Vietnam Family Northern Classic

Trip duration: 5 days
Grade: Easy
Highlights: Hanoi City – Hoa Lu Ancient capital– Tam Coc Cave - Halong bay Cruises
Hotel level: 3 stars
Hanoi: Zephyr hotel

TRIP COST FOR A FAMILY FROM 3 PERSONS (PARENTS + CHILD) MINIMUM: USD386/PER ADULT.
Single Supplement: USD166

Children policy:
Under 2 years old: Free of charged
From 2 – 5 years old: 50%
From 5 – 12 years old: 75%
Above 12 years old: Charged as adult
Note: Trip cost is quoted base on American US dollars and for per person.

Trip cost is valid till 31 Dec 2007
Note: Hotels are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent accommodation.

BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi –city tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa lu – Tam Coc
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 5: Departure

Included
English speaking guide/s in different parts of country (Other languages upon requests)
Accommodations based on family room (triple room)
All meals indicated in the itinerary: 4 Breakfasts; 3 Lunches; 1 Dinner
A/C transfers & transport by private van, with a reasonable supply of drinking water
Boat trip in Halong Bay
Entrance fees to the sightseeing indicated

Excluded
International airfares
International departure tax
Visas and visa fees
Meals and beverage not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as: bar, telephone and laundry bill
Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
Tips and gratuities

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi we will be greeted by our guide and taken to our hotel where we can relax for the rest of the day. Tonight we will be met by our guide again and then go on to a nice restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.
(Today Welcome Dinner included)

Day 2: Hanoi - City tour
This trip begins at around 08:00AM and ends at around 07:00PM. We will visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Temple of Literature then we will stop for our lunch at a fine local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit the Ethnology Museum, the West Lake area with Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. We will spend one hour traveling around the Ancient city seeing daily Hanoian Life of by cyclo and spend one more hour watching the Water Puppet show in the Theater on the bank of Hoan Kiem Lake.
(Today Breakfast & Lunch included)

Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu and Tam Coc
Our tour starts in Hanoi at 8:00AM. After 2 hours driving southward from Hanoi, we will visit Bich Dong Pagoda with its waterways, fields, mountain scenery and sky, which is covered in a green mist. From the upper pagoda one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. We cannot visit Bich Dong Pagoda without visiting Tam Coc Grotto, located approximately 2km from the pagoda. Tam Coc is 3km from Van Lam Wharf. We take a boat from Van Lam Wharf to reach the Tam Coc Grotto, which consists of the Hang Ca, Hang Hai and Hang Ba grottoes. These caves are adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colors that sparkle like gemstones. After lunch we will visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital with 2 temples for the Kings Dinh and Le, then we driver back to Hanoi. Tour ends around 6.00PM.(Today Breakfast & Lunch included)

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay an
This morning we depart Hanoi at around 08.00AM. After driving more than 3 hours, which includes a stop-over at the Humanity Center in Hai Duong province to donate some money to the child victims of Agent Orange, we arrive in Halong Bay at around 11:30AM. We then change from the car to a boat to enjoy a delicious, fresh, seafood lunch. We then spend about 4 hours cruising this secluded bay. During this time we will have the opportunity to visit the spectacular Heaven Palace Cave, crammed with stalactites and stalagmites. Weather permitting, we can swim from our boat in the bay. We will return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. (Today Breakfast & Lunch included)

Day 5: Departure
Today we will transfer to the airport to take the flight home. Trip concludes.
(Today Breakfast & Lunch included)

NOTES:
Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other 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 is valid until 31 Dec 2007. Any bookings made after this date are subject to change, as local economic conditions require.
The overnight sleeper trains used on this trip, although comfortable, they cannot be compared to those of European standard. Please note that while we always endeavor to secure soft sleeper berths on overnight trains there may be occasions when we are unable to do this due to circumstances beyond our control. In these situations we will secure the best available class. 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 the time of writing. However it DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and Viet Vision Travel.