Amazing Northern Vietnam 5 days

With its favorable natural conditions, fascinating history, unique culture and custom, Vietnam is regarded as an attractive destination for international tourists. Its terrains are divided into three component areas, forming three distinguishing culture areas. Among those, the Northern part of Vietnam, with the capital city of Hanoi located in, is notable and famous for many main beauty spot sites of the country. The North of Vietnam is a must-see attraction which should be chosen for paying a visit.

HIGHLIGHT

• A lovely holiday of a lifetime through key destinations in the North of Vietnam.
• An enjoyable vacation to admire the beauty of the Nature, People, History, Tradition and Culture in Vietnam.
• Exotic encounters of interesting activities ranging from kayaking, trekking…
• A comfortable trip supported by top-rank facilities like Halong Bay cruise, Hotel in Hanoi.
• Finest Northern Vietnamese foods and cuisine.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 01: Hanoi – Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An – Hanoi – Night train to Lao Cai (L)
Day 02: Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B,L)
Day 03: Sapa – Muong Hoa Valley – Night train to Hanoi (B, L)
Day 04: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L, D)
Day 05: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

DETAIL ITINERARY

DAY 01: HANOI – BAI DINH – TRANG AN  – HANOI – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI (L)

07:45 – 08:30 Get picked up from your hotel in the Old Quarter by our tour guide and bus then depart for Ninh Binh province (90 km south of Hanoi). Have a break 20 minutes half way to relax and experience Vietnamese handicraft products such as lacquer wares, paintings, embroideries…

9h30- 9h45: Arriving TrangAn- eco tourism site. In 2 hours you will be surprised by the beauty of this landscape that seems as Halong Bay on land. The bamboo boat will take you through many amazing caves. Besides that, tourists have chance to visit King Kong Island. Kong: Skull Island is a US blockbuster filmed in 2016 with many scenes in Vietnam landscapes such as: Trang An, Van Long natural reserve, Tam Coc, Bich Dong (NinhBinh), Halong bay (QuangNinh) and PhongNha (QuangBinh). Kong: Skull Island has become the record king of the Vietnam box office as it has beaten all previous records to become the highest grossing movie of all time.

12h15: Enjoy lunch at local restaurant with many traditional local foods

13h30: Relax and drink Vietnamese tea, try some local cakes

14h00: Visiting Bai Dinh pagoda- the biggest pagoda in South-East Asia.

15h30: Says good bye Ninh Binh and go back Hanoi

18:30 Arrive in Hanoi. Tour ends.

Evening, pick up at your hotel then transfer to the station for a night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on soft sleeper berths cabin to Lao Cai.

Train: Deluxe shared 4 berth cabin.

DAY 02: SAPA – CAT CAT VILLAGE (B,L)

We arrive Lao Cai train station in the early morning. Pick up and driving to Sapa, it takes us around one hour to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, we have breakfast (we will have room if it is available – but the check in time after 12:00). We embark on a lovely walking tour to the hill tribe village of Cat Cat, home of the H’Mong hill tribe minority people. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with families that live in the area.
Overnight in Sapa

Accommodation: Sapa Diamond Hotel or Similar

DAY 03: SAPA – MUONG HOA VALLEY – NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI (B, L)

Get up in the early morning and enjoy the fresh air and the daily life at Sapa market. Back to hotel for breakfast. At 9.00 we embark on a lovely trek that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hills tribe villages Lao Chai &Ta Van, home to Black H’mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Once on the valley floor you can really appreciate the wonderful scenery that surrounds you. The walls of the valley are covered with multi-layered rice terraced fields and scattered villages. We back to Sapa in the afternoon and wait for your transfer to the station for night train to Hanoi.
Overnight on train.

Train: Deluxe shared 4 berth cabin. 

DAY 04: HANOI – HA LONG BAY – LUON CAVE – TITOP ISLAND (B,L,D)

Around 5:30 AM, you will arrive Hanoi train station. Our guide will pick you up at station then take you to basic hotel in the Old Quarter .

You will have free time to relax and have breakfast before get picked up by bus and guide.

07.50-08.00: You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and transferred to Ha Long.

11:30-12:00 Upon arrival at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

12:00 Upon boarding Amanda Cruise, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Luon Cave & Titop Island.

Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Luon Cave.

14.00: You return to your cabin for a short rest and prepare for kayaking activities in Luon Cave.

Arriving at Luon Cave area, you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousandyear-old rock formations.

16.00: You will be transferred to Titop Island by tender.

Visit Titop Island and hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay, or have a fun swim in the clear blue water.

17.30-18.00 Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

You will be instructed to make delicious Fresh Spring rolls by our chef and then enjoy the rolls made on your own.

17.30-18.30 Happy hour – BUY 2 DRINK GET 1 FOR FREE

19.30 Gala Dinner. Enjoy your dinner on the Sundeck (if the weather is favorable)

20.30 After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as herbal foot bath in your room (free of charge), Bamboo dancing, fashion show traditional customes “Footsteps of Heritage” and some drinks at Sky Bar and massage (subject to additional charge), while admiring breathtaking view of the Bay at night and squid fishing.

The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night’s stay in quiet area

Overnight on Amanda Halong Cruise.

DAY 05: SUNG SOT CAVE – HALONG BAY – HANOI (B,L)

06.15: Start your day with Tai Chi class on the sundeck.

06.30-07.00 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake and fruit.

07.30 Exploring Sung Sot cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn’t be found anywhere else. The path to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave is under a canopy of leaves. Walking through steep stone steps, tourists may have the feeling of climbing on mountains and experience the excitement as if they are stepping to the sky.

08.30-09.30 Back on board, you can rest in your room, enjoy the herbal foot bath prepared by our crew, sunbathe on the sundeck, take pictures of HaLong Bay or shop for souvenirs on the boat.

09.30 Check-out time.

Please put your luggage outside your cabin and leave the room key at the reception desk. Our staff will transfer your luggage to the waiting area. While waiting, you can shop for some products of Amanda cruise.

10.00 Enjoy an early lunch buffet at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle the bills if any.

11.00 Arrival at Tuan Chau Marina.
The get transfer back Hanoi, arrive Hanoi about 3h30 Pm.

End of all the services.

What is included?

All transfer and transportation with air-conditioning
01 night hotel in Sapa base on twin sharing room
01 night on the cruise in Ha Long bay English speaking tour guide
Meals as listed in the itinerary: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner
Train ticket: Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi ( share cabin 4 berths- soft sleeper)
Boat trip in Halong Bay, Trang An
Entrance fees

What is excluded?

Visa to Vietnam International and domestic airfare Single room
Other meals and drinks
Other optional and activities not on the package
Travel insurance, personal expense