Mind-Blowing Northern Vietnam Trip to Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival

Day 2: Hanoi Walking Tour – Night train to Sapa – Overnight on board (B)

Dat 3: Sapa by limousine – Lao Chai & Ta Van Village. ON in Sapa (B/L/D)

Day 4: Cat Cat Village – Fansipan Peak. Limousine Bus to Hanoi. ON in Hanoi (B/L)

Day 5: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Hang Mua Group Tour (B, L)

Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise. Overnight on Cruise (B/L/D)

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L)

Day 8: Hanoi – Departure (B)

DAY 01: HANOI – ARRIVAL

When you arrive at Noi Bai Airport – Hanoi, right after getting out of the restricted area you will see our staff waiting for you in the lobby with a board of your name. Then our driver will take care and transfer you safely to Hanoi center for checking in the hotel.

You will enjoy the water puppet show tonight

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 02: Northern Vietnam Trip to Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay: HANOI WALKING TOUR – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B)

After breakfast, from your hotel, we take you to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, walking around Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where Ho lived on and off from 1958 to 1969…

The next place is One Pillar Pagoda a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square pond. Leave One Pillar Pagoda for the Temple of Literature the first college of Viet Nam dedicated to Confucian. Back to Hoan Kiem Lake and have a stopover with Ngoc Son Temple.

6:30 PM: Pick up from your accommodation in Hanoi and transfer to Sapa town for the overnight train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on board.

DAY 03: LAO CAI STATION – SAPA TOUR TO LAO CHAI – TA VAN (B/L/D)

Upon arrival in Lao Cai station, you will be greeted and transferred to Sapa town. where you will have breakfast to refuel before starting your adventure.

You’ll begin your journey down to Lao Chai village. This village is home to the Tay and Dzay tribes, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit and interact with the locals, learning about their cultures and traditions.

After exploring Lao Chai village, you’ll continue your tour along the bottom of Sapa valleys to reach Ta Van village. Ta Van is known for its picturesque beauty, and it’s considered one of the most beautiful areas in the region.

After a fulfilling half day of touring and cultural experiences, you’ll head back to Sapa town.

Once you’re back in Sapa town, you’ll have dinner at a local restaurant or your accommodation.

After dinner, you’ll have free time to explore Sapa Town by night. Sapa is a charming mountain town with a vibrant atmosphere, and you can immerse yourself in the local culture, check out the night markets, or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Overnight in Sapa

DAY 04: Northern Vietnam Trip to Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay: SAPA – CAT CAT VILLAGE – FANSIPAN CABLE CAR –  LIMOUSINE BUS TO HANOI  (B/L)

You will have breakfast, and relax before visiting Cat Cat village.  It is the most popular attraction in Sapa district, located at the bottom of the Muong Hoa Valley and near the stunning Cat Cat Waterfall. This is an age-old village of the H’Mong ethnic group remaining unique customs and practices that are lots in other villages. ( Alternatively, you can change Cat Cat tour to Moana, which is an emerging attraction in Sapa, Vietnam, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the mountainous region with a touch of cultural and artistic creativity. Located just a short distance from Sapa town, Moana Sapa is known for its stunning views, art installations, and photogenic spots designed to immerse visitors in the natural beauty and culture of the region.)

Our vehicle will be waiting for us for the journey back to Sapa for the round-trip cable car to Fansipan. The height of the mountain was 3,143 meters (10,312 ft) in 1909, but now the height of the mountain is 3,147.3 meters (10,326 ft). It is the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula (comprising Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia), hence its nickname “the Roof of Indochina”.  You will have lunch.

14h30: It‘s time to say “Goodbye Sa Pa!” and drive back to Hanoi by bus.

21h30: We arrive in Ha Noi.

DAY 05: HANOI – HOA LU – TAM COC – MUA CAVE GROUP TOUR (B, L)

7h30-8h00: Our driver and tour guide pick you up at a hotel or meeting point in the Old Quarter to get to Ninh Binh Province which located in the south of Northern Vietnam.

9h30-9h45: Visiting Hoa Lu- the ancient capital of Vietnam from 986-1010. We will visit the Ding King Temple and the Le King Temple in the 10th century to learn the historical histories of these two kings during the Chinese Wars.

10h30: Visiting Mua Cave (Dancing Cave), where you can get an impressive panoramic view of Tam Coc and Ninh Binh city when you reach the top point of Ngoa Long mountain (about 500 stone steps)

12h00: Enjoy the set menu Vietnamese cuisine lunch at the bungalow

13h00: Discovering Tam Coc (Three water caves) on the sampan (bamboo boat) in almost 2 hours passing through 3 caves: Hang Ca- first cave, Hang Hai- second cave, Hang Ba- the third cave by boat to you excited feelings.

15h00: You will be amazed by the beauty of the countryside in the North of Vietnam by cycling time.

16h00: After discovering the amazing beauty of Ninh Binh by walking, hiking, and cycling, tourists can relax by swimming.

16h45: Saying goodbye to Ninh Binh

18h45-19:00: Finish your unforgettable trip at your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 06: Northern Vietnam Trip to Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay: HANOI – HALONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON THE CRUISE (B/L/D) 

08.30-08.00: You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and transferred to Ha Long.

11:30-12:00 Upon arrival at Tuan Chau International Cruise Port, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

12:00 Upon boarding Cruise, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands.

Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Trinh Nu cave.

14.00: You return to your cabin for a short rest and prepare for kayaking activities in Trinh Nu Cave area.

15.00: You will be transferred to Trinh Nu Cave by tender.

Arriving at Trinh Nu Cave area, you will take part in kayaking activities here. To get to Trinh Nu beach, you need to kayak around thousand-year-old limestone formations and then walk for 5 minutes through Trinh Nu cave. Trinh Nu beach will amaze you with its white sand, emerald water and mild pleasant weather condition.

17.30-18.00 Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

You will be instructed to make delicious traditional Vietnamese steamed rice rolls by our chef and then enjoy the rolls made on your own.

17.30-18.30 Happy hour – BUY 2 DRINKs GET 1 FOR FREE

19.30 Dinner.

20.30 After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as massage (subject to additional charge), herbal wood foot bath in your room (free of charge 01 herbal bag for each cabin) or enjoying music and some drinks at Sky Bar while admiring the breathtaking view of the Bay at night and squid fishing.

The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night stay in a quiet area

DAY 07: HALONG BAY CRUISE– HANOI (B/L)

06.15: Start your day with Tai Chi class on the sundeck.

06.30-07.00 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cake and fruit.

07.30 Exploring Sung Sot cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations which couldn’t be found anywhere else. The path to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave is under a canopy of leaves. Walking through steep stone steps, tourists may have the feeling of climbing on mountains and experience the excitement as if they are stepping to the sky.

08.30-09.30 Back on board, you can rest in your room, enjoy the herbal foot bath prepared by our crew, sunbathe on the sundeck, take pictures of Ha Long Bay or shop for souvenirs on the boat.

09.30 Check-out time.

Please put your luggage outside your cabin and leave the room key at the reception desk. Our staff will transfer your luggage to the waiting area. While waiting, you can shop for some products of Amanda Cruise.

10.00 Enjoy early lunch buffet at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and settle the bills if any.

11.00 Arrival at Tuan Chau Marina, where our bus will transfer you back to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi. Check-in at the hotel

DAY 08: Northern Vietnam Trip to Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast, you will be free to shop or explore more about the city.

On time, our car will come to take you to the airport to catch your flight to another city or home.

End of the trip!

*3 Star Hotels in use:

+ Hanoi: 

• La Dolce Vita Hotel (Superior room) Website: https://ladolcevita-hotel.com/
• San Old Quarter Hotel (Deluxe) Website:  www.sanhotelseries.com
• Golden Holiday Hotel (Deluxe) Website: https://www.hanoigoldenholidayhotel.com/

+ Sapa:

• Sapa Unique Hotel (Superior)      Website:  https://sapauniquehotel.net/
• Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa (Deluxe)  Website: www.saparelaxhotel.com
• Sapa Green Hotel (Superior) Website:  https://sapagreenhotel.vn/

+ Ha Long: 

• Mila Cruise (Deluxe cabin) https://milacruises.com/  or similar ones
• Amanda Cruise (Deluxe cabin)  https://amandacruise.com.vn/
• Hera Cruise (Deluxe cabin)  https://heracruises.vn/

*4 Star Hotels in use:

+ Ha Noi:

• HANOI LION BOUTIQUE HOTEL (Executive) Website: hanoilionboutiquehotel.com.
• The Light Hotel (Deluxe) Website:  www.thelighthotelhanoi.com
• Silk Queen Grand Hotel (Deluxe) Website: http://silkqueenhotel.com/silkqueengrand/home.htm

+ Sapa:

• Sapa Green Forest Hotel (Superior) https://sapagreenforesthotel.com/
• DELASOL HOTEL SAPA (Standard) https://delasolphatlinhsapa.com
• + Ha Long: Mila Lux Cruise (Deluxe) https://milacruises.com/milalux-cruises-20-cabin/
• Athena Cruise (Executive cabin) https://athenacruise.com/  or similar ones

* Inclusive of above prices:

• Transportation in private with air-condition
• Accommodation in Double/Twin shared room
• Sapa Private Tour including train ticket, limousine tickets, meals, entrance fees, Fansipan ticket + funicular tickets
• Overnight cruise in Halong Bay with 2-way shuttle bus, kayaking, full board
• Local English-speaking guides
• Entrance fee at indicated sights
• Hanoi walking tour ½ day, Ninh Binh group tour with lunch
• Water Puppet Tickets in Hanoi
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner
• Gov’t tax and service charge
• Luggage handling and drinking water

* Exclusive of above prices:

• Visa stamping fee on arrival
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Single room (quoted separately)
• Another foreign language guide
• Peak tourist season or special event rates
• Tip, drinks, and other personal expenses
• All airfare