On this day trip from Hanoi, you have the opportunity to discover the most famous scenic spots in the north: seductive Sapa and World Natural Heritage Halong Bay. If Ha Long is likened to the scenery of an ancient world petrified with many shapes that make people image Vietnamese folk figures, then Sapa is the place to blend the outstanding values of people and nature with the majestic mountain scenery mixed with human values created by ethnic minorities.
General Information
Tour Route: Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay Overnight Cruise - Hanoi
Duration: 6 Days/ 5 Nights
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour - Overnight Train to Lao Cai (B, L, D)
Day 3: Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho Village (B, L, D)
Day 4: Sapa – Lao Chai, Ta Van – Bus back to Hanoi (B, L, D)
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Boat (B, L, D)
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi Departure (B)
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D)
When we arrive at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, our friendly local guide welcome and transfer us to our hotel. After short rest, we will take a 1-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter, the first university in Vietnam dated from the 11th century then enjoy Water Puppet Show. Dinner at a famous local restaurant and stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour - Overnight Train to Lao Cai (B, L, D)
After breakfast, the guide will pick you up at the hotel and embark on your Hanoi city tour. We first visit Ho Chi Minh Complex located on Hung Vuong Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. The complex includes the myriad of architectures as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, and iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Finish the first part of your Hanoi city tour at a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to Long Bien bridge, the rich historical relic in North Vietnam. Strolling along the bridge, listen to its heroic story. Then, the guide will lead you to a nice coffee shop to capture the panoramic view of Long Bien bridge and also witness the flawless sunset while enjoying savory drinks.
Later on, we transfer back to the hotel for dinner. In the evening, our car will take us to Hanoi Railway Station to catch the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.
Day 3: Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho Village (B, L, D)
Pick you up at Lao Cai station then we drive to Sapa. After having breakfast at a local restaurant, we will descend to Cat Cat Village with stops at a spectacular waterfall and a hydroelectric station. Continue walking to admire the rice fields to Y Linh Ho – the house of Black H’mong People. After 3 hours of walking, we returned to town and had free time to visit and shop in Sapa town. Overnight at a hotel in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa - Lao Chai, Ta Van - Bus back to Hanoi (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we then travel southward by car to Muong Hoa valley. On the way, we stop at some stopovers to get the panorama of Fansipan mount and Muong Hoa valley with hundreds of villages. Welcome at the gate of villages are local Black H’mong and Red Dao ladies and children with colorful costumes, who will invite tourists to buy souvenirs. Leave them behind, we start walking through the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area.
On the way, we meet sometimes mothers and baby working on the fields, mothers are working on the water rice field while babies are sitting on the bank with an umbrella-covered the rain or sun. We also can stop at some local houses, the local school for chatting or a quick look at how the daily life of Black H’mong and Giay ethnic minority people living and working.
Later, we walk back up the road and transfer back to Sapa for lunch and check out, we will in our Express Bus to go back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at around 9h30 PM, we will check in the hotel for the night.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Overnight on Boat (B, L, D)
This morning, we will take you to Halong Bay, which was recognized by UNESCO as the World Natural Heritage in 1994 and 2000. After a 180km trip, we will board our overnight cruise and savor a delicious seafood lunch. We will visit some limestone islands, kayak between hidden areas of the Bay, then swim at Soi Sim Beach or challenge trekking to the top of the island. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight on the boat.
Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi Departure (B, L)
Start a new active day with Tai Chi exercises before breakfast. Then we discover Sung Sot cave - one of the most wonderful caves in Halong Bay and through Ba Hang fishing village, dog island and more. Watch the culinary performances and enjoy lunch before returning to the dock and find our car to take us back to Hanoi.
The guide will take you to the airport for departure flight. Your 6-day Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay tour ends.
Recommended Hotel List:
Location | Hotels & Ratings 3* | Hotels & Ratings 4* | Hotels & Ratings 5* |
Hanoi | Mon Regency Hotel | May De Ville Old Quarter Hotel | Army hotel |
Halong Bay | V’Spirit Cruise | Oasis Bay Cruise | Paradise Luxury Cruise |
Sapa | Sunny Mountain hotel - Superior room | Amazing Sapa hotel - Superior room | Victoria Sapa Resort - Superior room |
Kristen M –
I have experienced Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay Tour from Hanoi Local Tour and have no complaints. The transportations were quite comfortable (I was worried after reading some of these other reviews but it was quite spacious and modern). It was a day well spent - although a long one. But everything from pick up to drop off went smoothly.
Generally, the tour was very nice and informative and, of course, the sights were spectacular. It helped a lot that our guide was very friendly and spoke good English, highly recommend!