Vietnam DMC 9 Days Package the Pearls of the North

Refine Asia Operation Offices: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan

Email: [email protected] / www.refineasia.com

The Pearls of the North

Vietnam

Duration : 9 Days / 8 Nights

Destinations : Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay – Cat Ba – Ninh Binh - Hanoi



Geography

Vietnam covers an area of 330,363 sq. km and is

about as big as Italy or New Mexico. The country has

three main geographic regions - the tropical south

dominated by the Mekong River estuary, the dry

central region, and the more temperate north

comprising the River delta and mountain highlands.

Religion

Vietnam supports adherents of all the major world

religions, as well as followers of religions that are

peculiarly Vietnamese: Theravada and Mahayana

Buddhism, Protestant and Catholic Christianity,

Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Cao Daism, Hoa Hao

and Hinduism. In addition spirit and ancestor worship,

To Tien, is also practiced. Confucianism is probably

the most pervasive doctrine of all.

Climate

Vietnam’s climate is very diverse because the

country covers a wide range of latitudes and

altitudes.

The North: The cold season is between November

and April when average temperatures are around

60°F/16°C and it is often wet and chilly. In the hot

period, between May and October, the average

temperature is about 86°F/30°C. The South: The

temperatures in the south are constant all year,

ranging from 77-86°F/25-30°C. The dry season is from

November to April and the wet period from May to

October.

People

Ethnic Vietnamese constitute almost 90 percent of

the population in Vietnam. Originating in what is

now southern China and northern Vietnam, the

Vietnamese people pushed southward over several

centuries to occupy the entire eastern seacoast of

the Indochinese Peninsula. Nearly 100 years of

French rule (1858-1954) introduced important

European elements, but the Vietnamese still attach

great importance to the family and continue to

observe rites honoring their ancestors, indicating the

persistence of tradition.

Manners

The Vietnamese used to greet one another by

clasping their hands, prayer-like, in front of their

faces and bowing slightly. Unfortunately, this

charming custom has been replaced by the

handshake. When trying to gain the attention of a

Vietnamese, try not to point or gesture excessively.

This is regarded as rude. Call out their names if

possible, if not beckon by using the whole hand,

palm downwards.



With rolling mountains and stunning blue seas, northern Vietnam embraces a spectrum of

diversity still unknown to most local and foreign travelers. During this 9-day captivating

journey, discover the vast and splendid National Park of Cat Ba Island and Cuc Phuong,

observe the spectacular limestone landscape of Halong Bay and Dry Halong Bay and stroll

around colorful hill-tribe fairs nearby to the peaks of Vietnam. All this and more will surely

make this trip memorable. This trip is intended for those who have time to explore northern

Vietnam extensively.

Day 1 Arrival Hanoi (-/-/D)

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. As soon as the guests arrive at Noi Bai airport on

their flight from home, they will be warmly greeted by Refine Asia staff who will assist to clear

all formalities and handle the luggage.

At the hotel, the guests will be welcomed with cool towels and welcome drinks at the lounge,

while our hospitality staff clears all the check-in formalities. The guests will have time to refresh

or relay after a long flight.

Welcome Dinner at Press Club Restaurant

Gourmet western cuisine is the hallmark of the award-winning Restaurant at the Press Club,

headed by classically-trained Swiss Chef Marcel Isaak, and serviced by a dedicated team of

staff. Evocative of Vietnam in the 1920s, the restaurant features two private dining rooms, a

fully-stocked wine cellar, beautiful polished bar, and international cigar menu.

Overnight in Hanoi



Day 2 Hanoi - Lao Cai (B/L/D)

Today the guests will enjoy a full day City tour through Hanoi. Hanoi is one of the oldest and

most charming cities in Asia, and apart from its traditional Vietnamese architecture, there is a

French quarter with grand French colonial villas and broad boulevards lined with sandalwood

trees and coffee houses. On this tour the group will visit Ngoc Son Temple inside Hoan Kiem

Lake, the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Museum of Ethnology and the Temple of Literature. In the

course of the tour, the group will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. As a conclusion, a one-

hour cyclo ride through the old quarter will be made.

The One Pillar Pagoda: Built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong

in thanksgiving for his heir in 1922, this pagoda is a

Buddhist representation of the world in the form of a

lotus coming out of the water, containing a statue of

the Goddess of Mercy. Originally made of wood on one

single stone column, the current pillar was reconstructed

in 1955 after being destroyed by the French in 1954.

The Temple of Literature: The Temple of Literature is a

peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful

gateways and is one of the best-preserved examples of

traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070

and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of

Vietnam’s first university. In one courtyard, giant stone

tortoises bear stelae on their backs, listing the

accomplishments of graduating scholars.

Museum of Ethnology: This museum brings to life the

astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and

artefacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit

the country. Inside the museum are detailed

descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their

traditional clothing and way of life.



There are many ways to see the city, but

the best and most unique way to

discover the Old Quarter of Hanoi and its

authentic atmosphere is to take the

traditional transportation “cyclo”. With

the one hour riding on this special kind of

“moving armchair” through the 36 streets

which are dedicated to 36 different

products in the old quarter of Hanoi, our

group will gain a whole day’s worth of

knowledge about the authentic Vietnamese culture and way of life.

In the evening, the guests will be transferred to the train station for their trip to Sa Pa. Dinner

will be served on board.

Victoria Express Train

With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Express Train recalls a more romantic era. Passing

through the exotic landscapes of North Vietnam, it offers every visitor a wonderful travelling

experience. Indulge yourself in our dining carriage, “Le Tonkin”, where you can savor the

delights of traditional Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Our talented Chef has selected the

best wines, adding a further exquisite touch to a memorable experience. Discover our 4-

course set menus!

Overnight in train



Day 3 Lao Cai - Sapa (B/L/-)

Arrival at Lao Cai Train Station in the very early morning. The guests will be picked up and

transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Afterwards departure for the Silver Waterfall.

The Silver Waterfall is located about a half hour from Sapa town which offers stunning views

over surrounding mountains and lush forests belonging to Hoang Lien National Park. The

guests are advised to stop by a farm for a cup of tea and talk with people to understand

their local life. Then continue the drive uphill to the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road

in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy fantastic

view over the valley!

Afterwards transfer to the hotel for check in and remaining day at leisure.

Overnight in Sapa

Day 4 Sapa - Lao Cai – Hanoi (B/L/-)

After breakfast, the guests will first sneak through the

Sapa market and leave the busy town behind. After

a couple of minutes, they will follow a road going

downhill to Cat Cat village. The guests will stop by a

waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while

before continuing the trek on a dirt trail through rice

paddy terraces. They will enjoy spectacular scenery

while walking along a narrow river.



Eventually the guests arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where they can take

a rest while lunch is serve d nearby the river. After lunch, the guests will head toward Muong

Hoa valley. They will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan

village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route.

Afterwards, return to Sapa from Tavan by car. Transfer to Lao Cai to catch the train back to

Hanoi.

Overnight in Train

Day 5 Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Upon arrival at Hanoi train station in th every early

morning, the guests will enjoy a breakfast at a local

restaurant. Afterwards, they will be transferred to Gia

Lam airport for their helicopter flight to Halong Bay.

Before the group gets ready for landing, they will

enjoy spectacular views of the landscapes of the

World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Halong Bay is one

of the most magnificent scenic spots in all of Vietnam

and was recognized as a world natural heritage site

by UNESCO in 1994. Halong is a picturesque bay with almost 2,000 islets rising from the clear

emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.



Afterwards the guests will embark the Au Co Cruise ship, with which they will cruise through

Halong Bay for the following two days. Lunch will be served on board.

Gala Dinner at Trong Cave

In the evening the guests will enjoy a unique and memorable gala dinner set at the Trong

Cave in Halong Bay. The guests will pass through the candle-lit pathway and will with no

doubt be bewitched by the mystical scenery inside: A magnificent atmosphere making the

evening an unforgettable experience. (This activity is subjected to a certain minimum number

of participants.

Overnight on board in Halong Bay



Day 6 Halong Bay - Cat Ba (B/-/-)

Continue cruising and disembark in the late morning at Halong. Afterwards the guests will

take another boat for approximately 1.5h to get to marvellous Cat Ba Island. The driver awaits

the guests at Gia Luan Pier and takes them to a natural getaway - the Cat Ba National Park.

Check in at your hotel.

In the afternoon the guests will take a trekking excursion to Frog Lake for approximately 3h.

Along the way they will for sure have the chance to see some animals of the park as monkeys

and butterflies. Return to the hotel.

Overnight at Cat Ba

Day 7 Cat Ba – Ninh Binh (B/-/-)

Today the guests will have to wake up early! They

will be picked up at the hotel for the transfer to

the pier. A speedboat takes the guests to Hai

Phong, to continue by car to Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh,

some 100km (62 miles) south of Hanoi, offers a

world of natural wonders and cultural heritage to

explore. Stop by Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam

in the 10th century, known to travelers as

Vietnam's "inland Halong Bay." After visiting two

temples in commemoration of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh in the ancient

capital. The guests will enjoy the amazing boat trip to visit Trang An grottoes which is a

gathering of 31 valleys, 50 cross-water caves, and home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200

kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. While rowing through Trang An

grotto in the quiet, fresh air of the highlands, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring

the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains upon which graze white

goats, the guests will enjoy a heaven on earth.

Overnight in Ninh Binh



Day 8 Ninh Binh - Hanoi (B/-/D)

Head to Cuc Phuong National Park in the morning to visit the endangered primate rescue

center, where rare primates are being saved from poachers and they are prepared to live

again in their natural habitat. Tour the centre which is run by Vietnamese and German

biologists and observe the different primate species living here.

After that the guests will drive 20 km to the starting point of the trekking trail and visit a pre-

historic cave along the way. Remains of human skeleton and stone tools dating back as far

as 7,500 years have been found there. Start the trek to the 1000 year old tree and back; the

trail leads 6 km through the jungle.

Drive back to Hanoi in the early afternoon.

Farewell Dinner at LY Club Lounge and Restaurant

Centrally located in the core of city. Built in late 19 century same period with legendary Long

Bien bridge, this French architecture building is redesigned and set in a trendy and elegant

concept with a Wine cellar, Cocktail Bar, Fine-dining Restaurant and Theatre Hall

Coming to Ly Club is not only for delicious tastes of cuisine but also is chance to see our wish

to showcase and support to Vietnam’s unique performing arts so that those traditions may

continue to flourish.

Overnight in Hanoi



Day 9 Departure Hanoi (B/-/-)

After breakfast in the hotel and at the respective time, the guests will be transferred to the

airport for their departure flight back home.

Refine Asia wishes a safe trip home

Step back into history at

Hanois most storied 5-star

hotel. A Grand Dame of

Southeast Asia Sofi tel Legend

Metropole Hanoi welcomes

guests to experience

her colonial grandeur

and timeless elegance.

Please join us for a Magnifi que

voyage to Hanoi. Savour the

French art de vivre blended

with elegant Vietnamese

touches amidst the charms

of the French Quarter.

Located steps from the Opera House in Hanois French Quarter

this legendary property brings guests into intimate contact

with the opulence of another era. Surround yourself in heritage

as you stroll stately corridors and explore a dramatic past.

Savour luxury hotel rooms (364) and suites (22) that have

welcomed many of the worlds greatest luminaries. The

fi n-de-siecle style Graham Greene Charlie Chaplin and

Somerset Maugham Suites offer a luxurious window onto

character of Old Indochine.Likewise fi nd yesteryear serenity

refl ected in the sanctuary of Le Spa du Metropole. Lavish your

body with French beauty therapies and healing Asian rituals

in spa treatment rooms that echo a timeless refi nement.

Savour legendary cuisine in Hanoi’s most celebrated

restaurants. Le Beaulieu lavishes the palate with

French haute cuisine and the sommelier’s fi ne wine

pairings. Taste authentic Vietnamese in the Spices

Garden and modern Italian culinary art at Angelina.

Guests staying at Sofi tel Legend Metropole Hanoi enjoy

a full range of 5star luxury hotel services and facilities.

Sofi tel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Refi ne Asia Operation Offi ces: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan

Email: sales@refi neasia.com / www.refi neasia.com

With its elegant carriages, the Victoria Express

Train recalls a more romantic era. Passing through

the exotic landscapes of North Vietnam, it offers

every visitor a wonderful travelling experience.

Indulge yourself in our dining carriage, “Le Tonkin”, where

you can savor the delights of traditional Vietnamese

and Western cuisine. Our talented Chef has selected

the best wines, adding a further exquisite touch to a

memorable experience. Discover our 4-course set menus!

The train departs six times a week, linking Hanoi to Lao

Cai. The Victoria Express Train is a 8.5 hour trip from Hanoi

to Lao Cai, accommodating up to 52 passengers in two

luxurious sleeping carriages. Each sleeping carriage has

6 superior cabins (4 berths) and 1 deluxe cabin (2 berths),

all are air-conditioned, wood paneled, with individual

reading lights, baggage storage and oversized windows.

Victoria Express Train



Sapa is located in Lao Cai Province, 380 km Northwest

of Hanoi, in close proximity to the Chinese border.

Famous for its terraced rice paddies & highlands,

Sapa is home to more than 30 colorful hill tribes and

close to Vietnam’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan.

The four star Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, the only luxury

hotel in the region, was built as a traditional chalet with

accented wooden décor, the Resort overhangs the

village, blending perfectly with its natural surroundings.

The 77 rooms at Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa feature

private terrace, wood fl ooring and offer views over Sapa

village, the resort’s lush gardens or Mount Fansipan. A

warm touch of local decoration provides guests with

a sense of calm in the mountain chalet atmosphere.

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa offers the fi nest dining

available in the region. The Chef’s fi ne cuisine blends

local ingredients to create exciting international

dishes with a French and Vietnamese fl air.

Enjoy traditional dances performed by H’mong and Thai

Minority people every Saturday night at Ta Van Restaurant.

Enjoy a glass of hot red wine by the fi replace at the Ta

Fin Bar after a day of sightseeing in the Sapa region.

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa





Au Co Cruise Halong Bay

The Au Co is the fi rst and only luxury cruise operator

offering full cruise program & itinerary in a single trip

through world-renowned Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay,

Lan Ha Bay & Cat Ba Island.

The Au Co ship features the very latest safety standards

and represents Vietnamese and Oriental culture at its

best. Each of her 32 spaciously-designed private cabins

boasts luxurious bathrooms and panoramic balconies.

1

Catba – Pearl Island, is the most beautiful, largest island in

Halong Bay, the World Natural Heritage Site recognized by

UNESCO and Catba itself was recognized as a World Biosphere.

Charmingly and isolated lie on Catba Island – a spectacular

natural wonder, Catba Island Resort and Spa honors to

offer you the memorable and meaningful holidays… With

the unique design “East meets West” – French colonial

architecture combined with ancient original style of

Vietnam having 165 spacious and elegant, well appointed

rooms with hardwood fl oor and bamboo furniture all

create luxury & warmth, offering a comprehensive range

of guest facilities and services, all with individual bay view

balconies, 4 star amenities, multi-channel TV, and a mini bar.

Please enjoy dining experience in our Seashore

Restaurant that designed like a ship, or at the Terrace

with plentiful food. Savor the fi neness of cocktails or wine

with premium brands at Fun Pub, Pirate Bar… relax and

pamper yourself with professional massage service…

adventurous feelings at Water Park, entertaining and

refreshing at Game House with Chess, Dart, Billard…

Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa



Managed by Emeralda Management Group (EMG)

since 2011, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh is located on

the edge of Van Long Natural Reserve, Ninh Binh

province where as mentioned earlier can be reached

approximately 90 minutes leisure drive from Hanoi.

Styled with traditional Vietnamese elements in architecture

and furnishings, wedded to cutting edge enhancements

and guest comforts, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh incorporates

the environmental commitment evident throughout

the resort. Natural materials used for construction

and fi nishes, with local produce and ingredients

combined to create memorable dining experiences.

With a total of 172 guest rooms, 3 superb restaurants

and bar, Spa La Cochinchine, mini golf course and 2

conference halls. Wake up to a mountainous scene from

a Tonkin decorated Emeralda superior room, featuring

complimentary high-speed internet access and well

equipped bathrooms. Make yourself comfortable in an

Emeralda deluxe room or Emeralda duplex family room,

offering a true sense of Vietnam, comprising spacious

bathrooms with garden view and an outdoor shower, a

natural private terrace allows you to relax in a comfortable

lounge chair with a good book or a calming cup of tea.

Emeralda Resort

Ninh Binh





THANK YOU!

Your Refine Asia team

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Vietnam DMC 9 Days Package the Pearls of the North