Hanoi Vietnam

With its beautiful temples, wild jungles, delicious street food, ravishing coastline and its mosaic of cultures, Vietnam really deserves to be on every traveler’s top list. From the peaceful Hanoi’s pagodas and French-styled boulevards, to a cruise among the surreal-looking limestone islands in Halong Bay, there are many fascinating and surprising places to explore.
In truth, to really appreciate Vietnam's wonders, you really must see it with your own eyes.

Day 1 - Arrival

- Arrival at Hanoi Airport. Depending on your arrival time, we’ll start by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s house.
- Thereafter we’ll go to the Hanoi Army Museum, Air Force Museum and Hoa Lo Prison to get a perspective on the conflict from the northern side. - Guided tour of the Old Quarter and shopping. The Water Puppet Show may be possible depending on your arrival date.
- Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 - Halong Bay

- Travel to Halong Bay and board our private junk to begin a one-night cruise through spectacular Halong Bay and see the amazing limestone karsts: Sung Sot caves, Cap De Islet, Trong (Drum) Cave and many others.
- You will have time to swim and the opportunity to take part in an optional activity of kayaking or to climb the peak of the mountain for some breath-taking views of the Bay.

Day 3 - Last day cruise & return to Hanoi

- We will continue cruising through the bay to our return point which arrives in the harbour at noon. We will then take the coach back to Hanoi.
- En-route back to Hanoi we will stop off at the Bat Trang Ceramic Village, where you will have the opportunity to learn and make a small vase or bowl.
- Hanoi: dinner in a local restaurant before your transfer to the railway station for the night train to Sapa.
The group will be in 4 berth wooden cabins with air conditioning.

Day 4 - Meeting the locals

- Upon arrival, walk to Catcat village, home of the Black H’mong hill tribe.
- Continue to Ta Van village, home of the Dzay and Black Mong hill tribes. Meet the local tribesmen to learn about their everyday life and customs.
- You will also partake in visiting the local schools, planting trees and meeting the students for your CAS project. - Back to Sapa Town for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Red Dao & H’mong minority groups

- Cycle journey to the Red Dao village of Ta Phin. From the winding roads on the hillside there are some excellent views over the rice paddy fields below.
- Explore the villages of the Red Dao and the Black H’mong minority groups. - Return train journey to Hanoi.

Day 6 - CAS Project

- Spend time in Hanoi interacting with the disabled children of a local school. The CAS project is open to change depending on your requests and focus.
- Dinner at local restaurant.

Day 7 - Hanoi

- Explore Hanoi and do some shopping. After a busy week you will have time to pick up any last minute gifts, explore the shops and have some time to yourselves.

Day 8 - Departure

- Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
The program will vary depending on departure time.