Explorient Travel

CULTURE OF ETHNIC PEOPLE

Vietnam Tours - Vietnam Classic

Description: Northwest Vietnam offers travelers some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. The mountainous areas are also home to many distinct hill tribes, often still living as they have for generation despite increasing outside influences. This program will bring you there and beside the trekking, a boating cruise to discover Halong Bay with over 2000-plus islands rising from the emerald waters of the east-sea’s coastal will finished the north-west tour.

BRIEF ITINERARY:

ITINERARY:

Day 01: Arrival Hanoi - Welcome Dinner

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, clear customs and immigration, and you will be met and transfer to Hanoi’s down town for hotel check in. After relaxing, you will take a charming cycle ride around Hanoi city. Perhaps the most interesting area you will visit is the Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Here many tiny streets join to sell a huge diversity of products. In the old days, each street bore the name of the products it sold-“Shoe Street”, ”Noodle Street” and the like. Today, the streets sometimes sell a variety of items, but often the names are still accurate. After ride, special welcome dinner at the Grill Fried Fish Restaurant-which has brought much fame to Doan family and overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 02: Hanoi city tour – Night train to Sapa (Breakfast)

For the early risers, may we suggest a stroll along the picturesque Hoa Kiem Lake. Where each early morning, groups of locals gather to do their exercises along the lovely tree lined promenade. You may cross over the red bridge at the north end to Ngoc Son Temple and the Tortoise Tower on a small island.

After breakfast, you will have a full day of your own to see the city so good walking shoes are a must. You will have many options to choose from:

• Temple of Literature, built in 11th Century and the country’s first University
  
• Ho Chi Minh’s (HCM) Mausoleum and Presidential Palace
  
• Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House
  
• One Pillar Pagoda
  
• Ethnology Museum
  
• Opera House
  
• Hoa Lo prison which is also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”
  
• West Lake & Pagoda

Attend a Water Puppet show this evening then have a leisurely dinner while waiting for the 21:00 departure on the deluxe Night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train in air conditioned cabin.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: soft sleeper/ 4 berths per cabin

Day 03: Sapa – Taphin (Breakfast)

The train will pull in around 6:00 at Lao Cai station, near the border of China, you will be met by your driver for the 38 miles drive to Sapa, the premier destination of northwest Vietnam.

Enjoy your breakfast while waiting for hotel check-in, catch a few hours of rest or venture out to discover the beautiful mountain landscapes and ethnic minority groups of Sapa. Your guide will take you on a 2 hours trekking to the village of Cat Cat & Sin Chai from here you will trek down to the valley among the terraced fields and meet the hill tribes people, get to know their way of life, cultures and traditions. Get back to Sapa town in the afternoon

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Day 04: Sapa – Lao Chai and Ta Van villages - Night train to Hanoi (breakfast, Lunch)

A whole day for discover of nature as well as different culture of hill tribe people on a new trek in Sapa with a H'mong guide who speaks excellent English.

We will begin with a walking tour of Sapa market, then trekking down hill from village to villages around Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van area which is beautifully decorated by terraced-fields and the house of H'mong, Red Zao and Zay people.

You have several levels for your trekking today from soft trek 2-3miles, medium trek (3-4 miles) and hard trek (5 miles +)

Great opportunity for taking photos of breathtaking landscapes, meeting friendly hill-tribe people at home and work...

Have home hosted lunch in the village of Zday people.

Later in the afternoon Jeep or Van will take you back to Sapa for refreshment then transfer to Lao Cai for the night train to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Accommodation: soft sleeper/ 4 berths per cabin

Day 05: Hanoi – Quan Ho Folksong – Halong Bay (breakfast, Lunch)

Early arrival in Hanoi, pickup and transfer to Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty. Stop en-route at Quan Ho folksong village, Bac Ninh province, where you will be enjoyed the traditional folksongs performed by singers “Brothers and Sisters”. When you are ready to sit on the mattress or chairs, they are in traditional costumes, go out and sing a song to welcome guests title” Inviting the tea” with the cups of tea in their hands.

It’s really a good chance for you to discover traditional culture in the North of Vietnam.  You will enjoy all the romantic songs, all romantic melodies sang by them with their traditional instruments. It makes you to forget all the trouble and tired, and like to go into an amazing world until they sing a song” please stay, don’t leave!” After show, we will continue our way to Halong bay.Upon arrival at Halong check in hotel and leisure. Self paid dinner and overnight in Halong city.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Halong.

Day 06: Halong – Hanoi (breakfast, Lunch)

Have breakfast in hotel, our tour guide and driver will pick up you and drive you to the Halong habour where you board your private boat for a 4 hours journey.  Cruise through the emerald waters between the limestone outcrops and long corridors; visit Dau Go Cave ‘Grotto of the Wooden Stakes’ where in 1288 one of Vietnam’s most famous generals, Tran Hung Dao, amassed hundreds of stakes deep inside the cave prior to a battle with an invading Mongolian army.

A short walk away, visit the newly discovered Thien Cung Cave (‘Grotto of the Heavenly Palace “), famous for its stalagmites and stalactites.  The cave has only been opened to the public since 1998.

A fresh seafood lunch will be served on board before journeying back to Halong City where your car will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi. Rest of the day free at leisure for shopping and exploring Hanoi. Self paid dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Accommodation: daily boat on Halong, Hotel in Hanoi

Day 07: Departure (breakfast)

Breakfast at hotel, free for shopping until time transfer to Noi Bai airport for departure.

Meals: Breakfast

End of the trip.

PRICE & INCLUSION

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

This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy with 3-star hotel standard.

Apply from 1.January - 2012 to 31.December - 2012

Price Inclusions:

• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• Hotel accommodation on a double or twin-share basic
• Private daily boat trip on Halong bay
• Soft sleeper in cabin 4 berths with A/C
• Meals as mention in the program
• Traditional Folksong performance in Bac Ninh province.
• Local English speaking guides
• All entrance and sightseeing fees
• Travel insurance
• Visa approval fee
• Mineral water

Price Exclusions:

• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Additional expenses in case of force majeure