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Vietnam

Treasures of Northern Vietnam
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Treasures of Northern Vietnam

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An Immersive Cultural & Nature Expedition for Students, Teachers & Families

This exceptional journey through Northern Vietnam invites students to explore the country’s most spectacular landscapes and enduring cultural traditions. From ancient capitals and vibrant markets to high mountain villages and breathtaking rice terraces, participants discover Vietnam’s living history while building meaningful relationships with local communities. This program emphasizes experiential learning, cultural exchange, and environmental appreciation—fostering global awareness, curiosity, and lifelong memories.

ABOUT DREAM-TRAVEL

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Why Choose Dream-Travel

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ABOUT US

At Dream-Travel, we believe every journey should reflect the unique spirit of the traveler. Founded by René Piard, our mission is to make travel inspiring, accessible, and tailored to your needs. With our “à la carte” approach, we partner with educators to create personalized experiences that ignite curiosity and foster lasting memories.

We’re passionate about ensuring travel is available to everyone, which is why we design trips to fit a variety of budgets. Our flexible payment plans empower students to explore the world without financial strain, making dream adventures a reality.

At Dream-Travel, your journey starts with a vision—and we’re here to bring it to life.

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René Piard 

René Piard  - Founder & Chief Travel Officer

rene.piard@dream-travel.net

tel: 1 - 571 - 206-8949

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Map

1. Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam

2. Bắc Hà District

Bắc Hà District, Lao Cai, Vietnam

3. Sa Pa

Sa Pa, Lao Cai, Vietnam

4. Mù Cang Chải District

Mù Cang Chải District, Yên Bái, Vietnam

5. Nghĩa Lộ

Nghĩa Lộ, Yên Bái, Vietnam

6. Hoa Binh

Hoa Binh, Vietnam

7. Phú Lương

Phú Lương, Xà Hồ, Tram Tau, Yên Bái, Vietnam

8. Ninh Binh

Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam

9. Bai Tu Long Bay

Bai Tu Long Bay, Vietnam

Day 1

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Across the Pacific Toward New Horizons

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Depart

  • Group departure from the United States on international flight to Hanoi

  • In-flight meals and services provided

  • Overnight on board

Day 2

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Hanoi: Birthplace of a Nation

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Hanoi (1)

  • Breakfast served onboard

  • Arrival in Hanoi and welcome by your English-speaking guide

  • Explore Ba Dinh District, the political and historic heart of Vietnam

    • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Stilt House — honoring Vietnam’s founding leader and his simple way of life

    • One Pillar Pagoda — a 1,000-year-old Buddhist symbol of renewal and purity

    • Former Governor of Indochina’s Residence, reflecting colonial-era architecture

  • Visit the Vietnam National Museum of History, showcasing Vietnam’s civilizations from prehistoric times through modern independence

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Hanoi

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Day 3

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Scholars, Spirits & Street Life

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Hanoi (2)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucian scholarship

  • Visit Ngoc Son (Jade Mountain) Temple, a spiritual landmark honoring national heroes and scholars on Hoan Kiem Lake

  • Cyclo-pousse ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 Corporations, where medieval trade guilds once organized city life

  • Stop at Bach Ma Temple, Hanoi’s oldest temple

  • Thang Long Water Puppet Show, a traditional folk performance created by farmers over 1,000 years ago

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Hanoi

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Day 4

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Lake of Legends & Village Encounters

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Hanoi- Bac Ha (1)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Scenic drive to Bac Ha

  • Stop in Yen Bai for a peaceful cruise on Thac Ba Lake, Northern Vietnam’s largest reservoir surrounded by emerald hills and ethnic villages

  • Lunch with a local family

  • Cultural exchange and village encounters

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Bac Ha

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Day 5

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Markets of Color & Mountain Traditions

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Bac Ha- Sapa (1)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Visit the vibrant Bac Ha Market, where ethnic minorities gather in traditional dress to trade livestock, textiles, and produce

  • Walk through Phec Bung Hmong village

  • Visit the Hoang A Tuong Palace, former residence of a Hmong king and symbol of French–Vietnamese frontier history

  • Drive to Sapa

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Sapa

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Day 6

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Markets of Color & Mountain Traditions

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Sapa (2)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Visit Mount Fansipan (3,143 m), the highest peak in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia — known as the “Roof of Indochina”

    • Ascend by cable car and mountain train for panoramic Himalayan-style views

  • Free time to explore Sapa

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Sapa

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Day 7

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Highlands & Homestay Hospitality

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Sapa- Mu Cang Chai- Homestay (1)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Explore the local market

  • Travel to Lao Chai, home of the Black Hmong people

  • 3 km guided walk to Ta Van, village of the Zay ethnic minority

  • Scenic drive to Mu Cang Chai

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight homestay experience

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Day 8

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Rice Terraces of the Clouds

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Mu Cang Chai- Nghia Lo (1)

  • Breakfast with host family

  • Drive through La Pan Tan Black Hmong village

  • Cross the legendary Khau Pha Pass, one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking mountain passes

  • Walk through Sang village and the terraced fields of Ngoc Chien Valley, masterpieces of human-made landscapes

  • Continue through Tu Le Valley to Nghia Lo

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Nghia Lo

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Day 9

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Sacred Pagodas & River Valleys

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Nghia Lo- Hoa Binh (1)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Drive toward Hoa Binh

  • Visit Duong Lam ancient village

  • Explore Mia Pagoda, famous for its 287 terracotta statues

  • Lunch with a local family

  • Continue to Hoa Binh

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Hoa Binh

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Day 10

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Mountain Kingdoms & Hidden Valleys

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Hoa Binh- Pu Luong (1)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Scenic drive through mountains, valleys, rice terraces, and traditional villages to Mai Chau

  • Visit Pom Coong village, home of the White Thai people

  • Lunch with a local family

  • Continue to Pu Luong Nature Reserve

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Pu Luong

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Day 11

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Walking the Green Heart of Vietnam

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Pu Luong (2)

  • Breakfast at the lodge

  • 2–3 hour guided trek through rice terraces, bamboo forests, palm groves, and Thai villages

  • Lunch with a local family

  • Continue hike to Uoi & Lan villages

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Pu Luong

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Day 12

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From Ancient Capitals to Limestone Seas

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Pu Luong- Ninh Binh (1)

  • Breakfast at the lodge

  • Drive to Ninh Binh

  • Stop at Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s 10th-century capital

    • Visit the temples of King Dinh & King Lê, founders of Vietnam’s first feudal dynasties

  • Rowboat cruise through the “Halong Bay on Land”, where limestone cliffs rise from emerald rice paddies

  • Dinner included

  • Overnight in Ninh Binh

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Day 13

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Sailing the Silent Dragon

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Ninh Binh- Tu Long Bay- Cruise (1)

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Transfer to Tu Long Bay, a pristine and peaceful extension of Ha Long Bay

  • Cruise through limestone karsts, caves, and floating fishing villages

  • Cave exploration, swimming, and relaxation

  • Sunset from the upper deck

  • Lunch and dinner onboard

  • Overnight on cruise

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Day 14

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Farewell to the North

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Tu Long Bay- Depart

  • Breakfast onboard

  • Sunrise Tai Chi session

  • Brunch onboard

  • Disembark and return to Hanoi

  • Visit But Thap Pagoda, a masterpiece of 17th-century Vietnamese Buddhist architecture

  • Evening flight from Hanoi to the United States

  • Overnight on board

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