Tourcode VIE 903 - 6 days / 5 nights

Hanoi - Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Hanoi

Daily departure from/to Hanoi, minimum 2 persons, private tour

DAY 1 HANOI

On arrival you are welcomed by the representative of our local partner agency. Then transfer to the hotel in the city center and take a half day city tour. Hanoi got 1000 years of history and culture. It's many trees, lakes and the French quarter is also the reason why the city often is called "the Paris of the east". See some sights, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (it is closed on Monday and Friday!). Just next to it take a look to the President Palace & Garden with its house on stilts. An orientation drive via the colonial quarter to the West lake before taking a visit to the Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam's first university will follow. Finally take a short cyclo trip to discover the bustling old part of the city. In the evening an OPTIONAL visit to the famous Water Puppet Show can be arranged.

DAY 2 HANOI - MAI CHAU B/L/D

After breakfast drive first to the ancient city of Duong Lam and take a stroll through the tiny ancient alleys with it's houses, built 100 years ago. You also get the chance to take a bicycle ride in the rural area around the village. Then you will enjoy a tasty home hosted lunch in traditional atmosphere at one of the oldest houses of the village. Afterwards continue to Mai Chau, a mosaic of rice fields, bamboo groves and scattered settlements of the White Thai people surrounded by the beautiful mountain wilderness. Spend the night here in a local house on stilts of a local family.

DAY 3 MAI CHAU - NINH BINH B/L

Early morning take a walk around the village and also through rice fields. After breakfast leave Mai Chau and head towards Ninh Binh, the province of limestone mountains, caves and crystal rivers. On route first visit Hoa Lu, which used to be the 3rd capital of Vietnam during 10th and 11th century. Go on to Tam Coc and here board a local sampan boat on the Ngo Dong River. Do enjoy the great scenery and observe the rural life here in the country side. You will pass 3 caves before returning to the boat station. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

DAY 4 NINH BINH - HALONG BAY B/L/D

After breakfast drive to Halong Bay through the Red River Delta along many rice fields. Upon arrival to Halong embark to the junk on Hon Gai International Harbour. You will be welcomed by the cruise staff. Enjoy the welcome drink, cruise briefing, then check in at your cabin. The junk will start cruising on magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay while you enjoy lunch on board. It also a great chance to admire the fascinating rock formations in the bay. In the afternoon you will visit the secluded cave of Thien Canh Son, then take a short cruise to Hon Co Island, where you can relax on a white sandy beach, combined with swimming or kayaking. Back to the junk, relax and get ready for dinner. Overnight on the junk.

DAY 5 HALONG BAY - HANOI B/L

Greet the day watching sunrise over the bay. Enjoy the bay's morning landscape with a cup of tea or coffee and then have breakfast in the open air. Afterwards you will have a chance to visit Vung Vieng fishing village in a rustic rowing-boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms. Then back to the junk for more leisure time or swimming in the middle of the bay. Then cruise back to the harbor, while an a la carte lunch will be served. At noon, disembark to the port and drive back to Hanoi (it takes about 2,5 hours). Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 6 HANOI B

Time at leisure until your transfer to the airport and continue your journey...or extend your stay in Hanoi, depends on your further schedule.

REMARKS/FLEXIBILITY:

• Except for some nationalities (please check with us!) who can enter Vietnam without visa for a maximum stay of 15 days, you have to get your visa for Vietnam in advance! Please contact your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate for it. With "a letter of approval for visa on arrival" we still can also arrange the visa on arrival. If you wish to do so, please let us know at the time of booking! And in the mean time for most nationalities there is also an online visa service available: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu
• For the night in Mai Chau instead at the very basic homestay accommodation it is also possible to stay at a lodge.
• Additional nights in Hanoi before/after this tour package can be booked with us

PRICE INCLUDES:

Air-conditioned transportation during the tour, English speaking tour guide, all transfers and excursions as mentioned in the above itinerary, accommodation for 3 nights at middle class hotels, 1 night at a simple, but clean house on stilts of a local family in Mai Chau (Homestay) and 1 night on a comfortable junk at Halong Bay incl. daily breakfast, all other meals as per program (L = lunch, D = dinner), entrance fees as per program

NOT INCLUDED:

Visa for Vietnam, drinks, tips and personal expenses

HOW TO GET TO HANOI:

From/to Bangkok (Thailand) flights by Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Air Asia, Viet Jet Air and Thai Lion Air. From/to Chiang Mai flights by Bangkok Airways and Thai Air Asia. From/to Vientiane and Luang Prabang (Laos) flights by Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. From/to Siem Raep (Cambodia) flights by Vietnam Airlines and Viet Jet Air. From/to Yangon (Myanmar) by Vietnam Airlines and Viet Jet Air. All these flights can be booked with us.