8 Days Northern Vietnam Tour

“Xin chào” - Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival Noi Bai International airport, you will be welcomed by Vietsense Travel guide and driver for transfer to hotel in city for check in. (Check in time: 14.00. Early check in at surcharge).

Located at the center of Red River Delta and with more than one thousand years’ history, Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam. Visiting Hanoi, you will not only witness a busy developing city through modern architects and busy streets but also learn more about history, culture, nature and friendly local people

Free at leisure on your own.

Overnight at hotel

Meals: None

 

Your morning tour will start at Ho Chi Minh Complex with visit to Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (from outside), the Presidential Palace, the house on stilt, the botanical garden and the One-pillar pagoda. This used to be the residence of the Governor of Indochina until 1954, it became the place where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked until his last day.

Next stop is Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam and also the place where worship Confucius. Coming here, you will have a talk deep with our guide about education history of Vietnam since a thousand year ago until now.

After lunch at local restaurant, we spend time together to learn about the bitter sweet history of Vietnam at Hoa Lo Prison. Hoa Lo Prison was built in 1896 by the French to house Vietnamese patriots during Indochina War, and later, it was used by Vietnamese to hold American pilots who were shot down during the Vietnam War. Hoa Lo Prison also had other name as “Maison Central” by the French and “Hanoi Hilton” by American servicemen.

Enjoy one hour for cyclo tour around the Old Quarter - the bustling heart of Hanoi to see the daily life of local people and French architecture along ancient streets. Skilled craftsmen started to migrate and artisan guilds were formed on the famous "36 Streets", the Old Quarter has been a commercial center since the 11th century. 

Wrap your day with a Water Puppet Show, a traditional art form closely linked with the agricultural roots of the Vietnamese people on the Red River Delta

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel then check out and leave Hanoi to Mai Chau, a beautiful mountainous area inhabited by ethnic Thai and Hmong minority groups. After a 3.5-hour-drive, you'll reach Lac Village, a peaceful valley surrounded by majestic mountains. Take your time to walk around the village to see the life of local people and have lunch at a local house.

After lunch, say goodbye to the host and continue your trip to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Pu Luong is the name of Thai Ethnic minority which mean the highest mountain in the area. Coming here, you will have chance admire the magnificent mountain ranges, stunning rice terrae fields, scenic rivers and waterfalls and experience the daily life of local people.

Reaching Pu Luong Retreat in the afternoon, check in and unpack your luggage, take your time to refresh in the swimming pool or enjoy the fresh air with stunning view from your stay.

Dinner and overnight at Pu Luong Retreat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you will be transferred to a suspension bridge over the Cham River, where you begin your walk in search of stunning water wheels. Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes.

After around 1.5 hour walking, you will reach a local fisherman’s house where you have a short rest to gear up for the bamboo river rafting with Dinh and his team. Float along the calm river and enjoy the views, in between learning how to paddle and steer your handcrafted rafts.

Arriving at scenic Tan Lap bridge, you disembark to be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for lunch.

Enjoy a free leisure afternoon on your own.

Dinner and overnight at Pu Luong Retreat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your leisure breakfast then check out and start your journey to Ninh Binh via Ho Chi Minh National Road. Reaching Ninh Binh at around noon, have lunch at local restaurant before check in your resort.

Afternoon, enjoy a nice scenic rowed sampan boat through dramatic karst mountains interspersed with the vivid green of rice paddies to visit Tam Coc and Bich Dong Pagoda. Bich Dong Pagoda is built on Ngu Nhac Mountain with 3 separate buildings in ascending order. Climb up the top pagoda and take in spectacular mountaintop views over Hoa Lu.

Have a free evening with your own activities and overnight at resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Early breakfast at hotel then driving across the Red River Delta to reach the cruise lounge in Halong city before noon. Have a short time to relax before embark at the cruise.

After lunch, continue your journey to discover Halong Bay – the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Vietnam. Depending on your cruise program, you may visit a beautiful cave, swimming or other activities like sunset party, cooking demonstration etc before dinner.

After dinner is your free time. You may choose to enjoy fresh air on the sundeck or playing board games or try your luck with squid fishing.

Dinner and overnight on board

Note:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If you don’t mind, please try to wake up early and join the Taichi class with the crew and enjoy watching sunrise on the bay. Take part in other activities of the 2nd day while the boat cruise back to the Habour.

Farewell with the crew and Halong. Meet your guide and driver again for transfer back to Hanoi.

Check in hotel. Rest of the day is your free day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day at leisure on your own until pick up time for transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to next departure.

Check out time: 12.00. Late check out at surcharge.

Meals: Breakfast