Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi!
Upon arrival, your guide or driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour with Cyclo Ride
Begin the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 and his body was preserved for posterity. Every October the mausoleum is closed for a month and Uncle Ho is given a bit of a spruce up! Then wander the grounds to see the one pillar pagoda and the presidential palace. Next,visit the 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius.
In the afternoon start with the Museum of Ethnology that is widely acknowledged as the best in the country, with an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority people. Take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares. Next, sip a strong Vietnamese coffee in a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake - an important symbol in Vietnamese folklore.
In the evening you will be taken to Hanoi station for your overnight train to Sapa.
Interesting fact: Walking around the streets of Hanoi, you will often see street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and flowers from bamboo baskets that they carry on their shoulders. These vendors, a quintessential part of the city's vibrant street life, use a traditional method of transporting goods that involves balancing two baskets on either end of a bamboo pole, which they carry across their shoulders.
Day 3: Sapa arrival, Bac Ha market
Upon your early arrival at Lao Cai station (5:55 am), our guide will warmly welcome you and escort you to a local restaurant for breakfast. Afterward, you'll head to Bac Ha Market, the largest and most vibrant market in the region. Every Sunday, local ethnic minorities such as the Hmong, Phu La, Black Dzao, Tay, and Nung gather here to sell handmade products, fresh produce, and other goods. This lively market provides a colorful glimpse into local culture and traditions, offering a unique opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their way of life. After exploring the market, enjoy a scenic ox cart ride through the lush countryside, followed by a peaceful walk through the tranquil Tay village of Trung Do. The day will conclude with your return journey to Sapa.
Note: Bac Ha Market is only available on Sundays. For other days, you can visit alternative markets such as Can Cau and Coc Ly, which offer similar cultural experiences and vibrant displays of local ethnic traditions.
Day 5: Lao Chai and Ta Van villages
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Muong Hoa Valley, one of the most scenic valleys in Northern Vietnam, just 6 km away. The drive takes you through a narrow road between the Hoang Lien Son and Den Thang mountain ranges, offering views of farmland and terraced paddy fields cultivated by local ethnic minorities. Marvel at the imposing mountains and the terraced fields embracing the hillsides, then take photos before walking through the valley. You'll cross to Lao Chai village, home to the Black Hmong minority, where you can observe the daily life of its people. Afterward, trek to the next village, home to the Giay people, a small ethnic group native to the northern highlands.Enjoy a rest and a delicious lunch at a local household, then continue your hike for 3 km through hills and bamboo forests. A short stop at a waterfall will refresh you before reaching Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dao ethnic minority. Here, you’ll have a chance to chat with villagers and learn about their traditional way of life. The car will pick you up to return to Sapa.
Our tip: If you'd like to see the famous golden rice paddies, consider visiting in August.
Day 6: Sapa - Mt Fansipan by cable car, afternoon transfer to Hanoi
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and then you'll begin the walk to Sun Plaza, where you'll board the Electric Mountain train to Muong Hoa station. From there, you'll take the cable car, which spans 6.2 km up to the summit of Fansipan Mountain. The Sun World Fansipan cable car holds a Guinness World Record, and the ride up to the peak is a highlight for many travelers in Sapa. Each car can hold up to 35 passengers.As soon as you leave the station, you'll start floating high above the rice terraces and rocky cliffs below. The large windows of the cable car offer stunning views as you gradually ascend to the towering peak above the clouds.
Before reaching the summit of Mt. Fansipan, you'll pass through a serene garden complex, featuring stone paths, ancient Azalea trees, and 18 meticulously sculpted bronze statues. These sculptures guide you to a 21.5-meter celestial Buddha statue, the largest in Vietnam, perched on the mountainside. The surrounding gardens and pagodas offer a peaceful atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the fresh air.A series of stairs or a funicular railway will take you the final distance to the top of Mt. Fansipan. At the summit, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking, panoramic views of cloud-covered peaks stretching to the horizon. The highest point is a popular spot for selfies, but you can also walk the entire platform to take in 360-degree views. The ever-changing cloud formations at the top offer new shapes and scenes as they shift, blending the sky and earth in a beautiful dance.After soaking in the stunning scenery and magnificent views of Sapa and the Lai Chau province, you'll be transferred back to Sapa
Day 7: Hanoi - fly to Nha Trang
Today fly to Nha Trang. Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel.
Fact: From ultra-luxe resorts like Six Senses (pictured), to peaceful retreats, to centrally located hotels, Nha Trang offers the perfect place to rest your head in complete comfort.
Day 8 - 9 : Free days in Nha Trang
Free day to relax on the beach.
Our tip: You can’t really visit Nha Trang without spending a day at the mud baths. It’s the ultimate relaxation experience, offering therapeutic cleansing for both the body and mind.
Day 10: Departing Nha Trang
Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. If you'd like, an extension to your trip to Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City can easily be arranged.
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