Tour 5 days in Hanoi – Halong Bay – Sapa

• Discover Vietnamese cuisine with a local guide in Hanoi old quarter
• Explore Halong Bay by cruising boat – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Enjoy a memorable sunset and sunrise on the calm sea of Halong Bay
• Discover the northern mountains of Vietnam with its stunning terrace rice fields
• Get on the rooftop of Indochina by cable car – Fansipan peak

DETAILED ITINERARY 5 DAYS

Day 1: Hanoi City Tour

08h00-08h30: The tour guide will pick you up at the Old Quarter area / Opera House area to start for a Hanoi city tour. In the morning, you visit:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda can be found on an island situated in the eastern part of West Lake, which is within Tay Ho District. With a history spanning nearly 1500 years, it is recognized as the oldest pagoda in Thang Long – Hanoi. The structure’s design is a perfect blend of grandeur, antiquity, and refinement, perfectly complementing the serene environment of its vast lakeside location. During the Ly and Tran dynasties, Tran Quoc Pagoda was the main Buddhist hub in Thang Long citadel.
• The Ho Chi Minh relic site is a collection of structures that includes the final resting place of Vietnam’s Great Father, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. However, visitors should be aware that on Mondays and Fridays, Uncle Ho’s mausoleum is not open for entry, and one can only view it from the outside.
• Uncle Ho’s house, where Uncle Ho lived and worked from 1958 to 1969.
• One Pillar Pagoda, a small pagoda built on a pillar in the middle of a square lake, is also a symbol of Hanoi.
• One of Vietnam’s biggest museums is the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which primarily showcases historical objects and records related to the esteemed figure known as Great Father Ho Chi Minh.

Noon: Have Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon, you continue to visit:

• The Thang Long Imperial Citadel comprises of various artifacts linked to the past of Thang Long – Dong Kinh citadel and the Hanoi region from before the Thang Long era until the reigns of Dinh – pre-Le dynasties, prospered during the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, and eventually transformed into the citadel of Hanoi under the Nguyen Dynasty. This extensive infrastructure is an outcome of the construction endeavors of many monarchs throughout different historical epochs and has now evolved into one of the most significant landmarks among the Vietnamese heritage sites.
• The Quoc Tu Giam, also known as the Temple of Literature, is believed to be Vietnam’s inaugural university. This old edifice was constructed in a fairly sizeable manner during October 1073 and still exists today. The primary objective behind constructing the Temple of Literature was to pay homage to Confucius- the originator of Confucianism, and Chu Van An – the headmaster of Quoc Tu Giam who symbolizes Vietnamese education’s elevated moral philosophy.
• Hoan Kiem Lake, which is renowned, and Ngoc Son Temple, located beside it, are dedicated to worshiping two saints – Van Xuong and Tran Hung Dao, who were famous generals in Vietnamese and global history. Additionally, visitors can explore both Vietnamese and French architectural styles surrounding the lake.

At the end of the afternoon, you can take a cyclo (pay by yourself) for a walk around the Old Quarter before returning to the hotel or joining a water puppet show …

16h00: Upon returning to the hotel, you can check in and relax. You may choose to dine out at your own cost and sample the cuisine of Hanoi Old Quarter. During the nighttime, feel free to roam around and discover the charm of the Old Quarter. Spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay

08h00: The vehicle and the tour guide will come to the rendezvous spot located in the Old Quarter and Opera House to collect you for your journey to Halong Bay. During the trip, you will make a stop at Hai Duong where you can take a break and have the freedom to shop for local specialties.

12h30: The car has reached Tuan Chau pier, where the tour guide will carry out certain protocols for boarding the guests onto the boat. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a refreshing “welcome drink” and then served lunch on board while surrounded by the vast ocean, creating an intriguing atmosphere. As they savor dishes with the essence of the sea, they can also take in the magnificent natural beauty of Halong Bay, including landmarks like Dinh Huong islet, Ga Choi islet, Dog Stone islet, and more.

In the afternoon, you continue to:

Visit Sung Sot Cave – Halong Bay boasts of many stunning caves, one of which is particularly breathtaking. Its ceiling is adorned with what appears to be a velvety carpet and numerous stalactites that resemble chandeliers. One can also find stone statues in the form of elephants, seals, raspberries, flowers, and more. Upon reaching the pinnacle of the cave, visitors are greeted by a picturesque lake and its beautiful surroundings.

Visit Titov Island and swim at the sea there

Join cooking class (mainly spring rolls and other attractive activities for foreigners)

17h00: You return to the cruise, relax, enjoy wine and fruit in the sunset.

19h00: You can dine aboard the yacht and then take part in various activities such as night squid fishing, listening to music, playing games, and dancing. This will allow you to relish the sensation of being surrounded by the vast sea while gazing at the stars, an experience that will surely remain etched in your memory.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi

05h00: To fully experience the serene atmosphere of the ocean and take part in Tai Chi practice (which is exclusively offered on 4 and 5 star ships), it’s recommended that you wake up early and head out to the deck.

07h00-07h45: You will have breakfast at the restaurant.

08h00: One exciting activity that appeals to many visitors is exploring Luon Cave by either kayaking or canoeing. If there’s enough time during the cruise, the boat will pause at Fishing Village for tourists to observe pearl cultivation. Here, guests can witness every step involved in creating valuable pearls, from growing and harvesting to processing. Additionally, a museum provides an overview of the pearl production process through images. The following stages include farming and processing, culminating in the exhibition of pearl-based products and jewelry.

10:30: You will enjoy a light lunch on board before coming back to Hanoi.

11:30: The cruise arrives at Tuan Chau wharf. The car picks you up to return to Hanoi.

17h00: Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be escorted by a car to your accommodation. Later, you can enjoy dinner at your own cost and sample the local cuisine in the Old Quarter. After that, you have the option to explore the Old Quarter at night on foot. You’ll be staying in Hanoi for the night..

Day 4: Hanoi – Sapa

06h40 – 07h00: A vehicle will collect you from your lodging and head towards Sapa on the Hanoi-Lao Cai route. It is important to keep in mind that the mode of transportation to Sapa is a sleeper bus, specifically designed for tourists travelling to and from Sapa.

13h00-13h30: Arrive in Sapa, the car picks you up for lunch and then have check in at the hotel.

Afternoon: At the agreed upon time, a tour guide will accompany you on a stroll through the Ham Rong Mountain tourist destination. You will get to see various attractions including the Indochina Orchid Garden, Heaven Gate, and Cloud Garden. Additionally, you can also enjoy a musical performance by ethnic groups on Ham Rong Mountain and interact with local residents while taking photographs.

18:30: Have dinner and have the rest of the evening available for other activities. You can either capture some pictures with Sapa Stone Church or savor grilled delicacies and relish the famous San Lung wine to keep yourself warm in the chilly weather of Sapa. Spend the night in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Fansipan Cable Car – Hanoi

07h00: Have breakfast at the hotel.

08h00: The car and the guide will take you to the Fansipan Cable Car Station from where you can begin your adventure of conquering Fansipan. This mountain can be conquered by using the world’s most advanced 3-wire cable car system, which has cabins that are big enough to accommodate up to 30 people. After reaching a certain point, you would need to climb 600 steps made of stone to reach the top of Fansipan, located at an altitude of 3,143 meters, which is the highest in Indochina.

(*) Note: Currently, you can also have other options to get to the top of Fansipan to experience a new feeling and not have to walk too much (suitable for the elderly), such as:
Muong Hoa tram takes you from Sapa to Fansipan cable car station (at your own expense).
The mountain train takes you from the upper station of the Fansipan cable car to the top of Fansipan (at your own expense).

12h00: Come back to the hotel, check out. Then have lunch, take a rest and get on the bus back to Hanoi.

Afternoon: You can choose the return time that suits your needs (select before booking the tour) :
Option 1: Depart at 13h30 – Arrive in Noi Bai at about 19h00 – Arrive in Hanoi at about 20h00. This is the default time frame if you do not choose a specific return time before booking
Option 2: Depart at 16h00 – Arrive in Noi Bai at around 21h30 – Arrive in Hanoi at about 22h30
Option 3: Depart at 22:00 – Arrive in Noi Bai at around 03:00 the next morning – Arrive in Hanoi at around 04:00 the next day.

(*) General note:
In case if you want to be dropped off in the airport, you will pay an additional 50,000 VND/pax
Coming back to Hanoi, the car will only drop off passengers at a single point on Tran Quang Khai street.
End the trip.