VFTP 43: 5D4N: HANOI – SAPA - HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

Pick you up at Noi Bai International Airport (Flight TBA). Transfer to Hanoi Downtown. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some of Asia's most striking colonial architecture, many peaceful lakes, parks and oriental temples making for a relaxing atmosphere. 
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then visit to Tran Quoc (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam) & Van Nien pagoda _the thousand-year-old pagoda is considered one of the most famous ones in the old capital of Thang Long, both pagodas are on the shores of West lake. This pagoda dates from the 11th century and is said to protect this region from outside invaders. Continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070, its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Here we will also have a chance to see a traditional music performance. Visit the Ethnology Museum. Take you past Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful waters, and visit Ngoc Son temple. 
Have dinner at a best local restaurant.
O/N at hotel in Hanoi.

06.20: Pick you at the hotel and depart to Sapa following Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway. Along the way, you will have a chance to enjoy the beauty of northwestern mountains, terraced fields sparkling in sunlight or dim in thick fog. Have two short-breaks in 30 minutes for each and then continue the trip to Sapa.
13.00-13.30: Arrive in Sapa, check in at the hotel. 
PM: Car and tour guide take you to Fansipan Cable Car Station to start the journey to conquer Fansipan with the world's most modern 3-wire cable car system with a cabin that can accommodate up to 30 visitors. Then continue conquering to the top of Fansipan at 3.143m higher from sea-level, the roof of Indochina.
You are free to explore the charm of Sapa by night, enjoy roasted corn, baked eggs beside charcoal fire or go shopping. Especially on Saturday night, we highly recommend a stop at the Love Market - one of the unique cultures of ethnic minorities in northwest of Vietnam. 
Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

07.00: Have breakfast in the hotel.
08.00: You will start hiking to Cat Cat Village which is occupied by the Black H’mong tribe. Here, you can see the hydroelectric power station which was built by the French in the twentieth century. You will experience the tribal way of life of ethnic minorities while enjoying wonderful views of the terraced rice paddy fields and the waterfall in Cat Cat village. Visitors will also understand culture, unique customs, traditional crafts such as weaving, touching carved silver, forged agricultural tools...  Come back to the hotel.
11.30: Back to Sapa, free at leisure.
13.00: Get on the bus and go back to Hanoi.
19.30: Arrive in Hanoi. 
Overnight in Hanoi.

ABF at hotel.
Depart Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, the drive is approximately three hours. Upon arrival at Ha Long, we will board our boat for a delicious seafood lunch while our boat is cruising around hundreds of wonderful limestone formations arising from emerald green water. After lunch we have the chance to explore one of the wonderful limestone caves dotted around the bay. Continue cruising to a secluded spot for swimming and sun bathing before dinner. Enjoy another seafood feast for dinner. Overnight on the boat.
Note: The final cruise itinerary is subject to change based on each cruise’s program.

Rising to the lapping waters of the bay we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. This morning, we continue to cruise around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak in. The kayaks are lightweight and easy to use. All guests will be issued with water buoyancy vests and the junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel. At midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to await vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. 
Note: The final cruise itinerary is subject to change based on each cruise’s program.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for departure (Flight TBA). Home sweet home.
End of service.