This seven-day trip is introduction to northern Vietnam - home to the country’s most beautiful landscapes. Discover North Vietnam’s cultural diversity and breathtaking scenery from Hanoi’s colonial charm to Sapa’s the mist-entwined mountains and finally the turquoise, island dotted, Halong Bay. Start off in historic capital city of Hanoi, visit Ho Chi Minh sights, and enjoy sightseeing including a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter. Take a night train to a scenic landscape of Sapa in remote northwest, visit hill tribe villages and meet resplendently dressed ethnic minorities at the local market before getting back to Hanoi and ready for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Delight in gorgeous beaches, swimming and kayaking opportunities, amazing limestone caves, and spend the night on the exquisite waters of Halong Bay on a relaxing traditional junk boat.

+ Private pick-up & drop-off services

+ Private tour with English or French speaking guide

+ You choose the date of departure

+ Starting & ending in Hanoi

 

Outlined Itinerary

 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D) 

Day 2: Hanoi City tour - Overnight train to Sapa (B/L/D) 

Day 3: Cozy Sapa - Cat Cat Village (B/L) 

Day 4: Sapa - Lao Cai - Overnight train back Hanoi (B/L) 

Day 5: Hanoi - Ha Long World Heritage (B/L/D) 

Day 6: Ha Long - Hanoi (B/Brunch) 

Day 7: Hanoi - Departure (B)

 

Detailed Itinerary

 

BEST OF NORTHERN VIETNAM IN STYLE 7 DAYS

 

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

 

You will be greeted by a guide upon arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, which celebrated its 1000 year anniversary in 2010. With its emphasis on the arts and learning, local law stipulates that buildings in Hanoi remain small, simple and in harmony with nature. You will be able to explore all the city has to offer before taking in a unique water puppet show followed by a welcome dinner in one of the finest restaurants in the city.  You’ll then have a restful overnight stay at the hotel.

 

Day 2: Hanoi city tour - Overnight train to Sapa (B/L/D)

 

You will have a full day to visit Hanoi’s main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Closed on Mon & Fri) wand Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s very first university).  You will also visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, ending your day with a cyclo tour around the fascinating Old Quarter.  The quarter showcases hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquer ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more.

 

In the evening your guide will take you to the Hanoi Train station for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Dinner will be provided aboard the train.

 

Day 3: Cozy Sapa - Cat Cat Village (B/D)

 

You will arrive at 06:30 and be taken on a 1.5 hour drive to Sapa.  Once in Sapa, you will check-in to your hotel (early check-in subject to availability).   You will then have breakfast at a local restaurant then enjoy free time to explore the town.

 

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong minority peoples. As you walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, you will meet some of the locals on their way to and from Sapa. You will have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area before heading back to Sapa dinner and an overnight stay.

 

Day 4: Sapa - Overnight train back Hanoi (B/L)

 

Following breakfast, you will explore the Sapa daily market and then set out on our 3-4 hour trek that will take you along buffalo paths and trails.  You will travel through the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is an absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery, inhabited by some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. You will have lunch along the way at a local restaurant on the way.  From the village, you will rejoin car for a transfer to Lao Cai for an overnight train journey back to Hanoi.

 

Day 5: Hanoi - Ha Long World Heritage (B/L)

 

Once you arrive in Hanoi, your driver will you pick-up you at the station and take you to downtown Hanoi for breakfast at a local restaurant. At 08:00, you leave Hanoi for Ha Long Bay and board a boat, enjoying lunch as sail through bay.  The magical bay is home to thousands of limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons’ teeth. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board, you’ll enjoy cocktails or cooking classes while watching the sunset, before indulging in a lavish dinner onshore.   Afterwards, you can choose to do anything from joining movie night, playing board games, or relaxing at the beauty spa before retiring for the evening.

 

Day 6: Ha Long - Hanoi (Brunch)

 

You’ll the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise and an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, you will be taken to a beautiful limestone grotto before returning to the junk for a final glimpse of Ha Long Bay while cruising back to the dock. You’ll then have free time to enjoy the Hanoi nightlife and staying overnight.

 

Day 7: Hanoi - Departure (B)

 

There is no activity planned for today, so you can enjoy your free time to go souvenir shopping until you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight. 

 

List of hotels recommended by New Vision Tour
Cities	Hotels List	Room Type
First Class Category / 4-star hotel
Hanoi	Sunway Hotel Hanoi	Superior
Ha Long Bay	Pelican Cruise	Deluxe Cabin
Sapa	Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa	Superior
Sapa Train	Victoria Express train	Superior 4 berth sharing cabin
	Livitran Express train	Private Deluxe cabin
Deluxe Category / 5-star hotel
Hanoi	Hilton Opera Hotel Hanoi	Deluxe
	InterContinental Westlake Hotel	Deluxe Hanoi View
	Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel	Superior
Ha Long Bay	Indochina Sails Junk	Deluxe cabin
Sapa	Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa	Deluxe
Sapa Train	Victoria Express Train	Superior 4-berth sharing cabin

 

Special note:

List of hotels is recommended by New Vision Tour. Please feel free to advise hotels you prefer in each category or combine hotels category at your wish (tour price will be changed accordingly).

 

Group size	Valid from 01 Oct until 30 April Price per person in USD for private party of
	1	2	3-4	5-6	7-9	10 up	Sgl Sup
First Class	1,640	1,038	954	854	834	818	285
Deluxe	2,103	1,286	1,199	1,094	1,073	1,057	487

 

Group size	Valid from 01 May until 30 Sept Price per person in USD for private party of
	1	2	3-4	5-6	7-9	10 up	Sgl Sup
First Class	1,560	996	912	811	791	776	247
Deluxe	2,011	1,233	1,146	1,042	1,021	1,005	447