9 days · Vietnam
North Vietnam Trip
Hanoi to Sa Pa to Ninh Binh
9 days and 8 nights through Hanoi, Sa Pa and Ninh Binh, with hotels, a private guide and all transfers included. Choose the hotel standard that suits you; the per-person price falls as the group grows.
Day by day
9 days, 8 nights, starting in Hanoi.
Day 1
Hanoi Arrival
Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. Overnight in hotel
Day 2
Hanoi City Tour - Street Food
Starting the day trip will be a visit of Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Then, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Next stop, Hoa Lo prison -Located in the center of the capital of Vietnam, well-known as one of the most inhumane prisons with terrified punishment, Hoa Lo Prison, aka Maison Centrale, is a symbol of strong will of prisoners and their sacrifice for their communist ideals.Then we will take Hanoi street food tour: Hanoi is full of secret places & wonderful stories. With a history going back over 2.000 years, it makes the capital a promising destination for any gastronomic tourist. We decided to make you discovering the Old Quarter with a local culinary point of view through an original way among the 36 Corporations. In the course of this tour (more or less 2h45), the traveler will discover North specialties as Bun cha (noodle & BBQ meat), Bia (local ale),... & above all, a wide vision of handicrafts shops & traditional works. Also, traffic jam which is tough at the beginning will become a formality when you will finish this tour & have learn the tips to go across a street (so it will make rest of the trip smoother). Overnight in Hanoi hotel.
Includes breakfast, dinner
Day 3
Hanoi - Drive to Sa Pa - Cat Cat Village - Sa Pa Town
In the morning, we depart to Sapa by shared limousine bus No Guide. On arrival, meet up our local guie. In the afternoon, we will go downhill to Cat Cat village. Cat Cat Village provides you with an opportunity to discover the unique culture and architecture of the H'mong ethnic group, who have inhabited the region for centuries. One of the best things to do in Cat Cat Village is to take a peaceful walk and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds the village. The village is home to a plethora of stunning landscapes, from picturesque rice paddies to lush green forests. Finally, we explore Sapa town like local market and Stone Church. Overnight hotel in Sapa.
Includes breakfast
Day 4
Sa Pa - Tram Ton Pass - Love Waterfall - Heaven Gate - Fanxipan Peak
After breakfast, private transport will take you to Tram Ton Pass where we will trek 30 minutes through the forest. Along the way, you have chances to see wildflowers. Trekking along the Golden Stream, you will arrive at Love Waterfall. It is the best place for relaxing in Sapa, returning to Tram Ton Pass. Then we continue our drive uphill to Heaven's Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy a fantastic view over the valley! After that, we will be transferred to take a cable car station where we will have 25 minutes to travel to Fanxipan Mountain which is considered to be the most beautiful landscape of Vietnam now. Reach the altitude of 2800 meters, you have a good time seeing the view and taking photos, visiting pagodas - the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan - the Roof of Indochina. (Spend about 1,5 hours hiking and taking photos). Back to Sapa for overnight.
Includes breakfast
Day 5
Sa Pa - Moana Sa Pa - Drive to Hanoi.
After breakfast, we transfer to visit Moana Sapa. Moana Sapa is a popular check-in spot offering beautiful mountain views and unique photo areas such as the Bali Heaven Gate, giant stone hand, Moana statue, and infinity swing. It is an easy and relaxing stop during your Sapa exploration.In the afternoon, we drive back to Hanoi by shared limousine bus NO guide. Overnight in Hanoi hotel.
Includes breakfast
Day 6
Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Tam Coc - Mua Cave
In the morning, our car and guide will pick you up to travel to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam, about a two-hour drive from Hanoi. On arrival, you will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst’ hills, There, you will be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the caves. After the boat trip in Tam Coc, we will visit Bich Dong Pagoda which is a famous historical and cultural relic in Ninh Binh. Its unique characteristic is the perfect combination of ancient pagodas with cross-covered roofs, natural caves and majestic mountains, and so on, hidden in the green of tropical forests. the rest of day,visit Mua Caves and learn about its interesting stories told by our guide. From the top of the cave, you can see majestic landscape of Tam Coc. Continue climb 500 stone steps, you are on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and wonderful Ngo Dong River. Overnight in Ninh BInh hotel.
Includes breakfast
Day 7
Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, we transfer to Ha Long Bay by road.11:30 - 11:45 Arrive at Halong International Habor12:15 Embark on the cruise by tender. Check-in, enjoy welcome drinks and cruise briefing13:00 Enjoy lunch while cruising to magnificent Ha Long Bay, and admire the fascinating formations on the way14:45 Luon cave, kayaking or bamboo boat Luon cave excursion on bamboo rowing boat by locals or kayaking. This is one of the must-do activities in the bay.16:00 Titop Island, Climbing, Beach & Swimming. Your next stop is Titop Island with its famous crescent moon-shaped beach and tranquil beautiful blue waters. Viewing Halong Bay from the peak of Titop Island is another not-to-be-missed activity.17:00 - 18:30 Enjoy the best moments of the day at sundeck as the sun hits the water between the dramatic limestone peaks and emerald-green coves, enjoying drinks and a cooking demonstration.19:15 Savour a delicious dinner21:00 Night-time squid fishing22:30 Free of mind with sweet dreams
Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8
Ha Long Bay - Hanoi
06:15 Enjoy the sunrise on the Bay. Morning Tai Chi session on sundeck06:30 Light breakfast. Coffee, tea, and pastries served in the restaurant07:20 Sung Sot cave excursion. Explore Sung Sot Cave, the biggest and most stunning cave in Halong Bay09:15 Check-out of cabins & bill settlement. Start cruising back to the port09:30 Buffet brunch served at the restaurant10:45 - 11:00 Back to the port. Farewell and disembark11:15 - 11:30 Get on the bus back to Hanoi. Overnight in hotel
Includes breakfast
Day 9
Hanoi Departure
After breakfast, free time until transfer to airport no guide only driver for your departure flight. The hotel is available until noon
Includes breakfast
What it costs
Per person, sharing a twin or double room. The price per person is lower for a larger group because the guide and the vehicle are shared.
| Hotels | 2 people | 3 to 4 people | 5 to 7 people | 8 to 10 people | 11+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-star | $1,150 | $950 | $810 | $780 | $730 |
| 4-star | $1,250 | $1,060 | $910 | $900 | $830 |
| 5-star | $1,550 | $1,400 | $1,250 | $1,200 | $1,150 |
Travelling alone? A room to yourself costs $410 extra at 3-star, $510 extra at 4-star, $830 extra at 5-star.
Where you sleep
The hotel standard is the main thing the price tiers differ by, so here is exactly what each one books.
3-star
- Hanoi
Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel
Deluxe City View, 4 nights - Sa Pa
Sapa Relax
Deluxe city, 2 nights
4-star
- Hanoi
Ha Noi Pearl
Deluxe City View, 4 nights - Sa Pa
Pistachio Sapa
Superior Valley, 2 nights - Ninh Binh
Lalita Boutique hotel & Spa
Executive - 1 night
5-star
- Hanoi
Apricot Hanoi
Canvas, 4 nights - Sa Pa
Silk Path Sapa
Classic Mountain, 2 nights - Ninh Binh
Emeralda Tam Coc
Deluxe - 1 nights
Or a hotel of the same standard, if one of these is full on your dates.
What the price covers
- Accommodation with breakfast as mentioned in the program
- A sweet night onboard in a deluxe cabin with traditional design.
- Travel on private, modern & comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with a caring driver for all transfers and ground transportation (except the break time or program clearly mentioned "WITHOUT DRIVER")
- Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Entry fee for all mentioned sites for visit
- Boat trips as mentioned in the program
- Qualified local tour guides during the whole trip (except the break time or program clearly mentioned "WITHOUT GUIDE")
Not included: {{item}}: International flight tickets; Vietnam/ Cambodia/ Laos visa stamp fee; Accommodation mentioned “customer responsibility” or not mentioned in the program; Transportation vehicles not listed in the program; Meals not mentioned in the program; Drinks, telephone, laundry and all that is not clearly mentioned in the "Price includes".; Tips and personal expenses; Insurances.
Children, booking, cancellation
Booking: 1. Booking and confirmation a, Vietnam tour & Indochina tours (Combining Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia)Booking confirmation must be secured by a deposit from 30% of the total price. The balance will be paid before Customer’s arrival.Note: For excursion with duration less than 3 days, 100% of the total price is required upon confirmation to secure the booking.If you books a trip less than one month before the trip start date, the full price of the trip or a deposit of 50% of the full price for the trip must be paid upon booking confirmation.b, Laos, Thailand & Myanmar toursa. Booking confirmation must be secured by a deposit of 50% of the total price. The balance will be paid 14 days prior to Customer’s arrival date.2. PaymentCustomers can pay for the trip in cash, traveller checks, bank transfer or credit card. All extra cost incurred by such payments is to be paid by you. Please contact our travel consultants for payment details.
Cancellation: If Customer cancels the confirmed trip regardless of the reasons, you agrees to pay cancellation fees as follows:More than 45 days before the start of the program: USD 50/ person31 to 45 days before the start of the program: 10% of the trip price11 to 30 days before the start of the program: 20% of the trip price1 to 10 days before the start of the program: 30% of the trip priceOn the trip already: 100% of the trip priceNote: Above penalty has not included air ticket cancellation fee if any (The cancellation time is the time our local team receive your notice, the cancellation fee is calculated as percentage of the total price of the trip) This rule is applied to all other bookings made with our local team by you. The cancellation fee will be automatically extracted from you deposit or payment. The balance will be made to you via bank transfer with charges paid by you.
Photographs: Andre Hospers · CC BY 4.0 · xiquinhosilva · CC BY 2.0 · Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 4.0
Questions worth asking first
How much does North Vietnam Trip cost?
From $730 per person sharing a twin room, at the 3-star hotel tier. The 4- and 5-star tiers cost more, and the per-person price falls as the group grows, the table on this page shows every combination.
What is included?
Accommodation with breakfast as mentioned in the program, A sweet night onboard in a deluxe cabin with traditional design., Travel on private, modern & comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with a caring driver for all transfers and ground transportation (except the break time or program clearly mentioned "WITHOUT DRIVER"), Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner), Entry fee for all mentioned sites for visit, Boat trips as mentioned in the program, Qualified local tour guides during the whole trip (except the break time or program clearly mentioned "WITHOUT GUIDE"). Not included: International flight tickets, Vietnam/ Cambodia/ Laos visa stamp fee, Accommodation mentioned “customer responsibility” or not mentioned in the program, Transportation vehicles not listed in the program, Meals not mentioned in the program, Drinks, telephone, laundry and all that is not clearly mentioned in the "Price includes"..
Is the price per person or for the whole trip?
Per person, sharing a twin or double room. A solo traveller pays a single-room supplement, which we quote with your confirmation.
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