Sapa & the Ha Giang Loop – The Ultimate Combo Tour

Evening: Transfer to Hanoi railway station
Between 20:30 and 21:00, our team will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Hanoi Station. You’ll receive your train tickets and get help boarding.

22:00: Sleeper train to Lao Cai
Board the Dream Train Express, you’ll sleep in a cozy, air-conditioned 4-berth cabin, styled with local Sapa decor. Bedding is provided, and there’s room to store your luggage under the berth. This night train saves you daylight and lets you wake up in the mountains.

You’ll arrive in Lao Cai around 06:00. A driver will take you up to Sapa, where you can store your bags, take a shower and have breakfast.

You will have free time in the morning to relax and prepare before the tour begins.

At 13:00, hop in a car for a scenic half-day around Sapa. Start with a short walk along the Golden River to reach Love Waterfall — a peaceful spot in the forest. Then visit Silver Waterfall, a 200-meter-high cascade that feeds the Muong Hoa Stream.

After the sightseeing tour, head back to town and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.

Start your trekking day at 09:00. Walk down towards Cat Cat village, then cross a suspension bridge and continue through a bamboo forest into the mountains.

Arrive in Y Linh Ho for a home-cooked lunch at a family-run eatery. The view of the rice terraces from here is stunning.

Continue hiking through Lao Chai, one of the largest Hmong villages in the region, and then make your way to Ta Van, home to the Giay and Hmong people. Depending on the season, you might see locals planting or harvesting rice. Afterward, return to Sapa for the night and have a free time to explore the town by your own.

At 06:30, a comfortable bus picks you up from your Sapa hotel for a 6-hour journey to Ha Giang. There are 1–2 short stops on the way to stretch your legs or grab a drink.

Around 13:00, you’ll have lunch in Ha Giang before continuing to Thon Tha — a quiet Tay ethnic village surrounded by rice paddies and hills.

Unwind after the journey: walk around the village, relax with a book, or (in summer) go for a swim at a nearby natural waterfall.

Enjoy a traditional Tay-style dinner at your homestay. Sit back, relax, exchange stories and experiences as the crisp Ha Giang night air washes over you.

Today covers 155 km of winding roads through the Ha Giang mountains. The road snakes past limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and terraced hillsides dotted with stilt houses. Along the way, your guide will stop at lookout points and small roadside villages where you’ll see ethnic minority locals going about their daily routines.

Visit Quan Ba Heaven Gate, 1,500 meters above sea level. Enjoy magical views above the clouds and see the distinct Twin Mountains nearby. Stop for lunch in Yen Minh.

Visit Vuong Family Palace, a traditional Hmong mansion that once belonged to a wealthy local clan dubbed the "Hmong King." Continue to Dong Van town, arriving around 17:00. After checking in to your homestay, enjoy a walk around the small but charming old quarter — known for its stone houses, quiet market square, and peaceful mountain backdrop.

If your visit falls on a Sunday, explore the lively Dong Van market, where ethnic minorities gather in traditional dress to trade local goods.

Drive along the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass — one of the most jaw-dropping mountain roads in Vietnam. Take a break at the top to soak in the view over the Nho Que River gorge. A boat ride on the river is optional but highly recommended (extra cost).

Stretch your legs with a short guided walk through remote villages. See how the Hmong live in this harsh but beautiful landscape and take in views of the “Happiness Road” below.

Reach Meo Vac around 17:00. Check in to the beautiful homestay with private room. After dinner, feel free to explore this friendly town on your own.

If it’s Sunday, you can explore Meo Vac’s lively minority market. Then drive through stunning mountains toward Mau Due. Stop for lunch and admire the stepped rice terraces along the way.

Arrive in Ha Giang City around 16:00, then board a comfortable limousine bus back to Hanoi. The ride takes around 6 hours, with one break. Drop-off will be at or near your hotel in the Old Quarter by 22:00.