13 Days Northern Vietnam: A Journey into Nature

Upon arrival at the airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting at the lobby, holding the Vietnam Travelette's signboard with your name on it. Transfer to hotel for early check-in.
Take a deep break after long journey.
Overnight in Hanoi.
🕑 Hotel check-in time: 14:00 | Check-out time: 12:00
Early check-in is subject to room availability at the time of arrival.

After taking a rest, you can explore the city's charming Old Quarter by yourself:
Visit Hoan Kiem Lake: This beautiful lake is located in the heart of the city and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Explore the Old Quarter: The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, filled with shops, cafes, and historical sites. You can explore the area and learn about its history, or simply wander around and discover the many hidden gems.
Try the local street food: Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, and the Old Quarter is the perfect place to try some.
Try the famous egg coffee: This unique coffee drink is made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and coffee. It's a popular local specialty and there are many cafes in the Old Quarter that serve it.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Having breakfast at your hotel. This morning you’re free to relax at your hotel after a long flight.
At 10.00, our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and then take you to Hoan Kiem Lake (The Lake of the Returned Sword) that shows the traditional architecture style of the Old Quarter.
Leaving Hoan Kiem Lake, tour guide will take you along the Hanoi streets and learn more about Hanoians by visiting an ancient house. Our next stop is Bach Ma Temple, lying in the heart of the Old Quarter. It is said to be the oldest temple in the city.

The trip will take you inside the alleys and explore the fascinating and confusing narrow streets of the Old Quarter where local markets are located. On the way, you will have a chance to enjoy some traditional tasty foods in the market (vegetarian foods).

To conclude our day, the guide will take you to Hanoi Train Street, here, you can relax and sip on a cup of the iconic egg coffee or other beverages while marveling at the passing trains. This presents a perfect opportunity to capture some amazing photos and soak up the laid-back ambiance of Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Duration: 8.30 – 17.30

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
08.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City
Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.
Then, visit Ho Chi Minh complex, you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969.
After that, visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world
(You should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…)
Next, you will visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11-century
Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with many delicious dishes.
In the afternoon, visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.
End of tour, you will have a chance to watch a traditional puppet show on water - a traditional art form with distinctive culture identity of Vietnam. It reappears the daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fishes…), communal entertainment (swimming contest, dragon dancing…), or historical legends.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Time: 07.30 - 19.30

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll head out on a scenic drive through the peaceful countryside to Ninh Binh. The day begins with a visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel, where you’ll explore the historic Dinh and Le King Temples from the 17th century.

Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant before boarding a small sampan to visit Tam Coc which means literally “three caves” (1.5-hour boat trip). During the boat trip, you will be surprised by the charming beauty here with paddy field, river, water, cloud, sky and stunning cave system. All make a masterpiece which Vietnamese people called “Ha Long Bay on land”. You will feel the fresh air and peaceful moments, a very good opportunities for photo lovers, freezing the special moments and scenery.

After that, you’ll visit Mua Cave, where an adventurous climb (around 500 steps) rewards you with a panoramic view of rice fields and mountains. If the climb feels too challenging, your guide will offer an alternative for you to still enjoy the surroundings at a comfortable pace.
After this memorable day in Ninh Binh, you’ll return to Hanoi in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Duration: Half day

Having breakfast at your hotel and check out. 07.00, meet our driver and friendly tour guide and transfer to Sapa Town (5 – 6 hours). On the way you can see beautiful view, the valley with terraces field.
Having lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, begin with a 6 km walk along the Muong Hoa Valley to Y Linh Ho Village of the Black H’Mong people, then continue another 2 km trek to Lao Chai Village. Here you’ll learn about their daily life, from making traditional clothes and handicrafts to using natural indigo dye. This is also the largest valley in the area, offering some of the most breathtaking views of Vietnam’s golden rice terraces.
From Lao Chai, walk on to Ta Van Village, home to the Giay people, a small ethnic group with rich culture and beautiful houses set among the rice paddies. The route opens to marvelous panoramas of mountains, terraces, and streams. Along the way, you’ll be warmly welcomed into H’Mong homes, where you can interact with the locals and gain a deeper understanding of their traditions and hospitality.
Overnight in Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Having breakfast at your hotel.
Explore the picturesque landscapes and vibrant cultures of the Ma Tra and Ta Phin villages near Sapa. This trekking tour offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the ethnic communities while immersing you in the stunning terraced fields and lush greenery of Northern Vietnam.
8:00: Meet your local guide at your hotel in Sapa Town. Begin the trekking adventure with a scenic drive to Ma Tra village.

9:00: Arrive at Ma Tra village, home to the Black H'mong people. Discover their traditional way of life, learn about their distinctive clothing, and observe their agricultural practices.
Continue the trek towards Ta Phin village. Along the way, marvel at the breathtaking terraced rice fields and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
12:30: Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the serene natural surroundings.
Arrive at Ta Phin village, predominantly inhabited by the Red Dao ethnic group. Engage with the locals, interact with artisans, and gain insight into their handicraft traditions.

3:00: Embark on a leisurely walk back to the main road, where your vehicle will be waiting.
3:30: Return to Sapa Town, relishing the scenic drive and reflecting on the day's experiences.
4:30: Arrive back at your hotel in Sapa Town, concluding the trekking tour.
Rest of the day is free at your own leisure, you can walk around the town and enjoy the massage or a herbal bath (your own expense). Overnight in Sapa.

Meals: Breakfast

Having breakfast at your hotel. This morning you’re free to explore Sapa by yourself.
After checking out, meet our driver and start transferring to Ha Giang City and exploring the beauty of a mountainous area (~ 5 – 6 hours). Upon arrival, check in your hotel. Free at your own leisure.
Overnight in Ha Giang City.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

7:00 AM: On the first day, you will see a big change in the scenery when you drive into the mountain roads.
We will stop at Bac Sum Slope to enjoy the view and have drinks before arrival the town of Quan Ba. The tour takes you through the Dong Van Karst Geopark - a major geoheritage site in Vietnam. You will see a lot of terraced rice fields, thousands of limestone rocks and magnificent views and hidden villages at the Valley. People will be working on the land and you will get a taste of rural north Vietnamese countryside life.
Our team also take you to the Quan Ba Heaven gate & Twin mountains – the famous viewpoint in Ha Giang. We will have lunch in local restaurant in Yen Minh Town. After lunch, we drive to Dong Van Town, you will make a stop at Tham Ma Slope and the residence of the Vuong’s family, which is still called “H’mong King Palace”. Our last stop today is Lo Lo Chai Village, the Fairy Village in Ha Giang. This traditional village boasts charming wooden houses, terraced rice fields, and verdant forests, creating a picturesque setting for cultural immersion and exploration.
Then we will come to homestay and have dinner in Dong Van Town.
*Note: Transferring by motorbike are available based on your request.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch & Dinner

Today, we will check off highlights from our Ha Giang bucket list. We will visit the vibrant Dong Van Market, filled with colorful hill tribe people, the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass, and the magnificent Nho Que River. Additionally, we will embark on a two-hour trek along the Happy Road, celebrated as the most beautiful route in Vietnam, offering stunning panoramic views and enriching cultural exchanges.

This afternoon is the best time of our tour, we take you off-the-beaten-tourist-trails again to the really middle of nowhere, discovering hidden gems of Ha Giang that tourists never got chance to see or imagine about. You find yourselves in remote villages, unknown communities, break into someone’s houses, dancing with the kids at schools, and having food with strange friends. The ordinary places will give you extra-ordinary experiences.

After the trek we treat ourselves with an amazing river cruise on the emerald water, rugged mountains and serene nature. Ride back to Meo Vac town for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Morning: Meo Vac Discovering
Today we have time to discover Meo Vac. You will be blown away by the breathtaking landscapes that await you. Located in the northernmost part of Vietnam, Meo Vac is nestled in the Ha Giang province, known for its rugged beauty and vibrant ethnic culture. As you embark on your journey, you will pass by winding mountain roads, lush green valleys, and cascading rivers. The scenery is simply awe-inspiring, with towering limestone cliffs and terraced rice fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. The local communities that you will encounter along the way are just as fascinating as the landscapes. Meo Vac is home to various ethnic minority groups, such as the H’Mong and Dao people. Their traditional way of life and colorful clothing add to the charm of this region.

Afternoon: Mau Due – Lung Tam – Thai An – Ha Giang
We have lunch in Mau Due town, then ride to Lung Tam village to visit the traditional hemp, flax weaving and indigo and hooney waxing village. We then ride to Thai An to visit the waterfall, if you want to swimming we got time for it.
As the sun sets over the mountains, transferring back to Hanoi (5 – 6 hours).

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Our shuttle bus will pick you up at lobby of hotel and start journey east to Halong Bay, through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta, where we see every day Vietnamese village life. On arrival, we board a beautiful cruise and spend a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. Free time for kayaking, swimming or enjoy a boat through caves. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat.
Spend the night on our cruise.

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the cruise for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong. Back on board, pack your luggage and check out before enjoying a farewell buffet lunch while cruising back to Tuan Chau Harbor. Disembark late morning and transfer to Hanoi, arriving mid-afternoon (15.30).
Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast

Your Vietnam journey ends today. After check-out, our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home. Thank you for traveling with Vietnam Travelette, we hope the memories made will stay with you long after you’ve landed. Until next time, safe travels and see you again soon!