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Best of Northern Vietnam in 6 Days: Hanoi, Sapa & Ha Long Bay

See three contrasting sides of northern Vietnam in six days: the historic streets and landmarks of Hanoi, the terraced valleys around Sapa, and the islands of Ha Long Bay. The itinerary includes overnight train travel and a night aboard a bay cruise.

This itinerary is for travel planning only. No departure, price, supplier inventory or reservation is offered or confirmed.

Journey highlights

  • Hanoi heritage and cultural landmarks
  • Village walks around Sapa and Muong Hoa Valley
  • Overnight cruise among Ha Long Bay's limestone islands
  • Overnight rail journeys between Hanoi and Lao Cai

Destination photographs and credits

Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Turtle Tower on a misty morning in Hanoi
Hoàn Kiếm Lake on a misty morning — Photograph: tu nguyen; Pexels License. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
Golden rice terraces near Sa Pa in harvest season
Golden rice terraces near Sa Pa — Photograph: Son Hoa Nguyen; Pexels License. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
Misty green rice terraces in Sa Pa, northern Vietnam
Green rice terraces, Sa Pa — Photograph: Lucas Tran; Pexels License. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
Waterfall at Cat Cat village near Sa Pa, Vietnam
Cat Cat waterfall, Sa Pa — Photograph: Jakub Hałun; CC BY 4.0. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
Aerial view of green limestone islands in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay from above — Photograph: HONG SON; Pexels License. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
Boats on turquoise water among limestone islands in Ha Long Bay
Boats on Ha Long Bay — Photograph: Quang Nguyen Vinh; Pexels License. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1: Noi Bai arrival and Hanoi

    Meet the driver at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to the hotel in central Hanoi. Free time and overnight at the hotel. Meals: none.

  2. Day 2: Hanoi city tour and overnight train to Lao Cai

    Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Presidential Palace's stilt house, then One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of Literature, the Old Quarter and the Museum of Ethnology. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Bat Trang Pottery Village replaces the Museum of Ethnology. Check the Mausoleum's closure schedule. Enjoy free time for dinner before hotel pickup at 20:30 for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Meals: breakfast, lunch.

  3. Day 3: Lao Cai to Sapa, Cat Cat and Sin Chai

    Arrive at Lao Cai around 05:30–06:00 and transfer to Sapa for breakfast. Walk to Cat Cat and Sin Chai villages, visit the waterfall and former hydroelectric power station, and have lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Sapa and stay overnight in a hotel. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  4. Day 4: Sapa: Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van

    Trek through Muong Hoa Valley and the villages of Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van, with local Hmong and Dzay communities. Have lunch during the walk, return to Sapa and transfer to Lao Cai for the overnight train to Hanoi. Meals: breakfast, lunch.

  5. Day 5: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

    Arrive in Hanoi around 05:00–05:30; take a taxi to a hotel to leave luggage and have breakfast (no room provided). Bus pickup for Ha Long Bay is 07:30–08:30. Board the cruise for lunch, optional cave visits, bamboo boat ride, swimming or kayaking, followed by evening activities and an overnight private cabin. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  6. Day 6: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi and departure

    Optional morning Tai Chi and cruise sightseeing before checkout. Return to the harbor and transfer toward Hanoi at around 12:30. An airport shortcut by taxi around 16:00–16:30 is paid by the tour operator in the original AsiaGroupTour program, or continue to Hanoi around 16:30–17:00 before the airport transfer. Confirm flight timing before sale. Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Original itinerary reference: https://www.asiagrouptour.com/tour/best-of-the-north-6-days.

Reservations, payment and departures are not open on this page.