Hanoi Trip Overview
Take a round-trip journey to northwest Vietnam by overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and Sapa, where you’ll embark on two moderate treks past rice terraces and scenic mountain valleys to local villages. With an experienced private guide at your side, observe the daily lifestyle of the Black Hmong, Red Dao and Dzay people as you interact with villagers and gain insight into tribal traditions. Relax in the evening, with free time to explore the colorful market town of Sapa, including overnight accommodation at a 3 or 4-star hotel.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Hanoi, Vietnam
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Hanoi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Hanoi, Vietnam, Vietnam
Take a round-trip journey to northwest Vietnam by overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and Sapa, where you’ll embark on two moderate treks past rice terraces and scenic mountain valleys to local villages. With an experienced private guide at your side, observe the daily lifestyle of the Black Hmong, Red Dao and Dzay people as you interact with villagers and gain insight into tribal traditions. Relax in the evening, with free time to explore the colorful market town of Sapa, including overnight accommodation at a 3 or 4-star hotel.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – Overnight train to Sapa
Pass By: Hanoi Railway Station, 120 Đ. Lê Duẩn, Văn Miếu, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
This evening you will be picked up by our driver from your hotel located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (advised prior to departure), between 7.30pm-7pm. Say farewell to your local guide before you board the overnight sleeper train bound for Lao Cai (departing approximately 9.30pm, approximately 6 hours journey time). The train journey is unaccompanied, and you may be sharing with locals or other travellers
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight on train
Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa (B, L, D)
Pass By: Sapa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province
Upon arrival in Lao Cai at dawn, you’re transferred to Sapa. You can leave your luggage at the tour office and enjoy a shower plus a full buffet breakfast at Hotel.
Once you’re refreshed and fortified, your morning trek departs from Sapa to Ta Phin valley. Walk with your experienced guide through the town for about 20 minutes before turning down a dirt road to Ma Tra, a Black Hmong village defined by its traditional clothing and customs.
The moderate hiking route through this rural community offers more picturesque vistas of vegetable gardens and rice terraces flanked by green mountains rising in the background. You have time to visit with local families and learn about traditional fiber processing before continuing your trek to Ta Phin village, located in one of the most scenic valleys in Vietnam.
Stop here for a simple picnic lunch before exploring the village, admiring the embroidered clothing and red headscarves worn by the tribal women of this ethnic group called the Red Dao.
In the afternoon, you’ll return to Sapa by private, air-conditioned vehicle to check in to your hotel and eat dinner. You’re free to explore the charming town’s sloping streets or the market with many colorful handicrafts, or head up to Ham Rong peak for a fantastic photo op over Sapa (depending on weather conditions; entrance fee not included).
• Overnight in Paris Boutique Hotel, Sapa Diamond Hotel or similar (3 stars option)
• Overnight in Sapa Legend Hotel, Amazing SapaHotel or similar (4 stars option)
Stop At: Ta Phin Village, Ta Phin, Sapa Vietnam
Ta Phin is the nearest village of Red Dao’s ethnic group within the area of Sapa district. From Sapa, it will take about 30 minutes to reach here by motorbike. The mountainous road can make it difficult for cars to move, so the best solution is to hire a “xe om”, or motorbike taxi, and the experienced driver will take you to right place at a very reasonable price with many useful advices and tips.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ham Rong Mountain, Sapa 100000 Vietnam
Ham Rong Mountain is a dragon-shaped mountain located right next to Sapa town center, and is also a famous eco-tourist site of this beautiful Sapa tourist destination. This is one of the few mountains of Vietnam with a beautiful image and a good legend.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 3-4 star acommodation
Day 3: Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi (B, L)
Stop At: Fansipan Mountain, Sapa 330000 Vietnam
Following a hotel breakfast, meet your guide in the morning and depart on a second trek from the town of Sapa to Golden Stream valley. Today’s hike offers more stunning views of rice terraces and gardens as well as Mt Fansipan, whose summit rises 10,312 feet (3,143 meters) above sea level.
After crossing a suspension bridge, marvel at the breathtaking scenery as you continue through the Golden Stream valley, stopping at Lao Chai village for lunch.
After your meal, follow your guide on a walk through this village where Black Hmong people reside, and continue on to Ta Van village, home to the Dzay tribe. This part of the hike is relatively easy, though the trail can be quite slippery if it rains, so good footwear is recommended.
You’ll visit with some local families and learn about their daily lifestyle and fascinating culture, before departing to the main road to meet up with your driver and return to Sapa.
A shower is available at the hotel, followed by an afternoon free to explore the town on your own.
In the evening, depart Sapa for Lao Cai, where you’ll take the night train back to Hanoi.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Ta Van Village, Sapa 330000 Vietnam
Ta Van located far from Sapa less than 10 kilometers, Ta Van – a village of Lao Cai province is lying peacefully in the valley of Muong Hoa. Residents are mainly the H’Mong ethnic, Giay, and Red Dao… with approximately 1000 people.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight on Train
Day 4: Hanoi
Pass By: Hanoi, Hanoi
Train arrives Hanoi railway station. Finish the tour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
