Northern Journey 8 Days

On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted and welcomed by our guide and driver, then be transferred to the hotel. You might have a sleep to recover, or wander around for some own exploration. 

Meals on your own account. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

We will pick you up after your breakfast at the hotel. First visit of day 2 is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – a must-see for any tourists visiting Hanoi capital. Aside from the mighty gray-granite mausoleum and vast Ba Dinh Square, you may find Uncle Ho’s vestige and historical objects of the wars in his Stilt House, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Next destination is the well-preserved Temple of Literature. It is Vietnam’s memorial of education as well as greatest example of traditional Vietnam architecture.  

We save Museum of Ethnology - biggest and most vibrant museum in Hanoi for the afternoon. The museum has wide range of exhibitions (both indoor and outdoor) focus on Vietnam’s officially recognised 54 ethnic groups.

Afterwards, you get to spend the rest of the afternoon at the Old Quarter where Hanoi’ most authentic goods are. Our guide will take you around the Old Quarter’s maze-like streets and alleys. You can observe locals life and have yourself some local treats.

Meals on your own. Enjoy your time in Hanoi before transfer to the railway station for a night train to Lao Cai in a shared 4-berths cabin. 

Once you arrive at Lao Cai Station, you will be transferred to Hoang Lien Son Mountains created hundred years ago where various ethnic minorities whose traditions and lives merged with the nature. Enjoy the irresistible charm of the highs and lows on your way.

Afterwards, immerse yourself in hill tribe life in a colorful market. Most locals join this weekly festive event wearing their tribal traditional costume and bringing horse, chickens, vegetables, herb-based products, brocade and whatever they can sell. There are lots of handmade gifts you can buy for your loved one back home here as well as wonderful shot to capture of the locals (as long as you ask their permission)

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before go back to the hotel. 

The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Lao Cai markets schedule:

Monday – Phiet Village Market; Tuesday – Coc Ly Market; Wednesday – Cao Son Market; Thursday – Lung Khau Nhin Market; Friday – Chau Market; Saturday – Can Cau Market; Sunday – Bac Ha Market.

From Sapa, you will be picked up and moved to Cat Cat village in the morning. We will have a walk down hill to the expected spot. Stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station then go for a hike on a dirt road passing through rice paddies terraces. On the way to Y Linh Ho village, you might see a picturesque river and have a glimpse into the daily life of local ethnic people - the Black H’Mong. Take a break and have your lunch here. 

For the afternoon, we will go on a trip to Muong Hoa valley. Up next is an interesting and easy route of trekking through Lao Chai village where Black H’Mong lives and Tavan village where Giay minority lives. We are going to stay in a local house of Giay community where you can do some exploring into the village or have a dip in the river nearby. 

Dinner is on your own account.

Serve yourself a full breakfast at the homestay before a trek to Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dao minority. Observe the peaceful sceneries along way as we going through a bamboo forest in Hoang Lien Son national park. We will keep continue trekking to Su Pan until lunch.

Choose a nice place to take a break and have lunch.

Drive back to Sapa town. 

Express bus is ready to take you back to Hanoi. Dinner on your own account. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Early breakfast as we will go on a ride to the second city – Ha Long. The iconic Ha Long Bay on the Gulf of Tonkin offers exceptional natural scenic beauty of limestone islets, designated World Heritage site. On the way to Ha Long, you might enjoy infinite rice paddy fields, rolling mountains scene of the Red river delta. As soon as you reach Ha Long, it is the beginning of an exciting cruise on this charming bay. 

After your lunch on boat, you will be taken to some of glorious limestone caves. Each caves have stories of its own, possesses splendid and sacred exquisiteness made from stalactite. Finishing visiting the caves, tourists should reward themselves with a revitalizing swim in emerald water when the cruise comes to a halt. Kayaking is another option if you want to explore more of the bay by yourself.

The boat cast its anchor for a stay through the night. Have your dinner on board along with other fun games.

Kindly be informed that transportation used for moving from Hanoi to Ha Long is a shared shuttle bus (with an English speaking guide). Contact our travel consultants for more information about private transfer service.

Early morning on Ha Long bay is dreamy. Wake up to immerse yourself in a peaceful morning with fresh air and soothing light of the first sunshine.  Enjoy your breakfast in such breezy atmosphere while the ship sails you further to the ocean then back to the land.

A light lunch on board will be served, followed by a trip from the dock to Hanoi by shuttle bus.

Meals on your own. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Spend the rest of the time in Hanoi choosing some cool souvenirs for your friends and family before you are transferred without guide to the airport for your next flight.

Meals on your expense. End of service!