Hanoi Trip Overview
Discover a corner of North Vietnam where ancient history and stunning landscapes collide.
Travel from the modern capital to the first capital city, Hoa Lu and admire ancient relics.
Trekking and meet the Hmong people and other minority villagers on a hill tribe excursion in Sapa.
Explore the limestone karsts and rice paddies of ‘Halong on land’ before boarding a boat to cruise the real Halong Bay.
This trip offers great value as it introduces the region’s main sights, providing plenty of flexibility so you can experience an adventure you’ll never forget.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Hanoi, Vietnam
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Hanoi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Hanoi, Vietnam, Vietnam
Discover a corner of North Vietnam where ancient history and stunning landscapes collide.
Travel from the modern capital to the first capital city, Hoa Lu and admire ancient relics.
Trekking and meet the Hmong people and other minority villagers on a hill tribe excursion in Sapa.
Explore the limestone karsts and rice paddies of ‘Halong on land’ before boarding a boat to cruise the real Halong Bay.
This trip offers great value as it introduces the region’s main sights, providing plenty of flexibility so you can experience an adventure you’ll never forget.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Airport pickup
Stop At: Nội Bài, Sóc Sơn, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Meet your tour guide on arrival at Noi Bai international airport (Hanoi) and transfer to the city center for hotel check-in. Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City tour
Pass By: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
8:00 am Tour guide and car from Paradise Indochina Travel come to pick you up at your hotels around Hanoi Old Quarter or your places then start the tour. Enjoying the beautiful scenery of the rural areas on the way
Stop At: Temple of Literature & National University, Quoc Tu Giam Street Dong Da District, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Depart from the hotel for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, 2 Hung Vuong Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
The mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: One Pillar Pagoda, Ong Ich Khiem St, Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh District Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Visit One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.Legend claims that The One Pillar Pagoda was built following a dream by the fatherless emperor in which the enlightened being Avalokiteshvara gave him a baby son resting on a lotus flower. Emperor Ly Thai Tong commissioned the pagoda to be created in resemblance of this lotus flower which is also the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. The Emperor remained in gratitude to the bodhisattva and subsequently to to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy following the birth of his son. Inside the temple a richly gilded statue of Quan Am takes centre place at the main altar.
After the temple was completed loyal followers flocked daily to give thanks and support to the emperor, praying to Quan Am for a long and successful sovereignty. Today, the concrete pillar that supports the tiny wooden pagoda is a replacement for the original one which was blown up by
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Have lunch in a local restaurant in Hanoi Old quarter.
Duration: 10 hours
Stop At: Chua Tran Quoc, Thanh Nien, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
Visit the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi attracts tourists and locals looking to get away from the noise and frenetic pace of the city. Peaceful and quiet, the lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, a pagoda sitting in the centre on a small island.
The temple attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty.
Homage is also paid to scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. The island on which the temple is built is known as Jade Island and is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge or Rising Sun Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design. The pagoda is also guarded by two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing. The lake and temple are probably the most famous places in Hanoi city in which to rest and enjoy the view and are a great place to sit back and watch the locals.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Bich Dong padoda
Pass By: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
8:00 am Tour guide and car from Paradise Indochina Travel come to pick you up at your hotels for Ninh Binh trip. Enjoying the beautiful scenery of the rural areas on the way
Stop At: Hoa Lu temples of the Dinh & Le Dynasties, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh 40000 Vietnam
Stop off at Hoa Lu, where there are temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien limestone Karst Mountains. Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh, Ninh Binh Province
Have lunch in a restaurant near by in Ninh Binh town.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Tam Coc, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam
Continue on for 2 hour boat ride in Tam Coc. There will be ample opportunity to stop for photographs of the villages and landscapes along the way.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Bich Dong Pagoda, Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, Ninh Binh 430000 Vietnam
For those feeling adventurous, climb up to the 15th century Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain, comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas (in ascending order).
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Then get on bus and our driver will take you back to Hanoi. We drop you off at hotel
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi – Sapa – Trekking Lao Chai – Ta Van village
Pass By: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
6:30 – 7:00 Pickup at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and depart to Sapa. It takes about 5 hours traveling on the new express way to Sapa.
Stop At: Sapa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province
The bus moving on the express way to Lao Cai and on the Pass you have a nice and beautiful view over terraces on both hand-side through the window. Noon time arrive in Sapa and have lunch at local restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lao Chai, Lao Chai, Lao Cai Province
Afternoon, start a 4 hour trek to visit Lao Chai -Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai village, exploring the local ethnic minorities of activities, admire the spectacularly natural scenery with the terraced rice fields. Visit Sapa’s ancient rock formations with engraved images big and small.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Muong Hoa Valley, Sapa 333108 Vietnam
Then go to unique patterns of the ancients, as well as admire the picturesque bridge to the clouds clear over the Muong Hoa river.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ta Van Village, Sapa 330000 Vietnam
After visiting Ta Van village the car will return you to Sapa. Free at leisure the rest of the day and overnight at Hotel.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sapa, Sapa, Lao Cai Province
Dinner in hotel then free at leisure the rest of the day and overnight at Hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Day 5: Trekking Cat Cat – Sin Chai village – Transfer back Hanoi.
Stop At: Cat Cat village, Sapa 330000 Vietnam
In the morning, have breakfast at the hotel and then check out. Take a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 3 km) to visit Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong, one of the more well-known ethnic village of Sapa.
Relax at the foot of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sín Chải, Y Tý, Bát Xát, Lào Cai, Vietnam
Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then continue trekking to 3 km to Sin Chai Village, located at the foot of Fansipan peak – “the roof of Indochina”, where you enjoy a stunning landscapes of the mountain.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Then come back to the main road to be transferred to Sapa town on a jeep for 3 kilometers
And around 15:00 – 15:30 Limousine bus will pick you up & transfer 5 hours to Hanoi.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise
Pass By: Thang Long Water Puppet, 57B Dinh Tien Hoang – Hoan Kiem – Ha Noi, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
After breakfast in hotel, you depart for the 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. Arrive to Halong City’s jetty and proceed with check-in formalities.
Stop At: Tuan Chau Island, Tuan Chau Island, Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province
After a welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. Halong Bay is listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage and voted as New 7 Wonders of the world.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ti Top Island, Halong Bay Vietnam
Titop Island has an ideal and favorable location in the complex landscape of Halong Bay. Although it is relatively small (total area of 3.7 hectares), it’s regarded as one of the most picturesque islands in the bay and is a crowd favorite among Halong tourists.
Titop offers breathtaking landscapes, which can be viewed from a vantage point high up in the center of the island. It has a crescent-shaped beach that is known for its tranquility, powdery white sand, and azure blue waters. Because of its close proximity to Bai Chay, a stopover in Titop Island is included in many cruise itineraries.
Formerly called Cat Nang Island, it is now named after Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov, who, in 1961 boarded the spaceship Vostok 2 and became the second man to orbit the Earth (after fellow Russian Yuri Gagarin who beat him by just a few months).
Unknown to many, Titop is also known to the locals as “Cemetery Island ”. In 1905 a French cargo ship failed to safely navigate its way through the waters, eventually floundering on the rocks and lost all its crew. They were all buried on the island and so the name caught on.
Surprises” or (Surprise Grotto), Sung Sot Cave is one of the biggest, most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and a highlight on most Halong Bay itineraries.
The cave can be found on the island of Bo Hon, along with another popular Halong cave, Trinh Nu. From the dock below, visitors must climb 50 stairs to the grotto’s mouth, which is just 25 meters above the sea. Sung Sot Cave is divided into two chambers; the first chamber, known as the “Waiting Room” is vast, adorned by stalagmites and stalactites and lit by multicolored lights positioned to complement the chamber’s structural beauty.
In order to reach the second chamber, visitors must walk down a narrow passageway. The second chamber is known as the “Serene Castle”. This chamber is large and grand with an extremely high ceiling and has many interesting rock formations which locals identify by likening them to animals due to their shapes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ti Top Beach, Halong Bay Vietnam
Ti Top beach is the main highlight of the island. It takes the shape of a crescent moon. Though not as big as other beaches, it wins the visitors’ hearts by its quiet and airy atmosphere and breathtaking landscape. It boasts pristine white sand, clear water, and small waves, which makes it an ideal place for swimming.
Swimming at Ti Top beach is really relaxing. Especially when summer comes, it becomes more beautiful and is well worth a visit to cool off. When you spend your day at the beach and want to take a deckchair, you will be asked to buy some food or drink, otherwise, you will have to pay for the seat. After swimming, you can sample fresh seafood specialties under immense sky and sunshine.
Duration: 1 day 6 hours
Stop At: Halong Bay, Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province
Cruise stop in a quiet place anchoring at night. Dinner on boat and rest in a very nice cabin.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Cruise in Halong Bay and overnight.
Day 7: Halong Bay – Sung Sot Cave – Hanoi
Stop At: Halong Bay, Halong Bay, Quang Ninh Province
Early risers can enjoy a memorable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served shortly there after.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sung Sot Cave, Halong Bay Vietnam
Sung Sôt or Surprise Grotto is on Bo Hòn Island, and is one of the finest and widest grottoes of Ha Long Bay.Ascending to the grotto, the way is covered by trees and foliage, and consists of great paved stone blocks.Inside, it is partitioned into two chambers; the first one being similar to a wide theatre hall. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling, with numerous possible forms and shapes.
A place so amazing that the French deemed it “Grotte des Surprises” or (Surprise Grotto), Sung Sot Cave is one of the biggest, most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and a highlight on most Halong Bay itineraries.
The cave can be found on the island of Bo Hon, along with another popular Halong cave, Trinh Nu. From the dock below, visitors must climb 50 stairs to the grotto’s mouth, which is just 25 meters above the sea. Sung Sot Cave is divided into two chambers; the first chamber, known as the “Waiting Room” is vast, adorned by stalagmites and stalactites and lit by multicolored lights positioned to complement the chamber’s structural beauty.
In order to reach the second chamber, visitors must walk down a narrow passageway. The second chamber is known as the “Serene Castle”. This chamber is large and grand with an extremely high ceiling and has many interesting rock formations which locals identify by likening them to animals due to their shapes.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Old Quarter, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Enjoy brunch while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations back towards port. Arriving at the harbor, you will be picked up for transferring back to Hanoi.
Drop off at your hotel
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi Departure
Pass By: Nội Bài, Sóc Sơn, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Have leisure time before your departure. Please note that hotel check-out time is at 12:00. So late check-out can be arranged subject to room availability and a surcharge will be applied.
End of services with transfer to airport. Hope to see you again in the future!
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The last day in Hanoi
