7-Day Alternative Northern Vietnam Discovery
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Overview
Take a little trip off of the beaten tracks while still covering all of the essentials on this 7-day holiday to Vietnam.
Starting and finishing Hanoi, you'll visit essential spots like Sapa, Halong and Ninh Binh but in a more local way as you boat, walk, take a cable car and cycle your way through Northern Vietnam's spectacular scenery including a trip to the top of the mystical Fansipan mountain, 'the Roof of Indochina' and a trek through Cuc Phuong National Park - Vietnam's oldest.
Starting and finishing Hanoi, you'll visit essential spots like Sapa, Halong and Ninh Binh but in a more local way as you boat, walk, take a cable car and cycle your way through Northern Vietnam's spectacular scenery including a trip to the top of the mystical Fansipan mountain, 'the Roof of Indochina' and a trek through Cuc Phuong National Park - Vietnam's oldest.
Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi Arrival
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Arrive in Hanoi around noontime, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own pace to explore the Old Quarter and prepare for your wonderful week-long holiday to Vietnam.
Accommodation
Golden Lotus Hotel★3 star
Transportations
Private Driver from Noi Bai International Airport to Golden Lotus Boutique Hotel
Destinations
Hanoi
Day 2
Duong Lam Ancient House Village and Sapa
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Today you will visit Duong Lam Ancient Village, it is about 45km away from Hanoi. You will take part in a short biking tour along the small ancient alleys to visit Mong Phu Temple. Then, continue riding around the village to see the daily life and farms of Vietnamese farmers. Stop to visit two ancient houses and meet local people live in the houses. After lunch, your last destination to visit before heading to directly Sapa is Mia Pagoda.
Accommodation
Panorama Hotel★3 star
Activities
Duong Lam Ancient Village
Ancient Houses of Duong Lam
Mia Pagoda
Transportations
Private Driver from Hanoi to Duong Lam
Private Driver from Duong Lam to Sa Pa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Hanoi
Sơn Tây
Lào Cai
Day 3
Cat Cat and the Dragon's Jaw
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After breakfast, you will hike to the Black H’Mong village of Cat Cat to get involved with the daily’s activities of this small yet bustling village. After lunch in Sapa town, you will continue to visit the Dragon Jaw, which is a fine combination of the man-made and natural landscape in the centre of Sapa town. The rest of the night is free to explore the night market in town.
Accommodation
Panorama Hotel★3 star
Activities
Cat Cat Village
Dragon’s Jaw
Sapa MarketOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Lào Cai
Day 4
Lao Chai, Ta Van and Fansipan
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This morning, you will explore the Lao Chai village, home of the Dzay minority and the village of the Red Dzao in Ta Van. You will also have a chance to visit Sa Pa’s ancient carved rock field located in the Muong Hoa valley that Ta Van consumes. Then, continue back to the main road to meet our coach and transfer back to Sapa for lunch before taking a cable car to visit Fansipan, 'the Roof of Indochina'. After the day's activities, you'll return to Hanoi.
Accommodation
Golden Lotus Hotel★3 star
Activities
Lao Chai
Ta Van Village
Fansipan Cable Car
Transportations
Private Driver from Sa Pa to Hanoi
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Lào Cai
Hanoi
Day 5
Halong City and Bay
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After breakfast this morning, you will drive to Halong Bay. On arrival, board your junk and enjoy a seafood lunch. The cruise will begin with a visit to the Surprise Caves. Here you will take an hour-long walking tour of the cave. Then, you will enjoy a swim at Titov Beach or choose conquer the peak and view the panorama of Halong Bay at the top. Your cruise will return you to the city to check into your hotel.
Accommodation
Halong Pearl Hotel★3.5 star
Activities
Surprise Cave
Titov Island
Transportations
Private Driver from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Boat from Hạ Long to Halong Bay
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Hanoi
Haiphong
Quảng Ninh Province
Day 6
Nature in Ninh Binh
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After breakfast, you will be transferred to Cuc Phuong National Park, one of Vietnam's oldest national parks. It's approximately 22,000ha of subtropical forest and karst limestone scenery, and home to an extraordinary range of unique species. You will venture into the heart of the jungle on a 7km soft loop trek to a one-thousand-year-old sequoia tree and a prehistoric cave before checking in at a stilt house. After refreshments, if time permits, take a cycling tour to the surrounding villages.
Accommodation
Mac Lake Bungalow
Activities
Trek in Cuc Phuong National Park
Cave of Prehistoric Man
Transportations
Private Driver from Hạ Long to Cuc Phuong National Park
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Quảng Ninh Province
Ninh Bình Province
Day 7
Ninh Binh Exploration and Home
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After breakfast head to Trang An complex and take a 2.5-hour boat trip to discover the amazing scenery of mountains and rivers, and visit Dot Cave – the longest one in this area. You will then take a boat back to the wharf. After lunch, visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam with 500 La Han statues and the biggest bronze Buddha statues in Vietnam which are 10 metres in height and 100 tons in weight. After lunch, drive to directly Hanoi airport for your flight home.
Activities
Take a Boat Cruise on Trang An
Bai Dinh Temple
Transportations
Private Driver from Ninh Bình to Noi Bai International Airport
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Ninh Bình Province
Included in Price
- 6 nights accommodation
- 14 activities
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
- Airport transfer
- Entrance fees
- Ground transportation
- Licensed English speaking guides
Not Included in Price
- Alcohol beverages
- Domestic flights
- Entry visas / airport departure tax
- Gratuities
- International flights
- Laundry
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Trekking permits
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Low season price starting fromAU$2,222
per traveller sharing Terms and Conditions
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Book this trip today with a deposit and pay the rest 60 days before departure.
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