(9 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis) Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa
This tour features the highlights of Vietnam's spectacular north: the beloved city of Hanoi, the hilltribes of the mountainous Sapa region, and beautiful Halong Bay.
Start in the leafy capital of Hanoi, Vietnam’s artistic and intellectual capital. With your guide, ride cyclos around the lake to see the city's most beautiful French colonial architecture. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Attend an evening Water Puppet Theater performance. Visit ancient temples, excellent art and culture museums, and the city's best contemporary Vietnamese art galleries. Each night, reservations will be made at Hanoi's most recommended restaurants, many of which are housed in restored French colonial villas.
From Hanoi, spend the night on an unforgettable luxury cruise in beautiful Halong Bay. Continue by luxury train to remote Sapa, a mountain village near the Chinese border. Visit local markets in Coc Ly and elsewhere where hill tribe minorities (including Hmong, Red Dao, Tay, Xa Pho and Giay) trade their goods. Explore the valley and its mountainsides dotted with terraced rice paddies. Browse the hill station town of Sapa, visit remote hilltribe markets, and visit several hilltribe villages. If desired, also enjoy trekking, biking, and visits to waterfalls. Accommodation is at Sapa's best mountain chalet hotel, where you can enjoy fondue by the fire, swimming, tennis, and mountain walks.
Return to Hanoi and learn about Vietnamese cooking during a market visit led by a renowned chef, followed by a Vietnamese cooking class. Prepare delicious dishes such as fish marinated with beer and herbs, lemon chicken, and banana flower salad. Alternatively, enjoy a morning of privately guided biking in the countryside near Hanoi.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Arrive Hanoi
Arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour
Day 2
Hanoi
Full day private city tour. Evening water puppet performance
Day 3
Hanoi - Halong Bay
Full-day excursion to Halong Bay and overnight on luxury cruise
Day 4
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Sapa
Disembark cruise and return to Hanoi. Evening board Victoria Express train to Lao Cai
Day 5
Arrive Lao Cai - Sapa
Private touring of local markets. Drive to Sapa for 1 night
Day 6
Sapa - Hanoi
Continue private touring of local markets and villages. Overnight train back to Hanoi
Day 7
Arrive Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi early morning and transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Private afternoon city touring
