North Vietnam

On this full day guided tour, you’ll start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here, you’ll visit the President’s modest Stilt House and the One Pillar Pagoda; an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. See the final resting place of ‘Uncle Ho’ in the Mausoleum and visit Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh once read the Proclamation of Independence of Vietnam in 1945.

Next up, on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda; one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam overlooking the West Lake. Depending on the day of your tour, visit either Bat Trang village (an old village famous for its porcelain and pottery making), or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam. 

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch back in Old Town before unwinding in the relaxing gardens of Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) – Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070. You will see the peaceful waters of Hoan Kiem Lake and the beauty of Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) – the most visited temple in Hanoi.

Learn more about the period of French occupation in Vietnam by joining onto an optional 45 minute cyclo tour. You’ll ride through the streets of Hanoi on a traditional Vietnamese rickshaw, known locally as a xích lô. 

After the tour, why not end your evening with a visit to the world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a truly unique and memorable experience. Spend the night with a few beers on the lively streets of Ta Hien.

Take a trip to Vietnam’s world-famous fishing village, Ha Long Bay, on this full-day guided tour. Soak up the ethereal beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tour starts with a road trip to HaLong Bay. Enjoy relaxing views of the scenic rural villages of Red River Delta; a tranquil province with endless fields of rice paddies and mountains. Once you arrive at the pier, you’ll board a cruise ship where you’ll explore the nearby islets and caves of Halong Bay, all while enjoying a delicious Vietnemese lunch. 

Finish the rest of the tour floating through the limestone pillars of HaLong, and kayaking in the emerald-hued waters of Ba Hang Fishing Village. Then sit back and relax, as you enjoy the Vietnamese sunset on the boat back to the pier.

You’ll arrive back in Hanoi Old Quarter at 8.30pm, so if you have the energy, grab a beer in one of the many quirky bars by the tracks of the Hanoi Street Train. Tuck in tight as a train passes through!

Prepare to fall in love with one of Vietnam’s hidden gem, Ninh Binh, 100 km southeast of Hanoi.

After an early morning pick up from your hotel, you’ll arrive into Tam Coc, commonly known as the ‘Inland Halong Bay’. Sit back and relax on a 3-hour Sampan boat trip on the emerald waters of the beautiful Ngo Dong River, exploring the three iconic limestone caves.

After a tasty local lunch, cycle through the traditional villages and rice paddies of Tam Coc. Save some energy though, because next you’ll be climbing the 500 stone steps to reach the peak of Huang Múa Cave for unreal panoramic views of the countryside and the Ngo Dong river itself. 

Next, you’ll head to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam up until 1010. Visit the 10th century Dinh King Temple and Le king Temple and learn about the heroic histories of the two Kings during the Chinese Wars.

After a long day, you’ll arrive back in Hanoi for about 7.30pm where you’ll have some free time to explore. Chat to our destination expert for some recommendations. 

After a relaxing 5-6 hour coach journey 350km north of Hanoi, high into the mountains, you’ll arrive into the rural town of Sapa – a popular trekking destination with a heavenly landscape of terraced rice fields flowing through the villages. 

After checking in to your hotel, explore the town by foot, admiring the uncanny resemblance to the Swiss Alps with cosy wooden lodges for bars and restaurants that overlook the rice paddies 

Free time options: Kick things off with a visit to the Sapa Museum to learn about the town’s history and culture. Next, visit the must-see Notre Dame Cathedral (behind the Ham Rong mountain) which was built by the French in 1895. End the evening with a stroll by Sapa Lake and a drink on one of the cosy rooftop bars, admiring the vibrant beauty of this misty and peaceful town.

Wake up to a surreal view of endless neatly-stacked rice fields hidden below the morning mist. Today, you’re off to explore them from below as you venture on a 10 kilometre hike through the valley itself. Crossing over the Muong Hoa River, you’ll arrive in the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van Giay, where a local Black Hmong ethnic group lives. Learn about their work life and traditional cultures. 

Enjoy lunch at a local home in the village before hiking through a bamboo forest to reach the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai. Rest at a local waterfall before climbing uphill to reach your drive who will take you back to SaPa for the afternoon. 

Free time options: With some free time to spare, head to Sapa Market and grab some street food whilst strolling through the busy markets full of traditional handmade crafts and clothing. Explore the cosy coffee shops and bars, and eventually end the evening enjoying a traditional Sapa dish with a local Lào Cai Beer in the ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ restaurant (one of our personal favourites!).

A breathtaking experience awaits you today at the peak of Mount Fansipan. Also known as the ‘Rooftop of Indochina’ as it sits proudly as the tallest Mountain in Vietnam.

First, board the longest mountain railway in Vietnam from the swanky Sapa Station, taking you over the Muong Hoa valley for some amazing views of the peaceful villages.

Next you’ll fly over the valleys and rice fields via Fansipan Cable Car; a quick and relaxing 15 minute journey (compared to the 3-day trek it used to take before this was built!). For the final part of the journey, you can choose to climb the 600 steps, or ride the new tram to reach the Fansipan Peak. 

Once you’re at the top, experience the surreal views over the valleys of Sa Pa and Lai Chai Province from 3143 metres above sea level. On a clear day, you can even see the mountains in Yunnan Province in China! 

Besides the Fansipan peak, you can also visit the statue of Amitabha Buddha (the highest bronze statue in Vietnam), the Bamboo Garden, restaurants, and even shops. 

Free time option: Once you’ve arrived back into Sapa town, you can make use of your free time by ticking off anything left to see on your list. 

Say goodbye to the dreamy land of Sapa as you make the coach journey to Hanoi city centre (or airport)  with unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. It doesn’t have to end here though – why not add on an additional day from just £69? Check out our additional days or chat to our destination experts to find out more.