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Vietnam Travel Guide
Ninh Binh & Sapa 4 Days Combo Tour
Overview
This Sapa and Ninh Binh tour combines the best of northern Vietnam’s mountains and countryside in one journey. You’ll travel overnight by sleeper train to Sapa, explore waterfalls, trek through terraced rice fields, and stay in a welcoming homestay with ethnic minority families. Afterward, experience Ninh Binh’s natural beauty with a boat trip through Trang An’s cave system, a climb to Mua Cave’s viewpoint, and a visit to Vietnam’s ancient capital, Hoa Lu.
Highlights
- Scenic trek through Sapa’s rice terraces and minority villages
- Visit Silver and Love Waterfalls near Tram Ton Pass
- Overnight homestay with authentic local experiences
- Boat ride through caves and karst landscapes in Trang An
- Climb Mua Cave steps for panoramic views over Ninh Binh
Price & Availability
Questions or Special Requests?
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Vietnamese Travel Agency
Book directly with a local Vietnamese travel agency
Secure payment
Safe payment via well-known payment gatewaysy
Local Support
Local team in Vietnam for questions and on-site assistance
Highly rated
Boek direct bij een lokaal Vietnamees reisbureau zonder tussenpersoon
Itinerary
Day 0 :
Night train to Sapa
Evening :
Hotel pickup and train boarding
Between 20:30 and 21:00, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi and taken to the train station. Your guide or operator will hand you the tickets and make sure you’re ready for the journey.
Night :
Sleeper train to Lao Cai
Board the Dream Train Express for an overnight ride north. You’ll stay in a 4-berth air-conditioned cabin with bedding provided. It’s a bumpy but memorable experience, and although not spacious if you’re tall, the ride is comfortable. The train departs Hanoi at 22:00 and arrives in Lao Cai at around 05:55.
Day 1 :
Sapa waterfalls and town
Morning :
Arrival and breakfast in Sapa
Arrive in Lao Cai early morning and transfer by car to Sapa. After dropping off your luggage, enjoy breakfast before the day begins.
Breakfast
8:00 AM :
Silver and Love Waterfalls
Drive up to Tram Ton Pass and visit two of Sapa’s most famous waterfalls. Walk a short path along the Golden River to reach Love Waterfall, then continue to the impressive 200-meter Silver Waterfall, the source of Muong Hoa Stream.
Afternoon :
Free time in Sapa
Return to town for lunch, then enjoy the afternoon at your own pace. Relax, explore the town, or simply take in the mountain views. Overnight at Sapa Hills Hotel.
Lunch
Day 2 :
Trekking through rice terraces
Morning :
Trek to Y Linh Ho
At 9:00, set off on foot for a full day of trekking. The path leads you down to Cat Cat’s road, across a hanging bridge, and uphill through bamboo forest. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the Hoang Lien Son mountains and some of Vietnam’s most iconic rice terraces.
Breakfast
Midday :
Lunch in a local home
Stop in Y Linh Ho village for a home-cooked lunch prepared by a Hmong family.
Lunch
Afternoon :
Villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van
Continue walking through Lao Chai, one of the oldest Hmong villages, before reaching Ta Van, home to Giay and Hmong minorities. Depending on the season, you may see rice planting or harvest in progress. Overnight in a local homestay in Ta Van.
Day 3 :
Return to Hanoi
Morning :
Free time in Sapa
Enjoy a relaxed morning to wander the town or simply rest.
Breakfast
Noon :
Check out
At 12:00, check out from your homestay.
Afternoon :
Limousine bus to Hanoi
At 14:30, board a luxury limousine bus back to Hanoi. The ride takes around 6.5 hours with two short breaks for refreshments. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Hanoi in the evening (note: due to weekend traffic restrictions in the Old Quarter, drop-off may be at the nearest accessible location). Overnight at Hanoi Esplendor Hotel and Spa.
Day 4 :
Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave
10:00 AM :
Pickup from hotel
Start the day with a drive into the countryside of Ninh Binh.
Breakfast
Late Morning :
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
Visit Vietnam’s capital from the 10th–11th century and learn about the Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Lunch
1:00 PM :
Trang An boat trip
Take a two-hour sampan ride through the limestone peaks and cave system of Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage site and filming location for “Kong: Skull Island.”
3:00 PM :
Cycling through the countryside
Spend about 45 minutes biking through quiet villages to see daily life in Ninh Binh’s countryside.
3:45 PM :
Climb to Mua Cave viewpoint
Walk up nearly 500 steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for sweeping views over Tam Coc.
Evening :
Return to Hanoi
Head back to the city, arriving around 19:30. Tour ends in Hanoi.
- Sleeper train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai (shared 4-berth cabin, Dream Train Express)
- Transfers as mentioned (car, bus, limousine coach)
- English-speaking local guide in Sapa and Ninh Binh
- Entrance fees to all sights mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals as listed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Accommodation: hotel in Sapa, homestay in Ta Van, hotel in Hanoi
- All necessary equipment for trekking and cycling (e.g., bikes, helmets)
- Drinking water during activities
- Travel insurance
- Drinks, personal expenses, and extra meals not mentioned
- Tips (optional)
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
What happens if it rains during the trek or boat trip?
Light rain will not stop the activities, but trails may be muddy, so sturdy shoes are recommended. For heavy rain or storms, routes may be adjusted for safety. Contact us for the latest updates during your trip.
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