Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel at the city centre. In the afternoon explore a little of downtown or enjoy a traditional music performance, and a good, light-hearted introduction to the country’s culture.

"On this insightful day through Ha Noi’s busy tree lined boulevards, you’ll explore such interesting and historic sites as The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One pillar pagoda and Temple of Literature. The interesting Museum of Ethnology is also on the list, which give you an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups in anticipation of your trip to Sapa. In the afternoon, take your time to discover the city daily life in whatever you fancy. The Old Quarter is a maze of shopping streets and restaurants with a hotchpotch of architecture - traditional tube houses, religious buildings, artisans' workshops and cottages. Take a break with at a hidden cafe and enjoy a panorama of Hoan Kiem lake. An alternative for this afternoon or a possible extension is a Vietnamese Cooking Class visit a family restaurant and meet the chef visit a local market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients and try your skills in bargaining and buying among the locals. Returning to the restaurant, you'll try your hands on cooking some typical Northern Vietnamese dishes representative of the North of Vietnam."

Departing Hanoi at 8am for Halong City, upon arrival, our crew welcomes you on board the Lagoon Explorer Junk with a refreshing fruit juice. Enjoy lunch with fresh seafood (vegetarians catered for) while cruising into misty Bai Tu Long Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations. Stop to visit a cave enroute and have time for swimming and kayaking. After dinner, night fishing is available upon request. Enjoy a quiet night in your cozy cabin.

Enjoy fresh air & gentle breeze of the bay in morning. After breakfast, you'll cruise toward Tra San for kayaking & swimming or relaxing on a wild beach where a BBQ lunch will be serve. More kayaking and cave visiting in the afternoon before getting back to the Junk the move to Cong Do. Relax and enjoy sunset over the bay before dinner time

Early risers can have a swim or enjoy a morning view of the Bay's landscape with a cup of tea or coffee, fresh fruits and cake. Sitting on the upper deck, you can enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the Bay. Visit Vong Vieng floating village by sampan. Meet the locals, call at floating school and fish farms. More time to swim in the middle of the bay While the junk cruises back to Ha Long city, a la carte lunch will be served. Check out at 1100 and back at the Jetty by 12.00. Bus transfer back to Hanoi, arrive at around 4.00 pm. 800pm your driver takes you to Hanoi railway station to catch the night train to Lao Cai (920pm-530am)

You will arrive in Lao Cai at around 5am, have time for a refreshment and breakfast at a local restaurant before driving in about 1 hour to visit a market frequented by ethnic minority peoples, the landscape is attractive and the ethnic markets are a fascinating experience. Unlike those in the tourist areas, the markets are not only for buying and selling, but are also meeting places for ethnic minority people to meet and exchange news. There will be plenty of colour and authentic costumes from many minority groups. Lunch is followed by an easy mountain biking on a single road winding through rice terrace and local villages., you’ll head to Sapa for your overnight accommodation

"After breakfast, meet with our local guide then hike down along local trails and across rice terraces to visit Black H'mong and Dzay ethnic minority communities. The trekking route offers some challenge as you balance on the rice terraces and a small trail on the steep mountainside Head downhill and relax by tasty lunch prepared by a local family. After lunch, return to Sapa. An alternative for those looking for more of an experience would be to continue to a Homestay in Ban Ho Village. visiting the quaint Tay hill tribe village of Ban Ho. for an insightful night with your Tay hosts, where you'll sleep in the cosy loft complete with comfy mattress and a mosquito net"

Free at leisure before transfering for the Night Train to Sapa

Early arriving in Hanoi, you’ll transfer to your hotel for a early check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure

Spend the day in Hanoi till you late transfer to the airport for your departure