Excursions in Muscat

Vietnam Tour

Exploring Northern Vietnam

Trip Duration

8 days

Recommended season:

November - March

Vietnam - Trip Summary

A customized 8-day Vietnam tour, begins in Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, where we’ll explore the city and enjoy a scenic boat ride in Tam Coc. The journey continues to Sapa, a picturesque French-established town surrounded by stunning rice terraces, mountains, and valleys. We’ll visit local villages, interact with ethnic minorities, and experience the lively Bac Ha Market. A highlight is the cable car ride to Mount Fansipan, the world’s highest and longest system of its kind. After returning to Hanoi, we end the tour with an excursion to Halong Bay, famously known as “the dragon’s landing place in the sea.” Here, we’ll board an elegant boat for an overnight cruise, exploring the beautiful bays. This Vietnam tour reveals a unique mix of natural beauty, cultural richness, and preserved traditions. A private, English-speaking guide ensures an immersive, memorable journey at your pace and style.

Tropical vacation • Nature • Sailing

Day 1

Day 1: Arrival - Hanoi

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will meet our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

 

Hanoi is a beautiful city rich in French colonial architecture, serving as the political center of Vietnam. The city is adorned with ancient gardens, temples, serene lakes, vibrant markets, and wide boulevards, creating a unique blend of history and culture.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2

Day 2: Hanoi - Tam Coc Caves - Hanoi

After breakfast, we will drive approximately one and a half hours south of Hanoi to Hoa Lu. Here, we will explore the ancient capital city before continuing to the Tam Coc caves, located in an area known as the “Dry Halong Bay.”

 

This stunning landscape features towering limestone cliffs and a network of caves that we will explore by wooden boat. We will also visit the 15th-century Bich Dong Pagoda, part of a complex of pagodas nestled into the karst cliffs.

 

After our adventures, we will return to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3

Day 3: Hanoi - A Journey Through History and Culture - Sapa

After breakfast, we will embark on a day of exploration in Hanoi. We will start by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where we can learn about the life of the revolutionary leader. Next, we will see his preserved residence and the small lake where he enjoyed walking and feeding the goldfish.

 

A short walk will take us to the One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a lotus flower rising from the water. Following this, we will visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university established in the 11th century.

 

Our next stop will be the Ethnology Museum, which houses artifacts and exhibits dedicated to the diverse ethnic minorities of Vietnam, showcasing their customs and traditions preserved over centuries.
After enjoying a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter, we’ll take a recommended break for ice cream at a nearby parlor by the lake. We continue to the Ngoc Son Temple, situated on a small island in Hoan Kiem Lake.

 

In the afternoon, we will embark on a 5-hour drive to Sapa. This charming town, established by the French during their colonial rule, lies on the border between China and Vietnam. It’s characterized by its rich tapestry of ethnic groups and ancient cultures, known as the “Montagnards,” who have retained their traditional ways of life. The coming days will be dedicated to visiting local villages, hiking in breathtaking landscapes, and exploring vibrant markets that attract villagers from the area.

 

Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4

Day 4: Exploring the Enchanting Villages of Sapa

After breakfast, we will embark on a day of exploration in the Sapa Valley and its surrounding villages. Our journey begins with a visit to Ma Tra village, home to the Black Hmong ethnic minority. We’ll enjoy a scenic walk through terraced rice fields, visit the local school, and take in the beautiful agricultural landscapes typical of the region.
Next, we’ll head to Ta Phin village, nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by mountains and forests. This village is inhabited by two ethnic groups, the Black Hmong and the Red Dao, who, despite their geographical proximity, have distinct cultural practices and lifestyles.

 

Continuing on, we will make our way to the center of Sapa Valley, where we’ll embark on a short hike up the mountain. At the summit, we will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley below.
Our hike will lead us to a Red Dao village, where we can observe and appreciate the handiwork of local women creating traditional garments, handicrafts, and bags.

 

After a day of immersion in the vibrant culture and stunning scenery, we will return to Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.

 

Day 5

Day 5: Sapa - Bac Ha Market

After breakfast, we will embark on a two-and-a-half-hour journey to the vibrant Bac Ha market. This market attracts residents from various ethnic tribes in the area for trade, connection with the modern world, and essential goods.

 

You’ll notice the colorful attire of the different tribespeople and be able to identify their status by the amount of jewelry they wear. Bac Ha is one of the last markets in the world that offers a rich encounter with such a diverse array of ancient cultures that preserve Vietnam’s historical heritage. The market features a vast selection of consumer goods, food, handicrafts, ceramics, and souvenirs.

 

We will also visit the upper part of the market, which provides a beautiful viewpoint over the market area, where buffalo trade takes place.

 

Afterward, we will enjoy a boat ride down the Chai River on small boats and visit a village of the Thai ethnic minority. Following this, we will return to Sapa and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Sapa.

Day 6

Day 6: Sapa - Cable Car to Fansipan Mountain - Hanoi

After breakfast, a short drive will take us to the cable car station for Fansipan Mountain. This cable car system is the highest, longest (non-stop), and most modern of its kind in the world, having opened in 2016 by a European investor from the Sungroup. Each cabin can accommodate about 30-35 people, and the ride takes approximately 20 minutes from the base of the mountain to its peak at 3,143 meters, offering a scenic journey through a sea of clouds. The summit is referred to as the “roof of Indochina,” providing breathtaking views. In the past, it took two days to trek to the top.
Important: Please bring warm clothing.

 

After our visit, we will embark on a 5-hour journey back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7

Day 7: Hanoi - Halong Bay

After breakfast, we will embark on a scenic three-hour drive to Halong Bay, passing through the picturesque landscapes of the Red River Delta. The name “Halong” translates to “where the dragon descends into the sea,” derived from a Vietnamese legend about a dragon that shaped the bay and its islands with its sweeping tail.

 

At 11:45 AM, we will board a beautiful boat for a magical cruise, with lunch served on board. After enjoying the meal, we will transfer to a smaller boat to explore one of the islands and hike to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the bay.

 

In the afternoon, we will visit a floating fishing village, either by traditional wooden boat or by kayak, to explore the “Dark Cave” and the “Bright Cave.” After our adventures, we’ll return to our cruise ship and continue our sailing journey.

 

Dinner will be served on the boat, where seafood dishes will be featured, though alternative options can be requested.
Please note that the order of visits and sites may change without prior notice due to weather conditions and navigation permits.
Overnight on the boat.

Day 8

Day 8: Halong - Hanoi - Departure

Early risers can join a Tai Chi class on the upper deck of the boat or enjoy kayaking (for an additional fee). Afterward, we will take a boat to visit an impressive karst cave with numerous chambers. Following this, we will return to the boat and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

 

Afterward, we will start making our way back to the bay, arriving at the port by 11:30. We will then drive back to Hanoi, stopping along the way to visit the villages of Con Son and Lua. We will continue our journey to Hanoi.

 

Depending on your flight schedule, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

 

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