5-day Best of North Vietnam: Sapa to the Sea

Day 1: Hanoi – Overnight train to Sapa

Take an overnight train journey from Hanoi to the border town of Lao Cai and the gateway to Sapa.

Day 2: LAO CAI - SAPA - Y LINH HO - LAO CHAI - TA VAN (B/L/D)

Pick-up at Lao Cai train station to Sapa. After breakfast you will check out and leave your luggage in the hotel, get ready for the trip. We start walking down to the South East of Sapa alongside Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho, a village of the H’Mong minority. The hereditary terraces are around 100 years old. From Y Linh Ho we will make our way to Lao Chai, take picture of paddle field and visit minority house and school. Have picnic lunch in the Black H’Mong house, discover their daily life style and enjoy landscape.

After lunch, continue your trekking to Ta Van village which is supposed to be the most beautiful one in the area. Then you go back to Sapa by motorbike or van. Overnight in Sapa town. 

Day 3: Sapa - CAT CAT - SAPA (B/L/D)

Our guide will take you to trek to Cat Cat villages of Black H’Mong tribe. Enjoy the waterfall in Cat Cat and beautiful scenery along the way. You will be able to meet a Hmong family to learn more about their way of life. The village is also the perfect place to see traditional clothing being made, hemp being dyed and women weaving. Seeing the show of minority people - traditional dance and singing. Come back to Sapa. Have lunch and free time to explore Sapa. Back to Lao Cai station and take a train back to Hanoi.

Day 4: Transfer to Hanoi – Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise (L/D)

It’s an early start as you arrive back in Hanoi to freshen up and have a quick breakfast before heading to Halong Bay arriving around noon. Leave the noise of the city behind as you travel about four hours to Halong Bay by shuttle bus. Hop aboard a small tender boat to arrive in cruise, a beautifully restored traditional wooden junk and explore the jade green waters of Halong Bay over lunch. Visiting Surprise Cave, the biggest in Halong Bay. The cave opens up to a large chamber with impressive limestone formations. Surprise! This afternoon the cruise will take you to a secluded part of the bay where the water is perfect for swimming and kayaking around the limestone karsts. Watching the sunset from the top deck before enjoying the bay’s freshest seafood dinner.

Day 5: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L)

Wake up refreshed from a good night sleep. Enjoy Halong Bay and have lunch on board. Cruise to Halong Port arriving around noon, where you will continue to Hanoi.