Hanoi – Sapa – Halong – HanoiVietnam in 4 nights

Northern Vietnam in five days: Hanoi, a night in the hill town of Sapa with Cat Cat village and the cable car up Fansipan, then a night on Ha Long Bay.

Day 1

Arrive Hanoi – City Tour

Welcome to Vietnam. Our guide meets you at Noi Bai Airport and takes you to your hotel (check-in from about 2 pm). In the afternoon, a guided visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex: the Mausoleum (seen from outside, as it is closed on Mondays, Fridays and every afternoon), the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then a walk through the Old Quarter's busy lanes, old shops and colonial buildings, before you are dropped back at the hotel.

No meals included today Overnight: HanoiPrivate tour

Day 2

Hanoi – Sleeper Bus to Sapa – Cat Cat Village

Pick-up about 6:00 for the sleeper bus to Sapa, with breaks on the way; the last stretch climbs past terraced valleys. Arrive around 13:00 to a welcome drink, a briefing and lunch of local dishes, then check in. In the afternoon, a guided walk of about 2.5 km (two hours) down to Cat Cat village, home of the Black H'mong, past the waterfall and the old French hydro-power station, with a visit to a H'mong family. Dinner in Sapa, and the evening free in town.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: SapaGroup (SIC) tour

Day 3

Sapa – Fansipan Peak – Sleeper Bus to Hanoi

After breakfast, a 20-minute cable car ride up Fansipan, the 'Roof of Indochina'. From the top station, visit the pagodas and climb the last 600 steps to the 3,143 m summit (allow about 1.5 hours). Back in Sapa, check out and have lunch, then the group sleeper bus returns to Hanoi, arriving around 20:30–21:00, and you are taken to your hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch Overnight: Hanoi

Day 4

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (Overnight Cruise)

After breakfast and check-out, the cruise's shuttle bus takes you to Ha Long Bay. Board the boat and set off over a lunch of local dishes, out among some 2,000 limestone islands and islets: a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose name means 'descending dragon'. In the afternoon, a guided walk through a cave of stalactites and stalagmites, then time on a small island to swim or climb to a viewpoint over the bay. Back on board, watch the sunset, join a Vietnamese cooking class and have dinner on deck; squid fishing is optional later. An English-speaking guide stays on board.

• Note: the exact route depends on the cruise you choose.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight: Ha Long Bay (cruise)

Day 5

Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Evening Departure

Start with tai chi on the sundeck at dawn, with tea and coffee as the boat moves on through the islets. Later, kayak or take a bamboo boat into a hidden lagoon if you like. Check out of your cabin around 9:00 and have brunch as the boat heads back to shore, then disembark around 11:00 and take the shuttle bus back to Hanoi. A driver (no guide) then takes you to the airport for your flight home.

Breakfast, Brunch

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are listed in order of preference, or similar, subject to availability. Ha Long Bay nights are on board the cruise (shared boat).

Package cost

Price per adult on twin sharing, by the number of adults travelling together. Land only.

Rates in US Dollars per person on twin sharing, by number of adults travelling together. Single supplement is for one guest in a room on his own. GST 5% and TCS extra as per Government of India rules. Payable in INR at the prevailing exchange rate.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Rates are per person in US dollars and don't apply on black-out dates (Christmas, New Year and local holidays). Ask us for prices on those dates.
• Prices depend on the number of adults travelling together; the solo price already includes the single supplement.
• Flights between cities are not included. We quote them separately at the best fare we can find.
• Group (SIC) tours are shared with other travellers, with a different guide in each city.
• Some hotels ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in.
• Indian passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa, and a Cambodia visa for Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your return date.
• If a hotel is full, we offer a similar one in the same category.

When to go

October to April. Hanoi and Ha Long are cool and dry from October to April; Hoi An is best from February to August; the south is dry from December to April. October to December brings rain to the centre.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Payments by bank transfer (NEFT / RTGS / IMPS), UPI or cheque in favour of TripRoutes. Card payments may carry a convenience fee.
• GST 5% is charged on the package cost as per government rules. On international holidays, TCS also applies as per government rules.
• Cancellation charges are per person, counted from the date of departure.
• Cancellations must be sent in writing by email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Air and train tickets are refunded as per the airline / railway rules, plus our service charge.
• Visa fees, insurance premiums and non-refundable hotel or houseboat bookings (peak dates, special events) are not refundable.
• Refunds are processed within 15 working days of receiving supplier refunds.
• There is no refund for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.
• Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• TripRoutes is not liable for changes caused by weather, strikes, roadblocks, flight delays or government orders; extra costs arising are payable by the guest.

Questions about this holiday