5-Day Northern Highlight is a combination of all deep culture Dong Ngac villages, Hoang Lien Son Mountains with ethnic minority as well as the world cultural heritage of Halong Bay. It must be an unforgettable trip of the best destination of the Northern Vietnam.
Tour Route: Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay – Hanoi
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Departure date: Daily
Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi (Pickup & Drop off at the hotel)
Tour type: Private tour
Tour code: HLCT05
Customize trip: Absolutely
Program
Day 1: Dong Ngac Culture village by bike – Night train to Sapa (L)
Dong Ngac Culture village is very well known in the North of Vietnam because of its history and people here. There are not many tall buildings but ancient wooden houses, paved incline lanes – vestiges of history, the village gates or calm ponds…
Many households still keep the traditional sticky green campus, and many the family churches still keep many valuable relics. Cycling and walking around Dong Ngac culture village 1 day, you will meet the friendly people, warm hosts as well as enjoy home cook…
Enjoy welcome drink Asian Tea Sets Wholesale Yixing Teapots Amber Bracelets in the hosting family’s house in Dong Ngac Ancient Village.
We meet tour guide and driver this morning then travel to Dong Ngac Culture village where is around 15km from Hanoi Center. We firstly stop at a local market to see a morning market of local people then to purchase some offering for families we visit. After that, we take a short walk to the hosting family’s house for a welcome drink and get ready for the biking around the Village. We start biking and venture deeper into the village such as Communal House, the grounds and architecture of which are built in the shape of a dragon, the oldest house in the village belongs to the Do family and is more than 300 years old or the Nguyen family with a house given by the King; passing by the oldest school in the Village built in 1921.
Finishing our walking tour, we are back to the host then join her cooking demonstration and enjoy what we did at lunch time.
Later tonight, we take night train to Sapa. Overnight on train.
Accommodation: Express train
Day 2: Sapa trekking & Home-stay (L, D)
Morning arrival in Lao Cai Railways station, we are welcome by local tour guide and driver. Transferring up to Sapa, start our tour after a short rest in town. We enjoy spectacular scenery as we head to the Y Linh Ho village of the Hmong people. Then we continue on trekking to the Muong Hoa Valley to the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van where we stay overnight with a local host. Clean, standard equipment and it’s a ideal place for guests really feel of culture and people in the Northwest of Vietnam.
Accommodation: Home-stay
Trekking in Muong Hoa Valley.
Day 3: Sapa – Night train to Hanoi (B, L)
We enjoy a breakfast with our hosts before bidding them goodbye. Today, we will visit to the Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority people before trekking through a bamboo forest and pass by a majestic waterfall; taking time to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
After lunch, we continue toward Su Pan Village where we transfer back to Sapa by the vehicle. Spending leisure in Sapa then we travel down to Lao Cai Railway station to take night train back to Hanoi. If time permits we will visit the border gate between Vietnam and China. Overnight on train.
Accommodation: Express train
Red Dzao Children in Giang Ta Chai Village.
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay (overnight on junk) (L, D)
Experience Halong Bay, on a V’Spirit Classic Cruise, one of the best Mid-range cruises available. You will not only see many fantastically shaped islands, beautiful beaches, and great natural caves, but you will also learn more about Halong Bay’s history and local people.
Arriving in Hanoi very early morning, we are greeted by tour outside of railways station then walk to a hotel nearby where we have short rest and breakfast before transferring to Halong Bay. After 3,5 hour driving, we relax at coffee lounge then embark on the cruise followed by a short cruise briefing. Checking in and enjoying lunch while cruising deeper into the World Natural Heritage site. There are many activities afternoon such as kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, swimming at the Soi Sim beach, climbing up to the limestone mountain to catch the panorama of the Bay. Rest of the day, we enjoy sunset on the sundeck and enjoy delicious dinner with the spectacular serve of crew team. Overnight in Halong Bay.
Kyaking in Halong Bay.
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)
Waking up early & start the wonderful day by Tai Chi exercises with master or a photo hunt the sunrise. We then have breakfast, join group to boat to the Amazing Sung Sot cave. Back to boat after that for checking out, refresh while cruise continues exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more. Before having farewell lunch, we try the cooking demonstration with chief, learn how to make a simple food and we can try it at home by ourselves. Goodbye Halong Bay and crew team, we head back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Trip ends.
Morning Tai Chi in Halong Bay with master.
Inclusions
– English speaking guide/s (other languages upon requests)
– Private ground transfer
– Accommodation with daily breakfast
– Entrance fees and permits during guided time
– Push bike in the village with hat
– Local home stay, soft bed, white sleeping sheet, mosquito net, pillow, blanket, clean toilet and bath out site
– En-suite cabin in Halong Bay
– Kayak
– Train tickets Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi (Sapa trip)
– Meal as indicated in itinerary (B= Breakfasts, L= Lunch, D = Dinner)
– Water during the trip
Exclusions
– Airport transfer
– Visa and visa fee
– Pre & Post accommodation
– Personal expenses
– Tips and Gratuities
– Travel insurance
