Summary
During this interesting Central and Northern Vietnam Itinerary (10 days): Sapa, Muong Hoa Valley you will discover wonderful cities, villages, temples, valleys, caves, islands and mountains. You will enjoy trekking through various villages of the Hmong ethnic minority, discover the natural landscape, rice terraces and the hospitable local people of the Muong Hoa Valley and arrive at Y Linh Ho village where the Black H'mong ethnic minority live. You will enjoy a cruise around the incredible Halong Bay, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and since 2011, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. You will spend the night on board the ship and enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class by the chef. During the cruise, you will pass by emblematic islets such as the fighting cocks or the stone dog islet and visit Sung Sot Cave, better known as the Cave of Surprises, on Bo Hon Island where you will discover a show with a diverse number of flowstones, stalagmites, stalactites and columns formed over millions of years. You will also visit the Mekong Delta and cross the waters of the eighth longest river in the world and the largest river in Southeast Asia by boat to discover the daily life of local fishermen.
Individual travel request form Enjoy a private tour
Alfonso
Local travel expert in Vietnam
More than 10 years living and working in tourism in Southeast Asia. Based in Hanoi, but living for work periods in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. In love with Asian culture and the wonders that I do not stop discovering in these amazing countries. They certainly do not stop surprising me with something daily.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city. At the hotel, you will be given a brief introduction of your trip and any last minute doubts will be clarified.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
On this day, you will enjoy a private guided tour with an English speaking guide in Ninh Binh Province, where you will visit Hoa Lu (the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries under 3 dynasties: Dinh, Le and Ly), Mua Cave, offering panoramic views from the peak above and Tam Coc (meaning three caves in Vietnamese and part of the Trang An landscape complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you will take the sampan boat down the river through the rice fields to the sacred caves.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
You will start this day of the 10-day Vietnam Tour Package with a private guided tour of the city of Hanoi with an English speaking guide. You will visit Ba Dinh Square (where President Ho Chi Minh read the proclamation of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and where Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located), Tran Quoc Pagoda (the oldest pagoda in the city built originally in the 6th century) and the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius, which was once the first university in the country. You will also visit Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, and Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) where you will enjoy a cyclo ride through the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
You will then be transferred to the station to take the night train to Lao Cai (4-berth shared cabin).
Overnight in train.
Upon arrival in Lao Cai, you will be transferred to the hotel in Sapa to take a shower, relax and have breakfast.
Next, you will enjoy a private tour with an English speaking guide to Suoi Ho, a quiet village near the city of Sapa where its inhabitants preserve the traditional way of life. You will start a two-hour trekking through various villages of the Hmong ethnic minority arriving at Ma Tra village.
In the evening, you will be transferred to the hotel in Sapa.
Accommodation in Sapa.
In the morning, you will visit the Muong Hoa Valley, popular for its enchanting natural scenery, unique rice terraces and hospitable local people. You will enjoy a gentle trek to the south of the valley and arrive at Y Linh Ho village where the Black H'mong ethnic minority live. Near the village of Lao Chai, located 6 km from the city of Sapa, is the village of Ta Van, where the Dzay ethnic minority live. The small, narrow road leading to Ta Van is beautiful with terraces on either side. The simple beauty of the stilt houses of the village will also amaze you.
You will have lunch at a local house where you can taste special dishes of the local people.
Next, you will be transferred to Lao Cai train station where you will take the night train to Hanoi.
Overnight in train.
In the morning, you will be transferred to Halong Bay where you will enjoy a cruise including reception with a welcome drink. Halong Bay is a 1,553 square kilometre extension of water that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994 and since November 11, 2011 is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. You will have lunch on board while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
After lunch, you will have time to enjoy kayaking and relax.
Next, you will sail to Ho Dong Tien Cave (Fairy Lake Cave), one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay, where you will anchor for the night. You will enjoy dinner on board and have free time for a drink on the upper deck.
Overnight on board.
After breakfast on board, you will visit Sung Sot Cave, better known as the Cave of Surprises, discovered by the French in 1901 and originally called “Grotte des Surprises”. It is a limestone karst cave, the largest in Halong Bay, which can be reached after a hard climb to Bo Hon Island. At approximately 25 metres above sea level, the cave covers a total area of about 10,000 square metres and is made up of two chambers. The first, known as the waiting room, is about 30 metres high and offers a grand entrance to the second largest chamber where you will discover a spectacle with a diverse number of flowstones, stalagmites, stalactites and columns formed over millions of years. As you enter the second chamber, you will understand why the cave is called the Cave of Surprises.
Then, during the cruise, you will pass by iconic islets such as the fighting cocks or the stone dog islet.
In more the afternoon, you will enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class by the chef on board before arriving in port and brunch on board.
After brunch, you will be transferred to Hanoi airport to take your flight to Hue.
Upon arrival in Hue, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Accommodation in Hue.
On this day, you will visit the former imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty, the city of Hue that will take you back in time, and discover its history. You will visit the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty: Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, second emperor of the dynasty and Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, twelfth emperor of the dynasty.
Next, you will visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, also known as Dai Noi, which is divided into three structures: the Imperial City (Hoang Thanh), the Capital Citadel (Kinh Thanh) and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh) reserved for the Emperor of Annam (currently Vietnam) who lived there, and the members of the imperial family.
Then, you will visit the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Chua Thien Mu) which is about 5 kilometres from the Imperial Citadel of Hue, on the northern bank of the Perfume River and is considered as the unofficial symbol of the city.
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Accommodation in Hue.
After breakfast, you will travel by road to Hoi An city. On the way, you will make a stop at the Hai Van Pass, known as the Ocean Cloud Pass, which is considered to have the most beautiful beaches in the world at its two ends. You will also see the Marble Mountains formed by five mountains that are named after the five elements: Thuy Son (water), Hoa Son (fire), Kim Son (metal), Moc Son (wood) and Tho Son (earth).
Arrival in Hoi An and lunch at a local restaurant.
You will have a free afternoon in Hoi An to visit the old town.
Accommodation in Hoi An.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to Da Nang International Airport to take your flight back home.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request for individual travellers
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1136€
957€
887€
Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
1153€
975€
906€
Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1237€
1059€
987€
Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
1296€
1118€
1049€
Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1384€
1205€
1136€
Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
1430€
1252€
1183€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request for individual travellers |
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1136€ | 957€ | 887€ |
| Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 1153€ | 975€ | 906€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1237€ | 1059€ | 987€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 1296€ | 1118€ | 1049€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1384€ | 1205€ | 1136€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 1430€ | 1252€ | 1183€ | |
What's Included
- 6 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at Standard, Superior or Luxury category hotels, 2 nights in the night train, 1 night on board the cruise ship;
- Breakfast at the hotels / on board the cruise ship;
- Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 of the itinerary;
- Brunch on board on day 7 of the itinerary;
- Dinner on day 6 of the itinerary;
- Excursions with English speaking guides according to the itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Vietnamese cooking class by the chef on board;
- Road and boat transportation according to the itinerary;
- Night train Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi, 4-berth shared cabin;
- Domestic flight from Hanoi to Hue;
- Local SIM card with data package included.