Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay Tour

After breakfast, we’ll dive into the sights, sounds and smells of Hanoi. Your guide and driver will collect you from the hotel lobby to start your trip with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex on the site where he declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945 and see the reverence with which Vietnamese people treat their “Uncle Ho”. Other sites that we will visit with our local guide include House 54, Stilt House, Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Continue on our journey through Hanoi, we’ll drive to the Museum of Ethnology to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Established by the Vietnamese government in 1997, the museum provides us with a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs, and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.

After the visit to the Museum, we will have Pho for lunch at Pho Huyen, a Vietnamese Noodle shop. Some of the local people call this world-famous Noodle soup “Mac-Noodles” since it is as popular here as MacDonalds is in other parts of the world! At the restaurant, your tour guide will explain the routine during Vietnamese meal times, and also tell you which special ingredients are needed for you.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or “mandarins”. The University remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the countries administrative capital from Hanoi to Hue in the 18th century.

Return to your hotel for some rest before starting the evening local food discovery.

17:00 – 20:30
We’ll start our walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Along the perimeter of the market, dozens of street hawkers sell a staggering variety of produce from live seafood to exotic fruits and spices. Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes.

Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we’ll tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continue into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we’ll wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.

Our next stop will be Banh My 25 shop “French Baguette”, a little food stall with a few typical tiny Vietnamese chairs on the sidewalk where we enjoy the delicious and fresh baguettes while observing the neighborhood.

Move on to Hanoi Food Culture at Phat Loc Street, where we can sample some Bun Cha consisting of vermicelli, herbs and grilled pork. At this Hanoi’s best-kept secrets, a hidden café, we will watch the demonstration and then try some egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy.

Continue to other food stalls in Hang Bo and Ho Hoan Kiem Street where we can try some dishes such Che “Vietnamese style pudding” and Nom “papaya salad with beef”.

It’s then time for dessert as we will venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced – this specialty is one not to be missed!

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After breakfast, you will be collected at the hotel and transferred on the road for 5,5 hours to Sapa, the Former French Hill Station. Arrive in Sapa after mid-day and check into your hotel.
After lunch, your private guide and driver will pick you up and take you (40-minute drive) to Tram Ton Pass, a height of 2047 meters above sea level, the highest pass in Vietnam. Enjoy amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there you will trek 30 minutes through a tropical rainforest enjoying the wonderful flora and fauna. Continue to trek along a stream arriving at the Love Waterfall, a wonderful place to relax in Sapa. Return to Tram Ton Pass and drive back to Sapa.

Overnight in Sapa
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll begin the day with a 3km trek through the breathtaking landscape to Matra village, where you will come across the impressive ruins of a church dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Take a minute to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos.
Enjoy picnic lunch on the way.
You will have free time to discover the Sapa town on your own. Later afternoon, collect your luggage and transfer to Lao Cai station for the night train back to Hanoi.

Overnight on train / Share in 4 berths cabin (4 people per cabin)
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

Arrive at Hanoi station around 5 am. Pick up and transfer to the city to have Breakfast. Continue driving to Ninh Binh province to discover the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, well-known for its enchanting scenery and history. we’ll visit historic temples from past dynasties, enjoy a serene boat ride along Ngo Dong River, and join a cycling tour through the idyllic countryside.

Start your journey by heading south toward Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in Ninh Binh. Your first stop will be at the Dinh and Le temples, built in honor of the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam. Marvel at the temples’ intricate architecture, art, devotional statues, and sculptures.
Next, hop aboard a traditional boat and cruise along the Ngo Dong River to discover Tam Coc, a network of 3 beautiful caves carved naturally by the river. Take time to wander in the stunning landscape with natural limestone formations and paddy fields.

Then enjoy an authentic Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant in Tam Coc before embarking on a tranquil bike ride through the peaceful countryside. Pedal through native villages and learn more about the history of the land and local culture.

Drive back to Hanoi for your overnight stay.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

(No tour-guide for Halong Bay cruise, there is a Cruise Manager to assist all clients on the boat)

Halong Bay will be your destination today. Your private driver will collect you from the hotel and take you on a 4.5 hours journey on a scenic road with plenty to see along the way. You may even have some photo opportunities on the way.

Around midday, you’ll arrive at Halong Bay. Board your boat in Halong Bay. Then enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while soaking up the magnificence of the UNESCO Heritage area.

After lunch, you will visit Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave) – one of the largest caves in Halong Bay, before climbing Titop Mountain for some panoramic views of the stunning sunset over Halong Bay. You will have our dinner back on your boat and settle in for a relaxing sleep onboard your junk boat.

Note: each junk operates a different itinerary and onboard facilities may vary. Your consultant will be very happy to discuss each option with you.

Overnight on board
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Wake up with the sunrise, join a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. You will then enjoy a buffet brunch on board while continuing to cruise and head back to the shore. Disembark, meet your driver again and drive back to Hanoi.

Arrive Hanoi and check back into the same hotel. Enjoy your last night in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (Brunch/_)

After breakfast and a leisurely morning on your own, you will check out by midday and your private driver will pick you up and take you to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport for your departure flight home.

Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)