Northern Vietnam Odyssey Tour 6 Days

Get ready for an early start with breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi. Our expert driver and tour guide will pick you up between 6:30-7:00 am, and we'll depart for the scenic Sapa. Our journey takes us through the highway to Lao Cai City, with a comfortable break en route to Sapa. As we arrive in Sapa at 13:00 pm, you'll be greeted by the vibrant traditional costumes of the H'mong, Dzao, and Tay ethnic communities. We'll treat you to welcome drinks and an itinerary briefing before a delicious lunch of local Vietnamese dishes. At 14:30 pm, we'll begin our trek downhill to the charming Cat Cat village, nestled at the bottom of Muong Hoa Valley. Enjoy panoramic views of the valley, with a backdrop of Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam and Indochina. At Cat Cat village, you'll visit the traditional stilt houses of the Black H'mong community, observe their weaving and embroidery skills, and see them drying their clothes. We'll continue the trek to the stunning Cat Cat Waterfall, a perfect spot for photos and taking in the beautiful surroundings. By 17:00 pm, we'll return to Sapa town for dinner. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore the charming town and its bustling market. Stay overnight at your chosen hotel, including the Sapa Luxury Hotel for a comfortable 3-star option, Chau Long Sapa 2 Hotel for a 4-star option, or the luxurious 5-star Pao's Sapa Leisure Hotel.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 am, get ready for an exhilarating trek through the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley. The valley boasts breathtaking landscapes of the mountainous region, with terraced rice fields, and hill-tribe villages. Begin your trek at 9:00 am from Sapa and trek through lush rice terraces, green forests and cross a suspension bridge to reach Lao Chai village, where you can experience the daily life and traditional culture of the Black H'mong people. Around 11:30 am, arrive at Ta Van village, which is inhabited by the Tay minority group with strong influence from Chinese culture. Here, you will get a chance to interact with the locals and witness their way of life. Enjoy a delicious lunch with traditional Vietnamese dishes before taking a bus back to Sapa. At 2:30 pm, spend some free time in Sapa for refreshment before boarding the bus for the journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at 9:15 pm, check into your hotel and enjoy a good night’s sleep to recharge for the next day's adventure. Accommodation Options: TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar Lenid Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

You will embark on a fascinating journey to Halong Bay, where you will spend an unforgettable night on a luxurious cruise. After savoring a delectable breakfast at your hotel, our private mini-van/bus will fetch you between 8:30 am to 9:00 am. The scenic 3.5-hour drive will offer you glimpses of rustic countryside and rice paddy life. Upon arrival at the port, you will board a private boat, an authentic Chinese Junk, and commence your enchanting cruise through the breathtaking Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The boat crew will serve a sumptuous lunch, including a selection of the freshest seafood, as you sail past spectacular limestone cliffs and islets. During the cruise, you will visit "the Amazing Cave," a stunning natural cave formation. You can also swim in the calm, emerald waters of the bay, or simply soak up the majestic scenery. Later, the boat will anchor in a peaceful area where you will have the opportunity to witness a captivating sunset while enjoying a delicious dinner. Afterward, you can swim in the glowing waters or retire to your cabin. You can also stargaze on the top deck, surrounded by the enchanting magic of Halong. You will spend the night on the boat, marveling at the stunning surroundings of the bay. Accommodation Options: Glory Legend Cruises - 3-star or equivalent Pelican Cruises - 4-star or equivalent Paradise Sails Cruises - 5-star or equivalent

Rise and shine early in the morning to witness the beautiful sunrise over the picturesque Halong Bay, while inhaling the fresh ocean breeze. A delicious breakfast will be served on the boat, while we leisurely cruise through the mesmerizing landscape of thousands of stunning limestone islands, rising from the emerald waters. This will be an amazing opportunity to capture some breathtaking photographs of the scenery. We will also make a stop to visit a floating fishing village, where you can learn about the fishermen's daily life and listen to their legendary stories. As we cruise back to Halong City pier, you will savor a mouth-watering lunch on board. From there, we will return to Hanoi, arriving around 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy some free time to explore the captivating Old Quarter of Hanoi on your own. Take the opportunity to indulge in some delectable local street food or browse the charming shops for souvenirs. You will spend the night in Hanoi. Accommodation Options: TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar Lenid Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

Indulge in a scrumptious breakfast at your hotel, and then prepare for a fascinating day exploring Hanoi City. Our friendly guide will greet you and take you to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, situated on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. Built in the 6th century, this pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi, and you will have the opportunity to marvel at its stunning architecture and delve into its rich history and cultural significance. Next, head to the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you will have a chance to witness the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh. Take a leisurely walk around the beautiful garden and explore the two houses where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Then, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique and captivating structure that pays homage to the Goddess of Mercy. Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. If your tour falls on either of these days, our team will arrange an alternate itinerary for you. Afterwards, visit the Vietnam Ethnology Museum, an excellent place to learn about the culture of the 54 ethnic groups residing in Vietnam. However, if your tour falls on a Monday, the museum will be closed, and you will visit the Women’s Museum instead, which offers valuable insights into the role of women in Vietnam's history and culture. Indulge in a delectable lunch at one of our recommended restaurants, and savor the flavors of some of the best Vietnamese cuisine. After lunch, continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam founded in the 11th century. Discover the ancient education system of Vietnam and admire the well-preserved traditional architecture. Lastly, explore the Hoa Lo Prison, originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The prison became infamous to American POWs as the "Hanoi Hilton." With your visit, gain valuable insights into the history of the Vietnamese struggle for independence and the cruel realities of war. The city tour concludes with us dropping you off at your hotel in the late afternoon. Take advantage of your last free evening in Hanoi to stroll around the charming Old Quarter or indulge in some last-minute souvenir shopping. The full-day Hanoi City Tour usually concludes between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Your knowledgeable guide will escort you back to your hotel where you can either continue with your own plans or opt for our airport transportation service, available for an additional fee of 35 USD$ (for up to 4 persons). If you choose the airport transfer, please arrange to arrive at the airport between 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Should you wish to prolong your stay in Hanoi, we can assist with arranging a room at the same hotel where your tour began, subject to availability and with added charges. Prior to the tour's conclusion, your guide will reconfirm all details regarding your drop-off or airport transfer. If you have any specific requests or needs, kindly inform your guide to ensure your utmost satisfaction.