Depart at 8:00 AM from your hotel by van. We begin our day by visiting Uncle Ho at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and residential grounds learning about his great life. Next stop is the nearby Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam´s first University. Here we also have a chance to see a traditional music performance. Lunch is served at a local restaurant for a taste of authentic Hanoi Pho (noodle soup). In the afternoon, choose from one of the numerous museums or temples around Hanoi (Museum of Ethnology, Women´s Museum, History Museum or Quan Thanh Temple). In the late afternoon, take a cyclo trip around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi´s fascinating Old Quarter. This is your chance to be in the midst of typical Hanoi an life and Vietnamese culture. We finish our relaxing but informative day by attending a Water Puppet Show - a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam. We can help you to get back to your hotel if you wish, but often our guests would rather just spend the evening enjoying a drink with a view of the city. Tour finishes at about 4:30 PM. Dinner on your own. At 08:30 PM, we meet you at your hotel for your transfer to the Tran Quy Cap train station for boarding at 9:40 PM. You share an AC soft sleeper cabin and travel North to Lao Cai town. Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, lunch, puppet show ticket, Vietnam cyclo ride, train ticket (Fanxipan Express – shared cabin)

Today morning at around 6:30 AM, you are welcomed by our driver at the train station to transfer to Sapa. When you arrive in Sapa, you have a time for a short rest, hot shower and some breakfast before your inspiring trek. A short transfer and we’re off. Chances to meet and talk with locals working in the fields are plentiful. Picnic lunch en route then continue trekking to Ta Phin village – home of the Red Dao people. Your Dao host family warmly welcome you to their traditional home where we share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night. Trekking Distance: 14 km (4-5 hours) Trail Difficulty: 4/5 Inclusion: Transfers, guide, train ticket, morning shower, entrance fee, all meals, permit, homestay.

At the first gleam of daylight, you see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join your host family in some of their morning activities like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we take a short wander around the village or spend more time enjoying the view and company at the homestay. Then, you are supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes). Back in Sapa, check in to your hotel, shower, rest and lunch on your own. At 2:30 PM we take an easy walk to Cat Cat village, home of Black H’mong. Take part in a traditional musical performance. Back in Sapa for dinner and the evening on your own. Overnight here. Trekking Distance: about 5 km Trail Difficulty: 2/5 Note: The music show in Cat Cat village is closed on Tuesday afternoon. We arrange and alternative activity. Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, bus and hotel (Center Point Hotel – Deluxe room)

Safely back in Hanoi at 5:00 AM please find your way on foot back to a prearranged hotel near the train station. Shower, short rest and basic breakfast. Departure for Ha Long Bay is around 8:00 AM in a shared van (about 4 hours) from your hotel. Arrive at the port around noon. Welcomed on board, you are taken to your cabin before the trip briefing. You enjoy a fresh and local seafood lunch while cruising to explore the magic Bai Tu Long Bay. Relax on the boat or explore by kayak. Later you return back to the boat just in time to watch the beautiful sunset from the top deck before enjoying the bay’s freshest seafood dinner. Inclusion: Transfer, guide on boat, morning shower, entrance fee, kayak, boat / junk, all meals, permits, boat (White Dolphin Cruise)

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of Bay’s landscape with towering limestone. You have breakfast at around 7:00 AM before our short transfer to visit mysterious cave. Lunch on the boat as we slowly cruise back to boat pier. Hit the road back to Hanoi around 5:30 PM. Inclusion: Transfer, guide on boat, entrance fee, boat / junk, breakfast, lunch and hotel (Center Point Hotel – Deluxe room)

Breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have some time for shopping. Then we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast.