Our next RAS Overseas Trip is to some of the northern parts of Vietnam. We will visit briefly the Nation’s capital of Hanoi, but the main themes of the trip will be the natural and scenic splendours of the region. We shall see rural life with the hill tribes, based upon Sapa, and its glorious emerald rice paddy terraces. From there, we shall visit the highest peak in Indochina, Fansipan, and ride a cable car part way up the mountain.

We shall visit limestone karst cliffs and caves such as those at the Trang An scenic landscape complex, so special it was recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

We shall visit old pagodas and temples including those at Bich Dong, with fine Vietnamese architecture. We shall have a good chance to see the rare black and white Delacours Langur monkeys and flocks of birds as we gently glide along calm waters on traditional reed boats. In the area, there is a profusion of Catholic churches and we shall explore one of them, the Phat Diem stone Cathedral, built in 1892, with its eclectic mix of Vietnamese and western architecture and which featured in Graham Greene’s “The Quiet American”. We shall sample the local food delights and stay at reasonably comfortable hotels.

The full program is for 6 days and five nights including one night on a comfortable train. However, the itinerary is designed to be flexible, enabling those who may be too busy to join the whole six days to join, or leave, part way through (on Sunday 19th when the tour passes through Hanoi). You can join for 3 days/ 2 nights for the Ninh Binh Province element of the tour or likewise the 4 days/3 nights for the Sapa element. There is also an option to stay behind in Hanoi after the main tour is complete. If there is sufficient interest, we can provide a program for this, or include a visit on to Ha Long Bay. Please let us know your interest so we can make plans accordingly.

Outline Itinerary (subject to refinement):

RAS HK Tour to Northern Vietnam 17 Nov to 22 Nov 2017 - (6 days/5 nights)

Fri, 17 Nov Hanoi morning flight, transfer to Ninh Binh, to Van Long, raft ride for sunset viewing of birds returning and a good chance to see langurs. Overnight at local lodge in Ninh Binh.

Sat, 18 Nov Visit Trang An (boat ride). Local lunch. Bich Dong temple. Drive to Phat Diem stone cathedral. Overnight at same hotel in Ninh Binh.

Sun, 19 Nov Drive to Hanoi, visit Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, and some sites in Hanoi. Overnight train to Lao Cai and Sapa.

Mon, 20 Nov Arrive Lao Cai transfer to bus to Sapa. Exploring Sapa, and walking to view countryside. Overnight in Hotel in Sapa.

Tue, 21 Nov Drive to cable car for Fansipan. Explore Sapa market. Overnight in same hotel in Sapa.

Wed 22 Nov To Lao Cai, for drive back to Hanoi, about 5 hours. Evening flight to HKG, or possibility to stay behind in Hanoi to extend visit, subject to confirmation at the time of booking.

Booking deadline: 9 Oct 2017

* Your early expression of interest to Peter Stuckey or Rocky Dang would be appreciated as soon as possible. We will then send you a Booking form. This should then be filled in to confirm your interest and returned with your cheque before 9 October.

Notes:

❖  This tour will involve some long hours travelling and some small uphill walking. Participants will be able to choose to minimise the walking by enjoying the hotel and local sightseeing and local delicacies.

❖  4 nights at comfortable hotels and 1 night on a reasonably comfortable train.

❖  It is possible to stay behind in Hanoi if notification is given at the time of registration.

❖  It is possible for those too busy to join the whole tour of 6 days /5 nights, to join a 4 days/3 nights trip to Sapa without going to Ninh Binh Province or a 3 days /2 nights tour to Ninh Binh Province, without going to Sapa.

Estimated cost: Option 1: the full 6 days/5 nights: HK$15,800 per pax. Single supplement HK$3,200 (single occupancy is not available for the overnight on the train).

For first 3 days/2 nights only: (17 Nov – 19 Nov - Ninh Binh Province): HK$ 7,500. Single Sup. HK$1,200 For final 4 days/3 nights only: (19 Nov – 22 Nov - Sapa): HK$9,300. Single Sup. HK$2,000.

Tour price includes flights, accommodation, meals, entrance fees, transport, basic tips. Tour price does not include for visa, travel insurance or beverages.

A Non-Member’s surcharge applies.

Please contact Peter Stuckey or Rocky Dang for details and booking.

Peter Stuckey: peterstuckey@yahoo.com.hk Tel: 923 24 284

Rocky Dang: rockydang@yahoo.com

Tel: 918 23 483