NORTH OF VIETNAM HIDDEN BEAUTIES 9 DAYS 7 NIGHTS

Hanoi - Duong Lam - Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Halong - Hanoi

5.0 0 Rating

90% Recommended

Duration

9 Days - 8 Nights

Language

English

Highlights

Visit beautiful Hanoi city with wonderful Chinese and French architecture - Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter by traditional cyclo and experience the unique charm of the city’s historic streets - Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique folk art - Visit Duong Lam - the Oldest Village in Vietnam with many beautiful ancient pagoda, communal houses - Enjoy relaxing bicycle ride in Mai Chay valley - Breathtaking boat ride in Tam Coc (Dry Halong Bay) in Ninh Binh - Interesting experience in a Tour: “Being a Farmer” - Unforgettable overnight cruise trip in Halong Bay – New 7 Natural Wonder of The World

Itinerary

day 1

Day 1: Hanoi arrival – Hanoi city haft day tour (L)

• Upon arrival at the airport in the morning, you will be welcomed by tour guide and driver and transferred to center of Hanoi.

• We start the Hanoi city haft day tour by visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in this city with a long-standing history. Being a sacred “gem” in the middle of West Lake, this religious site is an ideal spot for any cultural enthusiast in Vietnam’s capital. Then, continue to Quan Thanh temple, is one of the four revered temples guarding the four sides of Hanoi. Many historically valuable things have been preserved in this location.

• Have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to your hotel for check-in and relax at hotel.

• In the afternoon, explore the Hanoi Old Quarter by traditional cyclo and experience the unique charm of the city’s historic streets. This relaxing ride offers visitors a memorable glimpse into the culture and daily life of Hanoi;

• Visit Ngoc Son temple which is a famous attraction in Hanoi, which features traditional architecture and the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. It is a sacred site where people come to pray for good fortune and peace of mind.

• Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique folk art that originated a thousand years ago during the Ly dynasty. A water puppet show depicts the daily activities in Vietnamese rural life as well as important historical events and ancient legends. Each water puppet is hand-carved and given five layers of lacquer paint to protect the puppets from the water and to add vital colors to the performance; • Come back hotel. The rest of time is free at leisure.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

day 2

Day 2: Hanoi city full day tour (B/L)

• Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone;

• In the morning, your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature;

• Have lunch at local restaurant

• In the afternoon, continue to visit one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum), the Hanoi Train Street; Hoa Lo prison;

• Come back hotel. The rest of time is free at leisure.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

day 3

Day 3: Hanoi – Dương Lam village – Mia pagoda – Mong Phu village (B/L)

• After your hotel breakfast, our driver and guide pick up at your hotel for transfer to Duong Lam village.

• Arrive Duong Lam village, learn more about religion by visiting Mia Temple, one of the 10 oldest temples in Vietnam with 287 Buddha statues. You will walk along the village and enjoy local specialties such as glutinous rice wine and che lam.

• Visit Ngo Quyen Mausoleum - one of Vietnam's most revered historical buildings. Then, pay your respects at the Temple of Phung Hung, which has been built in several locations around Vietnam. Yet, the one in Duong Lam (Son Tay town, Hanoi) has an enormous, unique architecture with historical and cultural qualities.

• Have lunch at local restaurant.

• Explore Art & Architecture: Visit some UNESCO Conservation Heritage sites including Duong Lam Ancient Gate, Mong Phu Communal House, and 400-year-old houses (national heritages), as well as an Ancient house and Cafe Village.

• Return to your hotel in Hanoi. The rest of time is free & easy.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

day 4

Day 4: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Thung Khe Pass/ Mai Chau Valley - Biking Tours (B/L/D)

• 7.00 - 7.45: Pickup at your hotel

• 10.00: Short break • 11.30 - 12.00: Scenic photo stop of Thung Khe Pass/ Mai Chau valley. Arrive in Mai Chau, welcome Drinks. • 12.15: Traditional lunch in local village

• 14.00 - 16.30: Bicycle ride with your tour guide, see farmers working in fields, locals weaving scarves and visit surrounding peaceful villages.

• 16.30 - 18.00: Free time for bicycling, walking, shopping

• 18.00: Enjoy dinner and watch the Thai’s traditional dance and drink the traditional wine “ruou can”.

Overnight at hotel in Mai Chau

day 5

Day 5: Mai Chau – Na Meo village – Na Mo village - Ninh Binh – cycling around Tam Coc town (B/L)

• 7.30 - 8.00: Wakeup and eat breakfast

• 8.00: Go with local tour guide to visit more remote rural villages Na Meo village and Na Mo villages to understand more about their culture and customs.

• 12.00: Check-out then have lunch at local restaurant

• 13.00 - 15.00: Free time for shopping and relaxing

• 15.00 - 15.30: Say goodbye to the family to get on the van to drive to Ninh Binh

18.30 - 19.00: Arrive in Ninh Binh. Drop you off at your hotel. Then we start the relax cycling around the town.

• After cycling, come back hotel. The rest of time is free at leisure

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Bình

day 6

Day 6: Ninh Binh – Tam Coc boat trip – Mua cave - Bai Dinh – Hoa Lu (B/L)

• Have breakfast at your hotel in Ninh Binh. After that, our driver and tour guide pick up and transfer you to visit Tam Coc by 1.5 hours by bamboo boat. During the boat trip, you will be surprised by the charming beauty here with paddy field, river, water, cloud, sky and stunning cave system. All make a masterpiece which Vietnamese people called “Halong Bay on land”

• Visit Mua cave: You will hike up on the mountain to reach dragon view from bottom to top almost 500 stairs and welcome you there will be an amazing and fantastic view of Tam Coc river, dragon view, rice paddy view.…

• Have lunch at local restaurant

• Continue to visit Bai Dinh pagoda. Bai Dinh pagoda is the biggest pagoda in Vietnam, you will see 500 La Han statues, the biggest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam which are 10 meters in height and 100 tons in weight.

• Stop to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital of Vietnam between 968 and 1010. You have a chance to learn about Vietnamese history in the feudal system under Dinh, Le and Ly Dynasty.

• Come back hotel for relax.

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh

day 7

Day 7: Tam Coc farmer experience – Phat Diem cathedral (B/L)

• Have breakfast at your hotel in Ninh Binh. After that, our driver and tour guide pick up you at around 08:30 for transfer to the farm

• 09:00: Arrive the farm, you will have welcome drink, change into farmer outfits, feed chickens and ducks, prepare farming tools • 9:30: Learn how to plant, water, pick fruits, and harvest vegetables in the garden

• 10:30: Join farming activities: fish catching with traditional traps, rice planting

• 11:00: Change into chef outfits – Cooking class

o Husking rice, pounding rice, winnowing rice, learning how rice is made

o Make fresh salad from garden vegetables

o Make grilled minced pork wrapped in betel leaves

o Make grilled pork vermicelli (bun cha)

o Roast sweet potatoes (or cassava, corn)

• 12:00: Enjoy lunch at the farm

• 13:00: End of this tour, free time to explore the farm. Then come back your hotel in Ninh Binh.

• This afternoon, you will continue to visit Phat Diem Cathedral - the most famous Cathedral in Vietnam which was built from stone following Oriental Architecture. Back to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh

day 8

Day 8: Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

• After your hotel breakfast, we transfer to Halong – Tuan Chau Marrina. It will take you about 3 hours driving from Ninh Binh to Halong.

• 11:30-12:00: Upon arrival at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

• 12:30: Upon boarding Le Journey Premium Cruise, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Surprising Cave.

• Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Surprising Cave. • 14:45: Explore the Surprising Cave – the most beautiful cave in HaLong Bay.

• After that, we will take you to visit Titop Island – swimming, climbing up to the Top of the Island – take the best view of Ha Long Bay in the Summer time.

• 17:30-18:00: Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

• You will be instructed to make delicious Fresh Spring rolls by our chef and then enjoy the rolls made on your own.

• 17:30-18:30: Happy hour – BUY 2 DRINK GET 1 FOR FREE (cocktails, mocktails…)

• 19:00-20:00: Enjoy your dinner on the Sundeck (if the weather is favorable) • After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. Enjoying music and some drinks at Sky Bar while admiring the breathtaking view of the Bay at night or squid fishing.

• The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night stay in quiet area

day 9

Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi – End of Our Services !

• 06:00-06:30: Enjoy on Sundeck with Tai Chi

• 06:45-07:30: Have breakfast on board while the boat starts cruising to the Natural Preservation Area.

• 07:45-09:00: Le Journey Premium Cruise will take you to the Luon cave area, and you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousand-year-old rock formations.

• 09:30: Check-out time. Please put your luggage outside your cabin and leave the room key at the reception desk. Our staff will transfer your luggage to the waiting area. While waiting, you can shop for some products of Le Journey Premium Cruise.

• 10:00: Enjoy an early lunch at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle the bills if any.

• 11:00: Arrival at Tuan Chau Marina.

Our private transfer and guide pick up and transfer you back to Hanoi center, drop off you at your hotel. End of Our Services !

Inclusions

Accommodation at Hotel with breakfast (Based on Twin/DBL sharing)
Water Puppet Show
Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, Br = Brunch)
Two bottles of water per day
Excellent English Speaking Tour Guide. Other languages upon request.
Overnight Cruise in Ha Long Bay base on Twin/ Double sharing cabin, (Full meals).
Air - Conditioned Vehicle
Entrance fees
Facilities on the fields
Bicycles
Cyclo ride (rickshaw) around Old quarter Hanoi

Exclusions

Visa Handling fee, visa stamp fee.
Other services not mentioned as the above
Bank Transfer Fees
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
Travel insurance & Tips/Gratuities
Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels & Single supplement
Drinks/beverage not mentioned & Personal insurance
All airfares

Contact

Please feel free to contact us by

0962130566 contact@seagullstravel.com

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