7-day Hanoi Sapa Ninh Binh Halong Bay

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

1. Hanoi
   1h
   On arrival, our guide greeting and pick up at the airport then transfer to Hanoi, check-in hotel, and free at the rest of the day.

Day 2: Hanoi – Sapa - Cat Cat village (Shuttle bus)

1. Sapa
   5h
   Sapa is a small, mountain town in Lao Cai Province. It is located about 350 km northwest of Hanoi, close to the Chinese border. Here's where you'll find the Hoang Lien Son range of mountains, which includes Fan Si Pan—the country's highest peak.
   This quiet Vietnamese town is home to different ethnic tribal groups. There are five main ethnic groups in Sapa: the Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho. It is said that Sapa was first occupied by the first four groups, since the Vietnamese from the lowlands (better known as the Kinh) did not colonize the highest valleys.
   These days, Sapa welcomes a diverse range of visitors, attracted by the highland tribes, iconic rice paddies and forest treks. The whole area is blessed with awe-inspiring natural beauty.
2. Cat Cat village
   2h · Admission ticket included
   A short drive to the gate of Cat Cat village which is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trek down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station; stop for photo with bridge and waterfall then you will walk uphill for bus to pick up to get back to Sapa in the afternoon.
   Trekking distance is about 2.5 kms and it lasts for 2 hours

Day 3: Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Hanoi (Shuttle bus)

1. Lao Chai
   4h
   A short drive to Y Linh Ho then treks through the rice terraces and along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain after that heading to Ta Van village - home of Dzay ethnic people.
   Trekking distance is about 9 km and it lasts for 3.5 hours
   11.30: Bus picks you up at Ta Van Bridge to Sapa.

Day 4: Hanoi - Full day city tour (SIC Tour)

1. Chua Tran Quoc
   30m
   Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Hanoi, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De Dynasty (544 - 548). The Buddhist shrine has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc to Tran Quoc (protecting the country) by Emperor Le Huy Tong in the 17th century
2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is the place where Uncle Ho’s corpse is placed for people all over the country and international visitors to visit their beloved old father. Right from the first steps to Ba Dinh Square, from afar, visitors can see Uncle Ho’s tomb standing up with the words “Ho Chi Minh President” with extremely prominent and impressive plum pink stone.
3. One Pillar Pagoda
   30m · Admission ticket included
   One Pillar Pagoda (Mot Cot pagoda or Chua Mot Cot) – a distinctive and unique architectural structure and historical site. It is considered a symbol of Hanoi city with a thousand years of civilization due to bearing the architectural splendor hallmark of the famous historical dynasty in Vietnam.
4. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam in an effort to preserve cultural heritage and promote socio-cultural diversity within the country.
5. Temple of Literature & National University
   45m · Admission ticket included
   The Temple of Literature is often cited as one of Hanoi’s most picturesque tourist attractions. Originally built as a university in 1070 dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages, the building is extremely well preserved and is a superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.
6. Dền Ngọc Son
   45m · Admission ticket included
   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.

Day 5: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hanoi (SIC Tour)

1. Hoa Lu Temples of the Dinh & le Dynasties
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, the country named Dai Co Viet, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, the other is to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
2. Tam Cốc-Bich Dộng
   2h · Admission ticket included
   We will take the rowing boat at Tam Coc Harbour. Arranged by local people here, the boat is rowed by both hands and legs. The boat will take you to 3 specular caves with hundreds of limestones on the way. If you travel during harvest season, you will see many terrace rice fields in golden colors.
   The boat rowing will be in around 2 hours. Not only you could see the peaceful scenery of mountains, rice paddy fields, temples, you also have chances to learn about local people cultures in their daily life.
   Optional activities: Enjoy a bicycle ride through the countryside after the boat trip.

Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi (SIC Tour)

1. Hạ Long Bay
   4h
   7:45 – 8:30 am: The tour guide will pick you and transfer to Halong Bay (around 3-3.5 hours of driving)
   12:00 – 12:30 pm: You will be welcomed the boat where lunch will be prepared and served to you on board by the crew. While having lunch, the captain will drive the cruise around the most beautiful islets among thousands of limestone islands such as Dog islet, Incense Burner Islet, Fighting Cock Islet etc.
   One stop of the 4-hour cruise is Dong Thien Cung (Heavenly Palace Cave), located on a remote island in the bay.
   4:00 pm: Return to the harbor around and we will stop for one break in the middle of the way so you have a chance to go to the restroom or have a drink.

Day 7: Hanoi departure

1. Hanoi
   1h
   Free of the day until transfer to the airport for the flight departure

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels