vietnam northern part tour photography 14days

A unique way to explore Vietnam

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Vietnam Northern Part Tour Photography-14days

Detail Itinerary

Day1: Hanoi – Arrival – Ninh Binh(D) Today you’ll land in Hanoi. Warmly welcome by Tour Guide & Car Driver at airport then transfer to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. Overnight in Tam Coc

Day2: Ninh Binh Shooting Around (B, L, D) after breakfast we head to Kenh Ga and take boat trip (motorboat indeed) on Hoang Long river to visit the village of Kenh Ga - isolated in a region dominated by water, the floating village of Kenh Ga lies about 15 km north of Ninh Binh. The picturesque landscape and sight of locals rowing boats with their feet make it a photographer's paradise. Roughly translated as "chicken canal", the village and the surrounding area is home to many Catholics. The imposing cathedral of nearby Phat Diem, which is over a hundred years old, is testament to this fact. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, the country named Dai Co Viet, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, the other is to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history. 11:30am leave Hoa Lu to Tam Coc at around 12:00pm. Having lunch in Tam Coc in a local restaurant and enjoy lunch served with goat meat which is famous as the local specialty . 1:30pm, 5 minute-walk to the boat station and start the 2hour-boat trip to visit Tam Coc. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Tam Coc are three limestone caves stretching along Ngo Dong river. The boat trip is a nice journey along the river with peaceful scenery of limestone mountains, rice paddy and the site of some temples along the way from Hang Ca (first cave) to Hang Hai (second cave) and Hang Ba (third cave). Overnight in Tam Coc.

Day3: Ninh Binh – Halong (B, L, D) Today we are transported to Ha Long City, gateway to Ha Long Bay. Stopping along the way to photograph rice fields and local, roadside villages. Arrive in Halong, transfer to the pier for embarking the junk, our crew welcomes you on board. Enjoy a welcome drink, check into your cabin and enjoy lunch with fresh seafood. At 1 PM, the boat begins a 3.5 hour cruise into Halong Bay to see the amazing karsts with different formations: Mat Qui (Monster's face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu cave, to a Floating Fishing village to see this unique way of life... and then explore Luon cave (from 4 to 5 PM). There will be lots of time for photographing. Enjoy a great sunset dinner and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.

Day4: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi – Lao Cai. (B, L, D) Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of






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the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out. Rejoin car drive back to Hanoi. 7:30pm. Leave Hanoi for Sapa by night train. Tour Guide & Car pick you up from hotel in Hanoi then transfer to Hanoi Railway Station. Take night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train

Day5: Lao Cai – Sapa (B, L, D) Arrive Lao Cai Railway Station. Pick up to Sapa town for check in. Having breakfast and start trekking down to Lao Chai village to visit the Black H'mong. Have a picnic lunch on the way then keep going along the valley to get to Ta Van village to visit the Dzay people live, which supposed to be the most friendly one in mountainous area. The next is Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dzao tribe where you will see the amazing scenery and beautiful waterfall. In the afternoon, you get back Sapa Town for free to discover Sapa Market & stay overnight in Hotel

Day 6: Sapa – Bac Sunday Market – 110 KM (B, L, D) - If interested, today morning will be arranged for attending one of the regional market of the tribal peoples: Coc Ly, Cao Son, Lung Khau Nhin, or Bac Ha markets. Road transfer may takes from 2.5 to 3 hours to the market place depending on the date of the different markets. - Then transfer from the market place to Bac Ha, check in hotel and short rest. - The rest hours of the afternoon is for photography excursion around Ban Pho and Lau Thi Ngai Valleys. Back to hotel when it gets dark. - Acc: Ngan Nga is reccommended – 2 star.

Day 7: Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang – 200 KM (B, L, D) - Leave Bac Ha early at about 07.30 Am. The road transfer from Bac Ha to Xin Man which takes the whole morning including many photo stops along the border to China. Lunch in Xin Man before taking 1.5 hours driving to Hoang Su Phi. - Having a coffee break in Hoang Su Phi before following road 184 for 62KM downhill to Tan Quang. This portion of the tour gets through the famous landscapes of Ha Giang Province featured with marvelous landscapes of the two high mountain ranges: Tay Con Linh and Kieu Lieu Ti (2nd and 3rd highest ones of Vietnam). Arriving to Tan Quang junction when it gets dark after many photo stops along the way. Please focus on the narrow valley at Nam Dich and Nam Son Commune which is 16Km from Hoang Su Phi. - Drive 45km along the road 2 to Ha Giang in the darkness and arriving to Ha Giang at about 08.00 PM, check in hotel, dinner and relax. - Acc: Huy Hoan - 2 star hotel or Truong Giang River Resort.

Day 8: Ha Giang to Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Dong Van – 146KM (B, L, D) - Leave Ha Giang at 08.30 after getting security permission from local police for traveling along border region. - The trip todays gets through the famous region of the limestone plateau, passing over 3 stunning mountain passes: Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Pho Cao before driving 32 KM amongst wall-up limestone cliffs. - Enjoy many photo stops along the way. - Arriving to Dong van at about 05.00 PM, spend an hour to take photo of Dong Van valley before it gets dark. - Acc: Rocky Plateau hotel – 2 star.

Day 9: Dong Van to Meo Vac, Bao Lac – 73KM (B, L, D) - Leave Dong Van at 08.00 Am for Meo Vac. The 28km drive offers unforgetable scenery of Vietnam’s famous wonder: The Ma Pi Leng Pass! This portion of the trip may take several hours to cover because it is a cannot-be-missed part. - Have short coffee break in Meo Vac, then take 2 hours road transfer to Bao Lac town let.






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for lunch break. - The whole afternoon is for taking photo of surrounding area of Bao Lac, especially along the Gam River. - Acc: Song Gam hotel – Basic. Day 10: Bao Lac – Cao Bang – Tra Linh – 167KM (B, L, D) - If on 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 of the lunar month, spend 2 hours in the morning to join local tribal peoples at the Bao Lac market where hilltribal peoples in their colourful traditional costumes go to the market for shopping and socialising. - Then leave Bao Lac for 137KM to Cao Bang along the upstream section of the Gam River which highlighted with high mountains, deep and narrow valleys and stunning villages of the Nung and San Chay ethnic peoples. Enjoy many photo stops and short walk along the way. - Having a coffee break in Cao Bang before transfer along a narrow tarmac for 30KM to Tra Linh town let. This portion offers scenery of the remote mountainous region and typical dweling of the Tay ethnic who live in large villages form by traditional houses built on stilts. - Check in local guesthouse and spend the rest of the afternoon to explore the local life. - Acc: Local guesthouse – Basic. Day 11: Tra Linh – Ban Gioc – Pac Bo cave - Cao Bang – 156KM (B, L, D) - Breakfast and 1 hour in the morning to pay visit to local market in Tra Linh where the Hmong peoples, living in high mountainous region comes early every morning to sell their local products. - Leave Tra Linh for 2 hours road trip to Ban Gioc Waterfall. Having several stops along the way and about 3 hour at the Ban Gioc Waterfall which lies right at the borderline and well-known as the most impressive waterfall in Vietnam. - Lunch break and then process to north to the Chinese border and visit the former hideout of the late president Ho Chi Minh (Pac Bo cave). See how he lived and worked for four years to mastermind the 1954 independence from French forces. Return to Cao Bang Town - Then dirve back to Cao Bang via Quang Nguyen district which offers different scenery. - Arriving to hotel at the center of Cao Bang in late afternoon. Check in hotel and spend the rest hours of the afternoon to explore this charming township. - Acc: Bang Giang hotel – 3 star.

Day 12: Cao Bang - Hanoi – 310KM (B, L, D) - full day road transfer back to Hanoi, first along the borderline via Dong Khe, That Khe to Lang Son and then follow national road 1A to Hanoi. - Arrive back to Hanoi at about 6.00PM, drop off at hotel.

Day13: Hanoi Sightseeing full day (B, L, D) Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style architecture. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead, including a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, which was built by Ly Thai Tong and the Temple of Literature, founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake, which contains an islet with a tiny Tortoise Pagoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Opera House and St. Joseph Cathedral. Conclude with a visit to Bao Tang Lich, once the museum of l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, which includes artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history. Water Puppet Show, Cyclo visiting Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day14: Hanoi – Departure (B)






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You have the morning free to relax before your return flight home. Finish your unforgettable trip with Green Trail Tours!

TOUR: INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions - 12 night’s hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic 2,3*** with daily breakfast; - 01 night in soft sleeper cabinet; - Meals (B, L, D) as mentioned in the itineraries: Vietnamese food, Asian Food basic. - All landed transfers within the tour by air-conditioned vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at airports on arrival and departure days; - English Speaking Tour guide. Other languages on request - Boat trips in the Halong Bay; Tam Coc; - All entrance and sightseeing fees - All taxes & services charge.

Exclusion - Internal flight tickets; - International airfare and airport taxes in Vietnam - Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program - Visa fees to Vietnam - Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels - Travel insurance - Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...) - Tipping/ Gratuities - Single supplement - Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.