DAY 1: HANOI (L, D)

Arriving in Hanoi, you begin the visit to the Temple of Literature, one of the most famous sites of Hanoi; it was the first National University where Mandarins are trained. Then, you have the opportunity to better know the sacrifices and courage of Vietnamese women during the war and daily life at the Women’s Museum. 

Lunch at the local restaurant with typical Vietnamese dishes. 

In the afternoon, you can discover the daily life of Hanoi by strolling to the districts which are located right next to the railway, and take local coffee like the locals. Then continue the walk towards the Old Quarters to visit the market, the small alleys, the local goods and the very lively activities of daily life. You have the possibility of continuing the walk towards the Long Bien Bridge, the French vestige which remains, considered as the horizontal Eiffel Tower. 

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2: HANOI – MU CANG CHAI (270 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for Mu Cang Chai, the place considered the Paradise of rice terraces. Along the way, you have the opportunity to take beautiful photos of the tea fields, magnificent passes and mountains or local life activities. 

Lunch at a local restaurant. 

On the way, you can also take great photos on the famous Khau Pha pass, or take a walk to the H’mong village if the weather allows you. Dinner and overnight at Mucangchai Ecolodge.

DAY 3: MU CANG CHAI (B, L, D)

Considered the paradise of rice terraces, Mu Cang Chai has extraordinary beauty. The rice fields look like works of man sculpted in nature for hundreds of years. Here, there are the H’mong villages with rustic houses on the ground. 

In the morning, you will discover the beauty and authenticity of this region when hiking to the rice fields and villages for about 3 hours.

Lunch at the local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, you will have 2 options: a light walk in another valley to discover the village of the Thais who live in the houses on stilts or a fairly hard hike crossing the hills to conquer a top of the mountain that looks like the back of the dinosaur. 

Dinner and overnight at Mucangchai Ecolodge.

DAY 4: MU CANG CHAI – SAPA (B, L, D) (100 km)

After breakfast, depart for Sapa passing the O Quy Ho pass with a height of more than 2000 m – one of the four famous passes in Vietnam. From here, you can see the grandeur of nature and the highest mountain range of Indochina: Fansipan or take superb photos of the valleys, winding paths. Walk to discover the real life of the H’mong in Ta Giang Phin village, the least touristy place in Sapa. 

Lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon, drive to Sapa.

Sapa is the most well-known small mountainous town in the Northwest of Vietnam. This region has a superb landscape such as all the rice terraces, ethnic villages of the M’mong, Red Dzao, Dzay and Tay …, the famous Fansipan mountain range and a cool climate. Sapa was discovered by the French and therefore chosen as their resort from the beginning of the twentieth century. You can enjoy taking beautiful photos of the villages, ethnic groups and terraced rice fields before arrival. 

Dinner and overnight at homestay or at an ecolodge in Sapa.

DAY 5: SAPA – HANOI (350 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you enjoy another walk of about 2 hours from Ma Tra to Ta Phin before returning to Hanoi, it is one of the even less touristy places in Sapa with another view of the rice fields, villages and activities of Red Dzao people.

Lunch then departure to Hanoi by the highway. 

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 6: HANOI – NINH BINH (120 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for Ninh Binh – Ha Long on land. Ninh Binh is located more than 100 km from Hanoi to the south, in the Red River delta. This region has a superb varied landscape in every corner and every season. Because the best defense against the Chinese in the 10th century was thanks to all the enclosures of mountains and swamps, Hoa Lu Capital was built in this region. Thanks to its extraordinary beauty, Ninh Binh was classified as a World Cultural Heritage in 2014. And in 2016, this region was also chosen in the filming of the movie Kingkong 2. 

Visit two beautiful Temples of Kings Dinh and Le which are located at the strategic location. 

Then go to the local restaurant for the local lunch.

In the afternoon, rest on the boat and enjoy taking beautiful pictures of the rice fields and mountains. If possible, take a short bike ride through villages and rice paddies if weather or climate permits. 

Dinner and overnight at an ecolodge in Ninh Binh.

DAY 7: NINH BINH – CAT BA (B, L, D)

Early morning departure for Cat Ba.

Cat Ba is a southern part of Halong Bay, in Lan Ha Bay. It is one of the places most appreciated by Western tourists, especially the French. In Cat Ba, you will be resting on a boat going on the sea, passing small islands with mountains leaning against jade green water, with small clean beaches and fisherman’s rafts.

DAY 8: CAT BA – HANOI (B, L).

After taking some beautiful photos and relaxing in the Eighth Wonder of the World, our guide will take you to the airport.