Wonderful North Vietnam – 9 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Welcome upon arrival by Cozy Vietnam Travel’s tour guide and driver, we then transfer to the hotel. Relax in the rest of the day and have welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant in town. Overnight in Hanoi.

Remarks: If your flight to Hanoi in the morning and you want to have some activities in the afternoon, please advise so we will recommend you some optional tours, or you can relax at the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)

Morning tour today we visit Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, we then stop for lunch. After lunch, we keep on going to one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, the Ethnology museum to see the pictures, objects on display of 54 ethnic minority people.

Later of the day, we experience one-hour cyclo tour around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets; and enjoy the unique Water Puppet show to hear to know Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show.

Day 3: Hanoi – Moon Garden (Outskirt of Hanoi) (B, L, D)

We have our breakfast at hotel then meet tour guide and driver again for Ky Son village of Hanoi trip. Welcome drink by green tea and exploring the Moon Garden homestay, local market, kindergarten… Before lunch, join the cooking class; then relax.

Afternoon, we are relaxing with hand spa, chatting with the host family then take the bicycle to discover some villages around. We’ll stop at any home for the tea break, kindergarten (if open), try to experience local farmers’ activities…. Before having dinner, we enjoy a happy hour with the drink or local products such as maize, sweet potato, cassava, peanuts… ; End of the day, we enjoy our foot bath in warm water with ginger, salt & mugwort medicinal herbs before bedtime which brings us a deeper sleep.

Day 4: Hanoi – Night Train to Sapa (B, L)

Before breakfast today, we join the Yijinjing traditional exercises; after that, a bike ride along the village to visit Duong Lam Ancient village and Mia Pagoda. Having lunch at Moon Garden before transferring back to Hanoi for our night train to Sapa this evening.

Day 5: Sapa Trekking Tour & Homestay (B, L, D)

Welcome upon arrival at Lao Cai railways station by local guide & driver, we transfer to Sapa town for our short relax and breakfast before trekking to Cat Cat village, Y Linh Ho & Ta Van villages of Black Hmong ethnic minority people. We will have a chance to trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces & have lunch at a local restaurant nearby the river. Tonight we stay at a local house of the Giay people in the Muong Hoa valley.

Day 6: Sapa – Night Train to Hanoi (B, L)

Today we continue on trekking along Giang Ta Chai, the village of the Red Dao minority and Su Pan, a small village located by the road. Then we are back to Sapa and Lao Cai railways station for our night train to Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Overnight on Junk Cruise) (B, L, D)

Welcome back to Hanoi by tour guide & driver at Hanoi Railways station, we transfer to a mini hotel for our short stay before transferring to Halong Bay for a 2-day cruise trip.

Driving along the Red River Delta to Tuan Chau port, we move to the junk cruise and enjoy the welcome drink, seafood lunch (the vegetarian menu is available). The cruise takes us around the World Heritage site, passing Dog Head and Swan Islands, Ba Hang Floating villages (with floating houses),Incense Burner then Thumb Islands before reaching Surprising (Sung Sot) Cave and swimming at Titov beach. End of the day, we enjoy the sunset and try coffee, tea, and fruits on the sundeck or we can order our favorite drink from our bar. Dinner and overnight on the Bay.

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)

Early wake up to try Tai Chi on sundeck before having buffet breakfast; then we experience kayak around the tranquil Bay. We will be guided if this is the first time to try this. After that, we have time to join cooking demonstration, learn how to make real Vietnamese spring rolls and have lunch before leaving junk cruise back to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B)

Today our awaiting vehicle will take us back to the airport for our flight to home. North Vietnam itinerary 9 days ends.