Summary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Arrival at Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) via flight ???. You'll be greeted at the airport by Green Trail Tours local guide and driver and then escorted to your hotel in town. Check-in hotel and stay free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi full day tour (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Then we will have a half day tour of Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature – The first National University of Vietnam

In the afternoon, continue to visit the Ethnology museum where you can find the biggest object collection of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. In the evening, attend to the water puppet show, one of famous Vietnamese traditional art. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 3: Hanoi - Ninhbinh

After breakfast, depart for Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we will take a half hour bike through local village and rice paddy field before taking a 2-hour boat trip along the Boi river. The river trip in Thung Nang is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. After the boat trip, we can make a visit Bich Dong Pagoda. Transfer then to your hotel in Ninh Binh town for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Ninhbinh - Maichau

Transfer to Kenh Ga – “The Chicken Canal” for another boat trip along the Hoang Long river to experience the real life of a Vietnamese catholic community. Set on the banks of the Hoang Long River, Kenh Ga is a remarkable place, not only because it is surrounded by the same massive rocks that dominate Hoa Lu, but also because for most of the year the entire community lives on the water itself. The floating village of Kenh Ga receives relatively few visitors compared to nearby Hoa Lu and the peoples' aquatic way of life has changed little over the centuries.

After the boat trip, continue our journey to Mai Chau valley where we stop for overnight. In the evening, assist to the traditional music and dance show which is performed by the Thai young girls and boys who all come from the village. Try also some rice alcohol which is made of traditional plants and local sticky rice. Overnight on stilt-house.

Day 5: Maichau - Hanoi - Laocai

Breakfast at the Thai stilt house then we leave the village for a half day walking around. We will pass many different Thai hamlets, through rice fields, hill sides…We will stop by some local houses to talk with local people to understand their customs and culture. After lunch, we will take our journey back to Hanoi. Stay free at leisure until take the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Day 6: Laocai – Caoson (This day must be Wednesday or Thursday) (B)

Arrive in Lao Cai Railway station early morning. You will be welcome by Lotussia local guide and driver then transferred to a local restaurant in Lao Cai city for breakfast and short rest before proceeding to Cao Son region. Stop en route for photos. You will join the Cao Son trekking stream of people from Lung Khau Nhin and some nearby villages heading to Cao Son. Free to discover the market with our tour guide. Heading for the lunch in Cao Son Ecolodge. In the afternoon, visit the primitive forest in La Pan Tan commune. Back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Caoson – Sapa (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Sapa. We will arrive in Sapa around noon. Check-in hotel and have lunch in town. In the afternoon, there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight  in Sapa.

Day 8: Sapa - Mongsen - Taphin - Laocai – Hanoi (B,L)

After breakfast, we will travel by car downhill to Mong Sen where we starting a dirt trail through rice fields and villages. Enjoy spectacular view along the way. Your picnic lunch will be provided on spot.

After lunch, we continue our trek downhill towards Taphin village inhabited by Red Dao and Black Hmong minorities. These are two largest ethnic groups living in Sapa area. Stop by some house to meet local people and talk with them to understand their culture, customs and traditions. Late afternoon, we will trek back to to main road to get on our vehicle for the journey to Laocai railways station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Day 9: Arrive Hanoi. Hanoi – Halong (B,L,D)

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, transfer to the Morning Flower Market for a short visit before departing to Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served in a local restaurant en route. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit or take a kayaking trip to explore the Bay (optional). Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.

Day 10: Halong – Hanoi (B)

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons. Disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi.

Enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 11: Departure (B)

Departure & Price

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel.

We act responsibility by contributing to local communities, ensuring we work with reliable suppliers and paying our staff and guides a fair wage, so that you, the traveler, can sit back and enjoy your holiday in the knowledge that you have booked through a well established, professional, reputable and responsible tour operator. For more information about us please click here.

Our team are well trained, bursting with information and eager to help put together a customized quote for you so please enquire here.

INCLUSIONS:

+Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
+ Accommodation: twin sharing room at  mentioned hotels or similar one
+ English or French  speaking guide 
+ Entrance fee to indicated sights   
+ Meals as indicated : B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
+ Water puppet show 
+ Cyclo trip
+ Boat trip in mention in program.
+ Train ticket mention in program

EXCLUSIONS: 

+ Other meals
+ Tip
+ Drinks
+ Airport tax
+ Single room supplement
+ Personal expenses
+ Travel insurance
+ Visa
+ Flight in / out of Vietnam
+ Any optional additional tours
+ Activities during free time
+ Surcharge for peak season
+ Local holiday days and gala dinner.

Creating Unique Touring Experiences
All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Vietnam tour to your individual specifications.

Travel facts

Green Trail Tours - Traveller Tips for Vietnam

GEOGRAPHY: Vietnam stretches over 1600 km.along the eastern coast of the Indochina Peninsula. The S-shaped country is broad in the north and south and very narrow in the centre. Almost 80% of Vietnam consists of mountains and hills. The TruongSonMountains extend almost the length of Vietnam along the borders with Laos and Cambodia.

VISAS: All visitors are required to have a valid visa to enter Vietnam. A one-month tourist visa is usually sufficient for most visitors though it is possible to arrange 3-month and 6-month multiple entry visas for regular visitors. All visitors must obtain visa approval from the Vietnamese Immigration Department before a visa is issued.

MONEY: The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used informally throughout the country. Bank notes in denominations of 200d to 100,000d are presently in circulation. The exchange rate is approximately 18,000d = US$1. Australia Dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks, some international hotel and some exchange bureaux but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and MasterCard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops.

ELECTRICITY: Electric current in Vietnam is 220 volts and will operate all Australian appliances. Always carry a torch with fresh batteries. Recharge photographic batteries regularly.

CLOTHING: Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home

CLIMATE / WEATHER: Vietnam’s weather conditions are pleasant for visitors throughout the year. The WINTER monsoon comes from the northeast between October and March with wet chilly conditions in the north, but dry warm temperatures to the south. From April to October the southwest monsoons bring warm, humid weather to the whole country.

LANGUAGE: Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the cities and larger towns English is becoming popular and is now spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation still speak fluent French. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people

ACCOMMODATION: All group tour hotels have been especially selected. All have private western bathroom facilities. Laundry service can launder clothing within 24 hours. It is not customary for all hotels to have refrigerator and tea/coffee facilities.

FOOD / DRINK: The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.

SHOPPING: Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.

TOILETS: Public toilets can sometimes be difficult to find. Take every opportunity you can to use clean toilets in hotels and restaurants. Make this a habit on your stay.

HEALTH: Consult your medico or visit the Traveller Medical and Vaccination Centre for professional medical advice well in advance of your departure, Wash hands before and after eating. Carry ‘wet-ones’,anti bacterial handwash, insect repellant, band aids and emergency medicines eg. Diarrhoea. Drink plenty of water and have adequate rest. Seek medical care, if needed. Don’t take risks with health and personal hygiene.

SAFETY / SECURITY: Always maintain a high level of personal security. Cash or wallets in pockets, obvious jewellery and open bags attract unwanted attention. Beware of pickpockets in crowded places. Lock your case, Carry a hotel card so that taxis know where to take you.

LUGGAGE: All passengers are limited to TWO items of luggage each. One case with maximum weight weight of 20 kg. and maximum size of 70 litres. It is essential to lock this case. One piece of hand luggage with maximum weight of 5 kg. It is advisable that hand luggage consist of a ‘daypack’ to carry camera, water, toilet paper, umbrella, hat etc.

TIPPING: Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: All group tour passengers must have comprehensive travel insurance. You can complete this with Asian Trail Tours if you wish. Check your Travel Insurance Policy for an Emergency number and details of services to be provided, Carry these details with you.

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