Northern vietnam tour 7 days

• Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and One pillar pagoda.

• The Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Inside are the stone steles mounted on the backs of turtles, inscribed with the names of the university’s graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. The temple highlights the importance influence that Vietnamese society has placed on education.
• Museum of Ethnology: This museum is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the grounds.
• NgocSon Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, with history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends. One legend has it that in the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this to mean that peace had returned and the sword had been given back to its guardian spirit. In honour of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.
• One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter - a must for any visitor to Hanoi! A cyclo (pronounced see-clo) is a Vietnamese version of a cycle rickshaw, originally used as the main form of transportation in Vietnam, it has now been overtaken by motorbikes, but still very much remains at the heart of Vietnamese culture. Sit back and relax as you witness the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life from the comfort of your arm chair! The Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, is a bustling area of narrow streets home to literally thousands of small businesses, shopkeepers and street vendors, selling everything from bananas to books. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ were related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street. It’s a great place to explore and the slow pace of a cyclo will enable numerous photo opportunities
• Halong bay is one of seven natural wonder of the world, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of 1500 square km. with more than a thousand limestone peaks soaring from its crystalline emerald water. The calm sea provides an ideal location for sea kayaking as we paddle through a maze of islets amid dramatic natural scenery. With our modern kayaking equipment, we are able to maximize on speed and maneuverability as we paddle through the open sea and explore the many hidden lagoons and stalagmite caves that are difficult to access by any other means. After a day of paddling we unwind on our boat and enjoy dinner. As with our other Kayak tours, this tour offers flexibility in activity levels while still combining the best of sea kayaking. Designed with this in mind it is a good tour for both novice and experienced Kayaker alike with a little more time to spare
• Sapa :The Queen of the Mountains, Sapa sits regally overlooking a beautiful valley, lofty mountains towering over the town on all sides. Welcome to the destination in northwest Vietnam, gateway to another world of mysterious minority cultures and luscious landscapes. The spectacular scenery that surrounds Sapa includes cascading rice terraces that spill down the mountains like a patchwork quilt. The mountains are often shrouded in mist that rolls back and forth along the peaks, offering tantalising glimpses of what lies in wait on a clear day. The valleys and villages around Sapa are home to a host of hill-tribe people who wander in to town to buy, sell and trade.

-         Arriving in Hanoi

-         Our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel.

-         Free time at leisure

-         President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and residence complex

-         Hanoi  temple of literature

-         VietnamMuseumof Ethnology

-         One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi

-         Walking around Hanoi kiem lake and Ngoc Son temple

-         Night train to Sapa

Meals:Hotel breakfast; lunch

-         The night train arrive in Lao Cai station at 6 AM

-         Take driving up from Lao Cai station  to at an elevation of 1600 metres, Sapa is a delightful former French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnam’s northwest, close to the Chinese border. The region is home to many ethnic minority groups each wearing their traditional, colourful attire.

-         Taking a guided walk through emerald rice paddies and tiny hill tribe villages.

-         The afternoon is spent exploring the fabulous markets selling traditional art and crafts, embroidery and silver.

Meals:Hotel breakfast; lunch

-         Spend the half of day  for trekking to hill tribe villages

-         Return to Sapa by van. A refreshing shower will be arranged before your train in Sapa or Lao Cai

-         Taking the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

-         Hanoiarrival in early morning and having short break, shower & breakfast in mini – hotel before departure to Halong bay at 8 AM

-         Departure from Hanoi and then the drive takes around 3 hours with a refreshment break en route

-         Arrive into Halong Bay at midday and transfer to your comfortable junk and begin your cruise around majestic Halong Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch

-         Explore limestone caves dotted around the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck.

Meals: Hotel breakfast, lunch  

- Enjoy an early morning swim followed by breakfast - Visit Luon Cave before cruising back to the main harbor for your drive to Hanoi - On arrival at about 5pm you will be dropped off back at your hotel in Hanoi