Highlights
Take an eight days adventure to discover spectacular natural landscapes that define the Northern Vietnam. Admire the magnificent mountain ranges and rice terraces in Sapa. Marvel at thousands of limestone islets rising out emerald water of Halong Bay. Get insights into centuries-old culture and traditions of ethnic minority groups. See the hustle and bustle of Hanoi Old Quarter. Come and explore different faces of Vietnam, you will fall in love with this incredible country.
Details
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi Old Quarter
Day 3: Hanoi - Lao Cai - Sapa
Day 4: Sapa Hill Tribe Villages
Day 5: Sapa Local Markets - Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Day 7: Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island
Day 8: Hanoi or Hai Phong Departure
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi
Xin Chào. Welcome to Hanoi. Meet with your guide at the airport and head to your hotel to refresh yourself. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B/L)
Depart for a full day tour of Hanoi. Begin with a visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday). The museum offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam in an effort to preserve cultural heritage and promote socio-cultural diversity.
Continue to the famed Temple of Literature. Become fascinated with the stories of the building and get a glimpse of the past when it served as the Vietnam’s first university, dating back to 1076.
Eat for good and have lunch at KOTO Van Mieu Restaurant, close by Temple of Literature. KOTO is a not-for-profit social enterprise that empowers at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam through its holistic hospitality-training program.
Spend this afternoon a wander through some of the Old Quarter’s 36 streets named for the products historically sold there. Let the guide lead the way through a labyrinthine of back alleys into the city’s authentic heart; pass by time-worn temples and traditional houses to encounter people who call this fascinating city home. Stop for some traditional deserts (chè), before heading to your final stop at Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Sapa (B)
Leave Hanoi to the former hill station of Sapa by join-in limousine bus. Your road journey takes about five hours (300km), passing through peaceful countryside and impressive mountainous landscapes of the Far North. On arrival, check in your hotel in Sapa.
This afternoon, you are free at leisure. Take a short walk to discover the town of Sapa independently or join a scenic cable car ride up 3,143 meters above sea level to the summit of Fansipan – the highest peak of the Indochina (at your own expense). Marvel at an incredible panoramic view of Hoang Lien Mountain Range and Muong Hoa Valley.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa Hill Tribe Villages (B/L)
Meet your local guide this morning, then drive 30km north of Sapa to visit one of the most colorful and fascinating minority groups in the region: the Red Dao (also called Yao or Dzao) at Ban Khoang Village. Stop on the way to enjoy the breathtaking views of Hoang Lien Mountain Range and Sin Chai Valley. On arrival in Ban Khoang, take an easy walk to visit a village of the Red Dao and get insight into their vibrant daily life.
Leave Ban Khoang for about 10km road transfer to Ta Giang Phinh, inhabited by the Black H’mong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream. Enjoy an hour lunch break en route on the bank of the stream. Walk with the guide on the village pathway, which winds down the impressive valley. Visit some local houses to see handicrafts workshops and observe villagers working in the fields with buffalos.
Transfer back to Sapa. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa Local Market - Hanoi (B/L)
Discover the local lifestyle by visiting one of the most popular markets in the region. On setting dates, ethic minority groups gather at the markets to trade goods that cannot be found elsewhere: hand-made jewellery, textiles, food delicacies, medicinal herbs and spices, and animals. These markets are also colorful meeting or socializing places as some simply come to catch up. Visiting a local market is truly an unforgettable and authentic experience, more so if you are a food or photography enthusiast.
Note: Your trip should coincide with one of the following market days: Bac Ha Market on Sunday, Coc Ly Market on Tuesday, Cao Son Market on Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin Market on Thursday, Can Cau Market or Pha Long Market on Saturday.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Mid afternoon transfer to a hotel in Lao Cai and have day use room for freshening up. Say goodbye to your Sapa local guide and have overnight train to return Hanoi.
Overnight on the train.
Day 6 : Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)
The train arrives Hanoi in early morning. Arrival Hanoi Train Station then transfer (owner account) to a restaurant for breakfast. Mid morning leave Hanoi to Halong Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City or Hai Phong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself.
In the afternoon, enjoy group excursions, activities or just spend some time relaxing on board. Activities are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions. Sightseeing usually includes visiting floating villages or caves on the islands. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight on board the boat.
Day 7: Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island (B/L/D)
Spend this full day exploring the Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. A great day out of many exciting activities, usually includes: swimming on the beach, kayaking to discover cave, cycling or trekking on Cat Ba Island. Guests might be required to transfer to a smaller boat for day activities (depend on each boat's itinerary). Detail cruise itinerary will be provided upon your request. Full board meals are served on board.
Overnight on board the boat.
Day 8: Departure (B)
Enjoy the morning in the middle of Halong Bay. Breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessel cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards the port. Mid-morning the boat will return to shore. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport or Hai Phong International Airport for next destinations.
Special Rates
Please contact us for the best rates.
Services included
+ 2 nights hotel accommodation in Hanoi (twin/double sharing)
+ 2 nights hotel accommodation in Sapa (twin/double sharing)
+ 1 night on board the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai: A/C soft sleeper (4 berths/cabin sharing)
+ 2 nights on board the boat in Halong Bay (twin/double sharing)
+ Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
+ Private English speaking local guide on day tours, except on Halong boat (for other languages supplements apply)
+ Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
+ Transfer from Sapa to Hanoi by limousine bus (join-in 9 seats or 18 seats)
+ Entrance fees for mentioned visits
+ Taxes and service charges
Services not included
+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)
+ Visa fee, travel insurance
+ Meals other than mentioned above
+ Early check-in or late check-out fees
+ Camera/video entrance fees (if any)
+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)
+ Additional transfer required due to emergency situation
+ Peak season surcharge and compulsory gala dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec
+ Guide and driver tips
+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
Terms & Conditions
PAYMENT
Booking is made more than 30 days prior to arrival date: a 50% deposit of total value is required upon confirmation. The balance must be paid at least 30 days prior to arrival date.
Booking is made less than 30 days prior to arrival date: 100% of total value is required upon confirmation.
Payment method: by bank transfer or by credit card. Client/remitting party must cover their own bank charges. Credit card payment incurs a merchant service fee of 2% for Visa, Mastercard and 3% for American Express, in addition to the total amount payable.
Booking will be cancelled if payments are not received on due date(s).
CANCELLATION/AMENDEMENT
Cancellations or amendments must be informed in writing. E-mail cancellation or booking amendments are only effective once re-confirmed by FantaSea Travel. We strongly recommend you to purchase travel insurance to cover cancellation cost if any. We do not cover any costs related to your travelling risk. Should you have to cancel or amend, the following terms will apply:
Normal Season:
More than 30 days: 10% of total value
From 15 to 30 days: 25% of total value
From 8 to 14 days: 50% of total value
Within 7 days or no show: 100% of total value
Peak Season (20 DEC - 10 JAN):
More than 45 days: 10% of total value
From 31 to 45 days: 25% of total value
From 15 to 30 days: 50% of total value
Within 14 days or no show: 100% of total value
Certain special offers may be non-refundable/non-amendable. These will be advised to you at the time of booking. Refund can take up to 45 days after cancellation date.
COVID-19 POLICY
For all new bookings made from 1 January 2021, we grant free cancellation up to 7 days prior to arrival (thereafter 100% charge) if the reason for cancellation is related to COVID-19 such as the following:
+ Guests suspected or confirmed to carry the virus
+ Guests being denied to board an airplane
+ Border closures in Vietnam, in a neighboring country for tour bookings or in the guests’ country of residence
+ Quarantine obligation
+ New lockdown
In such circumstances, FantaSea Travel will allow you to change the dates of your tour or offer you a credit for another tour. This policy is only valid if the ability to travel is beyond the control of the guest. Guests are required to provide reasonable documentation confirming that their inability to travel is due to COVID-19 related matters. The final decision to waive cancellation charges lies entirely with FantaSea Travel at all times.
For cancellations or booking modifications due to reasons not related to COVID-19 our standard policies as stipulated in this offer apply.
