As the Travel Agency Misa Travel is no longer in operation I had send my enquiry to three other reputable Tour Agency, they are ASA, Chan Brother and CTC. ASA actually allow to book the trip directly from their website like Misa but as their itinerary is using Bus Coach instead of Train for the Sapa journey I decided to choose CTC instead.
CTC advertise the package at $498, with Vietnam Airline Flight Ticket of additional $425 the whole package will be $913 per person. It also have the option of topping up additional $90 for better Hotel but I prefer Luminous Hotel over First Eden due to the location and online review.
Chan Brother advertise the package at $548, but the Singapore Airline Flight Ticket is almost twice the amount of Vietnam Airline at $790 which make the package at $1338 per person. But I must honestly say that the Singapore Airline Flight Timing is better as it go early and return late which let you get the most from the hotel check in and check out timing.
ASA advertise the package at $788 with Vietnam Airline Flight Ticket included, but when I try to book on their website I found out that there is an additional charges from airport tax and other subsidiary which make the package $963 per person with a $50 error in the calculation which i can't seem to figure out where does the calculation when wrong. And they also doesn't reply to my enquiry on the package, while Chan Brother reply after a week and CTC reply only the next day.
The initial itinerary is suppose to go Halong Bay first before going to Sapa, but due to the clash of Flight and Train Timing the Tour Agency had to make last minute change to reverse the itinerary which is quite similar to ASA original itinerary.
King Express Train Cabin
1st Dec Saturday (Hanoi)
At 1400 hrs we had Herbal Chicken Soup ($18.50) for lunch at the Changi Airport Terminal 4 before we board our flight. The new terminal had a lot of latest technology which suppose to make the whole process faster, but due to a lot of traveler not familiar with the new system it actually make the whole process slower. Our flight had an half hour delay and take off at 1640 hrs instead of 1610 hrs, we had our dinner on board the flight with Beef Noodle for me and Sweet and Sour Fish Rice for my wife.
We arrive at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport Terminal 2 at 1825 hrs, after clearing custom we found our driver waiting outside the arrival hall at 0700 hrs. The journey to Hanoi from the Airport is around 45 minutes, we reach the Tour Agency Office of Vietnam Open Tour at 2000 hrs and rest there for half hour before they bring us to the Train Station for our ride.
We took the 2200 hrs Train SP3 Track 7 Coach 11 Bed 9 and 11, pay the porter $10 for carrying our luggage as we are not familiar with the local custom. Two girls from Australia share the same cabin with us, we off the light and sleep right after the train start to move out and head towards Lao Cai. It was not an easy night for us as the train had a lot of noise and vibration and frequent stop with emergency brake had disturb our not so peaceful sleep and wake us up every few hours.
Mountains View from Sapa Hotel
2nd Dec Sunday (Sapa)
We finally arrived at Lao Cai at 0600 hrs, we found our tour guide and arrive at Holiday Sapa Hotel at 0700 hrs after a 60 mins ride on the mini van along the mountain track. We thought a dedicated tour guide would follow us throughout the whole journey but we realized that it was not really practical as the whole journey was too far apart. So we were introduce to our other Local Tour Guide and Local Tribal Guide at the Hotel after dropping off other Tourist at other hotels.
Waterfall at Cat Cat Village
We had our Breakfast at 0730 hrs at the Hotel Cafe with a magnificent view of the cloud and mountains, the Local Tribal Guide will bring us to Cat Cat Sin Chai Village 3 kilometers in the valley at 0900 hrs to see the flowers and waterfall. We watch a 30 minutes Local Dance Performance at 1100 hrs, we took a short rest at a drinks stall before we get a Taxi (150000 Dong $10) for the return trip to the Hotel. We had Coconut, Sugar Cane Juice and two Eggs (80000 Dong $6).
We check in to Room 304 at 1230 hrs and had Pork and Spring Roll for Lunch at the Hotel Cafe. After Lunch we rest for an hours to recharge our body and our phones and camera and explore the town in Sapa at around 1500 hrs. We visit the Lake and the Market but the Market is ending by the time we arrive there around 1600 hrs. We brought 500 grams Chestnut (50000 Dong $3.50 ), 500 grams Grape (30000 Dong $2), one Handicraft Bag (120000 $9) and head back to the hotel as the tour guide is going to bring us out for dinner.
Sunset at Sapa Hotel
We had Duck and Chicken for Dinner, and order Mango Juice (40000 Dong $3) and Ginger Tea (20000 Dong $1.50). My wife brought two Handicraft Bag (180000 Dong $13.50) and we head back to hotel and rest for the night at 2000 hrs.
Terrance Padi Field at Lao Cai Village
3rd Dec Monday (Sapa)
We woke up at 0630 hrs and had Breakfast at 0700 hrs, the Tour Guide had help us arrange for the Van (US$15 $22) to Lao Cai Village which is 12 kilometers down the valley at 0830 hrs. A local tribal old lady had been following us since we got off the van, I thought she is going to kidnap me and make me her son in law until she finally approach us for selling of some handicraft. We brought a Scarf (100000 Dong $7.50) from her and she give us additional two charm bracelet for good luck.
We arrive at Ta Van Village around 1000 hrs after a 3 kilometers walk and try crossing the Hanging Bridge (20000 Dong $1.50). We return to the hotel at 1100 hrs and manage to have shower before we check out at 1150 hrs. The special arrangement of the private van by the tour guide had allow us some spare time in the afternoon for our own activity. We had Pork, Chicken and Spring Roll for Lunch at the restaurant beside the hotel and order additional Strawberry Tea (18000 $1.35) and Apple Juice (30000 Dong $2)
Hanging Bridge at Ta Van Village
We did not plan for our adventure to the highest peak in Vietnam Fansipan Mountain (3143 meters) at 1300 hrs, but the Local Tribal Guide had recommend it. The Tram (100000 Dong $7.50) in Sun Plaza took about 15 mins to reach the Cable Car Station and the Cable Car (1400000 Dong $105) took about 30 mins to reach the Peak. We took another Tram (300000 Dong $22.50) and finally reach the highest point of our whole journey after another 10 mins ride.
Scared Peak at Fansipan
I brought some Souvenir (370000 Dong $22.50) and make our way back to the hotel at around 1630 hrs to change our clothes. We brought two Sweet Potato (30000 Dong $2), one Corn (10000 Dong $0.75) and 500 grams Mini Mandarin Orange (15000 Dong $1) for our dinner tonight. The tour guide pick us up at 1730 hrs and we arrive Lao Cai again at 1830 hrs.
We never expect that we would be able to spend two hours at a restaurant near the Train Station at 1900 hrs for proper dinner, we had Pizza (175000 Dong $13.5), Coconut (55000 Dong $4.5) and
Mango Lassi (55000 Dong $4.5). We tips the Tour Guide and Local Tribal Guide (US$12 $18) as per the US$3 per day per person as advice by the Tour Agency in Singapore. We took the 2140 hrs Train SP4 Track 3 Coach 11 Bed 5 and 7 back to Hanoi, and to our surprise we are sharing the same cabin again with the two girls from Australia.
Surprising Cave at Halong Bay
4th Dec Tuesday (Halong Bay)
We arrived Hanoi at 0530 hrs, maybe is was because we are too tired or maybe we are located at the front of the train we manage to get better sleep. The tour guide brought us to First Eden Hotel for Breakfast at 0615 hrs, as there are four different exit at the Train Station we are told to wait for him at the Train. Another Tour Guide came to pick us up at 0800 hrs, we follow the Coach Bus around the town to pick up other tourist. Five is from Chile, two from Argentina and three from Japan.
I had an Ice Cream (45000 Dong $1.35) when we stop for 30 minutes Toilet Break at around 1030 hrs at a Handicap Handicraft Centre about halfway between Hanoi and Halong City. We arrived at Halong City around 1230 hrs after a 3.5 hours Bus Journey. The tour guide make a last minute arrange for us to upgrade from two stars boat cruise to three stars, I am not sure if it was because our luggage were too bulky to ride the small boat or it is because they know my birthday is coming.
I brought two Phone Water Proof Casing (160000 Dong $8) from the jetty as I did not expect we would get wet from the Kayak Cave Exploration Activity. We check in to Room 104 of An Nam Junk at 1245 hrs, there were already a family of four from Germany when we board then another four Indians friends from Canada decided to join us at the last minute and delay the departure by half hour.
We had Fish, Shrimp, Clam, Squid and Fish Cake for Lunch at 1330 hrs as the boat sail off the harbor I order two additional Pineapple Juice (US$8 $12) for the sumptuous five course meal as compare to our usual three course meal we had at the hotel and restaurant. The upgrade is like a halfway point where we had food that are from those Luxury Cruise while sailing on normal boat.
The first activity is visit to Surprising Cave (45 mins) at 1530 hrs after a two hours scenery voyage in Halong Bay. It is the biggest Lime Stone Cave in the World and it just add on to our World Record Tour since the Taiwan Trip, China Aquarium Visit and Europe Cruise about three years ago.
Kayak in Lime Stone Cave
I had to go alone for Kayak at Lime Stone Cave (30 mins) at 1630 hrs as my wife doesn't know how to swim, it was very tiring for me as I am unable to sit upright and keep laying down due to my big stomach. The last time I had participate in such activity was more than 20 years ago.
I had a shower and we went for Cooking Lesson at 1800 hrs which teach us how to make Vietnamese Spring Roll, some boat also had fruit and vegetable craving demonstration too. We had Fish, Crab, Shrimp, Chicken and Spring Roll for Dinner at 1900 hrs. We start Squid Fishing at 2000 hrs after the dinner but give up after an hour later and went to sleep at 2100 hrs.
Sunset at Halong Bay
5th Dec Wednesday (Halong Bay and Hanoi)
We woke up at 0600 hrs to see the sunrise and had Taichi Lesson at 0630 hrs at the top deck. We had Breakfast at 0700 hrs and arrive at Ti Top View Point (60 mins) around 0745 hrs for Trekking, the journey going up took about 20 minutes and we had enough time for Coconut Drink (50000 Dong $3.75) and Beach Chair (60000 Dong $4.5) before we return to the Boat.
Halong Bay View from Ti Top
We manage to had shower before we Check Out at 0930 hrs, we stay at the top deck for scenery before we had Pork and Squid for early lunch at around 1030 hrs. I settle the bill for the Drinks (eight Pineapple Juice, one Coke and one Mineral Water. US$43 $61.50) and tips (US$20 $30) the boat crew for their hospitality during our stay on board.
We alongside the jetty at Halong City around 1100 hrs and get off the boat to wait for our tour guide to pick us up at 1215 hrs. We arrive back in Hanoi at 1630 hrs and Check in to Luminous Hotel Room 506 at 1700 hrs after dropping off the other 18 tourists at various hotel all around the town.
We went for a walk around town after we settle down in the hotel, my wife brought a packet of Peanut Candy (20000 Dong $1.50) and I brought five T Shirt (500000 Dong $37.50). We had our dinner at a restaurant near to our hotel at 1800 hrs, I had Beef Noodle (80000 Dong $6) and my wife had Spring Roll with Vermicelli (60000 Dong $4.50). I also order a Coke (30000 Dong $2.25) and we had a Egg and Cheese Crepe (25000 Dong $1.80) for dessert.
Night Market at Hanoi
My wife brought a pair of running shoe (300000 Dong $22.50) and I brought 500 grams of Jack Fruit (50000 Dong $3.75). We went back to the hotel to drop off the things we had brought earlier, we explore the town further after a short break in the hotel. My wife decide to buy three T Shirt (350000 Dong $27) which is same design but different color to match mine for the coming Chinese New Year.
We manage to get two boxes of Green Bean Cake (Coconut and Taro 52000 Dong $4), my wife finally decide to buy the Pants (60000 Dong $4.50) and I brought Sugar Cane Juice (15000 Dong $1) before we head back to our hotel and rest for the night at 2200 hrs.
6th Dec Thu (Hanoi)
We check out at 0430 hrs and had a Hotdog Bun (50000 Dong $4)
and two Honey Tea (110000 Dong $8.50) for our Breakfast at the Airport at 0545 hrs after we had check in our luggage. I brought some Souvenir (210000 Dong $15) at the shop near to the boarding gate and borad our flight at 0755 hrs. We arrive back in Singapore half hour early at 1235 hrs and concluded our adventure in Vietnam.
