Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi
You'll fly into Hanoi and get settled at your hotel. A private guide meets you right at arrival, takes care of check-in, and hands you a complimentary SIM card loaded with 5G internet and international calling credit so you're connected from day one.
- Day 2
Hanoi City Tour
Start your day walking through Hanoi's main sites like the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Hoa Lo Prison, One Pillar Pagoda, and Temple of Literature. After grabbing lunch, head to the Museum of Ethnology and then take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter's narrow streets. Your evening wraps up with a traditional Vietnamese Water Puppets Show, which is quite a unique performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex (Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's stilt-house residence)
- Visit Hoa Lo Prison
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Explore Museum of Ethnology
- One-hour cyclo ride through Old Quarter
- Traditional Vietnamese Water Puppets Show
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Complex Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Hoa Lo Prison One Pillar Pagoda Temple of Literature Museum of Ethnology - Day 3
Lao Cai to Sapa
You'll arrive in Lao Cai early and have breakfast before driving through Muong Khuong district past terraced rice paddies, pine plantations, and tea farms on the way to Cao Son commune. Stop at Cao Son Market where Red Dao, Tay, and Black H'Mong minorities sell handicrafts and silverware. Walk through Flower Hmong Village and enjoy the views along Chay River, then board a local boat to Trung Do village and continue toward Sapa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cao Son Market
- Walk to Flower Hmong Village
- Local boat cruise along Chay River to Trung Do village
Optional Activities
- Photo stops along Chay River for scenic views
Landmarks Cao Son Market Flower Hmong Village Chay River Trung Do village 
- Day 4
Sapa Trekking
After breakfast, you'll walk around Sapa market and trek for about 3 hours covering roughly 8km to visit Red Dao and Black and Flower H'Mong communities. Later drive to Lao Chai and Ta Van Village where you'll trek through terraced rice fields and visit local families to understand their daily life and traditions. Free time back in Sapa in the evening to rest or wander around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning walking tour of Sapa market (approximately 8km, 3 hours trekking)
- Visit Lao Chai Village
- Visit Ta Van Village
- Trek through terraced rice fields
- Visit local families
Landmarks Sapa Market Lao Chai Village Ta Van Village 
- Day 5
Sapa to Hanoi
Your trek starts at Ma Tra Village and takes about 3 hours to reach Ta Phin Village, where the Red Dao people live. You'll have lunch there and then drive back to Hanoi, which takes around 5 hours. It's a long travel day but the rice terrace scenery along the way makes it worthwhile.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Trek to Ma Tra Village
- Trek to Ta Phin Village (approximately 3 hours)
- Lunch in Ta Phin Village with local flavor
Landmarks Ma Tra Village Ta Phin Village - Day 6
Hanoi to Halong Bay
A private transfer takes you to Halong City in about 3 hours. In the afternoon, you'll board a traditional Vietnamese junk and cruise past limestone islets and caves. Watch the sunset from the deck and settle in for dinner. Meals are all included while you're on the boat, and you can choose optional activities like swimming, kayaking, or diving if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Traditional Vietnamese junk cruise around Halong Bay
- Cruise around limestone islets and caves
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Diving
Landmarks Halong Bay 
- Day 7
Halong Bay to Ninh Binh
Rise early to catch the sunrise over the bay with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. The cruise continues as you decide whether to explore by kayak or traditional rowing boat to see local waterside communities. You'll disembark around 10:30 am at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port, then drive to Ninh Binh about 3.5 hours away.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck at sunrise
- Kayak or traditional rowing boat exploration
Landmarks Halong Bay 
- Day 8
Ninh Binh Exploration
Check out Bai Dinh Pagoda, a 13-story Buddhist temple complex on Bai Dinh Mountain with great panoramic views from the top. Then visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient capital from the 10th to 11th centuries, including Dinh King Temple honoring the nation's first emperor. Lunch features local Ninh Binh cuisine at a restaurant, and your afternoon includes a scenic sampan boat cruise on Trang An river plus trekking up Ngoa Long mountain to Hang Mua Cave.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda
- Climb Bai Dinh Pagoda to panoramic viewpoint
- Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital
- Visit Dinh King Temple
- Lunch at local restaurant with Ninh Binh cuisine
- Scenic sampan boat cruise on Trang An river
- Visit Hang Mua Cave
- Trek up Ngoa Long mountain
Landmarks Bai Dinh Pagoda Hoa Lu Dinh King Temple Trang An Hang Mua Cave Ngoa Long mountain 
- Day 9
Return to Hanoi
You'll take a private transfer back to Hanoi to conclude your trip.
