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Code: |
VNAD 0002 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai
Chau - Sapa - Bac Ha - Ha Long Bay -
Hanoi |
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Duration: |
10 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1:
Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi - Son La
Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien Phu
Day 4: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau
Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa
Day 6: Sapa
Day 7: Sapa - Bac Ha - Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi - Ha Long
Day 9: Ha Long
Day 10: Departure from Hanoi
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Arrive at Noi Bai Airport. Pick up and transfer
to a hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, boasts
tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. An
afternoon sightseeing tour features both
cultural and historical highlights, comprising
the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum,
the old quarters and a downtown pedicab ride (1
hour). Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Son La (B, D, L)
Spend the whole day on coach relishing the new
road through Hoang Lien Son Mountains to Son La
(320km). Take a stop-over at Ta Khoa Bridge on
Da River Lake with panoramic views of lake,
forest and mountain. There are opportunities to
enjoy the friendliness of the H'mong tribe en
route. In the evening, enjoy a cultural show of
Black Thai at Bo village. Overnight in Son La.
Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B, L, D)
Before leaving for Dien Bien Phu (170km), visit
Thuan Chau Market where Black Thai women gather
to exchange all kinds of farm products and
hand-weaving brocades. Stop by at Pha Din Pass,
famous for its magnificent mountain scenery. In
the afternoon, travel via Muong Phang, enjoy a
short trek through dense forest (1km) to visit
General Giap's legendary tunnels. Thai villages
surrounded by paddy fields are worth visiting en
route. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.
Day 4: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau (B, L, D)
Dien Bien Phu, a famous valley at an elevation
of 550m by the Vietnam ' Laos border. In the
morning, explore Dien Bien Market and former
battle field: Dien Bien Phu museum, Eliance Hill
(A1 Hill), Nam Rom River and De Castries'
bunker. Transfer to Lai Chau (105km), a small
town along Nam Lay Stream, encounter Red H’mong
village en route. Overnight in Lai Chau.
Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa (B, L, D)
Admire the beautiful Lai Ha Suspension Bridge
and Hang Tom Suspension Bridge near Lai Chau
Town. Leave for Sapa (180km) via a picturesque
road along the Nam Na River and across Hoang
Lien Son, the highest pass in Vietnam (2,047
metres). The rest of the day is free time to
wander around Sapa Town, home to different
hill-tribes. The evening entertainment is a
tribal folk show at a bar. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa (B, L, D)
Take a morning trek (6km) to visit hill-tribe
villages of Lao Chai & Ta Van along picturesque
Muong Hoa valley. A trekking trail is over
magnificent rice terraced fields, green valley,
river and white roof-dotted houses by mountain
sides. Get to know more about the daily life of
local people (Black H'mong and Day), their ways
of living and simple working tools. In the
afternoon, transfer to Ta Phin village, see Red
Yao at work in their distinctive colourful
dress. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 7: Sapa - Bac Ha - Hanoi (B, L, D)
Leave for Bac Ha (105km) via a winding road with
breath-taking mountain views. Visit Bac Ha Fair
(on Sunday only), considered the most lively and
crowded in the region. It attracts a large
number of Flower H'mong and other hill-tribe
groups (Nung, Phu La, Tay). Transfer to Lao Cai
(70km). Board the night train to Hanoi (370km).
Berths in air-conditioned compartments are
provided. Overnight on board.
Day 8: Hanoi - Ha Long (B, L, D)
After a 10 hours' ride, arrive at the Hanoi
Railway Station early in the morning. Pick up
and transfer to Ha Long (170km). The rest of the
day is leisure for personal pursuits: relaxing
on the sandy beach of Tuan Chau Island, walking
on stone steps to Mt. Bai Tho (200m) which
offers a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay and
shopping for souvenirs on Ha Long Road (coal
carvings, embroideries, ceramics,...). Overnight
in Ha Long.
Day 9: Ha Long (B, L, D)
Take a private boat in Ha Long Bay (8 hours).
Spend the whole day viewing the spectacular
scenery of countless rock formations, paddling
kayaks around picturesque coves with the
schooner tagging behind and relaxing on wild
sandy beach. Lunch of fresh seafood are served
on board. Overnight in Ha Long.
Day 10: Departure from Hanoi (B)
Transfer to Hanoi (170km). Spend last minutes
for downtown shopping (ceramics,
silver-carvings, silk,...) or at leisure before
check-out. Transfer to the airport for
departure. |
