8Days 7Nights Hill Tribes in Northern Vietnam

Exceptional Experiences:

• Explore the bustling city of Hanoi City.
  A day in the life of a Hanoian including a stop at a local coffee shop to watch and listen to the sounds of daily life in the Old Quarter; embark on a street food tour and try the Vietnam's 2nd most popular food - the Banh Mi Pate or baguette sandwich with pate in one of the famous shop in Hanoi.

• Train Journey to Sapa. 
  Chapa Express Train is one of the luxury trains from Hanoi to Sapa. It is one of the newest train in Vietnam at present. The train serves one coach with 07 cabins designed with wood-panelling and luxury furniture, with air-conditioning, reading lights, and comfortable beds. Toilets, hot water and heaters are also available on board for your convenience. 

• Mount Fansipan
  This is the highest peak in Vietnam, earning the distinction of being "the Roof of Indochina". Specially designed soft adventure package to explore the minorities village, rice terraces and beautiful valleys.

• Unique lodge accommodation - a remote paradise located deep within the Sapa Valley
  Explore this hidden and adventurous area of Hoang Lien National Park and the northern mountains of Vietnam. Lunch will be served with the jungle just behind and connect with the village by its own suspended bridge. Collect the herbs in the jungle with a Red Dao Lady for your special herbal bath.

• Mountain Getaway at Topas Ecolodge
  A  very unusual location with a spectacular view and lots of unique trekking and mountain biking trails in the backyard. You are invited  here to experience Vietnam in a different way and to escape the busy city life for a true and quiet mountain getaway. So, no TV and no internet in the bungalows.

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Itinerary:

Day 1 : SINGAPORE - HANOI (-/-/-)

Departure from Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic Old Quarter, where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade. There are many little temples, including Bach Ma, honoring a legendary horse, plus Dong Xuan Market, selling household goods and street food.

As soon as you disembark at Noi Bai airport, our Immigration Officer and guide will meet you at the end of the jet bridge holding a signboard with your name(s) on it. You will be escorted to clear immigration, customs formalities, while our representative collects your luggage from baggage claim. After completing all the necessary procedures, your luggage will be brought back to you and our representative will lead you through the exit gate to the arrival hall where your guide will be waiting to escort you to your vehicle. Transfer to your hotel with your guide.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel located in the heart of Hanoi near the Old Quarter, Sofitel Legend Metropole has a long tradition of luxury and prestige with 364 rooms and suites, in which the original grandeur were preserved in the historical Metropole Wing, whereas the Opera Wing offers a neo-classic elegance. All accommodations are equipped with Sofitel's MyBed, broadband Internet, LCD, and DVD player. Features include varied dining options, a spa and fitness center, and warm Vietnamese hospitality. 

NOTE:

• A Hotel Path of History Tour including the Metropole bomb shelter visit (only available to in-house hotel guests) - 45 minutes with hotel historian.
• There are 2 tours daily at 5 and 6pm (subject to seasonal change). Advance reservations are recommended - maximum 10 guests per tour.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel/ Grand Luxury

Day 2 : HANOI (B/-/Street food for Dinner)

This morning, meet your guide in the lobby and depart for your excursion. Today’s tour guide will take you to the “standing newspaper” where you can have an interesting explanation from the guide, which is a fascinating story about the poor period of the Hanoians when they bought newspapers as a luxury. Then stop at a local coffee shop to watch and listen to the sounds of daily life in the Old Quarter before transferring to Gioi Market - the corner where thousands of trade goods are sold, from the smallest such as nails and batteries to large items such as motors, electronic goods and refrigeration equipment. You will be surprised at how many little stores are in the middle of the street, and the difficulty for motorbikes to wind through the tiny streets.

Continue your exploration by driving to the rail station in a Hanoi suburb to catch a local train back to the center. Disembark from the train after 10 minutes passing the first French bridge over the Red River, following the guide, you will walk along the tracks, pass "cuisine street" where you can find many tasty dishes before stopping at "Zo Paper Project" - where young and active Vietnamese people create new values on the Traditional Paper.

Enjoy your lunch at the local restaurant (own expense lunch) before departing for city tour.

After lunch, depart for exploring the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Start your city tour at the Thang Long Citadel. Built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty to mark the independence of the Dai Viet and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, the Citadel was a political centre of the country for 13 consecutive centuries and served as the capital of Vietnam for eight centuries. The buildings of the Imperial Citadel and the remains at the 18 Hoang Dieu Archaeological Site reflect a unique Southeast Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley, incorporating influences from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south. In the same compound, visit the secret underground war bunker which played an important role in the American War, especially during the 12 days and nights of the Ha Noi - Dien Bien Phu air battle of 1972.

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

In the late afternoon, drive back to your hotel for refreshment and check out.

This evening, depart for a street food tour. Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique culture. Depart from your hotel at around 18:00 for a leisurely walk with your tour guide to the Old Quarter. Chit-chat with your guide to get an insight of street food in Hanoi & the typical culinary habits.

Make a first stop at a local coffee shop to try the local brew. Then walk a little further to taste some typical Hanoi snacks such as Pillow cake, fried sweet cakes. Next stroll through the streets lined with many food vendors and make your way to a steaming bowl of Pho Ga (Vietnamese noodle soup with chicken).

This is practically Vietnam’s national dish and is a dish enjoyed morning noon and night. Next move on to try Vietnam’s 2nd most popular food - the Banh Mi Pate or baguette sandwich with pate at Banh My Lan Ong, one of the most famous shops in Hanoi. Later head to Dong Xuan night market which is well known for all types of goods including souvenirs. Try your hand at bargaining for a good deal before heading off to Beer Corner in the old corner to try a cold glass of Bia Hoi (fresh draft beer) like a local.

After your excursion, transfer to the train Tran Quy Cap railway station for train to Lao Cai.

Accommodation: Chapa Express Train / Suite cabin 2 berths shared

Day 3 : LAO CAI - SAPA  - Fanispan by Cable Car (B/-/-)

This morning, arrive at Lao Cai Station. Meet your guide and transfer from Lao Cai train station to Sapaly Hotel for hotel day use and breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby and morning departure to the cable station for a trip up to Mount Fansipan. At 3,143m (10,312ft) above sea level, Mount Fansipan is the highest peak in Vietnam, earning it the distinction of being “the Roof of Indochina”. From the world's longest three-rope cable car route, and also the biggest ascent between the departure and arrival, enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the green hills and valleys of northeastern Vietnam. The trip by cable car will take only 15min instead of the 2 days of trekking previously required. At the top of Mount Fansipan, your eyes can see beyond the vast horizon on a clear day to neighbouring China and Laos along with views of the Muong Hoa Valley below you.

Enjoy a drink or a meal at the restaurant (at your own expense) before the return cable car trip to Sapa.

Arrive at your hotel in Sapa for check in. The remainders free at leisure with no guide and no car at disposal.

Accommodation: Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa/ Deluxe

Day 4 : SAPA - Half Day Sau Chau - Sa Seng (B/-/-)

This morning, meet your guide in the lobby and enjoy the 15 minute drive to the villages of Sa Xeng and Sau Chua, from here you will have the best viewpoints of the Hmong villages nestled in a mountainous area overlooking Muong Hoa valley. We will then leave the main road for a 2 hour walk to explore the 2 villages of the Black Hmong named Sa Seng and Sau Chua which consists of 4 small hamlets scattering along the narrow but fascinating valley. The walking path winds its way from the high mountainside gradually downhill to pass through farmland and impressive terraced fields and later along Sau Chua stream which connects the hamlets.

Enjoy beautiful scenery while walking, meeting Hmong people doing their everyday work along the way. Pay a visit to some local homes to discover the local way of life. Walk ends as the village path meets your van, transfer 5km back to Sapa.

NOTE:

• Trekking distance: 3 km.

Accommodation: Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa/ Deluxe

Day 5 : SAPA - NAM CHANG / Mountain village of Red Dao (B/L/D)

Today, meet your guide in the lobby and depart for your excursion. You will commence the tour with a transfer from Sapa deeper into Hoang Lien National Park to the trek starting point near Sin Chai village. You are now “off the beaten track”. Enjoy beautiful views of high mountains, waterfalls and the deep valleys.  The trails will soon lead you to the Red Dao village of Nam Nhiu, here you will meet the villagers, enjoy a cup of green tea in their house, and learn about their daily life as mostly farmers.

Leaving the village  behind,  you will  turn  into  a  small  dirt  trail  and  soon  note  the  marvelous  views  of  the  valley  dotted  with bamboo huts, which used by local farmers as overnight lodge during harvest season. After passing the rice terraces and a river you will walk on a quiet road for a while before arriving at the charming Nam Cang village. Your lunch is served  at  Nam  Cang  Riverside  Lodge,  with  the  jungle  just  behind  and  connected  with  the  village  by  its  own suspended bridge.

In the mid-afternoon you will follow a Red Dao lady to the jungle located just behind the lodge to collect herbs which are used for their famous herbal medical treatment. Refresh yourself with our special herbal bath.   Enjoy dinner in the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains then a great time to chat with the local villagers.

In the afternoon, transfer to your homestay at Nam Cang Riverside Lodge.

NOTE:

• Nam Cang Riverside Lodge is a homestay service which is simple accommodation located at remote location.
• Traditional herbal bath in Nam Cang is included.

Accommodation: Nam Cang Riverside Lodge

Day 6 : NAM CANG  – Walk along the river and into the jungle – TOPAS Ecolodge (B/L/-)

You will wake up by the sound of nature. The day starts with a nice breakfast served just few meters from the river.

After breakfast, depart for today’s hiking commences from Nam Cang village with an easy walk on a quiet road before reaching a trail through the beautiful rice valley. You will cross the stream with a pretty suspension bridge, the marvelous view of the rice terrace is a great chance to take picture.  The hiking also takes you through the bushes of tropical plant and some steep path leading to the mountainside.

You will arrive to Nam Nhiu village at noon time, where you can visit another Red Dao village and local school where your vehicle is waiting to transfer you to Topas Ecolodge. You will check in to your bungalow and enjoy the view into the valley and dotted mountain surrounding. You may enjoy a Spa treatment on your own budget.

Accommodation: Topas Ecolodge / Executive Bungalow

Day 7 : TOPAS Ecolodge - HANOI (4.5hrs private transfer) (B/-/-)

In the morning, free at leisure till departing time from Topas Ecolodge to your hotel in Hanoi.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel/ Grand Luxury

Day 8 : HANOI DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

In the morning, free at leisure till departing transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

On arrival at Noi Bai airport, our representative will collect your tickets, passport and luggage and proceed to check in and obtain your boarding pass. When all your documents are in order, our representative will hand them over to you and assist you with immigration procedures before escorting you to the waiting area.

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Package Includes:

• Proposed Flights on Singapore Airline
  • SINGAPORE/HANOI     SQ176     09:20/1140
  • HANOI/SINGAPORE     SQ175     12:35/17:05
• Arrival and departure airport assistance services
• Return airport transfers
• 2 night' accommodation in Hanoi: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel - Grand Luxury room or similar
• Train ticket from Hanoi to Lao Cai on Chapa Express Train / Suite cabin 2 berths shared
• 1 night' accommodation in Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa
• 1 night' accommodation in Nam Cang Riverside Lodge
• 1 night' accommodation in Topas Ecolodge
• Tour as per itinerary with English Speaking guide

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