5-Day Northern Vietnam Experience – Heritage, Wonders, and Northwest Mountains

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our driver will be there to greet you. He will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

You have the rest of the day to relax after your journey. Overnight in your hotel in Hanoi.

Since your departure to Sapa is early in the morning, please let us know your dietary preferences in advance. We will prepare a suitable takeaway breakfast for you to enjoy at the rest stop along the way.

6.20: Support to pick up from the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, our staff will pick you up by a transit transfer to the bus station then get on a big bus and depart to Sapa.

9.30: Follow the highway to Lao Cai city and have the first rest stop.

11.00: Second rest stop in Lao Cai before heading to Sapa. 

13.00: Arrive at Sapa Town with colorful traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, and Tay ethnic people. And wait about 30 minutes at the bus station for the tour guide and driver to pick you up to the hotel.

• Welcome beverage and itinerary overview
• Enjoy the lunch with local Vietnamese dishes and check-in procedures.

14.30: A walk to the gate of Cat Cat village  which is the home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station; stop for photos with the bridge and waterfall; then you will walk uphill for the bus to pick you up to get back to Sapa in the afternoon.

17.00: Come back to Sapa Town. Have dinner and overnight in a hotel with night activities.

Notes: 

• The transfer to Cat Cat Village is not included in the tour, so you will need to walk. If you prefer not to walk, please ask the tour guide to arrange a taxi for you at your own expense.

• Even though all transfers follow the expressway, the road to Sapa is still winding and unavoidable. You should be prepared for some ups and downs.

• The music show in Cat Cat village is closed on Tuesday afternoon, an alternative is arranged. 

• The trekking distance is about 2.5kms and it lasts for 2 hours.

• You can rent traditional minority costumes inside the village (not at the entrance).

• 8:00: After breakfast in the hotel, the driver takes you to Cable Car Station and spends 20 minutes with the cable car to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
  9:00: Reach the altitude of 2800 meters, you have a good time to see the view and take photos, visit pagoda the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps or use a climbing train then you will reach the peak of Fansipan – the Roof of Indochina.
  Notes: Fansipan Peak Funicular ticket (Do Quyen Funicular) is excluded.
  (Spend about 1,5 hours hiking and taking photos).
  11:30: Coming back to Cable Car Station and returning to Sapa town.
  12:00 – 13:00: Back to hotel , check out and have lunch, time at leisure on your own.
  13:30: Meet all group members at the hotel to get ready for the bus station back to Hanoi. Our staff will pick you up by a transit transfer to the bus station then get on a big bus and depart for Hanoi.
  20:00-20:30 Arrive at the bus station and get on a transit transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.
  The weather forecast is just for reference. Due to the mountainous terrain, the weather on top of Fansipan and in Sapa town may vary. Since the weather is beyond our control, we hope you can still enjoy your experience, no matter the conditions.

8:00 – 8:45 | Our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter, then we’ll set off for Halong Bay via the Expressway for a smooth and comfortable journey.
10:30 | Take a 20-minute rest stop to stretch, grab a coffee, or use the restroom before continuing.
12:00 – 12:30 | Arrive at the harbor and board the day cruise.
Enjoy a buffet lunch as we embark on a 6-hour journey through the stunning landscapes of Halong Bay.
Admire the breathtaking scenery of limestone islands and islets, each with unique names inspired by their shapes.
14:00 | Discover the largest and most magnificent cave – Surprising Cave (Sung Sot Cave)in Halong Bay.
Marvel at the fascinating stalactites and stalagmites, shaped by nature over millions of years into forms resembling sea creatures.
15:00 | Paddle through the emerald waters of Luon Cave on a kayak or bamboo boat. Explore the serene lagoon, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
16:00 | Swim at the sandy beach of Titop Island, nestled beneath towering limestone formations. Climb to Titop Peak for a panoramic, postcard-perfect view of Halong Bay.
18:00 – 18:30 | Enjoy a sunset party on the cruise’s upper deck with tea, cakes, and music. Relax and soak in the last golden moments of the day in Halong Bay.
Then we get on the bus back to Hanoi by Expressway, have a short break for 20-30 minutes.
21:00 | Arrive back at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter after a comfortable ride.
Notes: Due to the geographical location, when cruises go further from the shore, the WiFi signal often becomes weak and unstable. However, this is a great opportunity to disconnect and fully enjoy the stunning scenery.
The program may be subject to slight adjustments based on weather conditions, tide levels, or regulations from the Halong Bay Administration, without prior notice.

7:40 – 8:30 AM – Meet your friendly tour guide at your hotel or designated pick-up point in Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Tran Quoc Pagoda – Begin the journey at Tran Quoc Pagoda, a historic Buddhist relic and national heritage site, beautifully situated on West Lake.

• Ho Chi Minh Complex – Visit the final resting place of Vietnam’s beloved leader, President Ho Chi Minh. Explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his stilt house, and the unique One Pillar Pagoda — modeled after a lotus flower, the symbol of Hanoi.

• Vietnam Ethnology Museum – Discover the rich cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through fascinating artifacts, traditional houses, and cultural displays.

• Lunch – Take a break and enjoy a delicious Vietnamese meal at a local restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Temple of Literature – Built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars, this is Vietnam’s first national university and a symbol of the country’s scholarly traditions.

• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple – Stroll around the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, a national hero known for his victories against the Mongols.

4:00 PM – Return to your hotel. Tour ends.

Option 2: Hanoi City & Bat Trang Ceramic Village

(Available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)

7:45 – 8:30 AM – Meet your tour guide at your hotel or designated pick-up point in Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Tran Quoc Pagoda – A peaceful start to the day at Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, a Buddhist treasure set against the scenic West Lake.

• Ho Chi Minh Complex – Pay a visit to President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda — a unique structure built in the form of a lotus.

• Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, established in 1070, dedicated to Confucius and the nation’s scholars.

• Lunch – Relax and enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine at a local restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Bat Trang Ceramic Village – Step into the traditional world of Vietnamese ceramics. Visit workshops, observe artisans at work, and explore showrooms showcasing beautifully crafted pottery.

• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple – End the day with a visit to this iconic lake and temple, honoring General Tran Hung Dao.

3:30 PM – Drop-off at your hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed, free time in Hanoi. Use this time for last-minute shopping, explore more of the city, or simply unwind in the lively atmosphere.

Based on your flight time, you’ll be transferred to Noi Bai international airport for your onward journey.

Goodbye Vietnam! We hope you’ve enjoyed your journey and look forward to welcoming you again in the future!

1. Airport Transfer
A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included if you arrive on Day 1 of the tour, or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. Please provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

2. Single Supplement
A single supplement is available upon request at an additional cost. This excludes the overnight sleeper bus and Halong Bay cruise. On the cruise, you may book a private cabin (subject to availability), but the boat itself will still be shared with other travellers. Please confirm with us in advance if you wish to secure a single supplement.

3. The Order of the Tour
The sequence of activities between Hanoi, Sapa, and Halong Bay may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience. In all cases, inclusions and service quality remain unchanged.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what’s included – pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.