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Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Depending on arrival time, visit the 36 Streets district and enjoy a local dinner.
Depart for the exciting local market of Ngoc Ha, strolling through the narrow alleys that are so characteristic of Hanoi. Pause to enjoy a fresh fruit juice on the shores of Lake B52, rich in history with the carcass of an American fighter plane emerging from the water. Emblem of a Vietnamese victory over the enemy. Then on to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, one of Vietnam’s most sacred sites. After a local lunch, head for the Ethnology Museum to learn about the 54 ethnic groups scattered throughout the country. Stop at the Tran Quoc pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest, located on the shores of West Lake. Back in the Old Quarter, it’s time for a gastronomic tour of street food specialties. Transfer to Hanoi station to take the sleeper train to Lao Cai.
Arrival at the station, local breakfast and transfer for the first stage to Nam Dich, in the Hoang Su Phi district. On the way, a short break in the village of Bac Ha (visit to the market on Sunday mornings), and then on to Nam Dich for lunch with the flowery H’mong people. In the afternoon, you’ll begin a trek into the mountains to contemplate some of Vietnam’s most beautiful rice terraces and pass through villages of the long-tunic Daos and Nungs. Dinner and overnight stay with the Man Pa Tan minority.
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your hosts and resume the hike to the village of Ban Vam. The trail passes through bamboo forests, rivers, waterfalls and the “Ban Luoc Gateway to Paradise”. Of course, the endless landscapes of espalier rice paddies will unfold before you as the trek progresses. This is also the time to admire the locals working and living in their natural habitat. Lunch is either with a Man Pa Tan family or at the Ban Luoc Gate. You’ll then arrive in Suoi Thau, close to some of the most impressive rice fields in the Hoang Su Phi district. Dinner and overnight stay with a long-tunic Daos family.
After a 2h30 walk, you’ll reach Su Phi where the car will pick you up to begin the transfer to Xin Man, the poorest district but one of rare beauty. Arrive for lunch, which you’ll share with your Tay minority host family. The afternoon will be spent exploring the area, enjoying the delightful mountain scenery and local life. Dinner and overnight stay with your host family.
In the morning, you’ll continue to explore this little-known tourist town, hiking along lost paths. Lunch will be taken at a local’s house, before setting off for Lao Cai along a picturesque road, stopping to soak up the air of the high northern mountains before leaving. Once in Lao Cai, you’ll be invited to try the traditional Dao herbal bath to relax after the long days of trekking. Dinner will be taken in a local restaurant before catching the night train to Hanoi.
Arriving at Hanoi train station, you’ll have breakfast at a local restaurant and then set off for the land-locked Halong Bay. On the way, you’ll visit the ancient capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu, to learn about the country’s history. You will then be taken to your guesthouse for refreshments and lunch. The afternoon bike ride takes you through local villages, rice paddies and karst peaks to Tam Coc. You’ll board a sampan, a traditional boat, and cruise along the river winding between mountains and rice paddies. Back on the bike, you’ll make your way to the Mua cave, which you can explore. But the main attraction of the site is the climb up to the Dragon Temple to admire the splendid view. Local dinner.
The day will be dedicated to exploring and discovering local crafts. We’ll pass through the villages of Kim Son, Van Lam, Phu Loc and Ba Bot to try our hand at pottery, sewing and much more. The tour also takes in the impressive 19th-century Phat Diem Cathedral. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Hai Hau, in Nam Dinh province. You’ll be welcomed at the charming Ecohost guesthouse. You’ll enjoy dinner with a few specialties. Take advantage of the cool evening to stroll through the city streets before spending the night.
Wake up early to watch the sunrise and the local fish market. Return to your host family for breakfast. You will then head for the salt marsh village of Bach Long. You’ll learn about and witness the daily life of the hard-working inhabitants. Continuing on, you’ll reach Xuan Thuy National Park, famous for its unspoilt nature and mangroves. You’ll then board a local boat to reach the “clam pavilion”, houses high above the water. You’ll experience clam digging before enjoying a seafood lunch inside, a unique “pavilion” experience. On the way back, you’ll stop at Co Chat, the village specialized in silk production. You’ll learn all about the process, from the silkworm nursery to the silk-making process. The village lives to the sound of the weaving machine. They still operate according to the ancestral method. You’ll also visit a small store to see some of the finished products. Return to the ecohost guesthouse to relax before enjoying a local dinner and a quiet night.
After breakfast, transfer to the enchanting Lan Ha Bay. Once at the pontoon, a small shuttle will take you to the main boat to start the cruise to Lan Ha Bay. Lunch will be served as the boat gently sails into the calm waters. The beauty of the karst peaks jutting out of the water and the color of the sea are dazzling. You’ll anchor for the first time for the first activities (depending on the cruise chosen). Back on the boat to enjoy a cocktail or massage.
Early in the morning before lunch, try your hand at a Tai Chi class on the upper pontoon. The cruise continues with a visit to the remote village of Viet Hai. This fishing village is accessible only by sea or by a long walk through Cat Ba National Park. You’ll learn about the history of Halong Bay and how to make rice alcohol. A tasting session will be offered. On the way back to the Halong pontoon, a brunch will be served. On arrival, you will be picked up by the vehicle to return to Hanoi. Break at the ecotourism village of Yen Duc on the way. Arrival in Hanoi around 5pm. Transfer to the airport or to your hotel according to your schedule.