Embark on an epic 10-day expedition through the heart of Northern Vietnam, a journey of breathtaking contrasts. From the culinary delights of a bustling capital to the soaring peaks of the Tonkinese Alps, and from the serene rice valleys to the legendary emerald waters of a world wonder, this is the definitive northern experience.
NOTE: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, L = Brunch*
10 Days
Daily Tour
English
1 person
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, with a private 45-minute transfer to your hotel in Hanoi's city center. After check-in, prepare your senses for an unforgettable evening.
Embark on a guided walking street food tour to taste the true soul of Hanoi. Your Dinner is a culinary journey. Weave through the charming streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter to a bustling local market. Here, you will sample Vietnam's most iconic dishes right where the locals eat, from a steaming bowl of "Pho" and delicate "Banh Cuon" to the famous "Bun Cha" (grilled pork with noodles) and flame-grilled delights at barbecue stalls. The grand finale is a visit to the famous Hanoi Train Street. Feel the thrill as a locomotive passes mere inches away while you sip a cup of rich Vietnamese coffee or a local beer. It's a surreal, uniquely Hanoi experience that perfectly captures the city's vibrant energy.
Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel. 07:30: You will be picked up for the scenic 5.5-hour drive to Sapa via the expressway. Watch as the landscape transforms into the majestic beauty of the northwest mountains. The journey itself is a spectacle, with terraced fields shimmering in the sunlight. We will have a short break en route to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
12:30: Arrive in Sapa and check into your hotel. 13:00: Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we ascend to the heavens by conquering Fansipan Peak. A short drive takes us to Hoang Lien Cable Car Station. From here, a 20-minute ride offers breathtaking views as you soar towards the 3,143m peak, known as "The Roof of Indochina." From the final station, it’s a 600-step climb to the summit, a triumphant moment with panoramic vistas that will leave you speechless. 17:00: Return to your hotel, with the evening free. Dinner on your own.
Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel. 08:30: A short drive brings you to the gate of Cat Cat Village.
17:00: Drive back to your hotel in Sapa. Dinner on your own.
Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel. 08:00: Depart for Nghia Lo, a journey through some of Vietnam's most spectacular mountain scenery. Prepare for the rugged and majestic O Quy Ho Pass, one of the four great passes of the North. We will stop at the magnificent Silver Waterfall for a short walk and visit the nearby Heaven Gate at Tram Ton Pass for incredible views.
Arrive in Mu Cang Chai around noon. Hike through the iconic terraced rice fields that have made this valley famous worldwide. This is a photographer's paradise. Afterwards, we continue towards Nghia Lo, conquering the infamous Khau Pha Pass—a thrilling 30km ride with stunning vistas. Arrive in Nghia Lo late in the afternoon and check into your hotel.
Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel. 08:00: Leave Nghia Lo for a scenic drive to Mai Chau via the Moc Chau Plateau. Journey off the beaten path through stunning landscapes of H'mong and Thai villages. We will stop to admire and photograph the vast, rolling green hills of the famous tea plantations that blanket Moc Chau, a truly refreshing sight.
Enjoy Lunch in Moc Chau. After lunch, prepare to walk across the sky on the Bach Long (White Dragon) Glass Bridge. An architectural marvel, this is the world's longest glass walking bridge, suspended 150 meters above the forest. It's a thrilling experience that offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the surrounding nature. Depart for Mai Chau, arriving late in the afternoon.
Experience true Vietnamese hospitality with Dinner and an overnight stay at a local homestay.
Enjoy Breakfast at the homestay. Depart for the 4-hour drive to Ninh Binh. The views from the top of the Mai Chau Valley are superb, so have your camera ready. 11:00: Arrive at Cuc Phuong National Park. Step back in time at Vietnam's first national park, a primeval tropical rainforest. Our first stop is the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where you'll learn about the vital work being done to save species from the illegal wildlife trade.
Enjoy Lunch at the park's restaurant. Venture deep into the jungle to discover ancient secrets. We will explore the "Cave of Early Man," an archaeological site, before taking a short trek through the forest to witness a giant, ancient tree that has stood for centuries. 17:00: Drive to Ninh Binh city and check into your hotel.
19:00: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel. 08:30: We begin our exploration of Ninh Binh's treasures. Take a serene 2-hour sampan boat trip through Tam Coc. Known as "Halong Bay on Land," you will be rowed along the Ngo Dong River, gliding past limestone mountains and lush rice paddies, and through three stunning natural caves (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba). After the boat trip, visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a beautiful temple complex built into the mountainside.
12:00: Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant. Discover the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, learning about Vietnam's feudal dynasties from the 10th century. Climb to the heavens at Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). A 500-step climb up Lying Dragon Mountain is rewarded with an amazing panoramic view of the entire Tam Coc valley—a truly unforgettable sight. (Optional: Enjoy a 40-minute cycling ride through the beautiful countryside lanes.)
19:00: Dinner at a local restaurant.
Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel before checking out. 08:15 – 08:30: You will be picked up for the transfer to the pier in Halong Bay. 12:00 – 12:30: Arrive at the pier and be welcomed aboard your luxury cruise. Set sail upon the emerald waters of the UNESCO World Heritage Site while sipping your welcome drink.
13:00 – 14:00: A delicious Lunch is served at the restaurant on board. Dine on exquisite cuisine while cruising through thousands of limestone karsts, entering a world of natural wonder. 15:00 – 16:30: Explore a magnificent limestone cave. Venture deep into the heart of the karsts to discover hidden worlds like Sung Sot Cave or Thien Canh Son Cave, each a geological masterpiece sculpted by time.
18:30 – 19:00: Attend a Cooking Class or fruit carving lesson on the sundeck. As twilight descends, our Head Chef will guide you through the secrets of traditional Vietnamese dishes. 19:00 onwards: Dinner. A special meal is served. Enjoy an evening of fine dining and relaxation under the stars of Halong Bay.
06:30 – 07:00: Start your day with coffee, tea, and a light Breakfast. Wake up early for the breathtaking sunrise over the bay, then join a refreshing Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. 07:45 – 09:00: Explore a local fishing village.
10:00: Return to the boat for check-out procedures. A full Brunch (L)* is served as you cruise back.
12:00: Disembark at the pier for your transfer back to Hanoi. 15:00: Arrive and check in at your hotel in Hanoi. The rest of the day is free.
Dinner on your own.
Enjoy your final Breakfast in Hanoi. The day is yours for last-minute souvenir shopping or strolling through the Hanoi Old Quarter.
Approximately 3 hours before your flight, you will be picked up for your transfer to Noi Bai International Airport, filled with memories of an incredible Northern Vietnam adventure.