Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive at Hanoi airport where your guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel. Once you check in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you like - some people rest after traveling, others head out to get a feel for the city on their own.
- Start point
- Vietnam (Hanoi)
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi at own pace
- Day 2
Hanoi
After breakfast, you'll spend the morning with your guide visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh House on Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple. In the afternoon, the Museum of Ethnology is next, followed by a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. You'll walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and check out Ngoc Son Temple before ending the evening at a Water Puppet Show.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
- Visit Ho Chi Minh House on Stilt
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Visit Quan Thanh Temple
- Museum of Ethnology
- Cyclo ride through Old Quarter
- Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple
- Water Puppet Show
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh House on Stilt One Pillar Pagoda Tran Quoc Pagoda Quan Thanh Temple Museum of Ethnology Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 3
Hanoi to Sapa
After breakfast, you'll drive about 5 hours to Sapa with scenic stops along the way. Once you check in and rest at your hotel, your guide takes you to Silver Waterfall and Heaven Gate where you can see panoramic views of Fansipan peak and the mountains surrounding the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Silver Waterfall
- Visit Heaven Gate
Landmarks Silver Waterfall Heaven Gate Fansipan Peak - Day 4
Sapa
The morning starts at a local market where you'll see ethnic silver jewelry, traditional clothing in bright colors, and fresh produce from the mountains. From there, you trek for 3 hours with your guide to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to the Black H'mong and Day people. You'll spend time observing how locals live and seeing the terraced rice fields that cover the hillsides.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Local market exploration in Sapa
- 3-hour guided trek to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages
- Visit Black H'mong communities
- Visit Day people communities
Landmarks Lao Chai Village Ta Van Village - Day 5
Sapa to Hanoi
After breakfast, you continue around Sapa by visiting Ma Tra and Ta Phin Villages to meet H'mong and Red Dzao communities. Your driver then takes you back to Hanoi (about 5 hours), and once you arrive, the evening is free for you to explore the city however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Ma Tra Village
- Visit Ta Phin Village
- Interact with H'mong communities
- Interact with Red Dzao communities
Landmarks Ma Tra Village Ta Phin Village - Day 6
Hanoi to Ninh Binh
In the morning, you'll check out Hoa Lu, Vietnam's first capital, and learn about the Dinh Dynasty that ruled from 968-980. Next is Bai Dinh Pagoda complex with hundreds of Buddhist statues spread across the grounds. After lunch, you take a peaceful sampan boat trip along the Trang An River, floating through limestone cliffs and water caves while listening to the paddle sounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hoa Lu
- Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda complex
- Sampan boat trip on Trang An River
Landmarks Hoa Lu Bai Dinh Pagoda Trang An River - Day 7
Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
After breakfast, you head to Halong Bay for a cruise through limestone formations and emerald waters. You'll explore hidden caves and watch the sunset from the deck. If you're interested, kayaking or swimming options are available during the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Halong Bay cruise through limestone formations
- Exploration of caves and waters
Optional Activities
- Kayaking
- Swimming
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 8
Halong Bay to Hanoi
You'll start early with a Tai Chi session, then explore Thien Canh Son Cave with its stalactites and stalagmites. Brunch happens at 9:30 am before you disembark at 10:45 am. Your guide and driver take you back to Hanoi (about 4 hours), and in the evening you join a street food tour in the Old Quarter to try authentic Vietnamese dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Street food tour in Hanoi Old Quarter)
Included Activities
- Tai Chi session
- Explore Thien Canh Son Cave
- Street food tour in Old Quarter
Landmarks Thien Canh Son Cave - Day 9
Hanoi
After breakfast, you have free time to spend in Hanoi however you'd like. Later, your guide escorts you to the airport for your departure flight.
- End point
- Vietnam (Hanoi)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi at own pace
