Arrival in Hanoi – Welcome to Vietnam!

Vietnam is developing rapidly, but it holds on to the charming traditions and culture that make it a fascinating holiday destination. Vietnam’s history has been shaped by Chinese, French, and American influences.

After customs clearance and immigration formalities, your local guide or driver (depending on the service booked) will give you a welcome pack with all the necessary documents and supporting documents.

Transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel and free time. (without tour guide).

 No early check-in included.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal(s) included: Breakfast

Start the day by stopping by the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (view from the outside). Then visit the Temple of Literature with its walled courtyards and graceful gates. It was founded in 1070 and is dedicated to Confucius and is the site of Vietnam’s first university. Walk through the Old Quarter, a fascinating network of narrow streets and small shops, also  known as ‘The 36 Street’. Every street there was named after the goods that were traditionally sold – from fabrics and crafts to medicines and tombstones.

Enjoy a Vietnamese coffee at a local café. Stop at the Ancient House on Ma May Street, an excellent example of earlier, traditional Hanoi-style architecture.

Visit to the Museum of Ethnology with a lecture on the Vietnamese minorities (2-3 hours)

This museum brings to life the amazing ethnic diversity in Vietnam with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum there are detailed descriptions of minority groups with examples of their traditional dress and way of life. Outside, faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other characteristic ethnic buildings can be seen.

The Ethnological Museum is closed on Mondays and Vietnamese New Year holidays.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal(s) included: Breakfast

Depart from Hanoi to Tu Le on a scenic five-hour drive. Lunch stop en route at a local restaurant. Arrive in Tu Le late afternoon and then enjoy a hot spring bath surrounded by nature.

Overnight in Tu Le

Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch

Early morning, after breakfast, transfer to Mu Cang Chai where you will embark on a ttrek through the area.

Visit the village of Sang where the Hmong tribe live. From the village, walk for about two hours along the trail which marks the border between the two provinces of Yen Bai and Son La. Admire the spectacular terraced fields in the Ngoc Chien Valley. These landscapes are considered an ideal destination for photographers and painters.

Continue through the pine forest and down the valley to discover the life of the minorities. The stilts along the creek are the symbol of the Thai people from ancient times. After enjoying lunch here, there is time to walk through the small streets of the village to chat with the locals.

Trekking duration: easy 7km – 3.5hrs

From Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai) to Sa Pa (191 km) by vehicle:

Drive down along the gorge of the Nam Kom River to the small town of Than Uyen. The road follows the Hoang Lien Son Mountains and winds through tea plantations and rice terraces. Climb two hill passes covered with tea plantations: the O Quy Ho Pass and the Tram Ton Pass. Arrive in Sa Pa in the late afternoon.

Transfer by vehicle from Sa Pa to Topas Riverside Lodge followed by free time.

Lodging in Sa Pa

Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nam Cang Hike:

Breakfast is served on the terraces just a few metres from the river and then it’s time for another beautiful day. The trek begins with a climb to a small H’mong village. The Blue H’mong live mainly on the other side of the Hoang Lien Mountains in the deepest part of the Sapa Valley in two small villages. Make a descent to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu with beautiful views of high mountains, waterfalls and the valley. Enjoy a picnic.

In the afternoon, turn onto a small dirt road and take in the magnificent views of the rice valley dotted with bamboo huts, which were used by local farmers as overnight huts on harvest days. Passing the rice terraces and a river, wander along a quiet road before arriving back at the village of Nam Cang. It’s a great time for a cold beer or refreshment by the river in front of the lodge. Overnight at Topas Riverside Lodge.

Moderate: 5-6 hours walk

Lodging in Sa Pa

Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nam Cang Hike:

In the morning, take a walk into the jungle to explore the beautiful nature. There is the opportunity to meet the locals – often walking barefoot. The higher you go, the more you will be inspired by the origin of nature. On the way back, visit one of the small houses of the remote Red Dao minorities who live just outside the forest.

Now the forest opens up with a great view of the valley, a stream and several forest-covered hills. Return to Topas Riverside Lodge and enjoy another mountain lunch.

Afternoon at leisure.

 Grade: Easy / about two hours walk

Lodging in Sa Pa

Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Excursion to the Ethnic Minorities Market and visit to Ta Phin Village:

This morning, your guided tour will include one of the famous weekly markets. This is where the local ethnic minorities wear their most beautiful costumes as they sell homemade products and engage in trade. The Flower Hmong group is best recognised by their colourful dresses. After a short photo stop at the Chinese border, visit the village of Taphin, home to the Red Dao, who originated from China in the 12th century. The Dao women are recognisable by the bright red turban they wear and, in some cases, their shaved eyebrows.

By car, take the highway back to Hanoi from Topas Ecolodge.

The market with the minorities is closed on Fridays.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal(s) included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay (160 km) and stop en-route to stretch our legs and use the restrooms at one of the charity souvenir shops.

Transfer to/from Tuan Chau Marina Port (10 km).

With hundreds of limestone karst-mountains and bizarre rock formations rising dramatically from the emerald green water, Halong Bay is one of the must-see place in Vietnam. Spend a night on the cruise boat surrounded by these stunning views. Arrive at the harbour at noon, check in and board the boat. Enjoy lunch while cruising towards the bay. The afternoon is full of activities such as visits to a cave and floating farm, relaxing o the beach or simply sunbathing on the sundeck (the programme varies depending on each boat). Get ready to take plenty of photos of the bay at sunset. Dinner will be served on the boat before enjoying a relaxing night anchored in calm waters.

No guide on board with guests. On-board English speaking guide is arranged by the junk.

Optional scenic flight (25 mins/ joined in):

The only way to truly appreciate the magnificent scenery of Ha Long Bay is by scenic flight. Admire the stunning seascapes made up of nearly 2,000 limestone islands rising from the emerald, green waters, strewn over an area of ​​nearly 2,000 square kilometres.

Taking off and landing on the water at Tuan Chau Marina, our 25-minute scenic flight showcases the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, offering a completely different perspective than from a cruise ship. From the air, the many islands appear like mountain ranges, the embodiment of ‘Ha Long’, meaning ‘descending dragon’.

Overnight on board

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wake up and enjoy the fresh morning air in the bay. Start your day by joining a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Rejuvenate your body and mind with the slow movements of this ancient practise.

Breakfast (or brunch) will be served on the boat while cruising back to the port, passing the majestic peaks. Disembark from the cruise.

Note: The programme may be changed due to weather conditions, tide conditions and local authorisation.

Transfer by vehicle from Halong to Noi Bai Airport (160 km) for your international departure flight. Lunch stop en route at a local restaurant.

Meal(s) included: Brunch Lunch

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