Itinerary

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1. DAY 1: ARRIVAL HANOI - CITY TOUR & STREET FOOD TOUR

   Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam. Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport, you are warmly greeted by Goway Asia Travel’s team and then take you to hotel in downtown for check-in. Have some free time to recover from the jet lag.
   Afterward, visit West Lake, the largest lake of the capital, once was named as "Foggy Lake” fr om its misty condition. Its name was changed to "West Lake" in 1573 to avoid the given name of King Le The Tong. Visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city. Experience our national heritage and the beautiful Buddhist relics on the West Lake.
   Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing, you will have a great chance to have the local closer touch.
   Enjoy a walking tour and tasting Vietnamese authentic local cuisine around the Old Quarter area. You will have a chance to not only sample delicious street foods but also to explore hidden alleyways and bustling markets. Our food tour includes "Bun Cha" - rice noodle with BBQ pork, one of the most favorable dishes for foreigners, then followed by "Banh Cuon" - steamed rice roll, "Banh Mi" - another well-known Vietnamese food that is even added into Oxford English Dictionary. End of days, it is time for cup of Bia Hoi (Vietnamese draft beer) or enjoy a cup of unmissable Egg coffee, while we sit down and mingle with locals. It seems it is one not be missed for foodie in Hanoi.
   Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
   Meals included: Dinner with streetfood.

2. DAY 2: HANOI - THO HA VILLAGE - NINH BINH

   After breakfast and check out of the hotel your private guide and driver will collect you from the lobby and transfer a small typical village in Red River on the outskirt of Hanoi.
   Situating by the side of Cau River and retaining the traditional architecture with a communal house, banyan trees, a small market and especially, the unique tradition of making rice papers, it is a good example of Vietnamese village that somehow escapes urbanization. Here, life goes on the way that has been for centuries. You’ll get to walk through the village gate, sit underneath the banyan tree, pass by the communal house…The design of the village follows the Vietnamese architecture with narrow alleys winding way through the community. Among the special things are the coffin walls which are built from ceramic coffins (well, no corpse inside!). Once upon a time they were made for sale. People of Tho Ha have long involved in making rice paper – an integral of the famous Vietnamese “Spring Rolls”. It’s truly photographic when seeing the locals hanging rice paper on bamboo lattice racks, and then putting these racks on house roofs, village alleys or any open space for drying.
   We will visit a local family and learn more about their culture, with their daily works such as rice making paper, rice wine…listening the real story about the owner’s life time experiences in the village and in Vietnam in general. Have a cup of tea and taste a cup of customary Vietnamese home made rice wine during our interesting talking and enjoying music performed by himself. A hosted lunch at his home will surely be one of the best meals on your trip to Vietnam.
   After lunch, heading to Ninh Binh – the world heritage site. Once arrival, we will take a bike and start riding to explore the rice fields and limestone mountains with a unique route.
   Then get on a small sampan to visit Thung Nham bird reserve, discover the most features of this area with more than 50.000 birds of 40 species flying to inhabit every day. Then cycling back to the host family for free time relax with afternoon tea break.
   Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

3. DAY 3: NINH BINH - HANOI - NIGHT TRAIN TO SAPA

   After breakfast, we take a boat to Tam Coc and board a small sampan for a spectacular 2-hour trip through caves, waterways and beautiful rural landscape consisting of limestone cliffs and rice paddies.
   Back to hotel for check out and enjoy a lunch with Vietnamese cuisine. After lunch, we drive back to Hanoi. On the way, stop at Hoa Lu, the ancient royal capital of Vietnam to visit temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le Kings. Under the introduction of our local guide, you will get to know more about the Vietnamese history.
   Arrive in Hanoi, check in hotel nearby Hanoi Railway Station for refreshment before boarding the night train to Lao Cai.
   Overnight on train (A/C cabin - 4 people/cabin).
   Meals included: Breakfast.

4. DAY 4: SAPA – HILL TRIBE VILLAGE TREK

   Early morning arrival at Lao Cai Railway station, our local guide and driver will greet you and transfer an hour to Sapa town where you have breakfast.
   After breakfast and some rest, we will begin the day with a 3km-trek through the breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho.
   Continue your hike toward the stunning village of Ma Tra. You will pass the impressive ruins of a French Catholic church built in the early twentieth century. Take a few minutes to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos as you wish.
   Your hike will grow deeper until your arrival at Ta Phin Village, inhabited by the Red Dzao ethnic minority tribe, with their beautiful traditionally embroidered outfits and practice of shaving their hair and eyebrows as a sign of respect. Ta Phin village is also home to the Black H’mong minority who live their own way with no cultural mixture. Pause at a Red Dzao family and over a cup of tea, have a chat with them learning about their lifestyle. Enjoy a delicious lunch cooked and served by the family.
   After lunch, you have time to stroll around the village, take pictures and do some fun shopping. The Red Dao people are known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as the usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. If you’re a bit sore from the activities of the day, sample a traditional herbal bath made by a local Dzao specialist, famous for its therapeutic qualities.
   Leaving Ta Phin you will be picked by your private driver and taken back to Sapa town. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. You can stroll around the town and dine in one of many great restaurants.
   Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

5. DAY 5: SAPA – H’MONG CULTURE – DRIVE TO HANOI

   This morning, you will be transferred to the small Giay village of Ta Van, in the breathtaking Muong Hoa Valley. Enjoy a scenic walk through the tranquil rice terraces towards the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai. Marvel at the cascading paddy fields that cling to the mountainside and take in one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking views before arriving at the home of Ms Moo, a local Black H’mong lady. Soak in the view whilst learning more about the traditional life and culture of the Black H’mong people and enjoying a traditional H’mong herbal foot bath! Afterwards head over to nearby Lao Chai village where you will learn the art of Batik painting. The beautiful textiles of the Black H’mong are famous around the world and Batik is a traditional part of H’mong culture. Under threat from modernization, Batik is now only practiced by a handful of villagers. Join a hands-on master class led by a local expert and take your creation home! You will be supporting a sustainable tourism project that supports local women and ensures this amazing art form is handed down to the next generation.
   You will be transferred back to Sapa town and catch the limousine bus for five hours back to Hanoi.
   Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

6. DAY 6: HANOI - HALONG BAY - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

   This morning, you will drive about 2.5 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.
   Board our cruise and after a delicious seafood lunch was served, we take a short trek to a nearby summit to enjoy the panorama view of the bay. As the day wanes, slip into a swim in the cool water before enjoying a sumptuous dinner under the moonlit sky.
   (Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships)
   Overnight on cruise.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

7. DAY 7: HALONG BAY - HANOI AIRPORT - DEPARTURE

   Rising to the sound of the bay, enjoy an elegant breakfast before visiting a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then you’ll get back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring beauty while cruising back to the dock, at the same time enjoy your lunch/ brunch.
   Getting back onshore, you will be transferred directly to Noi Bai International Aiport to catch your departure flight home or travel on to next destination!
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch.