Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7 :Lang Son – Ha Long Bay
(190km/ >4h journey)
Breakfast and departure to Halong Bay. The Halong Bay is known as the 8th wonder of the world for its magnificent landscapes, beautiful caves, rich and pure air of biodiversity. Having a 1500 square meters area, more than 3,000 limestone islands, Halong Bay is a truly surprising destination.
Arrive at around noon and will board on a traditional junk. Lunch with seafood and exceptional ride junk in Halong Bay, "8th Wonder of the World" with its thousands of islands, islets emerging from the water by taking fantastic shapes according to the route of the ship. Dinner and overnight on board.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch dinner.
Day 8: Ha Long – Tam Coc, aka terrestrial Ha Long Bay
If Hanoi was Thang Long, The Rise of the Dragon, the Halong Bay was the Descent of the Dragon. The surreal chaos of the Rocky Mountains is the result of the frolics of the dragon, the master of waters.
These hills with strange shapes seem to float on the surface of the water as if they were ate. The silence of the calm sea is sometimes broken by the shout of a bird.
The cruise continues. Then you will have the opportunity to relax on the beach. After lunch of seafood, disembark and drive to Tam Coc.
Arrive at Tam Coc, check in at hotel/ resort/ homestay overnight.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch.
Day 9 : Hoa Lu - Tam Coc boat trip & Bich Dong pagoda
At 95 km away from Hanoi in Ninh Binh province, there is a large number of rich historical heritages of Vietnam, as it was the ancient capital of the country in the 10th and 11th century. Ninh Binh attracts visitors with its historic highness, and culturally rich destination. At Ninh Binh, visit the most authentic sights of this beautiful province Kenh Ga (natural hot springs), Thung Nang (Sun Valley) with a portion of the inland Halong Bay, Tam Coc (three caves also named the HaLong Bay inland), Thai Vi temple, Pagoda Bich Dong.
After breakfast, drive to Hoa Lu and visit the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century under the dynasty of Dinh, Le and Ly Anterieur. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Hanoi. You will explore the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh.
Then you will return to Tam Coc by bike, for about 15 km. On the way, you will cross again the Trang An landscapes - Halong Bay inland. Lunch at a local restaurant, before continuing the bike ride (for about 1 km) to the temple of Thai Vi. You will contemplate a part of the Tam (Tam Coc means three caves also named inland Halong Bay). You will feel the clean air of mountain chains invading the above rice fields, you will continue the road through typical Vietnamese villages to go to Thung Nang where you will make a 2 hour boat cruise (return). You will stay in the boat to enjoy the peaceful scenery and the daily activities of the local.
On the way back, you will visit Bich Dong Pagoda (Bich Dong means jade’s cave). It is an ancient pagoda built into the mountain which is considered as the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam. A three-floor pagoda, accessible by a staircase.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 10: Tam Coc – Mai Chau valley
(150km/>3h30 journey)
Mai Chau, which is located in the southwest of Hanoi, is an ideal destination for those who are looking for outdoor trips or hiking to villages of ethnic groups in the valleys. Mai Chau is also considered as the cradle of Thai minority inhabitants and Muong. So far they have kept their customs and traditions. By visiting Mai Chau, you will have the opportunity to learn about the life of ethnic groups in the mountains.
After breakfast, you will go to Mai Chau. You will be able to admire the beauty of the mountainous region with its rice fields terraces lined with banana groves. Sometimes you will see the homes of Thai and Muong hiding under trees.
Arrival at Mai Chau, have unch with the locals.
In the afternoon, you will make a nice bike ride to visit the villages Poom Coong, Nhot, Na Phon, and Lake Van and observe the daily activities of local people. Dinner and overnight at the homestay (basic comfort).
In the evening, you will participate to a folk music show of the Thai inhabitants, dancing with khene (traditional flute of the minority ethnic groups), and taste rice wine.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 11: Mai Chau – Son La
(187km/ 5h journey)
Departure to Son La - the town where different minorities live. There are Thai minority villages nearby. Stop in Moc Chau, visit of the hills of tea plantations. A simple local lunch is provided on the way .
Then continue the road towards west and discover the beautiful landscape of mountains, green valleys, rice fields and villages of Black Thai.
Arrival in Son La. Check-in. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 12: Son La – Tuan Giao – Dien Bien Phu
(151km/ 3h30 journey)
Breakfast and drive to the town of Dien Bien via Tuan Giao. Arrival in Tuan Giao, lunch in a local restaurant and then fork to Dien Bien Phu. You will invade Pha Din Pass (one of the 4 longest passes of North Vietnam) and beautiful scenery from the top. Visit the villages of black and white Thai. Visit the remains of the ancient battlefield, hills, museum and PC General De Castrie.
Arrival at the hotel. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 13: Dien Bien Phu - Hanoï
After breakfast at hotel, you will have free time and afterwards go to the airport and fly back to Hanoi, the end of the tour.