Best of Northern Vietnam

(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. View spectacular waterfalls and drive through mountain valleys. Explore the hill station town of Sapa, and visit several villages where the tribes live. During free time, enjoy your 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. Enjoy flexible city touring or shopping before departing Vietnam.