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Discover Northern Vietnam in 9 Days: Ha Giang, Ha Long Bay & Sapa

A nine-day journey from Hanoi into the dramatic mountain landscapes of Ha Giang, across the limestone seascape of Ha Long Bay, and onward to Sapa's terraced valleys. The route combines scenic road travel, village visits, a cruise night and guided walks.

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

Journey highlights

  • Mountain views along Quan Ba and Ma Pi Leng Pass
  • Ha Long Bay overnight cruise and optional water activities
  • Sapa walks through Muong Hoa Valley and local villages
  • A mix of Hanoi hotels, mountain stays and overnight rail travel

Destination photographs and credits

Winding road across Mã Pí Lèng Pass in Hà Giang, Vietnam
Mã Pí Lèng Pass, Hà Giang — Photograph: Khánh Hmoong; CC BY 2.0. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
Panoramic view of Đồng Văn old town in Hà Giang, Vietnam
Đồng Văn Old Town, Hà Giang — Photograph: trungydang; CC BY 3.0. Resized to maximum 1280px for the web
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: Hanoi arrival

    Arrive at Noi Bai Airport, meet the driver for the transfer to central Hanoi, check in and enjoy free time. Overnight in a Hanoi hotel. Meals: none.

  2. Day 2: Hanoi to Ha Giang and Quan Ba

    Ha Giang departures operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hotel pickup in Hanoi is 06:00–06:30; lunch in Ha Giang around 12:30–13:00. Continue at 14:00 to Quan Ba, stop at Heaven's Gate around 15:30 and visit the countryside near Tam Son. Walk around the village, see a Black Dao rammed-earth house and stay with a local Tay family. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  3. Day 3: Quan Ba to Dong Van via Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Ma Pi Leng

    Breakfast around 06:30–07:00, then travel through Yen Minh toward Meo Vac for lunch. Cross Ma Pi Leng Pass overlooking the Nho Que River, walk through Hmong villages and check into a Dong Van hotel around 16:30. Dinner around 19:00. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  4. Day 4: Dong Van and Ha Giang to Hanoi

    If the date is Sunday, visit Dong Van Market. Travel across Dong Van Karst Plateau and visit the Hmong King's Palace. After a 12:00 lunch and local village walks, depart around 15:30 and arrive in Hanoi at approximately 22:30–23:00. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: breakfast, lunch.

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

    Morning pickup at the Hanoi hotel and transfer to Ha Long Bay. Board the cruise, have lunch and join operator-scheduled cave visits, bamboo boat excursions, swimming or kayaking. Evening activities may include cooking, sunset gathering and squid fishing. Overnight in a private cruise cabin. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  6. Day 6: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi and overnight train to Lao Cai

    Optional early Tai Chi or photography, then breakfast and any remaining cruise activities, which may include a cave visit, cooking class or island viewpoint walk if not arranged on day 5. After checkout, enjoy brunch, return to the harbor by tender and travel back to Hanoi, arriving around 16:30–17:00. Hotel pickup at 20:30 for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Overnight in an air-conditioned sleeper cabin. Meals: breakfast, lunch.

  7. Day 7: Sapa: Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai and Ta Van

    Arrive in Lao Cai around 05:00–05:30 and transfer to Sapa. Start walking around 09:30: approximately 6 km to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong, 2 km downhill to Lao Chai and onward to Ta Van village of the Dzay through terraced fields. Have lunch with a local family; return to Sapa by jeep or minivan. About 10 km trekking, rated 6/10 in the source. Overnight in Sapa. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  8. Day 8: Sapa: Cat Cat and Sin Chai, overnight train

    Walk roughly 4 km to Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong, visit its waterfall and former hydroelectric station, and have a picnic lunch. Continue around 3 km to Sin Chai below Fansipan, then return to Sapa by jeep. Transfer to Lao Cai for the overnight train to Hanoi. About 7 km trekking, rated 4/10 in the source. Meals: breakfast, lunch.

  9. Day 9: Hanoi departure

    Arrive in Hanoi around 05:30–06:00. Taxi to the hotel is at the guest's expense; breakfast is included but no day-use room. For afternoon flights, a complimentary Old Quarter walking tour is offered from 09:00 to 11:00 before airport transfer; morning departures have free time until pickup. Meals: breakfast.

Original itinerary reference: https://www.asiagrouptour.com/tour/discover-northern-vietnam-package-9-days.

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