East-West Grand Traverse

Hanoi - Mai Chau Plateau - Dien Bien Phu - Phong Tho - Sapa - Tuyen Quang - ba Be Lake - CAo Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Lang Son - Halong Bay

Trip duration: 13 days/12 nights
Level: Moderate
Group size: Private only running from 1person on ward

BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1 Hanoi – Moc Chau Plateau
Day 2 Moc Chau – Dien Bien Phu
Day 3 Dien Bien Phu - Paso
Day 4 Paso – Sapa Hill Station
Day 5 Sapa
Day 6 Sapa – Tuyen Quang
Day 7 Tuyen Quang – Ba Be Lake
Day 8 Ba Be Lake– Cao Bang - Ban Gioc
Day 9 Cao Bang – Lang Son - Mau Son
Day 10 Lang Son – Ha Long Bay
Day 11 Halong Bay – Hanoi

Description
Combine the history, scenery and culture of the Vietnamese north. You will spend eleven days exploring the north west through to the north east. You will get a very special view of Vietnam by traveling all the way from Dien Bien to Sapa, Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ha Long Bay.

Included
Accommodation in twin sharing room.
Meal as indicated in itinerary (12 Breakfast, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners)
Transfer and tour by private A/C car
English speaking guide/s (other languages upon requests)
Private boat trip in Babe lake and Halong bay
Service charges, room tax and baggage handling
Entrance fees and permits during guided time

Excluded
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal insurance (Compulsory)
Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry and
Tips & gratuities etc.

TRIP PRICE BASED ON 1 – 3 STAR HOTEL:
Hanoi: Sunny 3* hotel
Moc chau: 1* hotel
Dien Bien Phu: 2* hotel
Paso: 2* hotel
Sapa: 3* hotel
Tuyen Quang: 1* hotel
BaBe: 2* hotel
Cao Bang: 1* hotel
Lang Son: 1* hotel
Halong Boat: Bien Ngoc

Group size	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Price In US$/per person	$	$	$	$	$	$	$	$	$	$	$
Single supplement			$

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival we will be welcomed at the airport and delivered to our hotel. We will be given a briefing about traveling in Vietnam before enjoying a special welcome dinner at an excellent Vietnamese restaurant. (Dinner included)

Day 2 Hanoi – Moc Chau Plateau
We travel by road to the evergreen northwest. We will lunch in Mai Chau valley and spend an hour or so trekking through H'mong villages. From there we will continue to Moc Chau Plateau where we stay the night in a guest house. (Breakfast included)

Day 3 Moc Chau – Dien Bien Phu, Former French battle field
We continue to travel through a very beautiful mountain region to reach Dien Bien Phu basin, the battlefield at which the French finally surrendered to the Vietnamese nationalists. (Breakfast included)

Day 4 Dien Bien Phu - Paso
You will learn more about the struggle for independence against the French by visiting military sites Dien Bien Phu before leaving for Phong Tho. (Breakfast included)

Day 5 Paso – Sapa Hill Station
We will take the long and windy road to the highest pass in Vietnam. This is known as "doorway to the skies". This is incredibly picturesque and will take your breath away. We will arrive in Sapa and check in to our hotel. (Breakfast included)

Day 6 Sapa, full day trekking and home-stay
We will leave Sapa township by foot, trekking along buffalo tracks through terraced fields of breathtaking beauty. The hills are populated by many distinct ethnic groups. This evening we will be hosted by a Ziay family. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 7 Sapa – Tuyen Quang- visit the Mac Citadel
We will say farewell to our hosts and walk another half hour to the nearest sealed road where our vehicle will be waiting. We proceed to Tuyen Quang, reaching it about 3pm.That will give us ample time to wander the streets and surrounds of the town. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast included)

Day 8 Tuyen Quang – Ba Be Lake
We begin our migration towards the east, traveling first to Ba Be National Park near the centre. Where we will take a sampan to Pac Ngoi village of the Tay ethnic people where will stay overnight. (Breakfast included)

Day 9 Ba Be Lake– Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall
Today we will travel to the Chinese border to visit the spectacular waterfall of Ban Gioc on the border between the two countries. (Breakfast included)

Day 10 Cao Bang – Lang Son - Mau Son
Leaving Cao Bang, we travel eastwards crossing Dong Khe, a place very famous to Vietnamese because it is the site of a great Viet Minh victory over the French. We will take a short break in Lang Son town and visit some historical sites before climbing to Mau Son. (Breakfast included)

Day 11 Lang Son – Ha Long Bay
Finally reaching the coast, we board a cruise boat to tour the magnificent limestone crags and crannies of Ha Long Bay. Arriving at the Bai Chay Wharf at around lunch time, we transfer to our deluxe junk, join our fantastic seafood lunch, and cruise around this tranquil bay, marvel at 3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the emerald water. We have opportunity to visit spectacular Amazing cave crammed with stalactites and stalagmites; and if the weather permits we will swim from our boat, and especially we can do kayaking to explore the hidden charm part of the bay before spending the night on the junk. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 12 Halong Bay – Hanoi
Another wonderful starts when the sun rises from the Horizon. We enjoy our breakfast at 07:30AM and try more kayak or sit on the bamboo boat to visit some other tunnel caves. Our junk keeps on cruising around the Bay and catch Bai Tu Long Bay with Turtle Islets, Man head islet, Teapot Islet and Bai Tho Mountain. Enjoy the last delicious lunch on the Bay, we say good bye with the World Natural Heritage and leaving for to Hanoi. (Breakfast, Lunch included)

Day 13 Departure
Today we are free at our leisure until the time we transfer to the airport for our flight to home.
(Breakfast included)

NOTES:
Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other logistics, services and days of travel are subject to availability. Where flights are cancelled or delayed Viet Vision Travel will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements of similar value as noted in our booking conditions.
This quotation all year round. Any bookings made after this date are subject to change, as local economic conditions require.
The traveling times mentioned within this dossier are approximations only. These times will vary according to weather, road, traffic or any other prevailing conditions.
This itinerary and supplementary information has been complied in good faith and was accurate at time of writing. However it DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and Viet Vision Travel.

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