Excursion from Hanoi

War traces from Ha Noi to the Gulf of Tonkin (3 days/2 nights)
Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay - Ha Noi

Note:
- War/history theme
- If requested, local guide assist at Thang Long citadel with some extra fee (Subject to availability)
- Junks in Ha Long may be delayed or cancelled due to weather condition without prior notice.

Day 1 Ha Noi full day city tour
Take a full day to explore Ha Noi’s illustrious history. In the morning, visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (CLOSED ON MONDAYS & FRIDAYS), his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to explore the Military Operation Bunker (General Command Headquarter) and the D67 bunker – also called the Central Military Commission Bunker inside the Ha Noi Citadel (CLOSED ON MONDAYS). In the afternoon, visits including the “Ha Noi Hilton”, nick name of the Ha Noi prison where once American pilots were kept during the war; the December 1972 B-52 bombing of Ha Noi; the B-52 Memorial Lake and the Kham Thien Street.
Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 2 Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay
Drive through green rice paddy fields to Ha Long Bay. You will board a junk for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay while enjoying lunch. The Gulf of Tonkin is the place where the set-up Gulf of Tonkin incident happened triggering the Vietnam War. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea.
Overnight on a junk in Ha Long [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]

Day 3 Ha Long Bay – Hai Phong - Ha Noi
Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before returning to the wharf. Transfer back to Ha Noi via the rebuilt city of Hai Phong which was subjected to heavy
bombing by US Navy and Air Force strike aircraft because it was North Vietnam's only major port. End services in Ha Noi.
[Breakfast]

Sapa Highlights (3 days/2 nights)
Ha Noi - Lao Cai - Sapa - Bac Ha - Ha Noi

Note:
- This trip departs on Fridays.
- Driving journey, no train.
- Visit Bac Ha market on day 3.
- Accomodation in Sapa town is preferable

Day 1 Ha Noi – Lao Cai – Sapa
Start your drive along the Red River to Lao Cai which is situated on the Vietnam-China border. Have your lunch before driving up hill to the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a small village. Continue hiking through rice paddy fields and be immersed in spectacular natural scenery. Proceed to the ruin monastery of Taphin where your car will take you to Sapa for overnight stay.
Overnight in Sapa [Lunch]

Day 2 Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Ta Van – Bac Ha
Drive to Y Linh Ho in the morning where your scenic trek will lead you down to the Muong Hoa Valley festooned with lush, terraced paddy fields (September - October). Depending on your health and time, there are options from 1.5 to 4-hour trek along the Hoang Lien Mountain Range with various photo stops before heading to the Lao Chai Junction for a panoramic view of the Muong Hoa Valley. Walk to Ta Van. In the afternoon, drive to Bac Ha town. Upon arrival, take a walk or a car drive to Pho and Thai Rang Pho to visit a Hmong village. Return to Bac Ha in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Bac Ha [Breakfast, Lunch]

Day 3 Local Market – Ha Noi
Explore the Bac Ha Sunday local market where many ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, the Phu La and the Dao Tuyen minorities gather to trade their produce. Continue driving journey to Ha Noi. Arrive in Ha Noi and transfer to your hotel.
[Breakfast, Lunch]

Glimpse of Mai Chau (2 days / 1 night)
Ha Noi - Mai Chau - Ha Noi

Day 1 Ha Noi – Mai Chau cycling
Depart in the morning for Mai Chau. On arrival, you will check-in and have lunch in Mai Chau. In the afternoon, take delight in biking through rice paddies in the Mai Chau Valley which is dotted with stilt houses. The ride provides opportunities for taking photos, visiting families, and interacting with locals Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Mai Chau.
Overnight in Mai Chau [Lunch, Dinner]

Day 2 Mai Chau walking – Ha Noi
After breakfast, drive to Xam Khoe Village. You will set off on a walking tour to Buoc Village (populated by the Thai ethnic minority). Drive back to Mai Chau with a stop en route to explore the magnificent Van Mai Valley. Return to Ha Noi after lunch in Mai Chau.
[Breakfast, Lunch]