Hanoi

DAY 1: ARRIVAL HANOI (D)
Meet at Hanoi Noi Bai airport and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner in a converted French Villa Vietnamese style.
Overnight at Sofitel Metropole hotel, classic old wing room
 
DAY 2: HANOI TOUR -VICTORIA EXPRESS TRAIN TO SAPA (B,L,D)
Half day orientation and city tour including visits to Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo prison, History Museum and Ngoc Son temple. 
Lunch by the famous Lake of the Restored Sword.
One-hour cyclo ride through the ancient streets of the Old Quarter.
Dinner at Pressblub restaurant.Tonight we take the deluxe Victoria Express to  Lao Cai. The luxury Victoria Express departs at  22:00pm
Deluxe 2 berth cabin on Victoria Express

DAY 3: SAPA ETHNIC MINORITY (B,L,D)
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa.  The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours. Once at Sapa, we will check into Victoria hotel, we have a freshen up, and have  breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a free morning to explore around town. This afternoon at 1pm there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Diner at the hotel.Overnight at Victoria Sapa Suite room.

DAY 4:SAPA BACHA MARKET - VICTORIA EXPRESS BACK TO HANOI (B,L,D)
Rising to the sounds of morning coming to life for another lovely day, we  breakfast and head out for a stunning spectacular of bobbling bazaar.  Bacha  is considered  one of the most wonderful and colorful markets in extreme north Vietnam where thousands of local people in their traditional attires busily buy and sell the local produces. Dog, cat, pig, horse... are all on sales. This is golden opportunity to take best shots! Afternoon we will have a pleasant walk  to Ban Pho village, home to flower H'mong people. Opportunity to interact with friendly local people and have pleasant walk amongst tribal villages. Transfer to Laocai station for overnight Victoria Express back to Hanoi. Overnight Victoria Express

DAY 5:HANOI – HALONG BAY  (B,L,D)
Drive to Halong Bay to board the private Lagoon Explorer boat.
Cruise the UNESCO World Heritage site on this vessel of yesteryear and take in the magnificence of the limestone peaks of Halong Bay.Opportunities to swim, sit back and relax on the deck or enjoy the facilities on board.Lunch and dinner on board the cruise boat.
Overnight in the Lagoon Explorer boat
 
DAY 6: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B)
Further cruise in Halong bay. Disembark at Halong Bay pier and
transfer back to Hanoi city. At leisure.
Overnight at Sofitel Metropole hotel, classic old wing room
 
 DAY 7: HANOI - DEPARTURE (B)
 At leisure until transfer to Hanoi International Airport for departure flight.
 

 Vietnam Victoria Express Train
 The Victoria Express offer more comfortable air-conditioned soft sleepers. The train offer is at its best in terms of comfort and services from Hanoi to Lao Cai and vice versa.  The Victoria  Express  train offers two luxury sleeping carriages, one restaurant connected to the train, all with air-conditioning. Due to the increasing popularity of this alternative, they  offer tickets to those staying at Victoria Sapa hotel only. As the seat on Victoria Express especially Deluxe cabin is limited, booking of your berth (and your hotel room) at least 30 days in advance is recommended