Best of Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa & Halong 6 days

Morning

Let’s start a full-day tour in North Vietnam on the first day. You should get ready around 07:15 - 07:45 to be transferred from Hanoi to Ninh Binh via expressway, with a distance of more than 100 km. En route, you are free to enjoy the serene scenery of Vietnam’s countryside on the way. 

The first site to visit is Hoa Lu Old Capital, Vietnam's ancient capital city a thousand years ago. There, you are given the chance to hear more about Vietnamese history. Being adorned with intricate carvings and beautiful artwork, this ancient capital will amaze you with the talented skills of Vietnamese craftsmen in the past.

The morning itinerary concludes with a meal that is authentically Vietnamese and prepared by Vietnamese cooks.

Afternoon

Then you will start your 1.5-hour Tam Coc journey on a small boat that the natives are rowing and take in the hundreds of gorgeous karst mountains.

Sitting on the boat, you should have your camera ready to take numerous gorgeous photos of the serene beauty of mountains, rice fields, and temples as you float along the Ngo Dong River. If you visit during harvest, there will be a chance to see the golden rice carpet along the riverbanks.

When this day's tour ends, you return to Hanoi from Ninh Binh.

Morning or Afternoon (based on availabilities)

Begin your second day of travel with a city tour in Hanoi and learn more about the ancient capital. You acquaint yourself with Hanoi Old Quarter's serene atmosphere and these must-visit sites:

Start exploring Vietnam's earliest university, the Temple of Literature, where the country's aristocracy, mandarins, and elite learned. 

Come to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the legendary founding father of contemporary Vietnam is currently resting in eternal peace. Then head to One Pillar Pagoda, the most famous one in Vietnam has a unique design like a lotus blooming from water.

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum In Hanoi

Stop at West Lake and Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, which is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi with a more than 1,500-year history. Emerge yourself in the ancient architecture from the Ly dynasty period and the fresh atmosphere of West Lake.

Lunch will be provided at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant.

NOTE: 

• Depending on your schedule, you can leave in the morning or the afternoon. Routes may alter based on customer interests. (The morning tour starts at 08:00 while the afternoon one is at 13:30).
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum will be seen from the outside from June to August. You must dress formally so shorts, miniskirts, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops are not allowed.

Evening

You have time to take a bath and relax while waiting for the Lao Cai train. When you are done preparing your luggage, our driver picks you up at your hotel and transports you to the city's railway station.

Board a train to Lao Cai station for an overnight excursion in a communal sleeping cabin (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). The train would start around 22:00 and you can have an unforgettable experience of sleeping overnight on a local train towards the north of Vietnam.

When the train arrives at Lao Cai Station (4:30 - 5:00), the bus driver will take you to beautiful Sapa, a must-see destination in North Vietnam. Upon room occupancy, early check-in before 14:00 is available (with a surcharge). 

Then, you should relax before beginning your trekking adventure in Lao Cai with our local tour guide. The trekking path includes Y Linh Ho, a tiny town located beside the Muong Hoa River, and Lao Chai, a Black Hmong community famed for its remarkable indigo blue clothes and vestiges of history.

After lunch, spend time learning about the local culture and then return to Sapa and continue to visit Ta Van Village, a Zay people's settlement. You will see the houses of this ethnic minority built among the poetic terraced fields.

Back to the town and spend the night at the hotel.

NOTE: The trekking path is about 13 km downhill and it is the easy level.

Morning

Wake up early and have breakfast at your hotel. Around 09:00, we will visit Cat Cat Village by walking along the South-West. Relax at the base of the magnificent waterfall and the remnants of a hydroelectric power plant built by the French during Vietnam's colonial era.

After the morning tour, you can have a picnic along the river for lunch to spend time in nature. 

Afternoon

Continue your hike to Sin Chai village, which is at the base of Fansipan Mountain, often known as “the Roof of Indochina”. Take in the breathtaking views of the mountain.

After the tour, you will return to the main road to be picked up from 14:30 to 15:00 and driven to Sapa town, then transferred back to Hanoi at around 21:30. Let’s take a rest before the journey to Halong on the next day.

Morning

Around 08:00 - 08:30, have breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the well-known Northern destination: Halong Bay.

The check-in time on the cruise is 11:30 - 12:00. You will be welcomed by kind crew staff with a free cool welcome drink and enjoy a delicious lunch with seafood made by professional chefs. There is beautiful emerald water and thousands of giant to small strange limestone islands that you should take in while savoring lunch.

Afternoon

Enroll in some activities after the break, such as a tour to the caverns in Halong Bay, kayaking, or swimming in the clear waters of a lovely beach (exact activities will depend on the schedule of each trip).

Return to your ship so you may rest and have dinner. While having a great time on the cruise, you can also take part in squid fishing, card games, and watch films (depending on the cruise’s facilities).

Morning

A Tai Chi lesson before breakfast in the early morning will give you a fresh start on your second day in Halong. (This activity may be different with some cruises so you should ask our sales consultant for details.)

After that, the boat will take you to see the last attraction on the itinerary, you can visit one of the most beautiful caves: Trung Trang Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Dark & Bright Cave, etc.

Check out and head to the restaurant for brunch, which is provided on the way to the cruise return to the main port. Around 11:30, disembark and take a transfer back to Hanoi.

Notes:

• If you need an extra night in Hanoi, please contact our travel consultants to get the best support.
• The attractions you will visit in the morning will depend on the itinerary of the cruise you choose.