Northern Tonkinese Delights and Halong Bay 9 Days (9 days/8 nights) - $799 - Northern Tonkinese Delights and Halong Bay 9 Days (9 days/8 nights) - $799

Travel Guide » Vietnam Tour Pakages » To the North - Halong Tours

vietnameasytravel - 2010/02/08, 22:38 GMT+7 - Total view: 461

Northern Tonkinese Delights and Halong Bay 9 Days (9 days/8 nights) - $799

Come to experience the splendid smiles of the Dao ethnic minority, the lush green jungles of Mount Fansipan and the limestone islets in Halong Bay on this extraordinary 9-day journey through ethnic minorities villages of Northwest Vietnam, one of the most stunning and culturally diverse regions in Asia.

Price: US$799 (included taxes & service charge)

Routes: Hanoi - Son La - Lai Chau - Sapa - Dien Bien Phu

Duration: 9 days/8 nights

Depart from: Hanoi

Return to: Hanoi

Come to experience the splendid smiles of the Daoethnic minority, the lush green jungles of Mount Fansipan and thelimestone islets in Halong Bay on this extraordinary 9-day journeythrough ethnic minorities villages of Northwest Vietnam, one of themost stunning and culturally diverse regions in Asia.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s international airport, weclear customs and immigration where we will be met by our guide, whowill accompany you on the transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Son La- Hanoi (B/L/D)

Today we visit the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoibefore leaving the city to enjoy a long drive to Son La, the capital ofthe province with the same name. Mainly hill-tribe people, notably theBlack Thai, H’mong, Muong and White Thai, populate this area. The driveis peaceful since the road is newly upgrade. We will pass lots ofscenic hill-tribe villages and stop whenever we want. Overnight in SonLa.

Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien - Lai Chau (B/L/D)

Early in the morning we will drive to Laichau viaDien Bien, a small town nestled in a beautiful valley carved fromspectacular mountains by the Da river. Rather than exploring the stonesof dead lovers, you will begin to turn over the stones of dead soldierson the battlefield. You can spend time at the Dien Bien Phu museum,visit the former headquarters of the French Generals on Hill A1 andwander the tombstones in the cemetery. Continue your journey out westto Lai Chau to visit villages of the Dao and H'mong minorities.
Overnight in Laichau.

Day 4: Lai Chau - Sapa (B/L/D)

After breakfast we will visit Binh Lu plateau wherethe Dao, Lu and Nhang convene before, and then drive to Sapa. We willpass over one of the highest passes in Vietnam (2000m) and enjoy one ofthe most stunning sceneries on its summit, which is named “Gate ofheaven”. On arrival in Sapa we check in hotel. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa (B/L/D)

As a counterpoint to yesterday’s drive, today isan opportunity to visit some of the hill tribe villages around Sa Pa.After breakfast, you will head out with your guide to walk around thecolorful hill tribe market. Then we will trek downhill to Lao Cai, avillage of the Black H’mong minority. On the way we will enjoy stunningviews of mountains and valleys. In Lao Cai we come to see the village’scatholic church and have a chat with the Black H’mong people before wecontinue trekking to Ta Van, a village of the Dzay ethnic minority. Youwill return to the Hotel in the late afternoon to enjoy the specialmarket on Saturday evening. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 6: Sapa - Bac Ha - Lao Cai (B/L)

If yesterday was market day in Sa Pa, today ismarket day in Bacha. You get up early in the morning then transfer toBac Ha. You can photograph the hill tribe people carrying their waresto sell. When you are exhausted, you can repair to one of the smallcafes that line the streets to drink beer, sip Vietnamese coffee, dineon pho, the local soup, or just people-watch. The afternoon is forvisiting around and the abandoned H’Mong King Palace. Return to Laocaiin the late afternoon to catch the night train back to Hanoi. Overnightin on train.

Day 7: Hanoi - Halong (B/L/D)

Car pick up at Hanoi railway station then transferto Halong. Each day, you will explore complicated rock gardens, paddlelong dark sea caves, and visit cliff-lined inland lagoons (phongs inVietnamese.) Note that outside of certain destinations, such as HaengToi, the itinerary will depend on the season and the tides. Thus, fewstops are detailed and each trip is different. During your time withthe junk, all your meals are included. At night, you will sleep in aprivate cabin on your renovated junk, which is fitted with a fullgalley, showers, and a western toilet. There may be an optional nightpaddle for those who wish. Overnight on the Junk.

Day 8: Halong - Hanoi (B/L)

Today you will continue to explore the bay in themorning. After lunch, you will dock in Halong. Here you will be met anddriven back to Hanoi for the night.