As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural center of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.

North-west Vietnam offers travellers some of the country's most spectacular scenery. The mountainous areas are home to many distict hill tribes, some still living as they have for generations, despite ever-increasing Vietnamese and Western influences.

Highway 6 has recently renovated and bitumened from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu. Even more exciting is Highway 32 between Dien Bien Phu and Lai Chau - a dangerous cliffhanger frequently wiped out by landslides. The ensuring stretch from Lai Chau into Sapa is bumpy in places but offers some of the best mountain vistas in South-East Asia.

Tour Highlights

• Visit Hanoi,home to a number of museums, including the Vietnamese National History Museum, the National Museum of Ethnology, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Revolution Museum .
• The most interesting (and hair-raising) journey of all is the 'north-west loop'.
• Head for  Son La and Dien Bien Phu, then north to Lai Chau, Sapa.

Day 1: Hanoi – arrival (D)

Warmly welcome and meet at Noibai international airport and transfer to hotel by Minmax Travel Vietnam. Dinner at restaurant. Over night in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour(B,L,D)

8.30 AM: Visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's House-on-stilt, Ho Chi Minh Museum (or Ethnic Museum), Van Mieu (Temple of Literature), then you have Lunch

PM: Visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple. Cyclo (2 hours) to visit Old Quarter of Hanoi and Dong Xuan Market. You have dinner. And enjoy water puppet show. Over night in Hanoi.

 Day 3: Hanoi - Sonla (B,L,D)

AM : Our guide and th Driver will pick you up at your hotel and leave for Son La. On the way stop for taking photos, discovering hilltribes life and enjoy fresh air of the Tonkin Mountain. Picnic lunch.

PM : Keep driving to Son La town through peaceful mountainous villages of Black and White Thai peole. Arrive in Son La, check in hotel, have dinner. Free time and O/N in Son La.

Day 4: Son La - Dien Bien city(B,L,D)

AM : After breakfast your guide will take you to Visit french prison, Son La Ethnology museum and depart to Dien Bien with stop over at Thuan Chau market,where the black Thai, H'mong and the other hilltribes come to exchange their agricultal products. Enjoy the panorama of valleys and peacefulvillages from the top of Pha Din pass (1300 m high ) have lunch in Tuan Giao.

PM : keeping going to Dien Bien Phu. Arrive in there. Check in hotel. Have dinner . O/N in Dien Bien.

Day 5: Dien Bien city - Lai Chau(B,L,D)

AM : Breakfast. Visit the famous an cient battlefield II hill, museum, CP of decastrie (the frech general was defeatad here) Drive up to Lai Chau to visit a remote area with simle and friendly people, like: Flower H' Mong black Thai Muong, and red Dao. Have lunch.

PM: You will have a free half day afternoon to discover daily life of ethnic people in Lai Chau. Over night in Lai Chau.

Day 6: Lai Chau - Sapa(B,L,D)

AM : Breakfast. Drive up Tam Duong to visit some morning markets. Depart to Sa Pa with 1600 to 2000m high. Have lunch in Tam Duong.

PM : Arrive in Sa Pa. Free time walking around the town. Have dinner after that you join love market on Sarturday evening. O /N in Sa Pa.

Day 7: Sapa - Hanoi (5 hours trekking, 12kms visiting 2 villages)(B,L,D)

AM: Breakfast Trek to visit Cat Cat , Sin Chai villages of the black H'mong people. Have pinic lunch.

PM: Visit the hydreoelectric station build by french people. Return to SaPa. Go to Lao cai station go back Ha noi.

 Getting back to Hanoi from Sapa trip so early at around 5am.Taxi to your hotel in the centre of Hanoi. Finish tour.

Tour included:

• Full transportation as tour program indicated.
• Full meals as indicated (B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner) at the local restaurant.
• English/French speaking guide
• Full entrance fees.

Tour excluded:

•  Insurance, drinks, telephone, tips for guide and other private servies.

What to bring:

• Sun Block

• Insect repellent

• Wide brim hat

• Original Passport

• Warm clothes in winter

• Good walking shoes

• Camera and Film