Essential North Vietnam 9 days:Hanoi-Sapa-HaLong-Hoa Lu

1. Indochina Treks Travel Co.,Ltd
Add: 24 Au Trieu Str, Hoan Kiem Dis, Hanoi
Tel: (84) 4 66821230; Fax (84) 4 33769113
Website: www.budgettravelvietnam.com
Email: info@budgettravelvietnam.com
Essential North Vietnam 9 days
Itinerary Hanoi-Sapa-HaLong-HoaLu
Duration 9 days
Tour Join group
type
Price only from US$410/person
Hanoi capital is located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake at its heart, Hanoi
is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old
Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Sightseeing with a Local
Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh
Museum, Presidential Palace, and Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, take a “cyclo” ride through
the Old Quarter.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi - Good morning Vietnam (...)
Welcome to Vietnam! Or "Xin chao” in Vietnamese.
Transfer of 45 min to your hotel in Hanoi, (if it is still early then we can venture out for some culture
shock on a short walking tour in the Old Quarter of Hanoi - this is the way to get familiar with the
people and the culture). Upon arrival, checkin the hotel and free for personal activities.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - City tour of a 1000 years old capital (B, L)
Leave at 8 am, on the three wheels of a cyclo you will be guided through Hanoi history and culture &
people and to some other sights. This tour draws to: the Ho Chi Minh complex (Ho Chi Mausoleum,
Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's House-on-stilts, One-pillar Pagoda), Temple of Literature, one of the
Museums (Ethnology, Fine Art, Army, Women, History...) with lunch at restaurant then back to the Old
Quarter for some more exploration.
Alternative places to visit in Hanoi city tour day: Fine Arts Museum, History Museum, Military Museum,
Saint Joseph Cathedral, Women Museum, Hoa Lo (Old prison for American POWs).
Night train at 9.30 to Sapa.
Day 3: Sapa - hill station with colorful minorities (B, L, D)

2. Arrive Lao Cai Station in the early morning. Jeep ride to Sapa for sightseeing en route. Arriving Sapa,
take breakfast then leave for wonderful trek (5 - 6 hrs) along the rice terraces, through the forest and
crossing streams. Stops to visit the H'Mong and Dzao villages (picnic lunch). Check in and home stay
at the Dzao in Ta Phin village and dinner and sleep in their traditional house.
Overnight at the local house in Sapa.
Day 4: Trek back to Sapa (B, L)
Breakfast and leave the village for trekking (3hrs) another way up hill to the main road then jeep back
to Sapa, check in hotel with lunch served in Sapa. After the long trek, the afternoon is free to discover
the town at your own taste.
Overnight at the hotel in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa & night train back to Hanoi (B, L)
Your morning free in town of Sapa, to go walking around, visit more villages nearby or to go shopping.
Jeep ride at 4 p.m. to Lao Cai Train Station and take night train back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi in the
next morning.
Overnight on the train to Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (L/D)
Halong Bay has twice been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Area for its exceptional
scenic beauty and outstanding geological and geomorphic values. Thousands of islands emerging
uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands,
we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world.
You are picked up at the station. Transfer to pointed place for pickup for Halong tour. You can leave
your luggage behind and pack an overnight bag.
12.15 pm: Arrive in Halong city, board our traditional wooden junk boat for an overnight journey. Sip
on a refreshing welcome drink upon check in before you begin the cruise through the bay. Feast on a
delicious lunch as you cruise among hundreds of islets (Dinh Huong islet, Ga Choi – Fighting Cock
islet, Dog islet, Finger islet, etc.) to discover untouched pockets of Halong Bay and visit Sung Sot
cave, which is situated in the centre of the UNESCO-declared World Heritage area and is one of the
most imposing grottos of the Bay. You will then have chance to explore Halong bay on your own by
kayaking from the Soi Sim beach to Luon Cave to enjoy the quite atmosphere of the bay. We will have
dinner with fresh seafood on board then free time for squid fishing or relaxing and chatting with your
partner, friends, family.
Overnight on Halong Bay Junk.
Day 7: Halong - Hanoi - Hue (flight) (B, L)
7.00am: For early risers complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and cake are served. Enjoy Sunrise on the
Bay or practice Tai Chi lesson with our professional (this is not included with standard and superior
options). Continue to explore the Bay.
8.00am: Sail past rock formations such as Man’s Head islet, Tortoise islet, Butterfly cave, Lion islet,
Bai Tho mountain, enjoy the tranquil scenery as the boat meanders its way through the bay on the
way back to Halong city, etc. Arrange your luggage and do the check out onboard at around 9.00 am.
Enjoy a wholesome brunch as your boat weaves through strange-shaped limestone rock formations.
11.45am: Arrive back at Halong city for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to
your Hanoi. Free time for your personal activities and dinner before pickup for flight to Hue.
Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Day 8: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc
(B)

3. The country capital during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its
legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. Today we will depart
our hotel at 8h00 for 100 km down the South of Hanoi to see Hoa Lu Citadel, the first Capital of
Vietnam in the 10th century with visiting to these two remaining structures. The first one is dedicated
to the Dinh Dynasty. The second one commemorates the Le Rulers. In front of these temples is the
rugged Ma Yen mount; it involves a walk over 200 steps for a fantastic view over the surrounding
areas. The following sight is Tam Coc which is surnamed “Halong Bay on land”. We board a sampan
for a leisurely trip through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by towering
limestone cliffs to the grottoes of Tam Coc.
Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.
Day 9: Departure (B)
Saying Goodbye Hanoi, we will bring you to the airport for your flight home.
Quotation:
2* Hotels: US$410/person; single supplement: US$115
3* Hotels: US$459/person; single supplement: US$155
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Note*:
Rate is applied for group of minimum 2 pax.
Transfers from the stations in Hanoi not included.
Rates are not applied on New Year, National Holidays, festivals..
All tours are daily group ones of clients from different countries.
Early checkin or late checkout is subject to availability with/without additional charge (if any)
Pickup time for all groups tour is from 8am - 8:20 at the hotel. Please be ready at the lobby at 8am.
Accommodation bases on ROH rooms. Higher room grade can be arranged with additional charge.
Similar hotel of the same rate will be selected in case pointed one(s) is (are) full.
Inclusion: Exclusion:
Travel insurances.
All flights and airport tax
Boat trip in Halong Bay Services not clearly mentioned above.
Meals as mentioned in the program. Day use at hotel (early checkin/late checkout)
Twin-shared rooms at 2-3* star hotels. Drinks and personal expenses (laundry, phone calls
Admission fees for all sightseeing places etc.)
Bottles of mineral water available on the car.
Land transfer by A/C vehicle for whole trip.
English speaking guide on days with tours only.
Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi trains (in 4 berth
cabins)

4. List of hotels
Location 2* Hotels 3* Hotels
Hanoi Orchid Hotel Hanoi Moment Hotel
Halong Cruise Christina Cruise Alova Cruise
Sapa Fansipan View Hotel Hoang Ha Hotel
Hue Victory Hotel Orchid Hotel
Hoian Vinh Hung 3 Hotel Vinh Hung 3 Hotel
Nha Trang The Light Hotel The Light Hotel
Saigon Xuan Mai Hotel Tan Hai Long 3 hotel
Can Tho Tay Do Hotel Kim Tho Hotel
Chau Doc Standard Hotel Chau Pho Hotel
Note*:
Hotels and/or room type would be changed on your requests with surcharge/discount (if any).
Similar hotels will be selected in case pointed ones are full.