Northern Vietnam Luxury Adventure Tour 9 Days Hanoi, Sapa Trekking & Halong Bay Cruise Experience

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (D)

Upon arrival a Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel.  After freshening up, you will have dinner at one of the finest local restaurants in the city, before retiring for an overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B/L)

On day two, you’ll be able to explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops, selling silk clothing, lacquer ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. You can take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, enjoy people-watching at one of the numerous stylish cafes or shop for modern art in the city's myriad galleries.   You’ll also have the chance to visit Hanoi’s main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature.  You’ll sleep soundly in preparation for your trip to Sapa on the next day.

Day 3: Hanoi - Lao Cai by Victoria night trai

You’ll have a free day of leisure in the post-colonial city Hanoi.   Two sites may be of particular interest to you.  First, the Museum of Ethnology, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority peoples.  Second, you can visit Hoa Lo prison, formerly known by its inmates as the “Hanoi Hilton.”  Some of its more notable guests included Senator John McCain and Pete Peterson, the first post-war U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.  After that, you can stroll through the French Quarter where many of the embassies are located or just relax at one of the many parks and lakes that make Hanoi one of the greenest cities in Asia.

You’ll then board a train for an overnight trip to the border town of Lao Cai.

Day 4: Lao Cai - Sapa (B/L)

You will arrive at Lao Cai Station at around 6:00 a.m. where you will meet your driver and transfer to Sapa. It will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the town, where a delicious breakfast will be awaiting you. Then, you will have free time in the morning to stroll around town or enjoy the comfort of your hotel. In the afternoon you will trek to Cat Cat village, home of black H'mong.  After exploring the area and sharing cultural experiences with the local families, you will retire for an overnight stay in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa Village Walk (B/L)

Following breakfast, you will explore Sapa market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take you along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan.  These are home to H'mong, and Dzay people and offer a spectacular walk through the areas stunning scenery, inhabited by some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.  You will also be treated to a picnic lunch on the way to Ta Van village.   You will have a restful overnight stay in Sapa.

Day 6: Sapa - Lao Cai for Victoria night trai

Following breakfast, you will enjoy free time before leaving in the afternoon on your way the valley of Ta Phin, home to the Red Dao and H'mong people.   You’ll then be transferred back to Lao Cai for an overnight train ride back to Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi - Cruise Halong Bay (B/L/D)

You will arrive in Hanoi at approximately 5 a.m. and be taken to a local restaurant for breakfast and morning coffee.   You’ll then leave Hanoi by private vehicle at 8:30 a.m., arriving at the jetty around 12:30 p.m. You’ll enjoy a welcome drink and check-in to your cabin before a fresh seafood lunch at 1 p.m. Next, you will begin a 3.5 hour cruise through mystic Halong Bay, home to amazing karsts with different formations, including: Mat Qui (Monster's face) islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong (Drum) cave, Trinh Nu cave. Then It’s off head to Luon cave, where you will enjoy swimming, sun bathing at Ti Top beach or climbing the peak of the mountain for a breath-taking panoramic view of Halong Bay. You’ll then be treated to another seafood feast for dinner for staying overnight onboard, and for the night owls, there is the option of night fishing.

Day 8: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B)

Rising to the sound of the lapping waters of the bay, you will have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water. After breakfast, you will explore Sung Sot cave (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and swim and relax at Soi Sim beach. At 9:30 a.m., your boat cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You will continue cruising through the bay, before checking out and heading back to Hanoi at noon.  You will be taken to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B)

There are no activities planned for your final day, so you can unwind and plan for the next leg of your journey or opt to take in even more of the city’s offerings before being escorted to the airport for your onward flight.

Services Included

• Accommodation in 4-star luxury hotels or 5-star prestige hotels according to the selected option, where available.
• Premium accommodation in Sapa such as Victoria Sapa, Silk Path Grand Sapa, Hotel de la Coupole, Topas Ecolodge or equivalent according to availability and selected package.
• One overnight cruise in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay in a private cabin, with cruise category depending on the selected package.
• Victoria night train or equivalent Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi in a comfortable cabin according to the confirmed program.
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver for all transfers and sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary.
• English-speaking local guide during sightseeing days and trekking sections as mentioned in the program.
• Airport transfers in Hanoi according to the itinerary.
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary: breakfasts, lunches and dinners as specified.
• Entrance fees for all sightseeing places mentioned in the program.
• Hanoi city tour including Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, One Pillar Pagoda, Fine Arts Museum, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison or French Quarter according to the final itinerary.
• Sapa trekking experience including Cat Cat village, Sapa market, Lao Chai, Ta Van, Ta Phin, rice terraces, ethnic minority villages and local cultural encounters according to the program.
• Halong Bay luxury cruise with private cabin, seafood lunch or refined onboard meals, Luon Cave, Ti Top Island, Sung Sot Cave, swimming, kayaking, night fishing or onboard activities according to the cruise program.
• Private road transfers between Hanoi and Halong Bay according to the itinerary.
• Bottled water and tissues during private road transfers.
• Local taxes and service charges for included ground arrangements.
• 24/7 local support during the trip.

Services Not Included

• International flights to and from Vietnam.
• Domestic flights, if requested in a customized version of the itinerary.
• Vietnam visa stamping fee or e-visa fee, if applicable.
• Personal travel insurance, including medical, cancellation, baggage and trekking activity coverage.
• Drinks, minibar, laundry, spa treatments, wellness treatments and personal expenses.
• Meals not clearly mentioned in the itinerary.
• Single room supplement.
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels unless specifically included.
• Hotel room upgrades, suites, premium eco-lodges, luxury train cabin upgrades or private cruise upgrades if requested.
• Private train cabin supplement if not included in the confirmed quotation.
• Optional Fansipan cable car, private cooking class, private photography tour, upgraded trekking specialist or spa package unless clearly included in the confirmed program.
• Tips for guides, drivers, cruise crew, porters and local service staff.
• High-season, Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year or public holiday supplements, if applicable.
• Additional costs caused by weather, road conditions, train schedule changes, cruise operation changes or force majeure events.
• Any service not clearly listed under “Services Included”.