Northern Vietnam “Golden Season” Luxury Adventure

Upon your arrival in Hanoi, our driver and tour guide will pick you up and take you to the hotel. In the afternoon, you will start the Hanoi city tour by visiting the Museum of Ethnology and then return to central Hanoi for a 45-minute cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, famous for its 36 streets. Conclude the day by watching an exciting water puppet performance, a unique art form of Northern Vietnam, said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta. The performance uses colorful wooden puppets to depict scenes of rural life and periods of the nation's history set to music. Overnight in Hanoi. Service includes: Transfer: Private  Guide: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) on tour  Meal: None Hotel: Minasi Premium

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, our guide and driver will greet and whisk you on a scenic journey through a village deep in the Sapa Valley. The 5-hour drive will be filled with mountain landscapes. Upon arrival in the village, you'll be warmly welcomed by a local family who will treat you to lunch. After the meal, you will walk on trails leading to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu. Here, you'll have the opportunity to meet the villagers, share a cup of fragrant green tea in their traditional home, and gain a firsthand understanding of their daily life. As you leave the village behind, a small dirt trail unfolds, revealing breathtaking views of the valley adorned with bamboo huts. These unique structures serve as temporary shelters for local farmers during harvest season. As you continue your walk, you'll pass by cascading rice terraces and a refreshing river before reaching the charming village of Nam Cang. Nam Cang village, nestled at the far end of Sapa Valley, is known for its vast cardamom forest and the distinct culture of the Red Dao people. The Red Dao women here wear some of the most colourful and diverse costumes among Vietnam's ethnic groups. While Nam Cang might not have the largest concentration of silversmiths, you could find beautiful handcrafted silver jewellery made by the Red Dao people. You might consider indulging in a traditional herbal bath, a specialty that the Red Dao people are highly skilled in preparing. To conclude this day, you will spend the night at a cozy homestay, enjoying a delightful dinner accompanied by some "happy water" – a local specialty! Service includes: Transfer: Private  Guide: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Hotel: Ta May homestay 

Start your day amidst the gentle sounds of nature and savour a simple but nourishing breakfast at your homestay. Afterwards, prepare for a hike uphill while you take in breathtaking vistas of rice fields blanketing the valley. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty and observe the simple way of life practised by the local ethnic groups - farming, tending livestock, and occasional market gatherings. Following your village visit, enjoy a scenic drive through the rolling rice fields en route to Sapa town. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant and take some free time to explore the vibrant town. Around 2 PM, embark on a journey to Bac Ha town. The mountain road from Sapa to Lao Cai unfolds with beautiful landscapes. The road from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai Bridge is relatively flat. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey uphill, which offers gorgeous views over the valleys. Upon arrival in Bac Ha later in the afternoon, pay a visit to the old castle of the former Hmong King before settling into your cozy homestay for a well-deserved rest. Service includes: Transfer: Private  Guide: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel: Le Chalet Homestay 

Start your Sunday with a local breakfast, then visit Bac Ha market, the region's largest and most colorful weekly gathering. You will encounter a dazzling array of ethnic minorities like the Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay, and Nung, some wearing their distinctive traditional attire. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic minority come to sell homemade products or buy things for their family. Some groups are so unique that you won't find them anywhere else. You can shop for unique handicrafts, sample local delicacies, and witness the bustling energy of a genuinely authentic marketplace. Next, transfer to Hoang Su Phi, with a fascinating stop at Phung Village. Here, you will delve into the heart of the region's iconic rice terraces. These fields are more than just stunning landscapes; they are interwoven with the rich history and traditions of the La Chi, Tay, and Nung ethnic groups. Beyond being a source of economic prosperity, they hold profound spiritual significance. A stroll through Phung Village allows one to connect with the welcoming locals and soak in the stunning views. Walking along the village pathways, absorbing the breathtaking vistas of the terraced fields, and surrendering to the symphony of birdsong, you'll truly feel the essence of nature in northern Vietnam. But here's the kicker: The Hoang Su Phi rice terraces. They are especially remarkable for their dramatic elevation and steepness, creating a scene of unmatched beauty. Immerse yourself in the wonder of traditional agriculture, where locals rely on natural conditions rather than complex irrigation systems. Today's journey concludes in Hoang Su Phi in the late afternoon. Recharge energy and prepare for further exploration in Northern Vietnam the next day. Service includes: Transfer: Private  Guide: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  Hotel: Hill Home homestay

After breakfast, prepare to be amazed. We will journey to the breathtaking rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi, a national heritage site recognized in September 2012. For over 300 years, the La Chi, Dao, and Nung ethnic groups might have sculpted these vibrant fields into the mountainsides, creating a masterpiece of agriculture. Layer upon layer of golden rice cascades down the valleys, and bathe in the warm morning sunlight. The winding terraces resemble delicate brushstrokes against a vibrant canvas, occasionally adorned by the colorful figures of local farmers working the land. Along with the stunning scenery, you will gain a deeper understanding of the unique wet rice cultivation techniques practiced by the Mong and Nung people. After admiring the unforgettable views of Hoang Su Phi, we will return to Hanoi, carrying with us the memory of this extraordinary landscape. Service includes: Transfer: Private  Guide: private guide in your language (Laos & Cambodia subject to availability) Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Hotel: Mnasi Premium 

Pick-up time: 08.15 AM After breakfast, embark on a scenic 2.5-hour journey towards breathtaking Halong Bay, with a refreshing stop to stretch your legs. On arrival at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, prepare to be amazed by the wild beauty of its iconic limestone islands rising from the emerald waters. Step aboard your luxurious Halong Bay Cruise and settle into your comfortable cabin. A delightful lunch awaits you on deck, offering the perfect way to fuel up for an unforgettable adventure. After your delicious lunch, it's time to explore. You will experience an exhilarating kayaking adventure through hidden lagoons, a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear water, and then relax on board, soaking in the stunning vistas and a glorious sunset. Dinner is served on board. As twilight descends, a peaceful night awaits you aboard your junk. Service includes: Transfer: Shuttle bus  Guide: English Speaking Guide on cruise Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel: Indochine Lan Ha Bay   

Note: Transfer Halong – Hanoi by shuttle bus Wake up early and take a position on the upper deck to witness the sun rise over the bay, a cup of hot tea in hand. Early morning is truly a magical time on the bay as the limestone karsts appear all around you in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Continue sailing through magnificent Ha Long Bay. Enjoy brunch on board before arriving at Ha Long City Pier at noon, where transportation will be waiting, and drive back to Hanoi. Service includes: Transfer: Shuttle bus    Guide: English Speaking guide on Cruise  Meal: Breakfast, Brunch  Hotel: None

Make the most of your last moments in Hanoi. Explore the city at your own pace before our guide and driver take you on a transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Service includes: Transfer: Private   Guide: No guide  Meal: Breakfast Hotel: None