AD6: Exploring Northeast 8 days 7 nights

Itinerary in Brief;

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D)
Day 2: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Babe lake & National Park (B, L, D)
Day 3: Ba be – Caobang (B, L)
Day 4: Ban Gioc waterfall (B, L)
Day 5: Cao Bang – Lang Son (B, L)
Day 6: Lang Son – Halong (B, L)
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi (B, L)
Day 8: Hanoi departure (B)

Itinerary in Details:

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D)
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport. Welcome and transfer to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard. Short city tour to  the 11th century Temple of Literature - the first University of Vietnam, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Do a walking  tour  around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi. (The first day’s programme can be re- arranged according to your arrival time in Hanoi).

Day 2: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - BaBe lake & National Park - 240kms/7 hours (B, L, D)

8:00AM. Pick up at the hotel. As you head out of Ha Noi, over the Red River on the Chuong Duong bridge, the suburbs quickly give way to the sprawling farm lands of the Red River Delta. Travel north along Highway 3 to Thai Nguyen for a stop to enjoy a lunch of traditional Vietnamese food. Worth a visit here is the Museum of the Cultures of Viet Nam Ethnic Groups. Leaving the delta behind, you'll start climbing into the mountainous area of BaBe National Park. Take a short boat trip (30 minutes) to a Tay village for dinner and homestay in a local stilt house of Pac Ngoi village

Day 3: BaBe - Cao Bang - 120kms/4 hours (B, L)
Ba Be National Park, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains it is Viet Nams only natural mountain lake. This important eco-system is best known for its over 330 species of butterflies! Have breakfast with your Tay hosts. The lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains is your backdrop as you explore the lake. Reach the end of the lake and stop for a trek to Dau Dang waterfall. Meet your driver, head north through the lush mountain passes to the city of Cao Bang. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Ban Gioc Waterfall - 85kms/2.5 hours (B, L)
Jeep ride to Ban Gioc, visit the waterfall On this day you'll take a scenic in insightful day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc waterfall on the Chinese border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. The drive there offers unique landscapes, limestone karst formations soar from the verdant rice paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic minorities. Along the way, you'll see Tay, Hmong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. Heading back to Cao Bang, stop to explore the expansive 2,144 meter Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its brilliant stalactites. Return to Cao Bang and Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Cao Bang - Lang Son - 140kms/4 hours (B, L)
Before departing Cao Bang, consider climbing the hill up to the War Memorial, it offers a great panoramic view of the area. Hop in the Jeep for a ride along famous Highway 4. The road winds its way through steep mountain passes where much of the land remains untouched, the vista views are truly spectacular! Lang Son is the capital of this mountainous area and is an important crossing and trading route with China, the area is home to Dzao, Man, Tho and Nung ethnic minority groups. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Lang Son – Halong (B, L)
As a trading post, Lang Son has two markets worth visiting, the Old Market and the Dong Kinh Market. Youll find everything from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Its definitely buyer beware, as theres lots of knock-offs of the original. If the markets arent your thing then just a couple of kilometers from town are two large, beautiful caves and the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel worth a visit. Tam Thanh Cave contains a pond and offers great views of the surrounding farmlands. Nhi Thanh Cave, formed by the river that flows through it, has poems carved into the entrance by the man who discovered the cave in the 18th century. After your morning of exploration its time for lunch and prepare for the trip to Halong.
On arrival in Halong, check in, relax. Enjoy the fresh air of famous sea city.

Day 7: Halong bay – Hanoi (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. We then transfer to the sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Cruising around the Bay with famous sites such as: Fighting cock's islet, Stone dog or Joss stick bowl islet. Round walking to visit beautiful stalactites and stalicmites which have been formed millions of years ago, exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Back to the Junk boat and keep cruising to view fabulous scenery of Halong bay. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch. After lunch, we drive back to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free time until  transfer to  the airport for your  departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.

Thank you for travelling with Asia View Travel.

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 1 night at homestay in Babe
•  All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle or Jeep as stated in the itinerary
• Private English or French  speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges

Tour excludes:
• International flights to and from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Surcharge on Christmas, New Year and our Lunar New Year
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities

What to bring:
• Sun Block
• Wide brim hat
• Camera + Film
• Comfortable shoes
• Rain gear
• Warm clothes
• Insect Repellent
• Original Passport