Embark on an 8-day Northern Vietnam tour that blends scenic beauty with deep cultural immersion, guiding you through the bustling capital of Hanoi, the serene waters of Halong Bay, and the remote highlands of Sapa. This journey offers a balance of comfort and adventure, perfect for travelers seeking meaningful connections with both nature and local communities.
Begin your experience in Hanoi, where historic pagodas, shaded boulevards, and vibrant street life come together to paint a picture of a city steeped in tradition yet alive with energy. From there, cruise through the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its towering limestone islands and peaceful atmosphere. Spend the night on board a traditional junk boat and wake up to one of Vietnam’s most iconic views.
The adventure continues in Sapa, a mountainous region in the far north known for its stunning terraced rice fields and rich ethnic diversity. Unlike typical routes, this tour leads you on off-the-beaten-track treks through Su Pan, Giang Ta Chai, Den Thang, and Ta Trung Ho – less-visited villages that offer a rare glimpse into the lives of the Red Dao and Black Hmong people. Experience genuine hospitality, learn about age-old customs, and hike through unspoiled valleys framed by misty peaks.
This Northern Escape is ideal for those who crave unique cultural experiences and natural beauty far from the crowds. Every day brings new perspectives, unforgettable encounters, and a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s northern soul.
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Tour Highlights
Visit the historical Hanoi and its Old Quarter. Decorated with peaceful lakes, French style architecture, museums, pagodas, and exciting night life, this is a city that you don’t want to miss.
Travel to the enchanting Halong Bay, and enjoy one of the famous overnight cruises through the mountainous lakeside scenery. This is a stop that can’t be missed by nature lovers, photographers, and culture seekers alike.
Take a trek through Sapa, the picturesque highland town where you can unplug and reconnect with nature, while getting a true look into the lives of local hillside communities.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be greetings by Paradise Travel and transferred to hotel for checking in and relax. Free at leisure and overnight in Hanoi city.
After breakfast, we will start city tour with Ho Chi Minh Complex for visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One pillar Pagoda. Continue to visit Literature Temple, the first University in Vietnam in 16th century and Tran Quoc pagoda.
Have lunch in one of famous restaurants in Ha Noi.
PM: Visit Ethnological museum then have cyclo in the Old Quarter and visit Dong Xuan market, enjoy Water Puppet show in the afternoon.
8.00 8.30: Our guide will pick you up at your hotel. On the way to Halong city, enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.
12.15: Embark on Cruise for welcome drink followed by a cruise briefing. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while our cruiser heads to the bay passing the beautiful limestone seascape.
15.15: Visiting Amazing cave, one of the most amazing caves in Halong Bay. The two chambers that form this amazing grotto are decorated with thousands of spectacular stalactite and stalagmite forms.
16.25 Enjoy kayaking (weather permitted) with guideline around the fishing village then return to the vessel for free time at your leisure. Fresh fruit platter will be served on the sundeck.
17.45: Cruising through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Luon Cave.
18.00: Cooking demonstration and discover the mystic recipes of the Vietnamese cuisine.
19.00: Seafood set-dinner on board.
21.00: Enjoy evening activities Movie Night, Board Games, Fishing or karaoke program. Overnight on Cruise.
A new day has come with beautiful sunrise view from your cabin
7.30: Have breakfast while complimentary tea & coffee are served.
8.00: Trip by tender to Ti Top island for swimming or climb up to the top to see the outstanding scenery of the bay.
9.00: Return to Cruiser. The vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor 9.30: Check out and settle the bill.
11.00: Set menu lunch is served on board.
12.00: Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.
16.00: Arrive in Hanoi. In the evening, after dinner at your budget you will be escorted to Railway Station for night train to Lao Cai that departs at 21.15. Overnight on train.
Train arrives at Laocai Railway Station at 06.00 am, transferred to Sapa by car. Have breakfast in the local restaurant (optional). Relax.
Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver then transferred by car toward Muong Hoa valley.
Your trek will start from a point near Su Pan School along a narrow dirt trail downhill to the bottom of Muong Hoa Valley, then uphill all the way for nearly 6 hours through Giang Ta Chai Village of the Red Zao, through bamboo and rain forest to Den Thang Village of the Hmong. Lunch break for an hour at a nice spot amongst wild nature. The trek will be softer in the afternoon and you will arrive to Den Thang Village of the Black Hmong at about 4.00pm. The rest hour is for walking to explore this remotest village of Sapa which surrounded by high mountains and forest of the Hoang Lien nature reserve.
The trek today takes you through beautiful rice paddies and over old suspension bridges. You will trek on small trail sneaking through rainforest. You will leave Den Thang at about 09.30 to follow a dirt trail through narrow terraced rice fields, forest for nearly 3 hours. Lunch break along the way.
Sapa Trekking
After lunch, the trek wills becomes tough on tinny footpath going up and down, which requires some concentration. You will reach to Ta Trung Ho village of Red Dao minority in mid afternoon. The rest hours are for walking around to explore unique living way of the Red Zao which has just been visited by foreign visitors.
You are now at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina with its 3143 m, is located in this mountain range. You will start the trek today by ascending to Nam Toong village of Red Dao minority. Here your lunch will be prepared in a local school. In the afternoon, before descending to Ban Ho, you can make a stop by a waterfall to refresh. Then where your car takes you on the journey back to Sapa.
In the late afternoon, take the car back Lao Cai train station. You have dinner in restaurant near train station. Get on train back Ha Noi. Spend night on train
On arrival Hanoi railways station at 5.30am, we will be picked up transfer to airport for departure or extension.
Prices
Prices are in USD, per person.
This tour can be customized to fit your own demands.
Hotel / Group
2 guests
3~4 guests
5~6 guests
7~8 guests
9~12 guests
Single surcharge
3 Star
853
708
610
553
528
205
4 Star
958
813
715
658
631
295
5 Star
1,184
1,038
939
880
852
485
What's included
Accommodation at hotels and home stay in places as indicated in program
Meals as indicated in program (B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner)
Private transportation at places as indicated in program
All admission cost at places mentioned in itinerary
Professional English speaking tour guide at places
Boat trip in Halong
Train tickets: Hanoi Lao Cai Hanoi (A/C 4 soft berth cabin)
What's excluded:
International airfare and airport taxes.
Visa to Vietnam
Meals not indicated on itinerary.
Travel insurance (Compulsory)
Personal expenses (Tips, gratuities)
Cancellation by Customer
Please note that some services such as flights, hotels and other bookings may have cancellation fees once they have been confirmed and paid. Any applicable supplier cancellation fees will be charged to the traveler.
The following are the maximum cancellation fees that may apply:
After booking confirmation: Any applicable cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers.
11–20 days before arrival: Up to 20% of the total tour price, plus any applicable cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers.
3–10 days before arrival: Up to 30% of the total tour price, plus any services already used or any applicable cancellation fees or penalties charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers.
Less than 3 days before arrival, during the tour, or in case of no-show: Up to 100% of the total tour price, limited to 10% management fee and the actual costs incurred, including services already used and any applicable cancellation fees or penalties charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers
Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change your trip. We will always do our best to minimize any cancellation costs where possible.
Children Policy
Children under 5 years old: Travel free of charge when sharing a room and meals with a full-paying adult. Any applicable airfare, entrance fees or additional expenses will be charged separately.
Children aged 5 to under 11: Pay 50% of the adult rate when sharing a room and services with a full-paying adult.
Children aged 11 and above: Pay the full adult rate.
Please note: The child rates apply when children share a room and services with a full-paying adult. Additional charges may apply for extra beds, private rooms, special meals or other services requested for children. Child rates may also vary depending on the specific tour, hotel policy and services included.
Liah from Paradise Travel designed a wonderful 11 days private tour for our family with 2 teenage children from Australia. We visited Hanoi, SaPa, Ninh Binh and cruised 2 nights in Halong Bay. All transport and accommodation was well organised and communication with Liah was always quick and professional during the booking phase and also when we landed in Vietnam. On our last day in Hanoi, she even made a surprise visit to the hotel to meet our family.
Alex organised a short trip to Vietnam for a friend and myself. And it was perfect. Alex put togeher a tailor made agenda that matched our expectations based in the time we had available The guides were really knowledgable and firiendly, the hotels were clean and conveniently located and Vietnam itself was a delight - I definitely want to go back and explore more and I will ask Paradise Travel to make the arrangements.
What an astonishing trip arranged by Paradise Travel in Hanoi city. Such a first class service with swift response and support whenever needed. Very responsible agent that will update/ check on our welfare daily during our trip. 100% recommendation to my friends and relatives to engage them for tour guide services.
Excellent family trip from Hanoi, Mai Chau, Pu Luong to Halong Bay's beaches and mountains. Everyone in my family has wonderful experiences in Vietnam. Paradise Travel's consultant and tour guides are excellent.
Organized our trip with Alex only via e-mail and whatsapp. So we never met. The trip was well organized. The driver was very friendly and very capable, although his english was limited. He was an excellent person to travel with. The guide was only needed for 4 days and that was a good. Was not needed more and he did his job well. Good English speaking. We had a very nice trip thru the northern part of Vietnam. Many tx to Alex and his people. They helped us were needed, were always on time, good communication, also via Whats-app. So many thx to them and you. On behalf of the whole family.
