Itinerary

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1. DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI & FOODIE TOUR

   Welcome to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your tour guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel in downtown. Check in & have a short rest.
   Enjoy a walking tour through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our tastebuds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.
   Our next stop is Banh My 25 shop “French Baguette”, a little food stall with a few typical tiny Vietnamese chairs on the sidewalk where we enjoy the delicious and fresh baguettes while observing the neighborhood.
   Move on to local restaurant, where we sample some Bun Cha consisting of vermicelli, herbs and grilled pork.
   Finally, sip a cup of Bia Hoi, a local specialty at Ta Hien Street where you'll find yourself among thousands of people.
   Or complete this Hanoi food tour without egg coffee - a Hanoi specialty in which a creamy soft, meringue-like egg white foam is perched on dense Vietnamese coffee.
   Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
   Meals included: Dinner with streetfood.

2. DAY 2: HANOI - BA BE LAKE

   After breakfast at hotel, your private tour guide and driver will meet you at hotel and transfer you to Bac Kan. We will start by driving in the direction of Ba Be National Park for about 4 hours. You will be welcomed by a friendly host of homestay/bungalow and enjoy your lunch after checking in your room.
   In the afternoon, start your boat trip around Ba Be Lake. Ba Be Lake was recently recognized by UNESCO as the third Ramsar site in Vietnam - an important wetland of the world. The lake bed is made up of limestone with millions of crags and crevasses that are ideal for a large variety of marine life - there are over a hundred species of freshwater fish in the lakes.
   The boat will then continue along the Nang River, bringing you to Puong Grotto. An impressive large cave with a river inside, stalactites and stalagmites created by the river erosion, as well as a colony of thousands of bats that lives here. Enjoy views of the lake surrounded with karst mountain full of jungle.
   Overnight at Bungalow in Ba Be.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.

3. DAY 3: BA BE LAKE - BAN GIOC WATERFALL

   After breakfast at homestay, you will depart for Quang Uyen, a district inhabited primarily by Nung ethnic minority communities. Due to their isolation and the remote nature of the district, their centuries old traditions and culture remain recognizably distinct from other minorities in Vietnam. This remoteness and traditional simplicity is what makes Quang Uyen so appealing, and you will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy your lunch.
   In the early afternoon, continue to drive to venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. And, your highlight of the tour is that we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam: Ban Gioc Waterfall. This breath-taking 300-metre wide waterfall sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. While you’re here you can spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the water splashes on your face, practically sitting at the very edge of Vietnam, so close to China that you can actually touch it.
   Rounding out the day, you will check in your homestay where you will have dinner and stay overnight at Nung’s house.
   Overnight at homestay in Ban Gioc.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.

4. DAY 4: BAN GIOC - LANG SON - HANOI

   After breakfast, check out homestay and continue your trip into the pass to Dong Dang, stopping to visit Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – an important historical site where The Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. In fact, this was the very first battle of the Indochina Wars, and the fighting here took place through September and October 1950, ending in a resounding victory for the Viet Minh.
   Transferring you to Lang Son for Lunch then we will start by driving in the direction of the Chinese border for about 3 hours, before stopping at Chi Lang Pass - a 20-km-long gorge created from a narrow valley between two mountains.
   This place occupies an important position in Vietnamese history, being the place of many victories against various Chinese invasions over the centuries and millennia, as far back as 981AD. As such it bears the reputation of Vietnam’s strongest citadel and bastion. Here you will have roughly an hour to walk around and explore the area around the Quy Mon Quan Gate, which translates as “The Gate of Monsters”, named for the many invasion forces that would spill through the pass over the course of history only to be beaten back by stalwart Vietnamese defenders.
   Arrive at in Hanoi at late afternoon, check in hotel & relax.
   Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

5. DAY 5: HANOI - NINH BINH (HOA LU & TAM COC)

   Having breakfast at the hotel early and depart for Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh. We will spend 2 hours driving through rural northern Vietnam to reach Ninh Binh. First place to visit after arriving is the temples of Dinh and Le Dynasty which dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang and Emperor Le Dai Hanh.
   In the afternoon, visit Tam Coc by a private sampan. Sailing along Tam Coc, you will see different shapes of karst landscapes which were created by the waves eroded into the cliffs through many centuries.
   Return by sampan to the harbor. Then taking a short bicycle ride passing through local villages and paddy fields to Bich Dong Pagoda. Stop over to take picture with the peaceful country scene if you wish. Transfer to your hotel. Check in & free at leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

6. DAY 6: NINH BINH - TRANG AN - MUA CAVE & BAI DINH PAGODA

   In the morning, you’ll visit Trang An Grottoes that was recognized as an UNESCO World's Heritage Site for its majestic limestone massif. Delve into area by embarking on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river through numerous caves such as Hang Toi, Hang Sang, Hang Nau Ruou...to admire the fascinating scenery.
   Continue to visit Mua Cave - one of the most alluring places to view in Ninh Binh. You’ll take over 500 steps hiking up to the peak of Ngoa Long Mountain for the amazing views of all the Tam Coc area.
   Today, your lunch will served at a local family's garden.
   Afternoon, continue driving to Bai Dinh pagoda where you’ll admire its unique bell and Buddha statues which are recognized as the records in South East Asia.
   Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

7. DAY 7: NINH BINH - HALONG BAY - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

   This morning, we will drive about 3 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, one of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water at the Bay of Tonkins – it is indeed an impressive sight.
   Arriving in Halong, you’ll board an overnight cruise to the far-most corners of the bay. Having lunch with freshly caught fish and seafood while sailing amongst more than 1000 limestone islands and rocks rising majestically out of the turquoize bay. In the afternoon, enjoy swimming in the emerald waters or paddling in a kayak. Coming back to the cruise after having an afternoon full of activities, reward yourself with a sip between sights during Happy Hour. Try your hand in "Masterchef Halong Bay" - a cooking class demonstrated by our kitchen head followed by a dinner on board. Then you could spend the evening at your own pace or join squid fishing like a local.
   NOTE: Cruise itinerary is subject to change without prior notice.
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

8. DAY 8: HALONG BAY - HANOI AIRPORT - DEPARTURE

   Start the day with calming Tai Chi session on the sun deck. We will pass beautiful spots while having a light breakfast. In this morning, you are free to choose to explore a cave on an island or just spend your time soaking up some sun. After checking out from your cabin, we have a brunch on board. Around noon, we arrive back at Halong harbor. It's time to say goodbye to Halong Bay and head to Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai Domestic/International Airport) to catch your departure flight to next destinations!
   Meals included: Breakfast.