The Northwest Loop

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   ARRIVE IN HANOI (D)
   Welcome to Vietnam! The tourguide of THREELAND TRAVEL will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the centre of Hanoi to check-in hotel. Let’s have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake), and at Quan Thanh Taoist Temple. Late afternoon we will enjoy a unique fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi. Please note: Standard check-in time is 14:00. Early check in is subject to availability of the hotel.  
2. Day 02

   HANOI - MAI CHAU (B/L/D)
   After breakfast, drive to Mai Chau, a beautiful valley inhabited by the “Thai” people in Hoa Binh province. As soon as we get out of Hanoi, the limestone mountain ranges rush up and give the scenery an imposing view. Arrive in Mai Chau late noon, have lunch in Mai Chau and hike around the villages full of house-on-stilts, pretty handmade textile products and vast paddyfields to enjoy the routine life of the Thai people. Dinner and overnight in a house-on-stilt in Mai Chau.
3. Day 03

   MAI CHAU - MOC CHAU - SONLA - TUAN GIAO - DIEN BIEN PHU (B/L/D)
   It's a long day today since the mountain roads do not allow the car's highest speed exceed 45km per hour. In return, we are crossing the most magnificent part of the Hoang Lien Son range - the Tonkinese Alps, the home of most colourful-dressed montagnards, who still maintain lots of their long-term culture and traditions. From Mai Chau, we will drive to Son La via Moc Chau, where located hundreds of immense farms of dairy cows and where the best tea of Vietnam is produced. Surrounding Moc Chau is the inhabitation of various tribes including the H'mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao. Let's stop en route to visit villages and orchard / tea farm in Moc chau before reach Sonla (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch. Afternoon head to Dien Bien Phu via Tuan Giao. The most picturesque scenery here belongs to Pha Din Pass, which is well-known as a historical site during the 1st Indochina War ended in 1954, and a charming and dangerous pass at elevation 1,300m with breathtaking view. Arrive Dien Bien Phu township in the evening for dinner and overnight.
4. Day 04

   DIEN BIEN PHU - MUONG LAY (B/L/D)
   Just 35 km from the Laos border, Dien Bien Phu was the final battlefield of the First Indochina War. After 1954, the area transformed into a peaceful green valley inhabited by many ethnic groups. Visit key historical sites including the Dien Bien Museum, A1 Hill, General De Castries’ bunker, and the memorials honoring both Vietnamese and French soldiers who died in the 1954 battle. Continue northeast to Muong Lay, home to the Thai ethnic minority who live in stilt houses along the Da River. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy a leisurely cycling tour around local villages to connect with the community—an authentic highlight of the day. Overnight in Muong Lay.
5. Day 05

   MUONG LAY - SAPA (B/L)
   Wake up to the peaceful surroundings and head east toward Sapa, a scenic mountain town. If it’s Saturday or Sunday, make an early trip to Sin Ho Market, where ethnic minority communities gather in traditional dress to trade goods and socialize. If it's not, we'll drive directly toward Sapa. En route, stop at a Lu ethnic minority village in Tam Duong and take in panoramic views from the O Quy Ho Pass. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and continue with a visit to the Silver Waterfall before arriving in Sapa. Optional stops (with entrance fees): Dragon Glass Bridge Love Waterfall Arrive in Sapa late afternoon, check in to your hotel, and enjoy a free evening to explore the town’s restaurants, shops, and night market. Overnight in Sapa.
6. Day 06

   SAPA - MUONG HOA VALLEY (B/L)
   Start the day with fresh mountain air and a hearty breakfast before heading out on a full-day trek through the stunning Muong Hoa Valley, one of Vietnam’s most scenic landscapes. Begin from Sapa, following the trail down to Y Linh Ho Village, passing through terraced rice fields and Hmong ethnic homes. Continue trekking along the valley to Lao Chai Village, where you'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take part in a handicraft workshop, where you’ll observe traditional fabric-making and try your hand at basic techniques like wax drawing or creating patterns. Finish the trek at Ta Van Village, then transfer by bus back to your hotel in Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.  
7. Day 07

   SAPA - HANOI (B)
   Enjoy a free morning at leisure or choose from optional activities: Ride the cable car to the summit of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina Visit Cat Cat Village, a picturesque Hmong village known for its waterfall and traditional music shows After lunch, depart for Hanoi. Arrive in the evening, check in to your hotel, and rest. Overnight in Hanoi.
8. Day 08

   HANOI – HALONG – OVERNIGHT ONBOARD (B/L/D)
   If you wish to see how the Hanoi people rise and shine in the morning, wake up early and run to a lake close by your hotel, you can join an exciting scene of hundreds of locals, passionately attentive in their morning exercises of Tai Chi quan, jogging, martial arts, classical dance and so on. After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO since 1994 and 2006, and check-in our overnight boat. Enjoy a trip on Halong with stops to visit caves or to swim and enjoy the sunset on the sea. Dinner with fresh seafood! Overnight onboard.
9. Day 09

   HALONG BAY - HANOI (B/Br)
   Morning wake up with a taichi-quan or yoga exercises guided by the crew before having breakfast whilst your boat goes on between Halong islets. Return to the Wharf to be back to Hanoi at midday. Arrive in the city around 3-4pm. Overnight in Hanoi.  
10. Day 10

    HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
    At your leisure until your guide comes to meet and transfer you to the airport to take the departure flight. End of services!  Please note: Standard check-out time is 12:00.

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