HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHWEST VIETNAM FAMILY VACATION

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 2: HANOI FAMILY TOURS TO HA LONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

Day 3: HA LONG FAMILY TOURS TO NINH BINH

Day 4: NINH BINH SIGHTSEEING TOURS – ADVENTURE TOURS TO MAI CHAU – HOMESTAY

Day 5: MAI CHAU SIGHTSEEING FAMILY TOURS TO SON LA

Day 6: SON LA FAMILY TRIPS TO DIEN BIEN PHU – SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 7: DIEN BIEN PHU SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO TAM DUONG

Day 8: TAM DUONG FAMILY TOURS TO SAPA

Day 9: SAPA EASY TREKKING TOURS TO VILLAGES – NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI

Day 10: ARRIVAL IN HANOI – DEPARTURE

DAY 1: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: ARRIVAL – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOUR (-/-/) 

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of the unified Vietnam. The city was founded in 1010 on the right bank of the Red River and was then known as ‘Thang Long’, roughly translated as “Soaring Dragon.” Hanoi is one of the most charming cities in South East Asia with its authentic street scenes, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens and well-preserved architecture. Transfer from Noi Bai airport to the city for check in the hotel.

If time permits, you’ll join us on the city sightseeing highlights. The tour includes a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho Chi Minh (visit outside), the Single Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: HANOI FAMILY TOURS TO HA LONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE  (B/L/D) 

Early breakfast to be ready for the trip which departs at 07:45 am from your hotel. Today, you’ll journey east to Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay where you’ll spend a full day and night onboard the Royal Heritage Junk cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. The detailed itinerary comes out as follows:

12h00: Arrive Halong Bay.

12h30: Boarding Royal Heritage Cruise for departure. Welcome drink will be served

13h00: Lunch is served while cruising through the Bai Tu Long Bay.

15h15: Visit splendid Surprising Cave (Sung Sot Cave). This is one of the most beautiful grottoes in Halong

 Bay. You will feel surprised about imposing stalagmites, stalactites and many legend stories about that. 
16h15: Time for kayaking around Luon Cave area. You will have got around 45 minutes to explore Halong bay and some tunnel by yourself.

17h00: Back to Royal Heritage Cruise and drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets for swimming.
17h30: Enjoy the complimentary sunset party on the sundeck with green tea and fresh fruits. 

19h00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. 

21h00: Take some leisure time to enjoy chatting at the bar or enjoy some night fishing. 

Relax and spend a romantic night on our Cruise

DAY 3: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: HA LONG FAMILY TOURS TO NINH BINH (B/L/-)

06h30: Rise up early with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt 

07h30: Have breakfast at sunrise

08h30: Continue your cruise to Titov Island 

09h15: Continue cruising and exploring the Bay by a visit to Hoa Cuong fishing Village, Ba Hang fishing village, Ga Choi Island, Dinh Huong islet and more….

10h00: Join Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration

10h30: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier.

11h30: Disembarkation. Time to say goodbye to the crew.

12h00: Transfer to Ninh Binh City, famous for the nearby Karst scenery, the village of Tam Coc, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

DAY 4: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: NINH BINH SIGHTSEEING TOURS – ADVENTURE TOURS TO MAI CHAU – HOMESTAY (B/-/-)

In the morning, board a small sampan for a spectacular 2-hour cruise through numerous waterways and beautiful rural landscape of limestone cliffs and rice paddies in the stunning ecotourism Trang An passing an amazing system from 8 to 10 caves. Trang An is where the Skull movie was filmed. Upon the embarkation, transfer to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital to visit the famous historic temples of King Le and King Dinh who founded and ruled the early dynasties.

Continue to Van Lam village for lunch in a local restaurant. Transfer to Maichau, the beautiful gateway to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The scenic drive offers an excellent opportunity to observe rural Vietnam up-close. The valley of Mai Chau is inhabited by a community of the Thai minority group while the upper lands of Mai Chau are inhabited by the H’mong minority group.

On arrival at Mai Hich village, take a short break. Unlike the other well-known tourist destinations, Mai Hich is the newly discovered village, a harmonial combination between human being and the nature.

In the late afternoon if time permits, experience an exciting bamboo rafting to be immersed in gorgeous landscapes of jungles, the peaceful beauty of the countryside culture OR just walk around while interacting with the locals to learn how they live in this beautiful part of the world.

Homestay at the local family.

DAY 5: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: MAI CHAU SIGHTSEEING FAMILY TOURS TO SON LA (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the home-stay before we embark on a beautiful drive up north to Son La. The road is in good condition and the scenery is stunning. Stop at Xa Linh, the gateway to Moc Chau highland, to be a guest of the Black H’mong who inhabited in the highest points of the country. The trip also breaks with lots of other photo opportunities when you pass by the Black Thai villages, green tea plantations and so. Lunch is served on a local restaurant.

We reach Son La in the afternoon. Check in the hotel for refreshment followed by a walking orientation around to be a part of the area.

Overnight at the hotel in Son La 

DAY 6: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: SON LA FAMILY TRIPS TO DIEN BIEN PHU – SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Today the drive is greater with more winding roads, longer passes, more colorful minority groups and more stunning scenery. Like yesterday, have interesting stops to visit villages and take photos. Lunch is in a local

a restaurant  along the way. The highlight of today ride could be the impressive pass of Pha Din, the longest pass in Vietnam  is approximately up to 32 km .Climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges is a really an unforgettable experience. We reach Dien Bien Phu in the afternoon. We go around to explore the town.

Overnight in Dien Bien Phu (Hotel)

DAY 7: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: DIEN BIEN PHU SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO TAM DUONG (B/-/-) 

After breakfast we will drive along stunning gorges and Nam Na River. On the way we will have interesting stops to visit H’mong and Dzao villages. Lunch in Lai Chau. We would reach Tam Duong in late afternoon.

Overnight in Tam Duong Town in hotel

DAY 8: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: TAM DUONG FAMILY TOURS TO SAPA (B/-/-)

The drive today is the highlight of the whole trip. Climbing the highest pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pas, 2.000- metter above sea level. Lunch in a local restaurant. We will reach Sapa in the noon time. Sapa is the former hill station for the French colonists hundred years ago. Today, Sapa is not only known as a home of many ethnicities, but also a paradise for trekking, its beautiful trekking routes, stunning terraces and the highest mountain in Indochina, the Mt. Fansipang. 
Overnight in Sapa

Note: The weekend market (Sunday market) in Tam Duong is very interesting with lots of colorful ethnic minorities. If this day is Sunday the market will be included in the program and we would reach Sapa around 3pm.

DAY 9: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: SAPA EASY TREKKING TOURS TO VILLAGES – NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI (B/-/-)

Breakfast in the hotel. We will drive downhill to Muong Hoa valley. Today we enjoy the most beautiful trek route in Vietnam. We will trek on dirt path through pine forest, terraces go to Lao chai, Ta Van village, stop to visit minority Hmong, Zay in villages, schools and have picnic lunch by river. In the afternoon we walk to the pick-up to meet the car, transfer back to Sapa. Free at leisure then transfer to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train

DAY 10: Highlights of Vietnam Family Tour to Halong, Mai Chau, Dien Bien, Sapa: ARRIVAL IN HANOI – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Arrival in Hanoi early in the morning. Free until transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Trips end!