All Important Highlight of Northern Vietnam 8 days

14:00 The flight landed to HANOI international airport – take your time to pick up a real VietNam visa immigration counter. Pick up luggage.

15:00 Our driver will pick your family up from HANOI International airport then transfer to Hanoi Hotel. (It takes ~1 hour). Check in hotel, meeting a little with Mr.Giang – ACBTourist’s manager and relax a little.

17:00 ACBTourist’s tour guide will already at the hotel’s lobby, whenever you are avaiable, we will start to the walking tour of Hanoi Old Quarter.

Hanoi Old Quarter has a long history of 1000 years of development which is the beating heart old the city. In here, bustling life of Hanoians is reflected in the most vivid way with crowded streets of people trading with each other. This area is also the eternal soul of Hanoian cultural architecture, historic relics and religious center.

“The lake of the Restored Sword” (Hoan Kiem Lake in Vietnamese) is in the heart of the Old Quarter district and is the historical centre of Hanoi. It is also one of the major scenic attractions of the city and is at the top of the list of Hanoi walking tours

Sitting on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake is Ngoc Son Temple. The place was built to commemorate distinguished Vietnamese individuals. You can easily spot the Ngoc Son Temple from afar as well as the The Huc bridge that leads to the temple while strolling along the lakeshore.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral,The neo-Gothic church, built in 1886: Sitting stoically among Vietnamese temples and shrines. This is the first church built in Hanoi in the colonial period, with sky-high bell towers, dominates the small square it stands on. 

Enjoy 45 minutes Cyclo (Ricksaw ride ) around old quarter.

Keep walking in HaNoi old quarter - Along the lively streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, families have been perfecting their recipes for generations.The result is some of the most flavorful Vietnamese foods in the country, prepared with heart,  but often disguised behind door steps tucked into mazes of motorbikes. On our Hanoi Street Food Tour .

Hanoi’s rich and compelling flavors are expressed in every bite.

Durations : 2,5 hours. ( Flexible )

We’ll reach to the traditional house at 87 Ma May street is typical of the traditional architecture in the Old Quarter. It was recognized as Vietnamese National Heritage in 2004.

Optional: Sit down at a local "Bia hoi" (Local draught beer) restaurant, have a cold beer, and learn the lifestyle of Hanoian while enjoying some dishes that are rarely served to tourists

Morning Have breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant and check out the hotel.

08:30 Our tour guide will already at the hotel’s lobby waitting you, departure to MaiChau valley - Few destinations better capture the spirit of Vietnam than Mai Chau, a valley of incredible culture and impossible lushness. In this harmony of patchwork rice paddies, soaring mountains and unbridled forest, the ancient life of the Vietnamese continues as it always has – at a charming snail’s pace punctuated by the thrill of the harvest.The journey is approximately 3.5 hrs, with wonderful scenery including rice paddies and green mountains.

12:00 Arrive Maichau, have lunch at the local restaurant.

Then, check in the Maichau Ecolodge, relax a little.

15:00, our tour guide will pick you up to cycling around Pom Coong Village  - typical of Thai communities. The house are built on stilts, 1.5m above the ground, having bamboo floors and roofs made May leaves. The area under the traditional house is usually reserved for livestock. But nowadays  this area at some houses has been arranged into a souverir shop flaunting items such as shawls, dresses, bags, purses, brocade cloths and multi -colour both balls skilfully made by Thai. In some houses, the visitors can witness local women diligently working at a loom, weaving colorful brodcade fabric.

Continue cycling to explore Lac Village - One of the oldest villages in Mai Chau valley. LAC Village is more than 700 years old. The people in Lac Village are mainly White Thai people who live by rice cultivation and brodcade weaving. This place is a gift of the mountain and forest for those who love peace and tranquility to immerse themselves in the green and relaxing space of Maichau.

Around the village are green fields, clear streams, surrounded by mountains, clouds in the middle. The air here is always fresh and clean, without industrial smoke. Coming here, you will get a peaceful space and clean atmosphere. you visit the beautiful small stilt house of the Thai people to discover their unique culture and customs. The roads are flat and there is hardly any traffic when you are cycling through the rice fields. You will also see animals like buffaloes, pigs, cats, goats…freely around. Enjoy the sunset in the village to catch special minutes in the countryside.

After dinner by your own in the hotel’s restaurant, you will have experience the traditional Dance with Charming Thai Ladies at the hotel’s lobby. The Thai are well known for their folk dances in traditional costumes. What's more attractive than watching a folk dance performance while enjoying the local rice wine. Surely, you can join and these ladies will lead your steps.

Morning Have breakfast and relax.

08:30 Checkout the hotel, We will head to the southern part of the Red River Delta, to Ninh Binh province and the famous ‘Halong Bay on land”. (It takes about 3 hours).

The region is endowed with unspoiled nature with a diversified eco-system, beautiful landscapes of limestone mountains, and sincere hospitality of the local, hidden caves and tropical rainforests. In addition, this land was the first capital of Vietnam at the end of the 10th & early 11th centuries with many important construction built at that time.

11:00 Arrive NinhBinh. We will start to go bicycle ride in the surrounding villages to discover the daily life of locals working in their ancestral fields, cultivating rice, peanuts or corn. It is an invitation to gaze upon a hut overlooking the rice paddies, a church, a school, and a small market, all part of the local Vietnamese life.  A church, a small house overlooking the rice fields, a school, a craft workshop, a small market serve as a pretext for stopping to discover Vietnamese life.

After lunch, You’ll embark on a stunning sampan boat-ride at TamCoc. Your boat trip will take around 1,5 hours.

But it is well worth it as you’ll learn more about the core of the heritage. Tam Coc is considered as the most attractive destination in Ninh Binh. Tam Coc (literally meaning Three Caves) include Hang Ca (first cave), Hang Hai (second cave) and Hang Ba (third cave). All three caves are formed by the Ngo Dong River flowing through the mountain..

Then, you will to visit Mua  Cave - is worth being visited in Ninh Binh. you will being overcoming 486 stone steps to see beautiful sceneries on the top of Mua mountain.

The cave brings you one of the best panoramic view of one of the nicest sceneries in Viet Nam- that’s Ninh Binh- which is known as a wonder of the world, the Telegraph from UK said “It’s an area known locally as Vietnam’s ‘Inland Halong Bay’” or Mua Cave – The Vietnamese “Great Wall of China”.

Finish the tour, relax at the hotel, swimming pool, have dinner by your owns.

Morning Check out hotel, then have breakfast at hotel restaurant.

07:30 Our diver will pick you up departure to Halong Bay - It’s take around 3,5 hours from Ninhbinh to Cruise ship.

11:30 Arrive at Scarlet Pearl Cruise's Lounge in Halong International Cruise Port to check-in. Guests will be offered “welcome drink” and listen to instructions before boarding.

12:00  Guests will start boarding.

Complete the check-in procedure and check-into our suite cabins.

13:00 A splendid lunch is served at Tahiti Restaurant while the cruise travelling across primitive Lan Ha Bay. The bay has hundreds of islands and islets, making it a wonderful background for guests to look at while dining.

15:00 Arrive at Sang Cave by kayaking or rowing boat as the path towards the cave is 70m long of water. On the way, guests will be amazed by sparkling karst arcs through sunlight. Afterwards, guests are invited to enter Ech Lagoon, an extremely serene and emerald spot to kayak and swim. It’ll be a wonderful chance to immerse in one of the most remote parts of Lan Ha Bay. The shape of this lagoon looks like a giant frog resting, hence it explains the name “Ao Ếch” in Vietnamese.

17:00 Return to the cruise to relax and admire the sunset on the sundeck.

17:30 Watching sunset over Lan Hạy Bay is one of the moments that shouldn’t be missed out. During this time, there will be either a Sunset Party in Sky Bar or a cooking class hosted by our Chef (depending on the season).

17:30-18:30 It is Happy Hour meaning Buy One Get One Free - this promotion is applied on our limited drinks menu. Guests can also choose to watch the sunset by catamaran while sipping fresh cocktails (this is surcharged).

19:00 Fine-dining dinner will be started along with fun and interactive cultural exchange between all the guests and our Vietnamese.

06:30 Begin a new day with a Tai Chi session while welcoming magnificent sunrise. (Guests can also choose to take photos and enjoy the scene if they prefer so.) A light breakfast is served from.

06:45-07:30 in the refreshing and peaceful beauty of the Bay.

07:30 Explore Lan Ha Bay by catamaran to more remote destinations that larger cruises cannot reach.

09:00 Get ready to check out.

09:30 Guests will be served with succulent buffet brunch in Tahiti Restaurant before disembarking.

11:00 - 11:30 The cruise is now back at the Port. We hope you have enjoyed your time with us and wish you a safe onward journey.

11:30 Our van will transfer you go to HaNoi.

14:00 Check in the hotel and relax a little.

15:30 Our chef is already waiting you at the hotel’s lobby and pick you up starting to the cooking class. This class is the best way to enjoy an authentic cultural & culinary experience. It’s also perfect for the serious home cooks who want to learn how to cook Vietnamese healthy food for their family & friends, wishing to explore more than just the sightseeing of our great city.

Starting the cooking class, we will walk through the local market to buy ingredients; Get a fascinating glimpse into local culture with the guidance and sharing by our chefs. The sounds, sights, smells and tastes found in a typical Viet market are emblematic of daily life here, shaping the contours of Vietnamese cuisine.

Then come to kitchen, enjoy welcome drink made of 100% natural herbs; learn how to cook the real Vietnamese traditional food under the guidance of professional chefs;

Enjoy your own cooking creation and numerous food; Taste unique and special local wines.

20:00 Cooking Class ends. Our driver will pick you up from the cooking class to the hotel. Night relax time.

Morning Check out and have breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant.

08:00 Our driver will pick you up from hotel’s lobby to Sapa town.

13:00 Arrive to Sapa town, our tour guide will welcome you to have lunch and relax a little at the local restaurant. Then we will begin the trekking villages tour.

Passing the beautiful Muong Hoa Valley (about 6 km) to Y Linh Ho Village of Black H’mong Ethnic, you have the opportunity to wallow in a beautiful natural village with green cornfields, the vast terraced fields overlay Hoang Lien Son moutainside and Muong hoa Stream limpidity surrouding, fresh air and the natural wood stilt houses.

You will see the beautiful ethnic women in the featured brocade traditional clothes and innocent highland kids.

Along the way to Muong Hoa Valley to Lao Chai Village you will see the Sapa ancient stone grand having 200 hewn stone – discovered in 1925. This hewn stones have many mysterious patterns such as writing, people drawing. Later we will hike to Lao Chai Village of Black H’mong Ethnic, located in the valley, surrounded by mountains and terraced fields; you can see Hoang Lien Son moutain in the distance. Have lunch at the local restaurant

We then cross the suspension bridge towards the Zay village, arriving at Ta Van walking around village to see activities daily of hill tribe people here .

After that, We will heading to Topas Ecolodge. Have dinner by your owns.

Morning The breakfast is the Ecolodge’s restaurant. Today is your leisure at Topas Ecolodge.

09:00 Our tour guide will pick you up and enjoy the walking or biking tour on a quiet road with a great view of the rice terrace below in the nearby village, the best way to experience nature and the local cultures of the ethnic minority people.

You then take a slight ascent to Lech village and some small village surrouding where you will visit a local house, meet the friendly Red Dao hosts, and experience their daily way of life. The Red Dao women, like their ancestors, have hair and eyes brows shaved and wear very colorful customs. They are famous for beautiful handmade embroidery. On the way back to Topas Ecolodge, you will walk on small trails passing rice terraces and cross a suspension bridge, where you can take some great pictures of the landscape. Your guide will explain the interesting cultivating culture of the local farmers.

Back at Topas Ecolodge, you may want to try a traditional Red Dao herbal bath at the lodge’s spa. (paid by yourself). Have dinner by your owns

Morning: Have breakfast at the ecolodge’s restaurant.

09:30 Check out the hotel, and pick all your language to the car. Our tour guide will already at the hotel’s lobby waitting you.

Today you will visit Silver waterfall, you can enjoy beautiful mountains surrouding and the green forestes of Hoang Lien National Park.

Go further extra a little mines is the Hoang Lien National Garden and Love Waterfall. This area is covered with many trees, lush green and a waterfall that falls from the rocky slope.

Then you visit to Heaven Gate, is known as one of four biggest Passes of Vietnam, also as known O Quy Ho Pass. At the altitude of more than 2000m, you can see the spectacular view of the pass, mountains and valley; terraced fields on the mountainside, the vast green tree

Other Option: Through the clouds by cable car to conquer the roof of Indochina, Fansipan - with an altitude of 3,143m; belongs to Hoang Lien Son mountain range, southwest of Sapa town. (Depending on weather condition (surcharge $35/ person).

14:30 The Limousine will transfer you back to Hanoi - (300 km – 6 hours in the car – short break - driving by Limousine) on highway. It takes 6 hours on the Dcar van from Sapa to Hanoi airport, and we will have around 3 short break on the way back. In each short break we will have 15 minutes for relax.

20:30 Arrive to the Noibai Airport.