Overview
This 8-day northern Vietnam tour packs the region’s best-loved experiences into one well-paced week. Eat your way through Hanoi on a vintage Vespa, ride the cable car up Fansipan, trek between hill-tribe villages in Sapa, row through the karst scenery of Ninh Binh and spend a night cruising Halong Bay.
Day tours run as small-group tours with English-speaking guides, while your hotels, sleeper train, cruise and transfers are arranged for you from arrival to departure. No domestic flights are needed.
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
- Departure: Daily from Hanoi, year-round
- Language: English-speaking guides
- Note: Choice of 3-star or 4-star hotels; overnight Halong Bay cruise included
Description
Mountain trekking in Sapa: Ride the Fansipan cable car towards the Roof of Indochina, then trek 9 km through the rice terraces of Muong Hoa Valley to Black H’mong and Giay villages.
UNESCO landscapes: Row through the limestone karsts of Tam Coc in the Trang An Landscape Complex and spend a night among the islands of Halong Bay.
Hanoi’s food and history: Discover the capital’s landmarks on a full-day city tour and taste its street food from the back of a vintage Vespa.
Easy logistics: Sleeper train, limousine bus, cruise and private transfers are all arranged, so you only need to book your international flights.
Important notes
- Pickup service: Arrival and departure transfers at Noi Bai International Airport are included.
- Departure: Daily, year-round, except Vietnamese national holidays.
- Accommodation: 3-star or 4-star hotels (twin/double sharing), one night on a sleeper train and one night on a Halong Bay cruise.
- What to bring: Trekking shoes with good grip, a rain jacket, a warm layer for Sapa, swimwear and modest clothing for temples.
- Best time: March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. Sapa is cold from December to February, and June to September is hot and humid with occasional storms.
- Fitness: Moderate. The tour includes two treks in Sapa and the climb of almost 500 steps at Mua Cave.
- Visa: Australian passport holders need a Vietnam e-visa before travel (single-entry from US$25). Apply online through the official Vietnam immigration portal and allow at least a week.
- Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is essential and not included. Make sure it covers every activity on your itinerary.
- Payment: A 30% non-refundable deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. Bookings made within 30 days of arrival are paid in full.
- Cancellation: Cancellations more than 30 days before departure lose the deposit; 20–30 days before, 50% of the tour cost; less than 20 days before, 100% of the tour cost.
- Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers are not included and are at your discretion.
Itinerary
Hanoi City Tour - Overnight Train to Sapa
"Hanoi's history in a single day."
After breakfast, join a full-day small-group tour of the capital. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the granite and marble monument where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” lies, then walk to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, which rests on a single stone pillar rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, for an introduction to Hanoi's culture and traditional architecture. After lunch, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the country's 54 ethnic groups, then stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and the lively Old Quarter. Free time until about 9:00 PM, when our driver takes you to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai.
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Opening Hours: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens in the morning only and is closed on Mondays, Fridays and during its annual maintenance period (usually from September to early December). On those days we view it from outside. The Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays, when we visit the Vietnam History Museum instead.
After breakfast, join a full-day small-group tour of the capital. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the granite and marble monument where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” lies, then walk to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda, which rests on a single stone pillar rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, for an introduction to Hanoi's culture and traditional architecture. After lunch, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the country's 54 ethnic groups, then stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and the lively Old Quarter. Free time until about 9:00 PM, when our driver takes you to the station for the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai.
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Opening Hours: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opens in the morning only and is closed on Mondays, Fridays and during its annual maintenance period (usually from September to early December). On those days we view it from outside. The Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays, when we visit the Vietnam History Museum instead.
Sapa: Fansipan Cable Car & Cat Cat Village
"Up to the Roof of Indochina."
Arrive at Lao Cai station at around 6:00 AM and transfer by road to Sapa for breakfast at a local restaurant. At 8:00 AM, ride the Fansipan cable car towards the highest peak in Indochina for sweeping views over the Hoang Lien Son range, then return to town for lunch. In the afternoon, take a short drive to Cat Cat Village, home of the Black H'mong people, at the foot of Fansipan. Your local guide introduces daily village life as you walk down to the valley floor, the waterfall and an old French-built hydro-power station, then back up to meet the car (about 2.5 km, 2 hours). Return to your hotel at around 5:00 PM for a free evening in Sapa town.
Accommodation: 3-star Sapa Relax Hotel or 4-star Amazing Sapa Hotel (or similar) in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Packing Notes: Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm layer. Fansipan and Sapa evenings can be cold, especially from November to February.
Arrive at Lao Cai station at around 6:00 AM and transfer by road to Sapa for breakfast at a local restaurant. At 8:00 AM, ride the Fansipan cable car towards the highest peak in Indochina for sweeping views over the Hoang Lien Son range, then return to town for lunch. In the afternoon, take a short drive to Cat Cat Village, home of the Black H'mong people, at the foot of Fansipan. Your local guide introduces daily village life as you walk down to the valley floor, the waterfall and an old French-built hydro-power station, then back up to meet the car (about 2.5 km, 2 hours). Return to your hotel at around 5:00 PM for a free evening in Sapa town.
Accommodation: 3-star Sapa Relax Hotel or 4-star Amazing Sapa Hotel (or similar) in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Packing Notes: Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm layer. Fansipan and Sapa evenings can be cold, especially from November to February.
Sapa Trek: Lao Chai & Ta Van - Return to Hanoi
"Trekking through the terraces of Muong Hoa Valley."
Pack a light day bag and set off at 8:00 AM for a short drive to Y Linh Ho. From here you trek through layered rice terraces and along the Muong Hoa stream to Lao Chai, a Black H'mong village, then on to Ta Van, home of the Giay (Dzay) people, with the Hoang Lien Son peaks all around (about 9 km, 3.5 hours). Our car picks you up at Ta Van bridge at 11:30 AM for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, board a comfortable limousine bus back to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star The Q Boutique Hotel (or similar) in central Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Trekking Level: Moderate. Trails can be muddy and slippery in the rainy season, so wear trekking shoes with good grip.
Pack a light day bag and set off at 8:00 AM for a short drive to Y Linh Ho. From here you trek through layered rice terraces and along the Muong Hoa stream to Lao Chai, a Black H'mong village, then on to Ta Van, home of the Giay (Dzay) people, with the Hoang Lien Son peaks all around (about 9 km, 3.5 hours). Our car picks you up at Ta Van bridge at 11:30 AM for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, board a comfortable limousine bus back to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon. The evening is free.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star The Q Boutique Hotel (or similar) in central Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Trekking Level: Moderate. Trails can be muddy and slippery in the rainy season, so wear trekking shoes with good grip.
Hanoi to Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave
"Exploring Vietnam's “Halong Bay on land”."
Your guide collects you at 8:00 AM for the drive south to Ninh Binh, with a short rest stop on the way. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital from 968 to 1010, and learn about the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties. After a lunch of local dishes, glide along the river at Tam Coc on a 1.5-hour bamboo rowing boat through rice fields, limestone karsts and caves. Then cycle for about 45 minutes through the surrounding villages. Late in the afternoon, climb almost 500 steps to the Mua Cave viewpoint for a panoramic view over Tam Coc, before checking in to your hotel at around 4:30 PM.
Accommodation: Tam Coc Rice Field Bungalow (3-star option) or Lalita Tam Coc Resort & Spa (4-star option), or similar, in Ninh Binh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Photo Tip: The Mua Cave climb is steep. Wear good shoes, bring water and save some battery for the late-afternoon light over the valley.
Your guide collects you at 8:00 AM for the drive south to Ninh Binh, with a short rest stop on the way. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital from 968 to 1010, and learn about the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties. After a lunch of local dishes, glide along the river at Tam Coc on a 1.5-hour bamboo rowing boat through rice fields, limestone karsts and caves. Then cycle for about 45 minutes through the surrounding villages. Late in the afternoon, climb almost 500 steps to the Mua Cave viewpoint for a panoramic view over Tam Coc, before checking in to your hotel at around 4:30 PM.
Accommodation: Tam Coc Rice Field Bungalow (3-star option) or Lalita Tam Coc Resort & Spa (4-star option), or similar, in Ninh Binh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Photo Tip: The Mua Cave climb is steep. Wear good shoes, bring water and save some battery for the late-afternoon light over the valley.
Ninh Binh to Halong Bay - Overnight Cruise
"A night among the limestone islands."
After breakfast, leave Ninh Binh at 7:30 AM for the drive to Halong Bay (about 3 hours) and board your cruise. Lunch is served as the boat sails between thousands of limestone islands. In the afternoon, hike to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay, swim from a quiet beach or relax on the sundeck. Later, visit a floating fishing village where families have lived on the water for generations, then board a bamboo rowing boat to pass through a water tunnel into a hidden lagoon. Watch the sunset from the deck before dinner on board.
Accommodation: Balcony Suite on the 4-star La Pandora Cruise (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise Note: Activities vary slightly between cruise operators and are confirmed once your cabin is booked. Cruises may be rescheduled by the authorities in bad weather, most often from June to October.
After breakfast, leave Ninh Binh at 7:30 AM for the drive to Halong Bay (about 3 hours) and board your cruise. Lunch is served as the boat sails between thousands of limestone islands. In the afternoon, hike to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay, swim from a quiet beach or relax on the sundeck. Later, visit a floating fishing village where families have lived on the water for generations, then board a bamboo rowing boat to pass through a water tunnel into a hidden lagoon. Watch the sunset from the deck before dinner on board.
Accommodation: Balcony Suite on the 4-star La Pandora Cruise (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise Note: Activities vary slightly between cruise operators and are confirmed once your cabin is booked. Cruises may be rescheduled by the authorities in bad weather, most often from June to October.
Halong Bay & Sung Sot Cave - Return to Hanoi
"Sunrise, tai chi and a cave full of stalactites."
Wake early for sunrise over the bay and join a tai chi session on the sundeck. After coffee, visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), where stalactites hang from the high ceiling in countless shapes. Enjoy a late brunch on board as the boat cruises back to the harbour, arriving at around 11:00 AM, then transfer back to Hanoi (arriving around 3:00–3:30 PM). The evening is free for last-minute shopping or a final bowl of phở.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star The Q Boutique Hotel (or similar) in central Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Evening Suggestion: Try egg coffee (cà phê trứng) at a café near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Wake early for sunrise over the bay and join a tai chi session on the sundeck. After coffee, visit Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), where stalactites hang from the high ceiling in countless shapes. Enjoy a late brunch on board as the boat cruises back to the harbour, arriving at around 11:00 AM, then transfer back to Hanoi (arriving around 3:00–3:30 PM). The evening is free for last-minute shopping or a final bowl of phở.
Accommodation: 3-star Au Coeur d'Hanoi Boutique Hotel or 4-star The Q Boutique Hotel (or similar) in central Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Evening Suggestion: Try egg coffee (cà phê trứng) at a café near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Departure from Hanoi
"Farewell, Vietnam."
Enjoy breakfast and a relaxed morning (check-out by 12:00 PM). Our driver transfers you to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight. Thank you for travelling with TNK Travel. We hope to welcome you back to Vietnam soon.
Accommodation: Not required (departure day)
Meals: Breakfast
Flight Tip: If your flight leaves late in the day, ask us about late check-out or adding a half-day tour.
Enjoy breakfast and a relaxed morning (check-out by 12:00 PM). Our driver transfers you to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight. Thank you for travelling with TNK Travel. We hope to welcome you back to Vietnam soon.
Accommodation: Not required (departure day)
Meals: Breakfast
Flight Tip: If your flight leaves late in the day, ask us about late check-out or adding a half-day tour.
Price & Bookings
2026 - 2027 (except National Holidays)
| Grade tour | Price per person in US$ | Single supplement | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2- 3 pax | 4 pax | 6 pax | 8 pax | 10 pax | Single Sup. | ||
| 3-STAR HOTEL - PRICE PER PAX IN USD | $1184 | $1067 | $1013 | $963 | $952 | $216 | |
| 4-STAR HOTEL - PRICE PER PAX IN USD | $1294 | $1176 | $1123 | $1072 | $1061 | $309 | |
(Seasonal prices apply and will be confirmed when booking! All rates are quoted in US$)
Inclusions
- Arrival and departure airport transfers in Hanoi
- Private air-conditioned transport as per itinerary
- Small-group day tours with English-speaking guides
- 7 nights’ accommodation: 5 hotel nights (3-star or 4-star, twin/double sharing), 1 night on the sleeper train and 1 night on a 4-star Halong Bay cruise
- Hanoi After Dark food tour by vintage Vespa
- Limousine bus Sapa – Hanoi and shared cruise transfers
- Fansipan cable car, Tam Coc bamboo boat and bicycle hire in Ninh Binh
- All meals listed: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches/brunches, 2 dinners
- Entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
- Daily drinking water and towels
- Government taxes and VAT
Exclusions
- International flights
- Vietnam e-visa (from US$25 per person)
- Travel insurance
- Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
Why choose our 8 Day Northern Vietnam Tour
Northern Vietnam in one week: Mountains, rice terraces, karst rivers and Halong Bay in 8 days, with no domestic flights.
Small groups, local guides: Join-in day tours keep the price down while English-speaking local guides bring each place to life.
Hotels you can choose: Pick 3-star boutique hotels or upgrade to 4-star, with the same itinerary.
Support from a Vietnam-based team: TNK Travel has organised tours in Vietnam since 2001, with a local team on hand throughout your trip.
Ready for northern Vietnam? Send us your travel dates and group size, and our team will confirm availability and your final price within 24 hours.
Reservations
Reviews
There is no review for this tour. Be the first to review this tour !!
Share your thoughts with other customers.
Share your thoughts with other customers.
Related Tours
