Diverse Vietnam: 12-Day Private Tour with Sapa

Welcome to Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam, a blend of traditional and modern beauties.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, your local guide and driver will welcome and take you to your hotel to check in.

After relaxing, your guide will walk you to the theatre, and you will enjoy a Water Puppet Show, a traditional art performance in Vietnam. After that, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver for a full-day exploration of Hanoi, a city rich in history and culture. The day begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you will see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader.

A short walk takes you to the Presidential Palace, a beautiful example of French colonial architecture, followed to visit Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, which offers a simple lifestyle of the man who made modern Vietnam. Before leaving the complex, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, known for its unique lotus-shaped structure.

Next, continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius and generations of scholars. The well-preserved architecture and serene courtyards give you a glimpse into Vietnam’s academic traditions.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before choosing to visit one of the followings:

– Hoa Lo Prison Museum, commonly known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where American pilots were held during the war.

–  Or museum of Ethnology, offering lives of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Explore displays of traditional customs, religious ceremonies, and full-scale replicas of ethnic minority homes in the museum’s outdoor area.

Late afternoon continues with an exploration of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where a traditional cyclo ride takes you through the bustling, maze-like streets of the city’s historic trading hub. This slow-paced journey offers the opportunity to soak in the nice atmosphere, with its mix of ancient shopfronts, modern cafes, and street vendors. Return to your hotel. 

20.30  Transfer to Hanoi train station for a train trip to Lao Cai.

Overnight on the train.

09:00 Meet your guide and transfer to the starting point of today’s trek through Muong Hoa Valley, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Northern Vietnam.

Walk along peaceful mountain trails, passing terraced rice fields and traditional villages of the Black H’Mong people. Visit Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai Villages, where you’ll gain the local way of life while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.

Continue following Muong Hoa Stream, crossing charming suspension bridges on your way to Ta Van Village, home to the Dzay ethnic minority. Enjoy lunch at a local home restaurant, offering an authentic taste of regional cuisine.

In the afternoon, continue your trek to Cau May (Rattan Bridge) and Giang Ta Chai Village, where lush bamboo forests, streams, and mountain scenery create one of Sapa’s most challenging hiking routes. Along the way, visit local homes and learn about the customs, traditions, and daily life of the ethnic communities who have called this valley home for generations.

At the end of the trek, meet your driver transfer back to Sapa.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Dinner on your own.

Overnight in Sapa.

09:00 Meet your guide at your hotel and walk to the Muong Hoa Mountain Railway Station. Board the scenic mountain railway for a journey through the Hoang Lien Son National Park to the Fansipan Cable Car Station.

Continue by cable car to Fansipan Peak, the “Roof of Indochina” at 3,143 metres above sea level. During the ride, enjoy spectacular views of lush valleys, mountain ranges, and forests stretching as far as the eye can see.

Upon arrival, climb the final steps to the summit and take in breathtaking panoramic views from the “Roof of Indochina.” Explore the spiritual complex, admire the impressive Buddhist monuments, and capture photographs from Vietnam’s highest point.

After your visit, return by cable car and mountain railway to Sapa town.

The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Enjoy lunch on your own, explore the town’s charming cafés and local boutiques, or simply relax before your evening departure.

17:30  Meer your driver and transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station to board the overnight train back to Hanoi in a comfortable air-conditioned sleeping berth.

Overnight on the train.

05.30 – 06.00  Arrive at the Hanoi Railway Station, meet your local guide and driver in Hanoi, and go to the local restaurant for breakfast. 

Depart for Halong Bay, renowned for its UNESCO-listed limestone seascape. Upon arrival, embark on the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink and seafood lunch on board while the ship sails out to the Bay, with time to admire its dramatic karst formations.

In the afternoon, decide whether to swim in the warm, calm water or get on kayaks to discover the wonders. Our expert and experienced guides will surely instruct you on the basics of paddling before leading you to explore the extraordinary beauty of Halong Bay. Embark on the cruise again before attending a cooking class in the late afternoon.

Enjoy dinner and stay overnight on board.

Note: The detailed itinerary of the cruise will be provided upon confirmation. The program may be subject to change depending on the weather or management.

Enjoying Halong Bay in the early morning with a Tai Chi Class on the sun deck. Then relax on the upper deck, enjoy the best sightseeing, and take photos of the magnificent beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water.

After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave – one of the finest and widest grottoes in Halong Bay.  Go back to the boat and keep cruising through the fishing village, and witness its unique way of life.

10:00 The boat cruises back to the jetty. Enjoy your last time on the bay before having a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

11:30 Disembark the cruise, get ashore, meet your guide and driver, and transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Take your opportunity to visit the rice fields and villages on the way if the flight time permits.

Upon arriving in Hue, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel by your tour guide and driver.

Overnight in Hue.

Meet your local guide and begin exploring Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam and one of the country’s most culturally significant destinations.

Start the day with a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River, taking in the peaceful scenery and local riverside life. Your first stop is the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most revered landmarks, beautifully situated on a hill overlooking the river.

Continue to visit the Imperial Citadel, the historic heart of the Nguyen Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the ancient palaces, courtyards, and gates of the Forbidden Purple City, once reserved exclusively for the emperor and royal family. Discover the rich history, culture, and architectural heritage that made Hue the political and cultural center of Vietnam for more than a century. 

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, explore the magnificent royal tombs of Emperor Minh Mang and Emperor Khai Dinh. These impressive monuments showcase two distinct architectural styles and offer fascinating insights into the lives of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors.

After the tour, return to your hotel. The evening is free for you to relax or explore the charming city.

Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, drive to Thanh Tien Village on the outskirts of Hue. This is an opportunity to discover the charms of the Hue countryside, the ancient villages, the pagodas and churches, as well as its rivers covered with lotus flowers (subject to weather conditions).

Thanh Tien village is located on the bank of the Perfume River, and it is famous for the traditional handicraft products of paper flowers, dating back a hundred years.

After visiting Thanh Tien village, you will be on a 03-hour drive to Hoi An. Drive up the Hai Van Pass to enjoy a breathtaking view, one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon, check into the hotel, and then be free to relax at the resort or wander around the colorful, peaceful town.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meet your guide at the hotel and drive to the Co Co River to begin the day’s countryside tour.

Board a local boat and cruise along the peaceful waterways while discovering the daily life of the fishing communities that have lived here for generations. Meet local fishermen, learn about their traditional techniques, and try lifting a large fishing net or casting the unique Ro fishing net, an age-old method still used today.

Continue to the Coconut Forest, where local fishermen welcome you aboard a traditional Vietnamese basket boat. Learn how to paddle this unique round boat through the maze of water coconut palms, enjoy a fun basket boat demonstration, and try catching the small purple crabs that inhabit the mangrove forest.

Enjoy a refreshing break at a traditional bamboo-and-water-coconut house, where you can relax with a cup of Vietnamese tea before continuing to the next experience.

A short drive brings you to the peaceful Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village, a farming community that has supplied fresh herbs and vegetables to Hoi An for more than 400 years. After a refreshing welcome drink, take a guided walk through the gardens to learn about the village’s history and the traditional organic farming methods that have been preserved for generations.

Join local farmers in preparing the soil, planting vegetables, watering the gardens using traditional shoulder yokes, and harvesting fresh herbs. Discover how river seaweed is still used as a natural fertilizer and learn why Tra Que’s produce is renowned throughout central Vietnam.

After your farming experience, relax with a traditional herbal foot soak and massage, a simple yet enjoyable local wellness ritual.

Continue to your host family’s home for a hands-on cooking session. Using the fresh herbs and vegetables you have just harvested, learn to prepare local specialties such as Tam Huu (Hoi An fresh spring rolls) and the famous Vietnamese crispy pancake (Banh Xeo).

Enjoy the meal you have prepared before returning to your hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, take your free time to walk around Hoi An ancient town, go shopping, admire the ancient architecture, or relax at the beach.

Around 3 hours before departure, transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, meet your driver and continue to the hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

07.30 Depart from Ho Chi Minh City and drive to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s largest agricultural region.

Upon arrival in the Mekong Delta, take a boat trip along the river and smaller waterways to explore the peaceful countryside and experience the local way of life.

Cruise towards Tan Phong Island, where you will take a walk along quiet village paths, passing through lush orchards, traditional houses and small local communities. Along the way, you may have the opportunity to see local activities and learn more about daily life in the Mekong Delta.

Continue with a small rowing boat ride through narrow canals, shaded by coconut palms and surrounded by tropical vegetation. This peaceful journey offers a closer look at the rural landscape, and it is a great opportunity to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the Delta.

Lunch at a local home, featuring traditional Mekong Delta dishes.

After lunch, take a walk through the fruit orchards and enjoy a cup of tea in a traditional house. Continue exploring the village at a leisurely pace, with possible stops at small family-run workshops or local households where traditional products are still made, depending on availability. These activities may include rice paper, coconut candy or simple handicrafts, although such traditional home-based production is becoming less common.

After the visit, return to the boat and cruise back to the pier. Disembark and transfer by road back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy free time until your transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, approximately three hours before your departure flight.

We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Vietnam and look forward to welcoming you back in the future.