Essential Ha Long and Sapa

Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi city tour
Day 3: Hanoi-Halong bay
Day 4: Halong bay-Hanoi-Lao Cai/Overnight on the train
Day 5: Lao cai-Sapa
Day 6: Sapa-Hanoi/Overnight on the train
Day 7: Hanoi-Departure
(this itinerary can be flexibled to do Sapa first and then halong bay)

Day 2: Hanoi city tour(B,L)

This is the first day of Northern Vietnam Tour 7 Days
Morning, you'll head out with your guide and begins with a visit Ba Dinh Square to see Ho Chi Minh mausolem(closed on Monday and Friday, all afternoon and from September to beginning of November), the museum to his life and the simple cottage where he lived and worked, along with his "house on stilts" and his final resting place; and take in Hanoi's famous One-pillar pagoda constructed in 1049 to resemble a lotus blossom.

Continue to the museum of ethnology where we'll learn about the fascinating cultural diversity of this ancient land.

This afternoon, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local sights. Go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison museum (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue to the Temple of Literature, which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius. Next enjoy a cyclo tour through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance, a uniquely North Vietnamese art form celebrating rural life and folklore for over 1,000 years, this evening.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 4: Halong bay-Hanoi-Lao Cai/Overnight on the train(B, L)

Starting your day with Tai Chi Class on the Sundeck before Breakfast served in Western style and furthermore with Vietnamese traditional food. After that, you will explore the Thien Canh Son cave. Guide will explain the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and this Cave, made by Mother Nature.
 

10.00: freshen up and check out your cabin. Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).

Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on boat and have a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
 

12.00: Disembark in Hon Gai pier, farewell Halong Bay then return to Hanoi.
 

20:00 you will be transferred to the train station in time to catch the overnight train to Lao Cai, the nearest station to Sapa.
 

Overnight in a 4 berth wooden A/C cabin

Day 6: Sapa-Hanoi/Overnight on the train(B,L,D)

Half day minority village trek: This morning set off on a trek around the valleys and minority villages around Sapa. Start on the road leading west from Sapa, which winds through hilly terrain and past terraced paddy fields Cat Cat village, just 2km from the town. Take a walk through the ancient village to see traditional customs and practices of the ethnic Black H'mong. Continue to a nearby waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station constructed by the French during the colonial era. From here follow a dirt trail which sneaks between mountains along a narrow river until you reach Muong Hoa Valley, a stunning spot with the largest rice terraces in Sapa. You will then be met by your driver and taken back to your hotel.

This afternoon you are free at leisure to explore Sapa town with market or Ham Rong tourist site on foot.

Train journey to Hanoi: This afternoon you will be taken back to Lao Cai for the overnight on the Express train to Hanoi. The train will depart from Lao Cai this evening around 7.30pm.

Overnight in a 4 berth wooden A/C cabin

Remarks: 

1. All of our itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Please click on the “Tailor this trip" button and complete the requested information for us. Upon receipt, our travel consultant will customize the best value vacation for your kind consideration. Please note: Changes CAN be made to the itinerary after our initial quote, but may result in a price change also!
 

2. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina in particular (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos) hotel prices make up the major expense of your holiday. Therefore, we would like to clarify how we define these charges:

· Boutique & character hotels: from $50-$80 USD per room/ per night

· Comfort = 3 star hotels from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/ per night

· Superior = 4 star hotels from US$ 80 - US$ 110 per room/ per night

· Deluxe = 5 star hotels from US$120 - US$ 190++ per room/ per night

· High-end = Best of the best hotels fr om US$ 250++ per room/ per night

Tour Included

• Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services
• Transportation
• Accommodation shared in Double /Twin room with daily breakfast
• Experienced English speaking guide
• Boat trip( Join Group tour)
• Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
• All sightseeing tickets
• Tissues and water on coach
• Vietnam Visa On Arrival pre-approved letter
• Services charges and government tax
• No extra charge after services confirmation
• 24/7 hotline support guaranteed

Cancellation by Customer

• Cancellation received before 60 days: FREE of charge
• Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
• Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
• Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
• Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate

Service Details During The Trip

We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam by showcasing the unique local flavors. And with the perfect balance of included sightseeing and free time, you can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
 

• Private Local Tour Guide: You will have legally licensed local tour guide in each destination, from welcome and farewell you at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and taking care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. The good guide for you means we arrange the right guide. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours will arrange tour guide base on the feature of the itinerary and consists of the group, to maximize your experiences in traveling.
• Private Drivers & Vehicle: Safety is first priority for transportation. A well maintained good condition car with legal business licensed and an experienced driver to make sure you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and joyful experience with driving service, cold drinking water, cold towel are provided in the car.
• ​​Local Flavor Meals: Don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours will select clean and good environment restaurants for our customer. Menu is also carefully selected by us to ensure you try different food every meal. We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while traveling. We also recommend dinners are free on your own so you can choose your favorite food by yourself under necessary assistance of your local guide.
• Well-Selected Hotels: Comfort and good value is our priority for choosing hotels for our customers. Comfort of mattress and bedding, joyful decoration style, user friendly facilities, good service and good breakfast!