Bay of Karsts & Rice Terraces

Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, you will be welcomed and greeted by your private tour guide and driver. They then take you to the downtown of Hanoi for hotel check-in. The remainder of your first day is just easy and relaxing. Overnight in Hanoi.
With guide

At 8:30 AM, you will set out with your private tour guide and driver for the full-day tour of the capital city. Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. The first place is the Ba Dinh Square where you will view the Mausoleum (outside) and the former residence of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. On walking here, you will call at the famous One Pillar Pagoda, dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Next, we visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum, which are both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. Lunch is served at a restaurant with Vietnamese traditional food.
In the afternoon, you will travel to Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province on the HW Noi Bai – Lao Cai. This is the longest highway in Vietnam. The scenic drive from the Red River Delta, through the midland to Lao Cai province will be a good start for your trip. Arrive at Bac Ha town late in the afternoon, check into your hotel and relax. Dinner and stay overnight in Bac Ha.
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

After your breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide will walk you to the market (around one-hour car transfer if it is Can Cau market or Coc Ly market). Here, you will see some ethnic minority groups such as Flower Hmong, Phu La, Yao, Tay, Nung…etc. They are from different villages, gather around for the weekend trading. It is an awesome experience of seeing colors, understanding traditions and feeling the atmosphere. The market offers a variety of local products includes colorful embroidery, handicrafts and all types of daily necessary stuffs. Here also available animal market where people sell and buy or barter animal such as dogs, pot-bellied pigs, cows, buffalos and so on. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, make your way to Sapa town. The drive takes about 3 hours. Check in your hotel and relax. Overnight in Sapa.
(Notes: Bac Ha Market: Sunday; Coc Ly Market: Tuesday; Can Cau Market: Saturday)
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

After your breakfast at the hotel as usual, at 8:30, you get picked up and transferred by the car to a trekking point to Y Ling Ho Village, Muong Hoa Valley. Muong Hoa is the biggest valley in Sapa region and bottomed by a rocky river. This is a less-traveled path if you start eaarlier than other visitors. To start, you trek downhill the valley, the scenery of the rice terraces along your way is very beautiful and could be the highlight of the day. Cross the river on a small suspension bridge and continue on the trek uphill. This is rather challenging when it is wet but definitely offers you spetacular view over the valley. Finish your morning scenic trek at Lao Chai Village where your private vehicle awaits you. Get on your car and drive down to Ban Ho Village for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will spend 2,5 hours trek the peaceful path to Nam Toong Red Yao village and down to the main road for the late afternoon drive back to Sapa for the night.

Approx: 11km (both paths)
With guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch

This morning is easy and free for you to relax and do some shopping at Sapa town (If you would like to keep busy with more trekking our tour guide and driver is always ready at your service). An optional activity you may be interested in is taking a cable-car ride to Fansipan Peak, the Top of Indochina. At 1:00 PM, we leave Sapa for Hanoi on the same HW. Arrive in Hanoi around 6:00 PM. Lunch and Dinner today are on your own account.
With guide
Meals: breakfast

After the breakfast, take 4 hour drive overland to Halong Bay with a stop at the midway. Arrive at the pier around noon for embarking a Deluxe Junk for the afternoon cruise. Lunch is served while cruising to magnificent bay which has been recognized as a world heritage by UNESCO, admiring by the fascinating formations of limestone islands. The activities include swimming and go kayaking in the crystal water. Dinner and overnight on board.
No Guide
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Get up early this morning for some fresh-air on the open deck and join the Tai-chi class for some gentle moves if you wish. Otherwise, you are able to remain in your cabin unill breakfast time. After breakfast, the crew will pull up the anchor, start the engine again for more cruising to other parts of the bay. After visiting a big limestone cave, the boat is gently heading back to the pier. The early lunch (Brunch) will be served aboard. Around noon, you are ferried in and take the return drive to Hanoi. Check back into your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours.
Overnight in Hanoi
No Guide
Meals: breakfast, brunch

Today is free at leisure to do your own things before getting transferred to the airport for your departure. End of services.
No Guide
Meals: breakfast