Travelers seeking the most genuine experience of North Vietnam might find the perfect package vacation here. Learn about the many cultures and ways of life of the several ethnic groups that make up the area by studying the history of the area. Savor the breathtaking vistas of Sapa’s terraced rice fields, unwind in Ninh Binh’s tranquil Red River Delta region, and be in wonder of HaLong Bay’s unique scenery. This is a deliberately chosen path that is often less used by tourists.
Travel tips:
Some travelers may find the traditional train to Sapa unpleasant or loud due to its tiny beds.
Travelers are picked up by shuttle limousine from a number of hotels; you might have to wait for your turn.
July through September is the best time of year to see rice terraces.
Bring bathing suits, bug repellent, and hiking shoes.
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3 star
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Hanoi
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October to May
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Easy
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All meals during the tour
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Private
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
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Yes
Overview
- Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi
- Visit: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Hai Phong – Lan Ha bay
- Duration: 07 Days
- Travel style: Authentic, Mountain & Minority
- Category: Private tour
- Tour schedule: Daily departure
- Tour guide in: English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano
Highlights
- Beautiful capital of Hanoi
- Experience traveling by train overnight
- Meetings with Red Dzao, Dzay, and Black H'mong
- Magnificent scenery may be found in the Fanxipang Range, Muong Hoa Valley, rice terraces, Van Long Nature Reserve, and Halong Bay
- Cruise for the night
- Less popular among tourists
Itinerary
Greetings from Hanoi, and a stroll in the Old Quarter.
When you arrive at the Noi Bai airport, a knowledgeable tour guide and driver greet you in the pickup lobby. Enjoy a 45-minute drive to the Old Quarter in the heart of Hanoi while learning about the city's top attractions, customs, traffic, and food.When you go to your hotel, check in and then unwind.
Note: The hotel checks you in at 14.00.
A walking tour is a great way to end the day. Commence at the Ba Da tiny pagoda, which is tucked away in a little lane just a little distance from the 19th-century French colonial Hanoi Great Cathedral. Your guide also shows you around some of Hanoi's characteristic streets, such Lan Ong Street, which sells traditional medicine, and Lo Ren Street, which is the location of the metal fabrication industry.
Don't forget to explore Hanoi's largest central market, Dong Xuan. Walk on until you reach Ta Hien Street, a well-known destination for nightlife and street food. Here, you'll witness colorful streets with an abundance of delectable regional fare and beverages. Taste-testing some will provide a memorable experience.
Finish up at your lodging.
Note: The walking tour will be rescheduled for the day of the city tour if your flight arrives late or if you have jet lag after a long trip.
Included:
English speaking guide
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Investigating the hub of education & culture, Van Mieu is a superb ethnological museum that offers tours of the Old Town and the French Quarter.
Nine in the morning: Obtain Tour guide pick-up at the Temple of Literature, which was constructed in the eleventh century by the Ly dynasty to revere Confucius and educate royal children. Savor a stroll through the park to Khue Van Cac, the city's emblem. Next, you will see the "stone steles" of World Heritage that list the names of distinguished pupils. Go on exploring Quoc Tu Giam, which is regarded as Vietnam's first national university.
Proceed to the Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), which provides an in-depth look at Vietnamese culture via traditional attire, implements, musical instruments, and homes belonging to various ethnic groups. Approximately two hours are needed to thoroughly visit this fascinating museum.
You spend the day seeing Hanoi's "little Paris," the French Quarter, which has a large plaza, government buildings, and boulevards lined with trees. See Ho Chi Minh's tomb from the exterior before taking a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens to see the Presidential Palace, which is Ho Chi Minh's former residence and place of business. In the direction of the distinctive One-pillar pagoda, one of the city's icons. Depending on the number of passengers, exploring this complex takes one to two hours.
Return to the city center and take a break before seeing the water puppet shows, which are unique performances that date back to the 11th century and feature puppets on water to depict Vietnamese culture, daily life, and beliefs. The shows typically include a traditional music performance as well.
After the show, unwind and enjoy dinner (at your own expense) or stroll through the city center. In the evening, make a quick transfer to the Hanoi Train Station to enjoy an overnight traditional train ride from Hanoi to Sapa.
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Leisure: Water puppet
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Train:SP3 (Hanoi - Lao Cai) / 22:00 - 05:55 - Deluxe( 4 berths / cabin) / 06 tickets
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Renowned hiking path Lao Chai - Ta Van Y Linh Ho, taking in the stunning valley
Arrive early in the morning at the Lao Cai train station. You will be driven an hour upwards to Sapa by a private guide and driver.
Discover the wonders of the natural world, take in the sight of rice terraces at every bend, and come across H'mong and Red Dao people. Visit a nearby restaurant for breakfast before venturing into the town.
We will set off from Y Linh Ho village for a full day of hiking. Take the route that leads downhill and engage in conversation with the amiable H'mong women and kids who reside in homes tucked away in the valley. Savor a little peace and quiet while admiring the harmony and beauty of the surrounding environment from the cable-bridge.
If you're feeling fit and daring, take the scenic and less-traveled uphill route via the Buffalo Path. Take a stroll along the Muong Hoa River if you're searching for a short hike.
Straight to a quaint hamlet by heading to Lao Chai village and taking a short trail that winds through the rice fields. You'll get the opportunity to meet a grandmother who is the last artisan left in the village, decorating the distinctive Hmong indigo garments using ancient methods of beeswax decoration. It's also a great chance to become fully immersed in their lively culture and way of life.
Proceed to Ta Van hamlet, the quaint Dzay homeland, which is perched on a hill and offers breathtaking views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range, a river, and rice terraces. Meet people on your stroll and they will extend a warm invitation for you to visit their houses.
Return to town at last, and have a pleasant stay.
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Sapa Elegance Hotel(Deluxe Room)
3 Hoang Dieu street, Sapa town, Lao Cai , Vietnam
Trekking around Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages and taking in the stunning scenery
Following breakfast, you will hike to Ta Phin village from Ma Tra hamlet. You will reach the amazing rice terrace valley at the end of this tour. You get a fantastic opportunity to get to know members of the local Black Hmong and Red Dao ethnic groups. They came from Southern China initially, but in the eleventh century they moved to Vietnam and are still there, living at a high altitude and far from the modern world. This aids in the preservation of their customs, language, and most importantly, their ancestors' way of life.
While traveling, pause to pay a visit to a Ma Tra Village Hmong family and school. You will arrive at the Red Dao group's Ta Phin hamlet following a three-hour hike. Engage in conversation with locals to gain insight into their way of life and culture while you stroll.
2:30 PM: A shuttle bus will pick you up at the hotel lobby to take you to Hanoi. Reach your Hanoi hotel at around 8:00 p.m.
Included:
Shuttle bus: Sapa - Hanoi
English speaking guide
Meal: B
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Taking a boat ride at Van Long Nature Reserve, biking to Thung La Temple, and taking in a live drum performance.
8:00 A.M. Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh while taking in the stunning Red River Delta landscape, which is dotted with rice and vegetable fields.
Walk or ride a bike for 15 kilometers through the villages. You will see breathtaking scenes of rice fields, a river, and limestone mountains while traveling along the dike. There are other locations where you may stop and snap lovely pictures or mingle with the people before walking to the 11th-century Thung La temple. Experience a genuine dialogue with Mr. Tuong, the temple protector, and take in a 20-minute drum performance.
Later, explore the grandeur of Van Long nature reserve by taking a sampan boat ride down the creek and amid the limestone mountains. With any luck, you may be able to spot egrets and white monkeys perched on the rocks.
Visit an embroidered hamlet after the boat ride, and then enroll in an embroidery class taught by Mrs. Lam, a local craftswoman. She will gladly share the methods used in her age-old trade. You will get a great chance to practice handling cloth like a true craftsman.
Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Boat: Van Long
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Bike: Ninh Binh
Leisure: Thung La temple music
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Proceed to Lan Ha Bay, where you may swim in the less-traveled section of ConVit, Ao Ech, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Nine in the morning: Pickup at your accommodation (located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi). Take pleasure in a 2.5-hour trip along National Highway No. 5B from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay. The Red River Delta's chain of communities and rice paddies will pass by on your travels. Stop and get a drink and use the restroom. Proceed towards the harbor around midday and get a hearty greeting at the cruise reception.
12:00 PM: At Tuan Chau Port in Quang Ninh province, the Peony Cruises crew will greet you.
12:30 PM: After being transferred to our support vessel, you will cross the bay from the dock to join our opulent Peony Cruises. An itinerary briefing will be given at this time.
1:00 PM: A special meal with a variety of delectable treats and fresh cuisine is served, along with fresh beverages and damp towels to welcome guests onboard. Next, we sailed to one of the World's Most Beautiful Bays, Lan Ha Bay.
3:30 PM: We'll go to the Tra Bau region, which is well-known for its lyrical, untainted natural beauty and gorgeous Lan Ha Bay seascape. The limestone islands are quite beautiful, and now is the ideal time to explore them by kayak. Dive into the bay's emerald-green waves or relax in the Peony Cruises Jacuzzi pool.
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Come watch us prepare spring rolls, one of the most well-known dishes in Vietnamese cuisine. As an alternative, take in the breathtaking sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin by moving to the upper deck of the ship. BUY ONE GET ONE FREE during happy hour at the bar. Photographers may take advantage of this perfect occasion to catch the most breathtaking sunset over Lan Ha Bay.
7:30 PM: Savor delectable regional cuisine that has been expertly prepared and presented by our chef. This delicious meal is presented in a cozy, romantic atmosphere.
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.: Unwind and enjoy unique cocktails and other beverages at the sky bar (surcharge applies). Enjoy a spa treatment (optional) or just unwind on the upper deck while the sky is brilliantly lit. On the main deck, you may even try your hand at squid fishing.
Included:
Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Tuan Chau
English speaking guide (on board)
Meal: B, L, D
Entrance fees
Kayak: Halong
Leisure: Squid fishing,Swimming
Cooking class: Halong (on board) - cooking demonstration
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Peony Cruise - 2D1N(Deluxe Balcony Cabin)
5/33B Pham Ngu Lao street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Investigating Trung Trang Cave, taking a leisurely cruise, returning to Hanoi, and departing at 6:00 AM: Start your day with vigorous Tai Chi practice and take in the light as it rises over the horizon.
Breakfast is given between 6:45 and 7:15 in the morning as they cruise back to Gia Luan Jetty. Breakfast hour can be changed to correspond with the actual schedule.
Take part in the Cat Ba World Biosphere trip from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. The trip from Gia Luan to Trung Trang Cave, one of Cat Ba Island, Vietnam's most spectacular caverns, takes thirty minutes. With hundreds of stalactites in a variety of forms, the limestone cave offers geological values together with a typical cave habitat.
9:30 AM: Leave your cabin and make your way back to the main boat via the cave. It is required to store luggage outside the cabin.
The eatery serves an early lunch. Pay any bar bills (if any) at the desk of the restaurant.
10:30 AM–11:00 AM: Return to Tuan Chau port after disembarking from Peony Cruises.
11:30 AM–12:00 PM: At Tuan Chau port, you have to be prepared.
Enjoy a two and a half hour trip back to Hanoi via the newly constructed highway No. 5B, which crosses the Red River Delta and villages. Your driver will greet you at the harbor. Deliver your accommodation (located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi).
Upon your request, a private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby in the Hanoi Old Quarter and transport you to Noi Bai airport, either the international or domestic hall, in around 45 minutes. We appreciate you coming to our city.
Note: For domestic and international flights, you must be at the airport two hours prior to departure time.
Included:
English speaking guide (on board)
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Leisure: Morning Tai Chi
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Tour Included
- English speaking tour guide following itinerary
- All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
- Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
- Cruise: Peony Cruise - 2D1N
- Boat: Van Long
- Private car following itinerary
- Shuttle bus: Sapa - Hanoi, Hanoi - Tuan Chau
- Train: SP3 (Hanoi - Lao Cai)
- Meal: Breakfast: 07, Lunch: 04, Dinner: 01
- Bike: Ninh Binh
- Kayak: Halong
- Leisure: Water puppet, Thung La temple music, Squid fishing, Swimming, Morning Tai Chi
- Cooking class: Halong (on board) - cooking demonstration
- Service charges and Taxes
Tour Excluded
- International flight from/to your country
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tipping and Gratuities
- Other not mentioned in the program
The tour lasts for seven days.
The tour covers a variety of locations and provides a genuine introduction to North Vietnam.
Discover the enchanting capital of Hanoi.
Go to Sapa by sleeper train to meet the Dzay, Red Dzao, and Black H’mong people.
Take in breathtaking views of the Fansipan Range and Muong Hoa Valley, among other places.
Explore the tranquil landscape of Ninh Binh; you may go riding or strolling around the villages.
Take a boat ride through the Van Long Natural Reserve.
Take an overnight cruise and be amazed by Halong Bay’s distinctive scenery.
Travelers should be aware that the traditional train to Sapa has small beds, which some visitors may find loud or unpleasant.
There may be a wait while the shuttle limousine takes up visitors from many hotels.
From July to September is the ideal time of year to see rice terraces.
Don’t forget to pack bathing suits, bug repellant, and walking shoes.
Hanoi is where the tour starts and concludes.