Highlights of North Vietnam

Today you will overland to the famous Ha Long Bay which means “Descending Dragon Bay”. Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an area of great natural beauty, with some 2,000 limestone islands rising dramatically out of the emerald water. 

08h00 Transfer to Halong

11:30: Arrive at Indochina Junk Office, take a rest at the waiting Lounge before boarding the cruise

11:50 – 12:15: Go to the port by a buggy, where the crews and staff will welcome you and assist with the check-in process onto the cruise ship.

12:30 – 13:00: After boarding the cruise ship, you will enjoy tea and listen to an introduction about the itinerary and safety information for the journey, as well as check-in to your cabin.

13:15: Have lunch at the onboard restaurant, featuring seafood from the bay. The cruise ship will start its journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay, passing through limestone islands and beautiful scenery along the bay.

14:30: The tour guide will take you to visit Thien Canh Son Cave, where you can explore the natural beauty of the cave with unique stalactites formed over thousands of years.

15:00: Relax on Hon Co Beach and join a kayaking excursion to discover the limestone islands in the bay before returning to the cruise ship.

16:15: Back to the cruise ship and enjoy a sunset cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay.

17:15: Join a Vietnamese cooking class.

19:00: Rest and have dinner in a quiet and romantic atmosphere on the bay.

20:00: Free time to relax and you can also join the experience of squid fishing. Spend the night on Bai Tu Long Bay

07:00 – 07:15: Morning view of the Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served on the cruise ship.

07:45: Transfer by bamboo boat to visit Vung Vieng fishing village, where you can explore the unique way of life and the beautiful scenery of the fishing village amidst the natural heritage.

08:45: Back to the cruise ship for relaxation and leisure time.

09:45 – 10:00: Check-out and enjoy some leisure time to relax and capture memorable moments as the cruise ship journeys through the stunning limestone island area.

10:15: Enjoy a Set Menu Lunch while the cruise ship continues its journey on the bay.

At noon, leave the boat and then back to Hanoi 

Your guide will pick you up and depart for Lao Cai on the new Noi Bai highway, you will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery on this road. It takes some 4,5h to reach Sapa.

12:30 Arrival Sapa town, you enjoy lunch at the restaurant

You visit, explore Ham Rong mountain with Orchid Garden 1, Orchid Garden 2, Pear Garden, Apple Garden, Central Flower Garden, Broken Rock, Heaven Gate, Dragon Head, Cloud Yard … Standing on Ham Rong mountain peak, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sapa, Muong Hoa valley, Sa Pa, Ta Phin and Cat Cat village.

17:00 Return to Sapa town

After breakfast, hike through rice terraces and along Muong Hoa – Y Linh Ho Stream to reach the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai.This valley is home of a few ethnic group such as H’mong, Dzao, Zay…. with stunning views of terraced fields, especially during rice season.  As you hike, admire the Hoang Lien Son mountain. In Lao Chai, discover the daily lives of the local people and enjoy an authentic delicious lunch at the home of a villager. After lunch, continue to Ta Van village, home to the Zay Tribe. Spend some time learning about the local culture and see how to make incense with the local herbs before back to Sapa.

This morning, after your breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and transfer by car to Bac Ha- home of Hmong Hoa (Flower Hmong), one of the most vibrant ethnic group. The drive is a little over 3h so it is important to arrive there around 9.30 to attend the market at its peak. Every Sunday is Bac Ha market day, the biggest and the most busy market of northern Vietnam. It is a treat in a every sense of this word and is a highlight of the trip. The market day is not only a chance to stock up on fresh food, purchase clothing but also socialise and networking with others in the community. So everyone will dress in the most elaborate clothes. Strolling around the market, you have chance to take beautiful photos, alive with the bright colors and extravagant costumes of the local people, specially the Flower H’mong. Together with other minorities, the Flower H’mong people come from different villages at the surroundings to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and livestock. It is more common to see buffalo, cows, goats, horses and other livestock being traded. After the market, we make our way to Xin Man town for lunch at a local food store

In the afternoon, continue on driving to Hoang Su Phi. 

Your hike is going to start at 9 am after a delicious breakfast. At the beginning of the walk, you will have the chance to pass through a village of Dzao people. These lovely people wear long tunics and have settled their houses on pillars on the mountainside. You will also have the opportunity to walk through breathtaking rice fields in terraces and bamboo forests.

During the hike, the group will take a break at a Red Dzao House. The family there is eager to welcome you with a cup of local tea. You can either rest while waiting for lunch or join your local guide in preparing the meal.

In the afternoon, the walk will continue to a Tay village in the valley. Then follow the river to return to Panhou Village.

Dinner at Panhou retreat

This morning you just take your time for having the breakfast at the lodge and check out. After that, you will get back to the private vehicle and spend the rest of the day driving back to Hanoi airport for flight home