Vietnam Best of the North

You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to downtown. Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks - the capital of Vietnam. The rest of day is yours. Check in hotel and then enjoy a welcome dinner with traditional local food.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Arrive in Hoa Lu - Tam Coc in Ninh Binh province, takes 3 hours from Hanoi.
In Tam Coc, we will row the sampan to go along the river called Ngo Dong leading to the Tam Coc grottoes, you will see a range of green hills with rice fields at the base. The fields along with the Ngo Dong river change follow the season grain; before the harvest season, the color of the field is green but in harvesting it turns yellow. Say goodbye to Tam Coc, we will head to Hoa Lu, the capital of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties. Inside the place, we will see the Dinh - Le sanctuary, statues of the Emperors and many others historical relics. Then we head back to Hanoi. Private car and guide will pick you up again and transfer you to Hanoi train station to catch night train to Sapa.
Overnight on train.

Take the first step in Lao Cai and then transfer to Sapa; we will feel the cold and strange beauty of this place where varying minorities are living in.
Having breakfast at local restaurant with Vietnamese noodles before visiting a the local market. There, your shopping desires will be satisfied because this place is a collection of varying types of goods such as traditional clothes, bracers with sophisticated decorations, crafts... and you can meet local minorities here to know more about their daily life and tradition.
We will move to the villages of Cat Cat and meet the H'Mong tribe minority people. You can explore other areas and meet other minorities by walking down the valley below Sapa. Having the lunch and check-in your hotel at noon. Relax and explore Sapa for the rest of the time. Overnight in Sapa.

Today we will further explore Sapa areas by visiting the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van. Lao Chai village is a peaceful place where you can meet the Black H'Mong minority people and know about their tradition and custom. Near Lao Chai village is Ta Van village, home to Giay minority. Here, beside meeting and chatting with the local, you can see huge terraced fields and wooden bridges which may scare you when walking on.
Having lunch on the way and visiting more the local life. We will go back to Sapa for the rest of the time before transferring to Lao Cai for the train to Hanoi.
Overnight on train.

Arrive in Hanoi in early morning. You will check in a mini hotel nearby train station by yourself for rest and breakfast. Around 8.00AM, our driver will come to pick you up and start for Halong Bay. On the way you will have a short break about 25 minutes. Arrive Halong around 12:00 noon, getting on deluxe junk and enjoy a welcome drink with lunch of savoury local sea food.
Start cruising around the bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Lion, Tea Pot, Toad, Dau Nguoi (Human Head) islets, then the boat stop at Titop island, you will have 1 hour for visiting, climbing and swimming.
There will be plenty of time for swimming and sunbathing (If weather permitted) after the boat anchors at a clean calm sea. Enjoy a wonderful sunset dinner in our beautiful restaurant before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.
Overnight on boat.

In the morning, start your day with Tai Chi on the sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served.
Then the boat cruise through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves, Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet, etc. Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot).
Buffet brunch is served on board. The vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor.
Back to Halong City at noon. Transfer you back to Hanoi City. End of services.

Breakfast at hotel. Free and easy till transferring to the airport for your flight back home. End of trip!