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

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi for check-in and some time to relax before your evening adventure.

At around 17:30, our tour guide will meet you in front of Shinhan Bank, 14 Le Thai To Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, and escort you on a delightful Hanoi Street Food Tour. This walking-and-eating journey will lead you through the bustling Old Quarter, where you’ll discover both the flavors and the charm of local life.

The menu may vary depending on the day, but typical dishes often include:

• Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodles), Bun Thang (Rice Vermicelli with Chicken and Eggs), or Bun Bo Hue, all representing Hanoi’s rich noodle culture.
• Savory quick bites such as Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls) and Banh Mi (Vietnamese bread).
• Local street snacks like Nom Bo Kho (Dried Beef Salad) and Nem Chua Ran (Fried Fermented Pork Roll).

To finish, you’ll enjoy Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee), a Hanoi specialty loved by both locals and visitors.

Note: If you have dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, allergies, etc.), please inform us in advance so the menu can be adjusted.

Morning

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.

Afternoon

Around 14:30, you will board a comfortable bus to Sapa, passing through picturesque landscapes of rolling hills and terraced rice fields. As you travel, take in the breathtaking views of the countryside and the mist-covered mountains.

Upon arrival in Sapa, you will check in to your hotel, where you can relax and refresh after the journey, preparing for the exciting adventures ahead in this stunning highland region.

Have breakfast at your hotel 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

After enjoying a hearty breakfast in Sapa, you will be transferred to the Fansipan Cable Car Station for an extraordinary journey. Step into the cable car and glide over the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range, admiring breathtaking views of terraced valleys and mist-covered peaks below.

To conquer the “Roof of Indochina,” prepare for a climb of about 600 stone steps, which typically takes 1.5 hours. Upon reaching the summit of Fansipan (3,143m), you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views that stretch across mountains, valleys, and distant horizons.

Take your time to explore the summit area and capture memorable photographs of this remarkable achievement.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, descend Fansipan by cable car, savoring the last glimpses of the mountain landscape. Afterwards, you will begin the journey back to Hanoi, bringing your Sapa adventure to a close.

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.