Highlights of North Vietnam

Hanoi - Sapa. On arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to the railway station. Board the overnight Chapa Express Train (shared cabin or similar) to begin your journey to Sapa. Settle in and enjoy the evening on board as we travel north.

As dawn breaks, we arrive at Lao Cai station and transfer to our hotel in Sapa town, passing through striking mountain landscapes en route. Nestled in Vietnam’s far northwest near the Chinese border, Sapa is known for its dramatic valleys and traditional hill tribe villages.

After breakfast with your fellow travellers, we head to the Fansipan Cable Car. This scenic ride takes us nearly 3,000 metres to the summit of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. At the top, you'll have time to explore the temples and take in sweeping views of the Hoang Lien Son range and the Muong Hoa Valley below. We're spending the night in Sapa.

This morning, we'll be met at the hotel by our local guide and driver for a short drive north along National Road 4C towards O Quy Ho. We'll make several scenic stops to admire views of Fansipan, Sin Chai Valley, and the area's vibrant flower and vegetable farms.

We then turn off onto a narrower road, passing through a remote region of dense rainforest and steep mountains, with waterfalls scattered along the way. Our destination is Ban Khoang, a Red Zao village where traditional customs are well preserved. The community thrives through a combination of terraced rice farming and cardamom cultivation beneath the forest canopy. We spend over an hour on foot exploring the village and gaining insight into local life.

From here, we continue by vehicle around 10km to the Ta Giang Phinh Valley, home to the Black Hmong. After an hour’s lunch break by a quiet stream, we take a walk along the village paths connecting these peaceful hamlets. You’ll observe daily life unfolding - fieldwork, household tasks, and during quieter months, men repairing homes while women craft traditional garments. We return to Sapa by mid-afternoon.

Sapa - Hanoi. After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Sapa at your own pace. Later, we begin our scenic return drive through the mountains, making our way back to Hanoi. As we descend from Sapa’s highlands, take in the shifting landscapes en route to the bustling capital. On arrival in Hanoi, we transfer to the hotel. You’ll have some free time before gathering for a tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers - additional travellers may be joining us for the next leg of the tour.

This morning, we depart at 8:00 for a full-day exploration of Hanoi. We start with an orientation drive past some of the city’s notable landmarks, including the Long Bien Bridge, St Joseph’s Cathedral and the historic Opera House.

Next, we set off on a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter - a maze of 36 ancient streets where life spills out onto the pavements. We then head to the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, dedicated to the founding father of modern Vietnam. Here, we visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace (viewed from the outside), his modest ‘house on stilts’ and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda. A short drive takes us to the Citadel and Flag Tower, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university, now a peaceful temple honouring Confucius. The tour also includes visits to Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples, followed by a sobering stop at the Hoa Lo Prison, known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”. We get back to the hotel in the late afternoon, and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh. This morning at 8:00, we leave Hanoi and commence the 90km drive south to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital in the 10th century. Here, we visit the sanctuary of Dinh Tien Hoang, former emperor of the Dinh Dynasty, along with the nearby temple dedicated to the Le Emperor. After the fall of the Le Dynasty, the capital was moved to Hanoi.

Following free time for lunch, we explore the Trang An Landscape Complex - a striking region of limestone karst formations interwoven with lush valleys and waterways. The area, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, features caves and archaeological sites that reflect over 30,000 years of continuous human history. We take a boat trip through this stunning terrain before transferring to our hotel in Ninh Binh for check-in.

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay. This morning, we depart Ninh Binh and travel towards Halong City, passing through a landscape of towering limestone karsts and expansive rice fields. On arrival, we board a beautifully appointed traditional junk boat to begin our cruise through the emerald waters of Halong Bay - a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its 3,000 limestone islands and islets.

Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on board as we sail deeper into the bay, stopping along the way to explore some of its more secluded corners. In the evening, you can unwind in your private cabin, relax on the deck, or enjoy a drink at the bar as the boat anchors for the night.

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Rise early to join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck before a buffet brunch is served on board. We then make our way back to the harbour.

After disembarkation, we return to Hanoi by road for your included onward flight to Hue - the former imperial capital, set along the banks of the Perfume River. On arrival in Hue, you'll be collected and transferred to the hotel.

Hue - Hoi An. This morning, enjoy a half-day tour of Hue. We begin at the peaceful tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the fourth ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. We then make a brief stop at Bunker Hill, offering sweeping views over the Perfume River and the surrounding plains, followed by a visit to the nearby Tiger Colosseum.

Next, we explore the Citadel - the former imperial residence of the Nguyen emperors. Despite significant damage during the 1968 Tet Offensive, this UNESCO World Heritage site is gradually being restored. Our tour ends with a short boat trip to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most revered temple.

After free time for lunch, we depart Hue and travel south to Hoi An, driving over the scenic Hai Van Pass - a natural boundary between Vietnam’s north and south, often cloaked in mist. it's often regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. On arrival in Hoi An, we transfer to the hotel for check-in.

This morning, we set off on a guided walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site and once Vietnam’s most vibrant trading port. The town's architecture reflects a rich blend of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British influences.

As we stroll through the charming streets of the Old Town, we visit a traditional ancient house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall, Chau Ong Pagoda and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. The tour concludes in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, where you’ll have time to continue exploring at your own pace.

Hoi An - Danang. Enjoy a final breakfast before hotel check out. You will be transferred to the nearest international airport in Danang for your onward flight.