOI CITY TOUR
DAY 7: HANOI DEPARTURE

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, 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. Depending on arrival time optional activities can be arranged on this day.

Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 2: HANOI – HA LONG

08:00     Our guide and driver pick you up from hotel, transfer to Ha Long 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. With a quick rest stop en route, you will reach Ha Long City. Arrival in Ha Long at 11:30 (Depending on your choice of junk)
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 3: HA LONG – HANOI – SAPA

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. Our guide and driver pick you up and drive back Hanoi.
Arrival Hanoi, city tour to visit Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son temple, take 1-hour cyclo ride to visit Hanoi Old Quarter. Enjoy the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long Theatre.
Evening, free at leisure for shopping until drive to Hanoi railway sation for train to Sapa.

Meals: Brunch
Overnight Stay on Tulico Express or similar

DAY 4: SAPA

Arrrival Laocai station around 4:00am, transfer to local restaurant for breakfast.
The short journey will commence with a drive southwards Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your descending walk into the valley, which is the largest paddy terrace in Sapa area. The guide can provide you with interesting information about rice and rice growing. If you visit the valley some time in between May and October, you will be able to experience how the local do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in their daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black H'mong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church.
After visiting Ta Van, return to Sapa and free at leisure for sightseeing and photo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Sapa

DAY 5: SAPA – COCLY MARKET (tuesday only)

Morning, we travel by car to Bac Ha, 70 km Northeast of Lao Cai. The ride, which is relatively flat from Lao Cai, will take you through rural areas. The road is rougher for the last 30km. You arrive in Coc Ly by the time where the market is most crowded. Coc Ly market is located by the Chay River, which flows from China. Every Tuesday morning, minorities from surrounding villages such as Flower Hmong, Black Dao and Tay gather to sell and buy their products. After visiting the market, you travel by boat downstream. Along the ride, you can enjoy magnificent sight of the beautiful caves and life on the riverbank. The trip will also offers you a visit to Trung Do village of Tay minority, where you can stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. You will go further downstream until you arrive to Bao Nhai Bridge. Here you get on the car for the journey back.
Late afternoon, transfer to Laocai for train back Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Sapa

DAY 6: HANOI – CITY TOUR

Early arrival Hanoi, our guide will take you to Quang Ba flower market, there are so many kinds of flower. Under flickered light, flower seller girls appear with a smile face radiant to attract customers for buying.  If time permit, pass by the fresh fruit local market before enjoying “Vietnam traditional Pho” and “Vietnam Traditional Coffee”– pure of Vietnam.
Then, same morning, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. This complex  also comprises 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 and Vietnam museum of ethnology, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.
Afternoon, visit Thang Long Royal Citadel (NEW) has been recognized as a world Cultural  heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Thang Long Imperial Citadel was built in the 11th century by the Ly Dynasty. It was constructed on the remains of a Chinese fortress dating from the 7th century, on drained land reclaimed from the Red River Delta in Ha Noi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 7: HANOI – DEPARTURE

Free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight by ….
Meals: Breakfast



Price Include:

• 8 nights accommodations at 3 stars standard hotel with daily breakfast based on twin sharing
• One night accommodation on board in Halong based on twin sharing
• Private transportation with English or French speaking guide.
• Entrances fees + sightseeing as indicated.
• Round trip ticket for train Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi.
• Vietnamese food as mentioned in the program.
• Gov’t tax and service charge.
• Mineral water is available (free)
• Vietnam Visa Approval letter (free)
• Vietnam Traditional Gift (free)

Price Exclude:

• Visa, Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
• Surcharge for booking during Chinese New Years from 20 – 30 Jan 2012: US$ 15/ pax/ day
• Surcharge for Compulsory dinner for Xmas and New Year Eve