Northern Vietnam is a treasure trove of wonders, from the fantastic hills of Sapa to the mystical waters of Halong Bay. Your 7 Day Northern Vietnam tour starts from the charismatic city of Hanoi where you will explore the historical sites, winding streets, and serene lakes of the city. Then visit the charms of Halong Bay on-board a traditional wooden junk, cruise through hundreds of limestone karsts. Feast on seafood, visit mystical caves, and swim in the turquoise waters of the Bay. For those with energy remaining, kayak through the calm waters for a different viewpoint of the towering karsts.
End your journey with two day trekking through the Sapa region filled with ethnic minorities who maintain their own local culture, traditions, and dress. Explore waterfalls, rice paddies, high mountain passes, and welcoming local villagers.

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
Departure: Daily from Hanoi
Type of tour: Group tour
Theme: Nature/Soft Adventure, Traditional culture
Suitable: Travel with friends, Active traveler, Solo traveler

7 DAY NORTHERN VIETNAM TOUR ITINERARY

Destination: Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay (less touristic than Halong Bay) - Sapa

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI

Meals included: N/A I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi (Noi Bai airport), you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in downtown Hanoi for check-in (hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in). The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architecture and tranquil lakes of this unique city.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR (B, L)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch I Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Our guide & driver will pick you up at your hotel around 08h00 for a full day tour of Hanoi. Your first visit will be the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the former president’s house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary (Viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov).

Close by is the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi.
Continue to visit the Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda on picturesque West lake (One of the oldest in Vietnam).

Have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch proceed to visit the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam’s first university Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then visit Bat Trang Pottery Village – the most ancient and famous pottery village of Vietnam.

* Note: Bat Trang pottery village will be visited on Mon, Wed & Fri (without Ethnology Museum). Ethnology Museum will be visited on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat (without Bat Trang pottery village).

After that, we will take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and visit Ngoc Son Temple. For the last part of the tour journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll have a chance for shopping and exploration.
Return to your hotel at around 16h00.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – BAI TU LONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B, L, D)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner I Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise

08h00 – 08h10 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Hon Gai Tourist Wharf. You are welcomed at our waiting room before enjoying the cruise.

12h15 – 12h45 Embark on your cruise by transfer boat. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.

13h00 – 15h30 Savor a delectable lunch as your boat cruises further along the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, heading to Vung Vieng fishing village – one of the largest fishing villages in Halong Bay to see the life of local fishermen.

– Option 1: Take a bamboo rowing boat trip around Vung Vieng Fishing Village

– Option 2: Take kayak and go kayaking by yourself with help and instruction of tour guide around the Village.

17h30 – 18h00 Return to your boat and have bath then relax as the sun starts to set. Enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar and on the sun deck while cooking demonstration is organizing.

19h00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, night squid fishing or just laze around. Singing and dancing activities are available till 22h00.

Overnight on board at Cong Do Area.

DAY 4: BAI TU LONG BAY – HANOI – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B, L)

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch I Accommodation: Overnight on train

06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck.

07h00 – 09h00 Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Thien Canh Son Cave. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay.

09h30 Check-out room. Luggage can be delivered to the reception area.

09h30 – 11h00 Head back to the Harbor. Have early lunch on board. Disembark at around 12h00.

12h00 – 12h30 Transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi city center with 30 minute break en route to stretch the legs.

16h30 – 17h00 Arrive at your hotel.

17h00 – 20h30 Free time for refreshment and dinner on your own.

20h30 Pick up from your hotel lobby by our representative for short transfer the train station to board the night train to Lao Cai (scheduled to leave at 21h30).

Stay overnight on board in comfortable soft sleeper compartments (4 berth compartments).

DAY 5: LAO CAI – SAPA – Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI & TA VAN VILLAGES (B, L, D)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner I Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa town

05h35 Arrive in Lao Cai train station. Welcome by your local guide and driver then take a drive of 40km for over an hour drive uphill to Sapa. This town is a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam’s most colorful ethnic groups.

07h30 Arrive at your hotel (hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in only. Early check-in can be arranged subject to availability on your arrival. Otherwise we will provide you a basic hotel room where you can have shower or relax).
Freshen up and have breakfast at hotel.

09h30 Depart from your hotel for 6km of walking down to the South-east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to visit Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong. Continue a 2km-trekking down to visit Lao Chai village.

12h30 Stop for a rest and light picnic lunch in a local village. It gives you a worth chance to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom.
After lunch and a relaxing break, gear up for another trek through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery to visit Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people.
At the end of the trek, transfer by road back to Sapa.

15h30 Arrive at your hotel and check in. Time to relax or wander around the town and visit Sapa ethnic market on your own.

19h00 Dinner served at the hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Stay overnight at hotel in Sapa town.
(Trekking: approximately 10 Kilometers, 8 Kilometers driving from Ta Van village back to Sapa).

DAY 6: SAPA – CAT CAT & SIN CHAI VILLAGE – NIGHT TRAIN TO HANOI (B, L, D)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner I Accommodation: Overnight on train

07h00-09h00 Have breakfast at hotel and check out.

09h30 Take a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the foot of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam.

12h30 Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river.
After lunch and break journey on 6km trekking to Sin Chai village – located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain known as “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. Visit the village, where community based tourism in Sapa takes place is inhabited by the black Hmong minority.

14h30 Transfer back to Sapa town. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

16h30 Take a shower at hotel and have dinner before transfer downhill to Lao Cai for the night train to Hanoi (scheduled to leave at 20h35).

Stay overnight on board in comfortable soft sleeper compartments (4 berth compartments).
(Trekking: approximately 7 Kilometers, 3 Kilometers driving from Cat Cat back to Sapa).

DAY 7: HANOI ARRIVAL – DEPARTURE (B)

Meals included: Breakfast I Accommodation: N/A

04h45 Arrive in Hanoi early this morning (no room included). Our agent will meet you at the station then go for breakfast at local stall.
The day is at your leisure for last minute sight-seeing or shopping.

If hotel and other travel arrangements are required, please contact us.

The tour ends.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This 7-day Northern Vietnam tour can be shortened to 6 days if you take a bus from Sapa to Hanoi at 15h00-15h30. You will arrive in Hanoi around 21h00. The bus duration is 5.5-hours, direct drive incl. two 20-minute breaks. We use Dcar Limousine. The comfort is high as the van is equipped with only 9 flight seats instead of the normal 16 seats.
You will be picked up from your hotel in Sapa town and dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. If you choose this option the price for this 6-day Northern Vietnam tour will be deducted 15 USD/person.

TOUR PRICES:

- Prices are in US dollars and per person based on half twin.
- Single supplement surcharges are applied for solo travelers who occupy a single room (twin/ double bedded room for single use).

Standard of Accommodation	Price per person on twin basis	Single Supplement Surcharge
*Economy (3)** Hanoi: Icon 36 Hotel & Residence Halong: Oriental Sails Cruise Sapa: Vista Hotel	330 USD	105 USD
*Superior (3+)** Hanoi: Imperial Hanoi Hotel Halong: Calypso Cruiser or Swan Cruise Sapa: Sapa Centre Hotel	370 USD	120 USD
*Deluxe (4)** Hanoi: Silk Queen Grand Hotel Halong: Huong Hai Sealife Sapa: Sapa Legend Hotel	455 USD	205 USD

PRICE INCLUDES:
– Prices are in US dollars based on twin share. Conditions apply.
– Full transportation by air conditioned vehicle (shared minibus) as tour program indicated;
– Airport transfer in Hanoi – two ways by private car;
– Entrance and sightseeing fees;
– English speaking guide;
– Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner);
– Halong Bay 2 day 1 night trip (incl welcome drinks on board, Deluxe cabins with air-conditioner and en-suite bathrooms, kayaking, cooking demonstration, visits to Bai Tu Long Bay, Vung Vieng Fishing Village and the amazing Thien Canh Son cave);
– Return train ticket Hanoi-Lao Cai-Hanoi (air conditioned soft sleeper 4 berth compartment. If you want a 2 berth cabin the surcharge US$ 45/person will be applied);
– 2 nights at hotel in Hanoi;
– 1 night on boat in Ha Long;
– 1 night at hotel in Sapa;
– 2 nights overnight return rail in selected cabin grade (shared cabin, 4 people/ cabin).

PRICE EXCLUDES:
– Flight to and from Vietnam;
– Other meals not mentioned in program;
– Tips and emergency transfers;
– Optional tours;
– Surcharges for other language guides;
– Personal travel insurance;
– Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, and camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc…;
– Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program;
– Single supplement applies to solo travellers as listed in the tariff table;
– Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply;
– Extra nights may be required at passenger expense due to flight schedules.

NOTES ON OUR PRICES:
– Prices shown are based on group tour and two people travelling together and sharing a room. Single supplement applies to solo travellers who occupy a single room.
Private tour can be arranged for you, your family or your friends exclusively. Prices may vary according to number of guests. Please contact us to get the best possible price.
– Prices may vary according to your travel time and are higher in the high season, e.g. Christmas period (Dec 24-26), New Year period (Dec 31-Jan 02) and Public holidays of Vietnam.
– For additional hotel night cost to the packages, please contact us for the rates.
– Listed hotels/cruise subject to change to others of similar standard if fully booked.
– Upgrades available to stay at a 5-star hotel, please contact us for more details. Additional costs will be applied.

– This tour package can be fully customizable to fit your travel plan. You can also disregard full package tours and choose whatever travel items you need we can quote the tours you really want. Usually travel insurance is not covered in our quotations.
– Itinerary Change to the confirmed itinerary may happen because of traffic, weather, or any other conditions not under our control such as war, strike, fire, acts of government, riot, etc. We will do our best to make sure that all the travel will be similar. Go Viet Travel can substitute the itinerary upon your agreement.
– Transportation and Restaurants: The cars, vans or coaches for the land transportation should be in good shape with air conditioner. All restaurants should be tidy and clean.