Best of Northern Vietnam

Trip Highlights

• In-depth Sapa experiences with local homestay
• Learning about the way of life of Vietnamese ethnic minorities
• Intense trekking through the bamboo forest of Hoang Lien National Park

Trip Summary

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

You will be warmly welcomed upon your arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and transferred to your hotel by our driver. The rest of the day is free to explore the city. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

 Red Bridge in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour

After breakfast, you'll be picked up for a city tour of Hanoi, which includes the Ho Chi Minh complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, The Presidential Palace, House on Stilts, and One Pillar Pagoda). Continue to visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afterward, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Spend the evening exploring the Hanoi Old Quarter on a guided walking tour before returning to your hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay

After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to Halong Bay. You will arrive around noon and board our traditional wooden boat for a cruise. Enjoy relaxing, sightseeing, and swimming. Visit a floating fishing village and, weather permitting, go for a swim. All meals are included. Overnight on board.

Floating Fishing Village on Halong Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay to Hanoi and Night Train to Lao Cai

Awaken to the sounds of waves and birds. Catch the stunning sunrise over the bay, and after breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto. Take a leisurely walk back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Drive back to Hanoi for an overnight stay. Dinner is on your own. Later, transfer to the train station for your night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

 Sapa by Night

Day 5: Lao Cai to Sapa - Trekking to Villages

Arrive early morning in Lao Cai and transfer to the breathtaking landscapes of Sapa, home to various Vietnamese ethnic minorities, with our local guide. Enjoy a local breakfast before trekking to the villages. Explore the market and leave the bustling town behind as you trek downhill to the idyllic Cat Cat village. Stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station during your journey. Trek along dirt trails through rice paddy terraces, taking in the stunning scenery while walking beside a narrow river. Arrive at Y Linh Ho village of the Black Hmong minority, where you can rest and enjoy a riverside lunch. Continue to Muong Hoa Valley, passing through Lao Chai village of the Black Hmong and Ta Van village of the Giay minority. Spend the night with a Giay family, enjoying dinner and an authentic homestay experience, with opportunities for swimming in the nearby river.

Cat Cat Village

Day 6: More Trekking in Sapa - Night Train Back to Hanoi

After breakfast, head towards Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority. Trek through the beautiful bamboo forest within Hoang Lien National Park, passing by a picturesque waterfall, where you can take a break and enjoy the natural surroundings. You'll find a scenic spot for lunch before continuing towards Su Pan, a small village located along the route. Return to Sapa by car and relax until it's time for your transfer to Lao Cai train station for your night train back to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own. Overnight on the train.

 A village in Sapa

Day 7: Hanoi

Arrive early morning in Hanoi. Your trip concludes here.

 Flower vendors in Hanoi