The essentials of the Northern Vietnam

PRICES FROM 440 USD PER PERSON, BASED ON A GROUP OF 6 PEOPLE

Presentation

The trip through the must-see places of Northern Vietnam will allow you to discover breathtaking landscapes and meet new people. Northern Vietnam is a land of history and culture, which preserves many living legends and ancestral customs. You can enjoy the authentic villages, the rice terraces, the period remains, and of course the hospitality of the Vietnamese people.

Hanoi > Halong > Hanoi > Sapa > Lao Cai > Sapa > Bac Ha > Sapa > Lao Cai > Hanoi

Detailed program day by day

Hanoi

The guide and driver will meet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel in downtown Hanoi, the first stop on your journey to Northern Vietnam. The rest of the day is free to recover from your long journey.

Day 1: Hanoi

Hanoi

Orientation tour of the charming city: the old quarter, Sword Lake, Jade Mountain Temple, St Joseph's Cathedral, an old house restored to its original state, Dong Xuan market, Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda - the most ancient pagoda, Temple of the Northern Guardian.

Show at the puppet theatre and we join the hotel for one night.

Day 2: Hanoi

Hanoi, Halong

Departure to Halong city (and its beautiful bay) for a junk cruise. We sail in Bai Tu Long Bay (extension of the Halong bay which is less frequented) through hundreds of karst formations to the floating village of Vung Vien which we visit in a small rowing boat.

Back on board, swimming in the bay with the possibility of kayaking or a massage session (at an extra charge). Cooking demonstration and overnight stay on board.

Day 3: Hanoi, Halong

Halong, Hanoi, Lao Cai

Your trip to Northern Vietnam continues with a day that begins with a short Tai Chi session. The boat weighs anchor to sneak quietly through the bay's rock formations. Visit of the famous Surprise cave. Disembarkation at the port where a car takes us to Hanoi.

We stop at the famous pagoda of the Brush Tower, famous for its architecture and Buddha statues. Arrival in Hanoi in the evening, then night train to the northern mountains.

Day 4: Halong, Hanoi, Lao Cai

Lao Cai, Bac Ha, Sapa

Arriving at Lao Cai station, we start by eating at the hotel before reaching Bac Ha by car. The Bac Ha Sunday Market is the largest ethnic market in the region. In their traditional costume colouring the market, several ethnic Hmong flower, black Dao, Phu La and Tay come to sell or buy various goods for the week: utensils, spices, vegetables, meat, crafts, live animals (buffalo, horses). It is also an opportunity to celebrate and have a drink.

Visit of the Lung Phin market before continuing on to Sapa (former climate resort founded by the French). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Lao Cai, Bac Ha, Sapa

Sapa, Hanoi

Three hours to stroll towards Y Linh Ho and its small hamlets of l´ethnie Black Hmong. This is an opportunity to see the beautiful terraced rice fields of Sapa and to meet the local population in their daily tasks.

After lunch at the Giay's house in Ta Van village we walk again for about 2 or 3 hours in the middle of the rice fields between the Hmong village of Matra and the Dao Rouge village of Ta Phin. Women of this ethnic group are easily distinguished by their red headdress and shaved eyebrows.

At the end of the day, return to Lao Cai, visit the Den Mau temple dedicated to the mother goddess. Return to Hanoi by night train.

Day 6: Sapa, Hanoi

Hanoi

Arriving in Hanoi, we go to the flower market or the night market of Long Bien, still lively at this early hour.

We join the hotel to eat and prepare your return, which marks the end of your trip to Northern Vietnam.

Day 7: Hanoi