Embark on a captivating 11-day journey through Northern Vietnam and Southern China, a region where dramatic landscapes, ancient cultures, and local traditions unfold at every turn. This cross-border adventure offers a seamless blend of vibrant city life, natural beauty, and authentic heritage, beginning in Hanoi and ending in the colorful streets of Kunming.
Start in Hanoi, Vietnam’s atmospheric capital, where tree-lined boulevards, tranquil lakes, and lively markets provide a charming introduction to the country’s cultural soul. Then cruise through the dreamlike seascape of Halong Bay, where towering limestone islands and emerald waters offer a peaceful retreat from modern life.
Head north to Sapa, nestled in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, where terraced rice fields and vibrant ethnic villages like those of the H’mong and Red Dao people welcome you. Cross into China through the Hekou border and step into a world of timeless beauty in Yuanyang, famed for its breathtaking, UNESCO-recognized rice terraces and rich ethnic diversity.
Continue your exploration to Jianshui, a hidden gem brimming with Confucian heritage, ancient architecture, and a relaxed old-town atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with China’s bustling cities. Wrap up your experience in Kunming, the “Spring City,” known for its pleasant climate, scenic parks, and diverse cultural tapestry of the Yunnan province.
This thoughtfully crafted itinerary connects the untouched highlands of Northern Vietnam with the storied charm of Southern China, revealing remote hill tribe villages, majestic natural landscapes, and time-honored traditions. With the expertise of Paradise Travel, you’ll enjoy smooth transitions between countries, enriching encounters with local cultures, and memorable moments in places far off the beaten path.
Let this unique tour inspire you with the best of two distinct yet harmoniously connected regions in Asia.
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai – Hanoi International Airport, our tour guide will be holding a welcome signboard with Paradise Travel & your name outside the baggage claim area and escort you to Hanoi downtown with a brief introduction en route. Check in hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architectures and tranquil lakes of this unique city.
The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days’ tour will visit the highlights. See the grand and mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the ‘icon of Hanoi’ – The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake’s Tran Quoc temple as well as the fascinating Ethnology Museum, the bustling Old Quarter, Ngoc Son temple and The Restored Sword Lake. Taking one hour around the Old Quarter to enjoy the beauty of Hanoi Old city. Having lunch at a nice restaurant. Enjoy a water puppet show in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
In the morning, our driver and guide will pick come to your hotel to take you to Halong bay. It takes roughly 4 hours to arrive Halong. Arrival at lunchtime, check in our luxury cruise and start your wonderful time in Halong bay. Spend whole afternoon to enjoy magnificent scenery around you, there are thousands of limestone islands standing in the middle of sea water, all of them are covered by a thick layer of green forest which make Halong bay more and more beautiful. Have lunch, dinner and stay overnight on boat.
Wake up early to enjoy fresh air of the sea, take part in some morning exercises on sundeck with our master. Then, have breakfast and our boat lift anchor to start cruising in the bay again. Keep camera ready on your hand to take the best photos of Halong Bay in the morning. Check out and have lunch on boat. Our boat finished cruising at the harbor and time to say goodbye Halong bay, catch our car/bus back to Hanoi.
A corner of Halong Bay
Arrive in Hanoi at around 4 pm. Free at leisure until your driver meet and transfer you to Hanoi train station for the night train to Sapa (cabin of 4 people, soft sleeping berth)
The train arrives at around 6:00 am. Look for the “Paradise’s Logo & Your Name” sign when you exit the train station, as our guide will pick you up there and transfer from Lao Cai to Sa Pa town. After breakfast, you will start your adventure trekking to Catcat village where you will get the first impression of Sapa. Marvelous scenery will appear in front of you, keep your camera on to take hundreds of photos. Also, you will learn much about tradition and lifestyle of local people here. Turn back your hotel by private car for relaxing after long trekking. Discover the charming Sapa Town, Sapa market and Ham Rong at your own program in the afternoon. Stay overnight at hotel in Sapa. Having luch at local restaurant.
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up for another long but really interesting trekking day to Laochai and Tavan village of Black H’ Mong people and Dzay people. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with families that live in the area. Have lunch en route or at a local family. Back to your hotel after lunch. Free at your own program. Overnight in Sapa.
After breakfast at hotel, our guide and driver will take you to Lao Cai, make entry procedure for coming China at Laocai – Hekou Border Gate. Transfer to Yuanyang. Having dinner on the way to Yuanyang. Check in hotel and have dinner. Overnight in Yuanyang.
Today, you will have whole day to view the Yuanyang Rice Terraces, including Duoyishu Rice Terrace, Bada Rice Terrace and Laohuzui (Tiger Mouth) Rice Terrace, Sheng Cun village and Qing Kou village which are the best scenes to sightseeing and photograph-shooting. The stunning scenery of vast terraced fields and landscapes will give you an unforgettable memory of its unique natural beauty. Stay overnight in Yuanyang.
Visit the Qingkou Hani Minority Village and the Terraced Fields. Drive to Jianshui and check in the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Jianshui.
Visit the Yunnan Stone Forest and transfer to Kunming. Overnight at hotel.
You will have breakfast at the hotel and some morning free time, then we’ll come pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight back home there. Goodbye and see you next time!
Prices are in USD, per person.
This tour can be customized to fit your own demands. Best price and value guaranteed!
| Hotel / Group | 2 guests |
|---|---|
| 3 Star | 2,215 |
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
Are you interested in this tour or would you like to customize your own trip?
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