Ultimate Northern Explore the highlights of Northern Vietnam by land, sea and air, visiting magical Halong Bay and the cool highlands of Sapa, famed for its mesmerising terraced rice fields. Highlights include: Vintage train journey to Lao Cai (Sapa); hiking Sapa’s hills and valleys, home to colourful ethnic minority groups; scenic seaplane flight over some of Halong Bay’s 1,600 islands and islets; a boutique overnight cruise visiting caves, islands and more. 2 ITINERARY BY DAY Sapa Day 1: - Overnight train to Sapa Day 2: Sapa – Day at leisure Day 3: Sapa – Ta Giang Phin soft trek – Overnight train to Hanoi Day 4: Arrive Hanoi – Halong Bay Hanoi Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi Ha Long TABLE OF CONTENT

Page 4: Day 1-2 Page 5: Day 3 Page 6-7: Accommodation Page 8: Day 4-5 Page 9: Accommodation

3 Day 1: Hanoi - Overnight train to Sapa

Depart from your Hanoi hotel for the train station where you will board the Victoria Express Train to Lao Cai, gateway to fabulous Sapa. Check in to your Deluxe Cabin and perhaps send off a few emails or surf the net with our complimentary Wi-Fi before settling in for the comfortable overnight journey with the gentle swaying of the vintage Pullman carriages to rock you to sleep.

Day 2: Sapa – Day at leisure

Awaken at dawn, refreshed and ready for your first day in the former French hill station of Sapa, known for its cool temperatures and delightful mix of Nature and Culture in its postcard-pretty terraced rice fields and colourful ethnic minority groups. Transfer 1 hr from the Lao Cai Train Station, just minutes from the Chinese border, to the stylish Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa where a beautiful buffet breakfast awaits. Sip a velvety smooth Vietnamese drip coffee as you look out over Mount Fansipan, Indochina’s highest peak.

The day is yours to enjoy as you like. Walk down to the nearby central square dominated by the colonial-era Stone Church and people-watch as locals come out to play volleyball or sit and talk over snacks sold by vendors. The town of Sapa is compact and pedestrian-friendly with scores of quaint boutiques and homey cafes. You’ll also want to take advantage of the many complimentary services from Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa including one-way transfers to the Sapa Market where handicrafts, ethnic-style clothing and all sorts of dried local fruit are for sale, or to the Fansipan Station for a trip to the “Rooftop of Indochina” on the highest and longest cable car ride of its type in the world. After a full day of exploring, book yourself for a complimentary 60-minute Couples’ Package at the Victoria Spa, with time to enjoy its heated pool and outdoor tennis courts.

In the evening, sit down to a lovely dinner (included) at Ta Van Restaurant, with a seat by its large central fireplace or on the outdoor terrace with views over the nearby mountain range. The restaurant also features traditional performances by H’mong and Thai minority dancers on select evenings.

Overnight at Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, a 77-room boutique property designed to embody the spirit of Sapa, from its stone and wood buildings that evoke the feel of an exclusive Alpine lodge to the wooden floors and locally-woven textiles in each stylish guest room. 4 Day 3: Sapa – Ta Giang Phin soft trek – Overnight train to Hanoi

After a hearty buffet breakfast to fuel you for the morning’s hike, travel approximately 1 hr to the small village of Suoi Thau. This picturesque village on the edge of the Hoang Lien National Park is the starting point for a 2 hr walk through the gorgeous Sapa highlands. Go on a peaceful hike through this area inhabited by Red Dao ethnic groups with the opportunity to interact with these friendly locals. Explore the village to gain insight into how they live – spending their days tending the terraced rice fields, caring for their homes and creating the most elaborate and colourful of textiles. Finish your 4 km walk with a beautifully prepared picnic against jaw- dropping landscapes of green forested mountains, golden rice fields and big blue sky.

Return to Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa in the early afternoon and enjoy 10% off in-house services (advance reservation required) before a late check- out and evening transfer to the Lao Cai Train Station for your return journey to Hanoi aboard the Victoria Express Train.

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VICTORIA EXPRESS TRAIN

Travelling to Sapa has never been more appealing. You can now travel in style with our unique overnight Victoria Express Train, and awaken from the comfort of our cosy sleeping carriage just in time to see the sunrise over the glorious scenery before getting ready for the day with a cup of espresso prior to arrival. Linking the cities of Hanoi and Lao Cai (train station is 34km/21 miles from the town of Sapa), the Victoria Express Train departs 6 times a week for the 8-hour trip. The train can accommodate up to 48 passengers in two elegant sleeping carriages

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VICTORIA SAPA RESORT & SPA

Nestled amongst the mountains of Sapa in Northern Vietnam lies the Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, modelled after a traditional mountain chalet. The resort’s stone and wood construction blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment, overlooking Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan. Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa features 77 well-appointed rooms and suites. 7 Day 4: Arrive Hanoi – Halong Bay Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi just in time for a leisurely breakfast in the Victoria Lounge before You are invited to wake up with the sun and participate in one of the most scenic Tai traveling approximately 180 km to beautiful Halong Bay by private vehicle. From the Chi sessions you’ll ever encounter on the sundeck of the Emeraude. Enjoy pastries Tuan Chau Island Marina, take an unforgettable 25-minute scenic sightseeing flight and a morning cup of coffee or tea with the glittering islands of Halong Bay as a for bird’s eye views of the highlights of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Centre. backdrop before visiting a pearl farm or kayaking around the islands (nominal fee Fly over the spectacular seascape of some 1,600 islands and islets, most untouched by applies). After checking out of your cabin, sit down to a final brunch at the restaurant humans and marked by towering limestone pillars rising out of the emerald waters as the ship cruises through the bay. of the Gulf of . Disembark at the Emeraude Cafe just before noon with private transfer back to At noon, check in to your Deluxe Cabin aboard the Emeraude, a boutique sailing Hanoi, arriving late afternoon. vessel modelled after a turn-of-the-century paddle steamer. Enjoy lunch in the stylish restaurant that recalls the Golden Age of Travel with dark woods, vintage photographs and elegant table settings.

The rest of the day is a pleasing mix of relaxation and exploration with shore excursions to visit caves and islands as well as afternoon crepes, cooking demonstrations and movies on board or simply lounging on deck and watching the ever-changing scenery of glorious Halong Bay glide on by. Dinner is served in the restaurant.

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EMERAUDE CLASSIC CRUISE

Every day, the Emeraude journeys through one of the world’s most dazzling natural wonders and into the sepia realm of a dream in Halong bay. Named for a cruising vessel that plied these waters between 1906 and 1937, the Emeraude aspires to the magnificence of the bay itself. Its air-conditioned cabins, en suite bathrooms, award-winning cuisine and spacious deck space set the stage for the voyage of a lifetime. Massages, facials and body scrubs are now being added to the already luxurious on-board package. The opening of the onboard spa adds another layer of relaxation to supplement the dazzling views of Halong bay. The trip is completely flexible offering we variety of options for all. 9 VICTORIA VOYAGES - Sales & Reservation Address: Level 11, 70-72 Ba Trieu street Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +84 243 926 3148 - et 315 Fa: +84 243 926 3148 Email: [email protected]