Charming Northern Vietnam

08.00: After breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide and driver will pick you up and take a drive about 2.5 hours to Ninh Binh.

On Arrival, you will visit Hoa Lu, a historical place associated with the foundation of the Dinh, Early Le, and Ly dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries. Within an area of 13 square kilometers, the Hoa Lu ancient Capital contains important parts of the history of Vietnam. Visit the Dinh-Le sanctuary, statues of the Emperors in their temples. Transfer to the restaurant for our lunch.

In the afternoon, take an amazing rowing sampan boat to visit the Trang An Eco-Tourism area. Trang An Eco-Tourism complex is home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna, many of them in the Red Book of Vietnam. It is also a gathering of 31 valleys, 48 cross-water caves, and we will visit 3 to 6 of them. On the boat, we can enjoy the fresh air, clean and clear water with underwater grass. Experience for yourselves the feeling and emotion when we are in the water caves…Disembark the sampan, get on the car, and drive back to Hanoi

Overnight in Hanoi.

08.00: After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and driver and take a full-day city tour of Hanoi

You will start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the corpse of our Uncle Ho. Keep touring to the Presidential Palace – a nice French architectural building in the garden, and visit Ho Chi Minh House on stilts. Visiting the relic will help you learn more about the simple life of Ho Chi Minh, the first president and the founder of new Vietnam. You will finish this area at the One Pillar Pagoda, with its unique architecture, which is one of the most popular attractions in Hanoi.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue the tour to the Temple of Literature – Confucius Temple, which was the first university in Vietnam.  Keep driving to the Museum of Ethnology, where you will learn more about Vietnamese culture and its different minorities. Go back downtown to explore Hanoi Old Quarter, the famous 36 ancient streets of Hanoi, on a traditional cyclo ride. This slow – speed tour will give you a great chance to fully enjoy the classic and modern sights of the capital. You will have free time to go shopping or relax on your own and return to your hotel

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

Overnight on the train.

05:30: Upon arrival at Lao Cai Railway Station, meet your local guide and driver before setting off on a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Bac Ha Market, the largest and most vibrant ethnic market in northern Vietnam, held exclusively on Sundays. Along the way, admire the spectacular mountain scenery, winding valleys, and picturesque rice terraces that characterize this remarkable region.

Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant before exploring the bustling market, where members of various ethnic minority groups gather to trade livestock, fresh produce, handmade textiles, and traditional handicrafts. Dressed in their colorful costumes, local communities create a lively and authentic atmosphere, offering a fascinating insight into the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s northern highlands.

Continue to visit the historic Hoang A Tuong Palace, also known as the H’Mong King’s Palace. Built in the early 20th century, this unique residence blends French colonial architecture with traditional Chinese influences and reflects the prosperous history of the region.

In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle walk around Ban Pho Village, home to the Flower H’Mong people. Visit local families, learn about their customs and traditions, and sample a cup of freshly brewed green tea or the region’s traditional corn wine. Surrounded by rolling hills, terraced fields, and peaceful countryside, the village offers an authentic glimpse into daily life in Vietnam’s northern mountains.

16:00: Transfer to Sapa and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Sapa.

Important Notes:

Bac Ha Market is held every Sunday. If your travel dates do not fall on a Sunday, your itinerary will be adjusted to visit another authentic ethnic market in the region, depending on the day of the week.

Weekly Market Schedule in the area:

• Tuesday: Coc Ly Market
• Wednesday: Cao Son Market
• Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market
• Satuday: Can Cau Market
• Sunday: Bac Ha Market

09:00: After breakfast, meet your guide and begin a scenic trek to Cat Cat Village, one of the oldest villages in the Sapa Valley and home to the Black H’Mong people.

Follow picturesque trails through terraced rice fields, mountain streams, and cascading waterfalls while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. Along the way, discover the rich culture and traditions of the local community as you visit traditional wooden houses, observe daily life, and learn about centuries-old handicrafts, including weaving, embroidery, and silver jewelry making. You’ll also have the opportunity to browse locally made souvenirs and handcrafted products.

Return to Sapa town and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The remainder of the day is at leisure for shopping, exploring the town, or relaxing at one of Sapa’s charming cafés before your departure.

In the late afternoon, your driver will transfer you to Lao Cai Railway Station to board the overnight train back to Hanoi.

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. 

08.30: Meet your guide and driver, then depart for Halong Bay – a World Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO twice. Upon arrival, embark on the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink while having the tour briefing and safety instructions. A seafood lunch will be served on board while the ship sails out to the Bay, with time to admire its dramatic karst formations.

Take a rest at your leisure on the sundeck or relax in your cabin. 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. After 01 hour exploring the bay, you will embark on the cruise again before attending a cooking class in the late afternoon.

Enjoy the superb dinner and stay overnight on board.

Please note: The final Halong Bay itinerary may vary based on the specific cruise selected at the time of booking

Enjoying Halong Bay in the early morning with a Tai Chi Class on the sun deck is a must-do that you should not miss on an overnight cruise. 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, you will 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.

10.30: 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 driver, and transfer back to Hanoi

Overnight in Hanoi.

Please note: The final Halong Bay itinerary may vary based on the specific cruise selected at the time of booking

Today is your free time at your leisure to enjoy the last moment in the North of Vietnam. About 03 hours before your flight, get a transfer to the airport for your next flight.

With sincere thanks for traveling to Vietnam with us, we hope that you enjoyed your trip, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.