Overview

  • Immerse in Hanoi's historical charm, exploring its culture & unique local cuisine
  • Cruise through the landscapes of Trang An & the wonders of Mua Cave in Ninh Binh
  • Trek through the scenic Muong Hoa Valley & picturesque rice paddies in Sapa
  • Conquer the summit of Fansipan Mountain for Indochina region’s panoramas 
  • Witness the mesmerizing beauty of Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay cruise tour
7 Days Northern Vietnam Itinerary
Best price guaranteed
Best price guaranteed
Money back guarantee
Money back guaranteed
Customizable by local experts
Customizable by local experts

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Hanoi - Cultural Exploration (-)

Upon your arrival in Hanoi, our dedicated driver from Asia Private Travels will warmly welcome you at the airport. 

After a seamless transfer to your hotel, take advantage of the morning to relax and acclimate to the vibrant atmosphere.
In the afternoon, embark on a cultural Hanoi day tour starting with the renowned Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university built in the 11th century. Continue to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, steeped in history and spirituality.

The highlight of the day is a stroll through the Hanoi Old Quarter, where the charm of narrow, ancient streets merges with the energy of the modern city. Immerse yourself in the lively ambiance and explore the 36 streets teeming with local delicacies, traditional crafts, and more.  Hanoi's hidden gems won’t show until you see them with your own eyes. Let the adventure begin!

Meals on your own.

Return to your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Stay overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university built in the 11th century
Tourist on the Train Street in Hanoi
Pho, the national dish in Vietnam
Day 2

Ninh Binh Excursion - Hoa Lu, Trang An, and Mua Cave (B)

Meals: Breakfast

8:30 AM: Embark on a scenic journey to Ninh Binh day tour, a two-hour drive from Hanoi. Explore the ancient royal capital of Vietnam, Hoa Lu, visiting the temples of King Dinh and King Le with their unique architectural marvels.

1:00 PM: Set sail on a boat trip through the captivating Trang An Landscape Complex, often referred to as “Halong Bay on land”. Discover the breathtaking beauty of caves, mountains, and rivers. Afterward, you can also visit Mua Cave nearby, ascending 486 stone steps for panoramic views on the top of Mua Mountain.

4:00 PM: Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon to unwind and reflect on the day's adventures.

Lunch and dinner on your own.

a couple taking picture in Hoa Lu, temples of King Dinh and King Le
Trang An Landscape Complex
panoramic views on the top of Mua Mountain
Day 3

Hanoi Eco Bus - Sapa Exploration - Muong Hoa Valley Trek - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B)

Meals: Breakfast

6:30 AM: Early morning, board the Hanoi Eco bus to journey towards the picturesque town of Sapa.

Around 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Arrive in Sapa.

In the afternoon, you can take a short 20-minute car ride to Muong Hoa Valley, one of the most breathtaking valleys in northwest Vietnam. As you descend into the valley on foot, you will be able to witness the largest terraced rice paddy in the Sapa area.

If you happen to visit the valley between May and October, you can witness and experience how the locals plant and harvest rice. The route definitely leads from Lao Chai village, inhabited by the Black Hmong minority, to Ta Van village, which is home to the Zay minority. This will give you the opportunity to explore and observe the unique traditions and costumes of these two ethnic minority groups.

You will return to Sapa by car.

Lunch and dinner on your own.

Muong Hoa Valley in Sapa in the ripe-rice season
Tourists taking picture with local children in Sapa
Local people lifestyle in Sapa
Day 4

Conquer Fansipan Mountain - Spectacular Cable Car Ride (B)

Meals: Breakfast

Ready to reach new heights in Sapa? To visit Fansipan, the highest peak of the Indochina Mountains, you will be taking a car from Sapa. Normally, tourists spend one or two days to reach the peak of Fansipan Mountain on foot. However, you will take the three-rope cable car system, which will carry you from the bottom to the highest point of the mountain in just 15-20 minutes.

The Fansipan cable car is a modern three-wire cable system and the first of its kind in Asia. The distance from Muong Hoa Valley to the peak is 6.2km long, and there are a total of 35 cabins passing through 6 main pillars. Each pillar is 1km away from the other.

The peak offers breathtaking scenery and magnificent views of Sapa. It also allows you to admire the stunning views of Muong Hoa Valley and Hoang Lien National Forest from above. Additionally, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Lai Chau province. Afterward, you will be transferred back to Sapa. Kick off your Fansipan Mountain adventure and elevate your journey with spectacular views!

Lunch and dinner on your own.

beautiful view of cloud from Fansipan Peak
Local family in Sapa taking pictures with the rice terrace
Sapa square, a popular spot for tourist restaurant, hotels,...
Day 5

Sapa Free - Sapa Eco Bus - Return to Hanoi (B)

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a free morning exploring Sapa at your own pace. 

2:00 PM: board the Sapa Eco Bus for a comfortable journey back to Hanoi.

8:30 PM: Check into your hotel, and the evening is yours to unwind and reflect on the memories of Sapa.

Meals on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Your journey to North Vietnam doesn’t need to end right away! Freely customize this 7-day Vietnam itinerary with $0 and make it a perfect match for your inner wanderlust. A few more days in Sapa, or alternate it with misty Ha Giang and huge waterfalls in Cao Bang,… Just send your request to Asia Private Travels!

Rice terrace fields in Sapa in the ripe season
Tourists on cyclo in Hanoi
Busy streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter area
Day 6

Hanoi - Overnight on Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

08:00 AM: Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Opera Theatre House.

11:30 AM – 12:00 AM: Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Harbor, please proceed to the waiting room for check-in Halong overnight cruise.

12:00 AM – 12:30 AM:  Board the Tender Boat to the Verdure Lotus Cruise, where tourists will be welcomed with a soft drink and meet the captain and crew. They will provide you with a brief introduction to the cruise and safety guidelines, and assist you with the check-in procedure.

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch while cruising through the magnificent Halong - Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: You can choose to relax on the sundeck or explore the Ba Trai Dao - Tra Bau area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay, and experience kayaking here.

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Return to the Cruise and participate in our Happy Hour & Cooking Class. Don’t forget to bring a camera to take photos and relax!

7:00 PM: Dinner is served at the restaurant. After dinner, you can join the squid fishing program, relax on the sundeck, enjoy a glass of wine at the bar, or simply retire to your cabin for a good night's sleep. Hope you have a wonderful time on the Verdure Lotus Cruise!

Beautiful Halong Bay floating villages looking from above
Tourists taking selfie on Halong Bay cruise
Tourists joining cooking class
Day 7

Halong Bay - Return to Hanoi – Departure (B, Br)

Meals: Breakfast

6:00 AM - 6:30 AM: Start the day with a serene Taichi session on the sundeck, soaking in the sunrise.

6:15 AM -7:00 AM: After breakfast, explore Dark and Light Cave or enjoy kayaking in the crystal-clear waters.

7:00 AM: Visit the Dark and Light Cave. You can freely kayak or row a bamboo boat to explore the landscape or immerse yourself in the cool, clear blue water of the area.

9:30 AM: Return to your cabin, relax, and check all your luggage before leaving.

10:00 AM: Check out from your private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete the check-out procedure. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the cruise returns to the harbor.

11:00 AM: Take the Tender boat back to Tuan Chau port and return to Hanoi.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: A car service will take you back to Hanoi. 

Then, your driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your departure flight.

Tourists kayaking to Dark & Bright Cave
Relax on Halong Bay cruise sundeck to capture Halong Bay
Having brunch on Halong Bay Cruise

Inclusions

Exclusions

Reviews us on Tripadvisor

A Week in Northern Vietnam - Unforgettable Moments
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Emmett Brown

United States

"Rarely do I find the time to travel with my wife, so I chose Vietnam as our destination. Though we only had a week to explore Northern Vietnam, every place – Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong – left an indelible mark on us. This might just be the trip of a lifetime with my beloved wife. Thks Asia Private Travels!"

Love Vietnam foodd
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Thekla Wolf

Germany

"I went on a 7-day tour and discovered my love for Vietnam cuisine. Each destination had unique local dishes that I enjoyed, such as Pho in Hanoi, Com Chay in Ninh Binh, Com Lam in Sapa, and squid roll in Halong. The landscapes were breathtaking, but trying out the local delicacies was what I looked forward to the most. I bought a lot of local treats to share with my family and they loved it. Thank you, Asia Private Travels, for creating a journey that satisfied my wanderlust and taste buds!"

From a to z Vietnam tour with Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Frank

United Kingdom

"A friend suggested I check out Asia Private Travels for my trip to Vietnam, and I'm really glad I did! I had no idea where to start, but APT helped me embark on an amazing adventure. I got to explore some cool places across Vietnam including Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong Bay, each with its own unique story. It was a truly magical experience!"

fall in luv with Sapa beauty overall
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Emilie

Germany

"Enjoyed a 7-day tour exploring Northern Vietnam, but OMG, Sapa left me utterly awestruck. The unique ethnic villages and distinctive culture here had my eyes wide open and my jaw dropped. The scenes were like something out of a dream. And also, the Apple Meo Meo drink – let me tell you, it's a flavor explosion that made me forget my way back. If given the chance, I'd surely book another tour, diving even deeper into the wonders of Sapa on my next visit. APT, wait for me!"

big recommendation for 7 days in northern VN
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Kimberly Phillips

United Kingdom

"I'm penning down this review to encourage all of you – go ahead and book this tour! You won't be disappointed. A huge thanks to Asia Private Travels! Hehe..."

7 days in Northern Vietnam - Absolutely amazing!
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Mila

Australia

"I just got back from an amazing 7-day adventure across Northern Vietnam with Asia Private Travels, it was absolutely unforgettable! But the best part of the whole trip was definitely the breathtaking Halong Bay cruise, where I was surrounded by the most stunning natural beauty and scenery.  Moreover, I must extend my deepest appreciation for the exceptional service provided by APT. I accidentally left my phone in a taxi, but Ms Ngoc from APT was a lifesaver and helped me retrieve it quickly. I can't thank them enough!"

great take care of Asia Private Travels during my week in VN
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Eleanor

Australia

"7 day tour in northern Vietnam was beyond awesome! From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the breathtaking landscapes in Ninh Binh & the laid-back vibes in Sapa – every moment was top-notch. The team at APT deserves major props for their fantastic support and enthusiasm. Huge thanks to them for making everything seamless! I've decided to book another southern Vietnam tour with APT!"

I neeeeeeed more Vietnam discovery!!!!!!
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Larry Watson

United Kingdom

"During my 7-day tour in Northern Vietnam with Asia Private Travels, I had an amazing experience exploring the country's beauty. However, I feel like there is still so much more to discover in the North. I was captivated by Vietnam's authentic simplicity and diverse landscapes. So, I cannot wait to go back and explore the enchanting landscapes of Southern Vietnam with APT. I am looking forward to more discoveries in the future!"

My 7-day tour with Asia Private Travels was the happiest week of my life in Vietnam!
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels
Tripadvisor of Asia Private Travels

Rating: 5 / 5

Charles Wood

Australia

"We went on a 7-day tour of Vietnam with Asia Private Travels and it was an amazing experience! We explored Hanoi's history at the Temple of Literature and Tran Quoc Pagoda, and had some delicious local food in the Old Quarter. Ninh Binh's Trang An and Mua Cave were so pretty, and we went trekking in Sapa's Muong Hoa Valley and saw some cool local traditions. The Fansipan Mountain cable car ride was a bit scary but exciting, and we finished the trip with a relaxing Verdure Lotus Cruise in Halong Bay. The itinerary was well-planned, the service was great, and we loved having the freedom to explore Sapa. We're so thankful to Asia Private Travels for such an unforgettable adventure!"

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