7D6N NORTH VIETNAM ECOTOURISM EXPERIENCE from Chan's World Holidays

Highlights:

Depart daily
Trekking to Hang Kia village
Mai Chau homestay in traditional stilt house
Ethnic White Thai cultural performance with campfire
Farming activities
Visiting local homes in Thai villages
Small boat to cruise around Luon Cave area
Soi Sim Island
Overnight on board junk boat
Sung Sot CaveHanoi City Tour
One-hour buggy tour through the streets of Hanoi

7D6N NORTH VIETNAM ECOTOURISM EXPERIENCE

SINGAPORE - HANOI (DINNER)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, greet and meet by local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Visit Hoa Lo prison, known by its American inmates as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ during the war years of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Whilst much of it has been torn down to make way for a modern office development a section of it remains open for visitors and provides a fascinating insight into the domination of the French during their colonial governance. Tour continues to visit Vietnam Military History Museum. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

HANOI CITY - HOA BINH - MAI CHAU (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, transfer from Hanoi to Hoa Binh province (120km), passing beautiful landscape of limestone peaks and tropical forest. Arrive in picturesque valley of Mai Chau around noon, in time for lunch with the White Thai ethnic group where you will stay tonight. After lunch, take a short drive to Xa Linh village inhabited by H’Mong tribal people, and start trekking to Hang Kia village (1-2 hours) situated on the high altitude. Return to Thai ethnic homestay for dinner and enjoy Ethnic White Thai cultural performance with campfire. Overnight in Mai Chau homestay in traditional stilt house.

Sleeping arrangements are unique; a large communal room in a stilt house, which is unique to Mai Chau. However room, meals, shower and toilet facilities are very basic.

MAI CHAU - HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After simple home cooked breakfast, the day starts with hands-on activities. Experience cutting padi in rice field (there are two harvest seasons in Vietnam: July – August and November – December). This is the traditional way farmers here use in their harvest. The local guide will lead you how to cut rice off in the field, and some other farming activities farmers have to do in the harvest. If tour is not in the harvest seasons, you will enjoy a soft trek through the Mai Chau Valley and visit the Mo Luong (Soldier) Cave. Walk to Thai villages of Pom Coong or Mai Hich Village and visit some local homes where we can see the locals weaving the fabric by handcraft, working on the rice fields and doing their daily housework. After home cooked lunch in the village, some stops around the village before proceeding to travel back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI - HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON JUNK (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

Drive through the countryside from Hanoi to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) - a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty, you will experience a rural area dotted with villages, rice fields and farms providing the many parts of the nation with rice, fruits and vegetables, reach Halong city after 3.5 hours. Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf and embark on the junk followed by a short cruise briefing. Lunch will be served on board the boat and start to cruise among the limestone islands. Transfer to small boat to cruise around the Luon Cave area and to Soi Sim Island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Soi Sim or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay. Dinner will be served on the junk boat. In the evening try fish for squid, or just laze around. Overnight on board.

HALONG BAY - HANOI (BREAKFAST/LUNCH OR BRUNCH/DINNER)

Start the day with Tai Chi exercises session. After breakfast, continue to explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave - the nicest cave in Halong Bay. Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin. Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more. On the way to the harbor, watch the cooking demonstration before enjoying Seafood lunch. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi, short rest at Dai Viet or Hong Ngoc or ABC shopping en route back. (Journey approx. 3.5 hours) Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

HANOI CITY TOUR (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)

After breakfast, explore Hanoi city to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and during the entire months of September & October) and his former residence with Humble House on Stilts, One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and built more than 1,000 years. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely one-hour buggy tour through the streets of this fascinating city. You will come face to face with the daily lives and activities of Hanoi’s streets as you pass through the congested, but delightful, Old Quarter. Ride pass the fascinating streets, which still bear the names of the shops that could be found in them in the 15th to 18th centuries. Then, explore the famous Dong Xuan Market and Hanoi old quarter on 36 streets where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

HANOI - SINGAPORE (BREAKFAST)

After breakfast, free at leisure until time for transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Remarks: Sequence of itinerary is subject to change without prior notice. If a place of visit is closed to visitor, it will be replaced with an alternative. Simple breakfast will be served in the local homestay that comes with basic amenities and non-aircon. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Hotel official check in at 3pm check out by 12 noon. All commentary will be in English. Tour and hotel rooms subject to confirmation and hotels are subject to ad-hoc rates. Tour may not be suitable for young children or anyone with existing health conditions.

Agency: Chan's World Holidays

7D6N NORTH VIETNAM ECOTOURISM EXPERIENCE

Agency: Chan's World Holidays

7D6N NORTH VIETNAM ECOTOURISM EXPERIENCE

Agency: Chan's World Holidays