Highlights of The North: Sapa – Halong Bay – Ninh Binh in 6 Days

Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter to start a city highlights tour with a small group.

Your first stop is Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, peacefully set by West Lake. Built in the 6th century, it's a calm and spiritual spot to begin the day.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, then stroll the grounds to see the simple stilt house where “Uncle Ho” lived. Nearby is the unique One Pillar Pagoda — a tiny wooden temple built on a single stone pillar, shaped like a lotus flower.

Dive into Vietnam’s rich ethnic diversity at this modern museum. You'll learn about the customs, costumes, and homes of 54 ethnic groups across the country.

Enjoy a set lunch of classic Vietnamese dishes at a local restaurant — great way to try a bit of everything.

Walk through Vietnam’s first university, originally built in 1070. The quiet courtyards and ancient stone steles give you a glimpse into the country’s Confucian roots.

End your city tour at Hoan Kiem Lake and visit the small red bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to the hero Tran Hung Dao.

The group tour wraps up with drop-off back at your hotel in the Old Quarter.

After an early breakfast, board a comfortable limousine bus for the scenic 5.5-hour drive to Sapa. There are a couple of short breaks on the way, mainly for rest and refreshments.

After lunch in Sapa town, meet your local guide and start your trek. Hike down to Cat Cat village and cross a suspension bridge over the Muong Hoa River. The trail takes you through bamboo forests and up to mountain viewpoints with sweeping views of rice terraces.

Stop at a local restaurant in Y Linh Ho for lunch, then continue walking through Lao Chai before reaching Ta Van — home to the Giay and Hmong ethnic minorities. You’ll stay overnight in a local homestay. There is a chance to join in a simple cooking session — a great way to learn about local ingredients and customs.

Start the day with breakfast and mountain views, then trek uphill toward the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai. Stop by a waterfall and visit a local home to learn about Red Dao traditions.

Have a relaxed lunch at a family-run restaurant before returning via a different trail and hanging bridge.

A minibus takes you back to Sapa town where you’ll catch the limousine bus to Hanoi. Expect to arrive back at your hotel in the evening.

After breakfast, a shared limousine or shuttle bus takes you to Halong Bay. The drive takes about 3.5–4 hours, with a short rest stop halfway.

Arrive at the port, check in, and board your boat. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a Vietnamese lunch while cruising into Bai Tu Long Bay — a quieter, less touristy area of the bay.

Hop into a kayak to explore Cap La Island, with time for swimming or just relaxing on the deck afterward.

Back on board, join the sunset party, then enjoy a set dinner. You can try squid fishing, join a puzzle game, or just unwind with a drink under the stars.

Start the day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Then, enjoy a light breakfast of Western and Vietnamese options.

Take a short walk to Thien Canh Son Cave and nearby Hon Co Island — a peaceful spot with a beach and hidden chambers carved by nature.

Back on the boat, watch a short cooking demo and enjoy your final onboard meal before disembarking.

From Halong Port, you’ll be transferred by shared bus to Ninh Binh. The drive takes around 4 hours. Check in to your homestay and enjoy the quiet countryside evening.

Start with a visit to Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Walk among ancient temple ruins and learn about the Dinh and Le dynasties.

After lunch, enjoy a 2-hour sampan boat ride through the caves and towering limestone cliffs of Trang An — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for Kong: Skull Island.

Cycle through the surrounding countryside to reach Mua Cave. From there, climb nearly 500 stone steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for panoramic views over Tam Coc’s rice fields.

After the hike, relax in the van for the 2-hour drive back to Hanoi, where the tour ends around 7 PM.