5 Day Circuit of North Vietnam

Explore North Vietnam in depth with this 5-day circuit from Hanoi, featuring stunning landscapes and cultural experiences.

5 Day Circuit of North Vietnam

Day 1: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise

Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi between 8 am and 8:30 am to travel to Halong Bay. Board the boat to sail on the emerald waters while enjoying a traditional Vietnamese meal. Activities include visiting Dark & Bright Cave, a bamboo boat ride, kayaking, or swimming in Lan Ha Bay. The day ends with sunset views and a Vietnamese cooking class followed by dinner on board.

Day 2: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi – Sapa

Begin the day at 8 am with breakfast and views of the bay, followed by a Tai Chi class on deck. Return to port around 3 pm for 6 hours of free time in Hanoi before boarding a sleeper bus to Sapa for the night.

Day 3: Sapa – Ta Van – Lao Chai – Y Linh Ho

Arrive in Sapa, deposit luggage at the hotel, and have breakfast before hiking through Ta Van. The hike covers almost 12 miles, visiting traditional villages and enjoying lunch in Lao Chai. The evening features a toast with rice liquor and a dinner.

Day 4: Ta Van – Hanoi

Early breakfast with sunrise followed by a trek of 7 kilometers up hills to view rice fields and a waterfall. Return to the hotel for lunch and head back to Hanoi, arriving around 9:30 pm.

Day 5: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hanoi

Pickup at 7:15 am to travel to Ninh Binh, visiting Hoa Lu and Mua Cave. Climb 500 steps for panoramic views, followed by lunch at a traditional restaurant. Visit Bich Dong Pagoda and enjoy a 1.5-hour boat ride in Van Long Nature Reserve. Return to Hanoi by bus, concluding the adventure at 6:30 pm.

Accommodation

This circuit includes 4 nights with the following options:

Standard accommodation:

1st night: standard cabin on cruise.2nd night: sleeper bus.3rd night: private bungalow in Sapa.4th night: private room at Republik Backpackers Hostel or similar.

Deluxe accommodation:

1st night: deluxe cabin on cruise.2nd night: sleeper bus.3rd night: private bungalow with view in Sapa.4th night: private room at La Siesta Classic Ma May Hanoi.

Hotel pick up

Includes pick-up between 8 am and 8:30 am from main hotels in the historical center of Hanoi. Alternative meeting points will be provided if staying outside this area.

Minimum group size

Reservations for standard cabins require a minimum of 2 people per reservation.

Changes in the itinerary

On Wednesdays and Fridays, the itinerary will start with Ninh Binh on the first day, followed by two days in Halong Bay before visiting Ta Van.