HANOI, HA LONG, SAPA
4-18 November 2019
- Hanoi Old Town
- Unesco site, Trang An
- Unesco site, Halong Bay
- Wonderful treks in Sapa
- Beautiful Ban Giou Waterfall
- Unesco site, Trang An
- Unesco site, Halong Bay
- Wonderful treks in Sapa
- Beautiful Ban Giou Waterfall
Map of our roadtrip:
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Day 1 : Singapore - Hanoi
We flew SingaporeAir from Singapore to Hanoi, which took about 3h20m direct flight and the airfare costs SGD257.50 each. Landed at 518pm local time. Out from immigration and custom by 6pm. First thing was to buy a 2 weeks SIM card for 300k VND for 9GB 4G & unlimited 3G with 10 mins local call. After that, we grab a car from airport to our hotel in the Old Quarter for 210k VND. Arrived hotel at 655pm. Took about 45 mins from airport to Old Quarter. After settling down, we walked to Boon Cha Ta for dinner (180k VND), yummy and inexpensive. From there, we walked to the lake for photos before ending the night at Beer Street. Back to hotel around midnight. Wifi password 20406080 Hotel: Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa (VND3.3m for 3 nights) |
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Day 2 : Hanoi
After breakfast, we shopped around the Old Quarter, and visited Cathedrale Saint Joseph. Then we headed to the Book street for some photos before walking to Hoa Lo Prison Memorial. The entrance fee is 30k VND each, and we spend 30-45 mins here before walking to Quan An Ngon for dinner (313k VND). Before heading back to hotel, we walked to the train street for coffee and some photos. Hotel: Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa |
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Day 3 : Hanoi
After breakfast, we walked 5-10mins to the wholesale market located within the Old Quarter. Then we grab a cab to visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda in West Lake. From there, we walked leisurely towards Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and visited some of the attractions within the compound. From here, we walked to Temple of Literature for a short 30-45 mins visit. After visiting the Temple, we walked back to the Old Quarter for dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long. Order a set for the two of us to share, which cost 160k VND. End the day with dessert in the street stall. Hotel: Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa |
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Day 4: Hanoi - Tam Coc
After checking out from Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa, we grab a taxi to Tam Coc for 822k VND at 915am, arriving the hotel at 1145am. Hotel: Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow for two nights (VND1.8m for two nights). |
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Day 5 : Tam Coc
Woke up 545am so that I can have photos for sunrise around our hotel. Rode the motorcycle nearby to have more photos before going back to hotel for breakfast at around 8am. First stop for the day was Hang Mua Viewpoint. Entrance fee 100k VND each and bike parking 10k. Arrived at 9am, and we sepnd about 2.5 hours here taking photos and hiking up the 500 steps for the awesome view. Our second stop was Trang An, an Unesco site in Vietnam. The ride was about 30mins from Hang Mua, and we arrived at noon. We took route 3 for our boat ride, which cost 200k VND each. Biking parking is 15k VND here. We boarded the boat at1215pm, and ended at 245pm about 2.5 hours including stops at 3 temples. Route 3 consis of 3 caves (1km long, 400m, and last one is 150m, and 3 temples. Although the lady that row the boat did not ask for any tips, we tipped her 100k VND for her hard work. Our final stop for the day was the Ancient City. Entrance fee is only 20k VND each. We finished visiting the place by 430pm, and ride bacy to town for massage and dinner. Body massage cost 300k VND an hour (very good), and 250k VND for foot massage. Dinner at xxx for delicious roast duck and beer. Hotel: Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow |
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Day 6 : Tam Coc - Halong Bay
Booked a 3D2N Cruise with Stellar of the Seas Cruise for 14.9m VND through Booking.com for a junior suite. Woke up 530am for breakfast and the owner of the hotel send the two of us to the bus station at 630am via motorcycle. We had originally booked a private transport (USD85 one-way) by the cruise company, but decided to switch to the bus after finding out there's direct bus from Ninh Binh to Tuan Chau Marina where we board the boat. The one-way bus ticket cost only 150k VND per person. The bus departed Tam Coc at 650am and reached the rest stop at 935am for toilet break and coffee. It set off again at around 1005am, and arrived Tuan Chau Marina at aroudn 1130am. Upon arriving at waiting area Lot 24 at Tuan Chau marina, we made the payment at waited till 1240pm to board the small speedboat to transferred us to Stellar of the Seas. The boat ride was about 25 mins. Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing, safety instruction. Set sail as lunch is served 12:30 - Join us for a typical lunch in the luxury dining room with indoor or outdoor dining area. - Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind - Continue cruising through Con Vit islet, Thumb islet and Gia Luan habour where belonged to Cat Ba area. - Discover lagoon natural area belonged to Lan Ha bay. Drop anchor for swimming or just simply sunbathe on our cruise (private, wild and fresh air). - Heading back toward the sleeping area Early evening Summit on the sundeck for watching the sunset, enjoy Sunset party. It’s ideal time to make acquaintance with new friends, sharing your traveling experience or simply watching the sunset or just relax in the seasonal swimming pool, or enjoy your time in our golf course. 18:00 Join us for a short class of cooking demonstration. Our chef will guide you how to make famous traditional Vietnamese spring rolls. Here you will understand the culinary culture of the Vietnamese 19:00 - BBQ dinner is served with fresh food menu outside of swimming pool area. - After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at panoramic bar with seasonal pool view, at wine and cigars cellar, or take one of our onboard activities: games, movies, and squid fishing… or relaxing with massage services. Overnight on board. |
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Day 7 - Halong Bay
6:30am Join us for a Tai Chi session for the early risers on the sun deck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body and there is no better environment to practice this than amongst the limestone peaks and islands. 07:30am Joining light breakfast in a panorama view of the world heritage site. After breakfast, enjoy your time for relaxing in amazing view of the Lan Ha bay while the boat continues cruising further for sightseeing. 11:30 approx Lunch is served before getting on the speed boat to explore some unique area where the main boat cannot go through. 13:15 approx Transfer to the speed boat heading to Viet Hai Village. Afternoon: Take the bicycle ride to enjoy gorgeous sceneries along village roads and go through rain forests. We also visit a local family’s house to see the daily life of local people. Back to the day boat to continue cruising further in Lan Ha Bay. 15:00 Arrive to Ba Trai Dao Beach area for swimming, guest will have chance to see fish farm at the typical Lan Ha bay floating village. Early evening - Back to Stellar of the seas, take time to refresh or play some short game in our golf course or relax with massage services as we cruise to sleeping area. BBQ dinner (different menu) is served. - After dinner reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at our bar, swimming pool, wine and cigars cellar or enjoy the landscape of the bay at night. Relax with massage services. Take one of our on-board activities like squid fishing, watching movies in the restaurant. Overnight on board |
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Day 8 - Halong Bay - Hanoi - Sapa
06:30 Join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck for early riser. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, joining Tai Chi session to full charge your energy for the new day. 07:00 – 7:45 Local light breakfast is served 08:00 - Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Dark & Bright Cave (Hang Sang & Toi) - Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on kayak or comfortably on local bamboo boat rowed by the locals. 09:30 Check out the room 10:00 Vietnamese cuisine is served. 12:00 - Disembark from the cruise as our crew say farewell, back to Tuan Chau Marina by our speedboat - Transfer to the limousine at 1215pm, and returned to Hanoi. We arrived back at Classy hotel approximately 235pm and waited for our pick up to Sapa in the hotel. The vehicle came around 315pm. From there, we reached our first rest stop for coffee break at 450pm. After 5-10 mins rest, we continued our journey to Sapa, arriving at our hotel in Sapa at 815pm. Checked into hotel and rest and relax for the night. Hotel: Sapa Village Hotel (570k VND, inclusive of bf) |
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Day 9 - Sapa
After breakfast, we walked about 15-20 mins from our hotel to Sapa train station located inside Sun Plaza. We arrived at the train station at 959am, and the train left at 10am. It was a short 7-8 mins ride to reach the cable car station. From there, short 5-8 mins walk to the boarding station, and we boarded the cable car at 1015am and reached the top at 1035am. At the cable car station, you need to either take another funicular or climb 600 steps (some are pretty steep) to reach the peak. We would suggest paying for 1-way funicular ride up and walking down. Magnificent view up here especially on a clear day. Wee spend about 3 hours up here and took the cable car down at around 125pm. Had lunch in Sapa town before walking to Cat Cat village, which is only 15-20 mins easy walk. At around 6pm, we headed back to our hotel to collect our luggage and took a cab to our next accommodation in Sapa (paid 150k VND for the taxi ride; realised should be able to get here for 100k). Hotel: Sapa Eco-Home-Mountain Retreat (1.9m VND for two nights) |
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Day 10 - Sapa
Departed1020am from our hotel to start our walk to Lau Chai Village. It was an easy walk through the valley with lots of nice rice terraces for beautiful photos. You don't really need a guide to do the trail to the villages. We were back to our hotel by 3pm including breaks in between and time for photos. Rest and relax and had dinner in our hotel. Hotel: Sapa Eco-Home-Mountain Retreat |
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Day 11 - Sapa - Hanoi
We woke up 845am for breakfast and checked out at 11am. Left the hotel to Sapa town at 1230pm, and paid 80k VND for taxi. We had lunch in Sapa town and strolled around till 3pm for our transfer back to Hanoi. We arrived Hanoi Old Quarter at around 825pm, inclusive of two rest stops. Rest and relax for the night in hotel as we have long day ahead. Hotel: Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa |
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Day 12 - Hanoi - Ba Be National Park
We signed for a 3D2N tour package for US$150 each through our hotel. The travel agent picked us up at 630am and went to Hanoi Opera to pick up another 6 locals. From there, we drove towards Ba Be Lake. Along the way, we stopped for breakfast, toilet break, and lunch. We arrived Ba Be Lake at 230pm, and get into a boat for sightseeing around the lake. There were 3 stops for the boat ride, the first 'Farry Pond', which is over 3,000m3, surrounded by limestone mountain and old-growth forest. Second stop was An Ma Temple. According to legend, in Le-Mac war, Mac generals lost the fight. They ran to Puong Cave and ended their lives there to protect their loyalty and pride. To eulogize Mac generals' spirit, people built a temple to worthship Mac family. Worried that Le soliders would destroy this temple, they changed its name to An Ma. The word "An Ma" means peaceful and beautiful grave in Tay people's language. The final stop was Widow Island, a really small island lies in the middle of Ba Be Lake. Personally, Ba Be Lake and all the three stops are not very interesting for us after visiting Ninh Binh and Halong, and we would be happy to skip this completely. We were send to our homestay at Pac Ngoi village at around 415pm. Rest and relax till 630pm for dinner. |
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Day 13 - Ba Be National Park - Waterfall - Cao Bang
Woke up 6am for breakfast and checked out of the homestay at 630am towards Cao Bang. Along the way, we passed by some passes such as Wind Pass, Khau Khang Pass, Tai Ho Sin Pass, Cao Bac Pass. We stopped at lunch at Quang Uyen town. At around 130pm, we arrived at Ban Gioc Waterfall, with a height of 53m, dividing into 3 levels. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam and it is also the forth largest waterfall in top 10 greatest waterfalls lying between 2 countries in the world. We can immediately see that there were a lot more tourists at the China side vs Vietnam. You really can't see the three layers up close because of the height. After about 1.5 hours here., we continued our journey to Tiger Cave, which is only 3km from the waterfall. We end the tour visiting Phuc Sen Knife village, which is famous for making knife tradition. From there, we drove to Cao Bang to check into our hotel and had dinner in a restaurant nearby. At around 8pm, we walked to the pedestrian street for a stroll before going back to the hotel for the night. |
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Day 14 - Cao Bang - Pac Bo Historic Monuments - Hanoi
Had breakfast in the hotel at 630am and checked out by 650am and headed for Pac Bo. Arrived at Pac Bo historic monument (50km from Cao Bang), and had a view at the place where Ho Chi Mihn lived and led Vietnam's revolution from 1941 to 1945. Here, we can see Lennin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain, and visited Coc Bo Cave (the cave HCM lived). Headed back to Hanoi after having lunch. We arrived Hanoi Old Quarter at around 630pm. Stayed in Classy Holiday Hotel & Spa |
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Day 15 - Hanoi - Singapore
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TRIP PHOTOS - VIETNAM