Day 1 Hanoi Arrival (D)
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic and fascinating Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade.
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, Viet Prestige Travel’s guide and driver will welcome and transfer you to check in hotel. Dinner is served at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Dinner included.
Day 2 Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today your trip will visit the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam's first university Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Visit The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, next. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)
In the afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.
At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a cyclo tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you.
Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.
Day 3 Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu Citadel – Tam Coc Caves (B, L)
Depart the hotel this morning at 8.30 for the 2 and half-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometres. Drive to Tam Coc (12km) for lunch at the local restaurant.
After lunch board your private sampan. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to other name, ‘Halong on Land’.
Returning to Hanoi where you arrive in the late afternoon.
Breakfast & Lunch included.
Day 4 Hanoi – Sapa – Cat Cat – Sin Chai Villages (B, L)
This morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up by our guide and then enjoy the transfer to Sapa.
Early check in is possible when you arrive if the room available otherwise we will have a short rest and then start of a walking down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam.
Then walking 3 km to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way to meet your minibus to return to Sapa.
Have dinner at the local restaurant and Overnight in Sapa.
Breakfast & Lunch included.
Day 5 Sapa - Fansipan Legend Mountain - Lao Chai - Ta Van Villages (B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel. 08h00 our guide takes you to Muong Hoa station where you will take the train to cable car station to begin the journey to conquer Fansipan by modern cable car system in the world to the point of 2800m then continue gaining for Fansipan at an altitude of 3.143m - the roof of Indochina.
Leave Fansipan at noon.
After a short rest, we continue the trekking tour to Lao Chai, Ta Van Villages.
A minibus will take us out of the town, following the only road built on the side of a mountain range, looking down the valley, over viewing magnificent landscapes composed of high mountains, deep valleys, and stream of water winding, waterfalls and terraced rice paddies...walking trail can be seen clearly from the road winding up and down hills on the other side of Muong Hoa River to connect village to villages...
Our suggested walk starts from Lao Chai village of the H'mong along the river to Ta Van, the Zay village. Our minibus will pick us up at Ta Van Bridge and drive back to Sapa.
Dinner at the local restaurant and overnight in Sapa.
Breakfast & Lunch included.
Day 6 Sapa – Sapa – Driver back Hanoi (B, D)
This morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, free to check out then you are transferred back to Hanoi. Free at your leisure and dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Breakfast & Lunch included.
Day 7 Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)/ Joining overnight cruise
OPTION 1: PEONY CRUISE
Breakfast at the hotel.
09h30: You will be picked up from your hotel to take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal – Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City where we arrive at around 11h30. The passengers have a chance to experience on longest and newest bridge in South East Asia area. You can take special tea at Peony Cruise’s lounge by warm welcome.
12h30: Transfer by tender to the PEONY CRUISE.
13h00: We welcome our guests onboard the PEONY CRUISE and then check in, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
13h15: PEONY CRUISE proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Have International Buffet Lunch while passing via the islets of Con Vit area. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island - Thoi Quyt area - Coc Ngoi islet - through Gia Luan area where is belong to Cat Ba National Park
15h30: Explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is situated. You enjoy on your own for kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay with its quieter.
16h30: Peony Cruise gets in the less populated area at Tra Bau where is located in Lan Ha Bay. You will enjoy the green emerald and cool water by swimming.
17h30: Returning PEONY CRUISE, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal
Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
19h30: Sumptuous Candlelight Deluxe Dinner Set Menu is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting
21h30: Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. Try your hand at night squid fishing, watching a movie in the restaurant. Overnight onboard.
Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
23h00: End of Day One program.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
OPTION 2: ERA CRUISE
09:00 – 09:30
Your transfer vehicle will collect you from your hotel in Hanoi and convey you to Hai Phong around 11h30.
12:00 You will be taken on our tender from the wharf and make your way out onto the bay to board our luxurious craft, Era Cruise. You will be welcome aboard and greeted with a complimentary drink. Our Crew will conduct a compulsory safety procedures session and then you are free to check into your cabin and freshen up. Take some time to have a look around the vessel or watch the magical landscape go by.
13:15 A special lunch of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favorites will be served. Dining on a luxury junk with fine food and drinks doesn't come much better than this. We set sail for Lan Ha Bay passing to Da Chong islet where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago.
15:00 When lunch is about to finish, it is just nice that the Cruise complete its entry through Cua Van area to Lan Ha Bay (as part of Halong Bay). The area is surrounding of a lot extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. Guests can start their journey to explore Ba Trai Dao beach, doing the kayak to immersed in the crystal clear waters of the bay and/or enjoy swimming.
17:00 Back to main boat, and cruising to a place for staying overnight
17:30 – 18:30 Happy hour with special drink menu (Buy one get another one for free)
18:00 Our Vietnamese cooking demonstration is a great way to learn how to prepare delicious appetizers and we will guide you through the process.
19:15 Relish special Signature Dinner in restaurant.
20:45 - 12:00 Your free time to relax with an exotic cocktail or whatever takes your fancy. Our bar has a wide range or wines, beers and liquors and is always a welcome sight for guests after a day on Bay. Order a Spa service or take any activities on boat cruise such as watching documentary movies, squid fishing or simply relax on our roof top deck under the cover of a star filled sky.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 7 Halong – Hanoi (B, Br)
OPTION 1: PEONY CRUISE
06h15 Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve the breakfast. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out to explore the bay.
7h45 We progress to Trung Trang cave by our bus on Cat Ba island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave.
Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes that will awe and inspire visitors to use their imagination..
9h45 Peony Cruise welcomes you back on board and it is time for fixing the bill and checking out
10h00 Whilst cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch
10h30 Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and Vietnamese cultural at this ceremony. Joining Tea Ceremony with our crews team and have great fun with us!
12h00 We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark.
We bid farewell at GOT ferry, this is the end of the program.
14h30 Back to your drop-off point in Hanoi. End of the trip
Breakfast & Brunch included.
Day 9 Hanoi Departure (B)
After breakfast free and relax on your own leisure until to be picked up by our driver then transferred you to airport for departure flight back your home.
It’s time to say goodbye, Viet Prestige Travel would like to thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again in the future!
*Important notice: The itinerary schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modification based on weather conditions. Passengers will be informed of details before departure by our sales executive and tour guide.