Full Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Welcome upon arrival by local tour guide and driver, then transfer to hotel in the Westlake area where you can get nice sunset view on the largest lake of Hanoi at a coffee shop on the lake bank. Dinner at a local restaurant in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L, D)
Today, visit Ho Chi Minh Complex and spend a couple of hours visiting Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh museum and One Pillar pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. This is also the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.
Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi.
In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lo Prison which was built since French colonial area. Then join in a Hanoi old quarter cyclo tour exploring ancient streets, Hoan Kiem Lake, Quan Thanh temple, and Dong Xuan market.
In the evening, have dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau Valley (B, L, D)
Mai Chau Valley is home to the White Thai ethnic minority people in Vietnam. It’s about 2,5 to 3 hours driving from Hanoi. Traveling to this area, visitors will have a chance to connect with the local people with their special cultures. In the morning, travel up to the Northeast of Hanoi where you will be welcomed by a local family in Pom Coong village. Relax a bit in a house on stilts then we enjoy our first lunch with them.
Refreshing by taking a nap, then walk to the Lac, Nhot, and Naphon villages where we find out the local way of life. Come closer to rice fields, village lanes, and houses on stilts and very friendly people. After dinner, enjoy the traditional Thai Dance in the night music performance.
Overnight in the home-stay house on stilts in Mai Chau Valley.
Day 4: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B, L, D)
Enjoy the fresh air with a simple breakfast with the host then visit the local markets and some other villages nearby. After farewell lunch, travel back to Hanoi.
In the evening, reach the theater in Hanoi for enjoying the traditional water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)
After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay for about 3 hours through breathtaking scenery en route to a World Heritage area of outstanding beauty. Upon arrival, board our boat and cruise around this secluded bay which has been referred to as the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. Whilst cruising we will explore floating villages and have the opportunity to canoe or swim from the boat.
In the evening enjoy a seafood feast for dinner. Later, join in fishermen crew for interesting night squid fishing or stay at the cruise for relaxing body massage. Overnight on deluxe junk cruise
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)
In the morning, a sumptuous western breakfast will be served for you to enjoy whilst watching the sunrise over magical Halong Bay. After breakfast, continue cruising around this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore some more of the intricate cave systems that make Halong truly unique.
After a delicious lunch, check-out the cruise ship and head back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi – Departure (B)
Free at leisure for last-minute shopping before transferring back to the airport for our flight to home. Trip ends.
Inclusion
– Private transfer with air – conditioner & a good driver
– English speaking guide
– Accommodation
– House on stilt in Mai Chau Valley
– All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
– Entrance fee
– Package boat trip in Halong Bay
– A bottle of water/person/way
Exclusion
– Other airfares and taxes in international flight to Vietnam & out of Vietnam.
– Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
– Visa and visa fee to Vietnam
– Entrance fees and permits during free time
– Personal travel insurance (compulsory)
– Personal expenses
– Tips and gratuities