The highlights of the Northern and middle parts of Vietnam

  • icon-date10 DAYS
  • icon-date17 Meals

The journey will take you to all the highlights of the northern part of Vietnam, starting in Hanoi with 36 alive street, to the northern mountain and rich culture from ethnic minorities, and then to the spectacular Ha Long Bay with a wonderful time cruising through thousands of limestones then finish in the romantic Hoi An with ancient buildings, cooking class and many more!

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    Explore your The highlights of the Northern and middle parts of Vietnam itinerary:

    The Classic of 10 day Vietnam tour package: Hanoi -> Sapa -> Ha long bay -> Danang-> Hoian

    Day 1: Hello Hanoi – Hanoi sightseeing (D)

    Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, we take a cyclo ride for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Enjoy our warming Welcome dinner with us at a local restaurant.

    Day 2: Hanoi half-day sightseeing and half-day village tour (B, L)

    After breakfast, we start to pass the various Government offices and the preservation of colonial French residences. We have a view from outside of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday & Friday mornings so visit outside only) and Ba Dinh square where Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of the Vietnam Democratic Republic in 1945, One Pillar Pagoda – one of the oldest architectures dated back from 11th century and Ho Chi Minh Museum. After that, visit the Temple of Literature – the central culture of Hanoi that worships Literature – the only subject for the student to study in the feudal system just a hundred years ago and Confucius. 

    Departure from Hanoi, come to Duong Lam Ancient Village, after lunch with a local family, we start to figure out more about Vietnamese culture and history through heritage sites, 400-year-old laterite ancient houses, communal houses, wells, lotus pond and cycling around the village to enjoy fresh air and admire the picturesque paddy fields, talk to hospitable local people.

    Back to the city, enjoy water puppet show in the late evening. Back to your hotel and enjoy your free time. Related tour: Hanoi Tours (Daily Tour)

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    Day 3: Hanoi –  Sapa – O Quy Ho Pass (B, L)

    After breakfast, we depart to Sapa for 5 hours on the highway. When we arrive, we take you to Tram Ton Pass at a height of 2047 meters above sea level (the highest pass in Vietnam) where great views are offered of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there you will trek 30 minutes through the forest. Along the way, you have many chances to see wildflowers. Trekking along the stream you will arrive the Love Waterfall. Then we will do a short transfer to O Quy Ho Pass, and enjoy the stunning sunset here. Back to Sapa, check in the hotel and relax.

    OPTIONAL: Rong May Glass Bridge – $17

    Day 4: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van- Fansipan (B, L)

    After breakfast, we depart for the 4-hour trekking journey. Our driver will stop en route for Kodak moments on the way go downhill to Muong Hoa valley. You begin the trekking on a fairly rocky road (you will need a good walking shoe for today), through Lao Chai village, a Black Hmong ethnic village then continues to Ta Van village of Giay ethnic minority people. Terrace fields are great for photographing, and cold soft drinks, beer, and water can be found along the way of your trek uphill to a road where your car is awaiting to transfer you back to Sapa for relaxation. After that, we will take a car from Sa Pa to visit Fansipan, the highest peak of the Indochina mountains. Fansipan Peak is called the “Roof of Indochina” not because of its height but also for the wilderness. There are two ways to conquer the peak: trekking or by the modern three-rope cable system. Normally, it takes 2-4 days to get to the peak by trekking, you must be strong and brave to choose this way. 

    Our driver will pick you up and head to the cable station. It takes only 15-20 minutes to get to the peak. Be careful of the thin air as you are moving upward to reach Fansipan “3,141m” peak. From the peak, you have a magnificent view of Sapa, Muong Hoa valley, and Hoang Lien National Park. Don’t forget to take pictures with the monument at the top. You can also pay a visit to the pagoda complex below, the beauty of the Buddhist culture. 

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    Get on the cable cabin down to the station and return to Sapa. Back to Sa Pa and overnight in Sapa.

    Day 5: Sapa – Cat Cat – Ta Phin – Hanoi (B, L)

    After breakfast, we will visit Cat Cat cultural village, just 3kms from Sa Pa town. A leisurely walk through the old village offers an overview of the traditional customs and practices of the ethnic Black H’mong minority. Stop by a stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station, constructed by the French during the colonial era in Viet Nam. Follow a dirt trail snaking through the mountain and enjoy spectacular scenery while trekking along a narrow river. Take a rest by the Muong Hoa Stream before climbing toward the road where your driver is waiting to transport you to continue to visit Ta Phin village. You will be stunned by the beauty of the terrace field, the enormous valley, and many local plantations with strange vegetation and fruits. Once again, you have a chance to explore the lifestyle of the Dao Do minority and pay a visit to some handicraft shops. Enjoy your lunch before we head to Hanoi.

    Day 6: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)

    After breakfast, you’ll take a 2.5-hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the great nature of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival, the boat crew will welcome you and transfer you to the junk for check-in and enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. At the same time, you can behold thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald water.  After lunch, you’ll join some activities on the boat to discover the beauty of the bay such as visiting a cave, kayaking, or enjoy swimming in the sea before getting back to the junk for relaxing and dining. In the evening, you can join night fishing with locals. Overnight on board.

    Day 7: Ha Long Bay – Da Nang – Hoi An (B, Bruch)

    In the morning, your breakfast will be served while floating on the sea to explore the beauty of Halong Bay before disembarking time. Join some more activities on the boat and then check out the cabin. An early lunch will be served before getting back to the main dock and transferring to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Da Nang then transfer to Hoi An. After arriving in Hoi An, check in to your hotel and enjoy a free evening at your own time.

    Day 8: Hoi An city tour – cooking class (B, L)

    After your complimentary breakfast, take a walk around Hoi An town to see remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Visit a Japanese Covered Bridge which was first constructed in the 1590s by linking it with the Chinese quarters. Following Tran Phu street, we will get to The Assembly Halls. There are 4 Assembly Halls in Hoi An, and each of those Halls belongs to a Chinese community that has its own beliefs. Different assembly halls worship different gods and goddesses. Then going to the boat station, take a boat and begin our tour of traditional villages. The first destination is Kim Bong carpentry village established in the 15th century. From the 16th century, Kim Bong was famous for home appliances, shipbuilding… products. The village had a significant contribution to the development of the Hoi An trading port. Nowadays, skillful craftsmen turn to making handicraft products. Although the product is more simple and plain, it still shows the skill and talent of the craftsman. The next stop is Thanh Ha Pottery village which was formed in the 16th century and is the oldest in Vietnam. Thanh Ha village used to produce bowls, jars, roof tile, and lining bricks… to distribute to Hoi An and other nearby areas. There was a time that the village was nearly forgotten, however with efforts from the heart of the craftsman, the village gradually recovered. You will have a chance to hear the story of the craftsman, watch the process of making a pottery product, and even more exciting is to try to make a product of your own. Get the special bamboo basket boat on Cua Dai river, explore the Seven hectares of water palm forest, learn how to catch purple crabs… Do the short transfer to An Bang Beach, and take your rest time here. In the afternoon, we go to An My Paddy Field and see the buffalo – the symbol of the countryside in Vietnam. Continue to the local house in Tra Que Village, and enjoy a welcome drink. Taking part in a cooking class, learning how to make traditional rice milk, and having dinner with local food at the local family. This will be a true experience of the trip. Meeting local farmers, talking with them and sharing about their local farming, and experiencing daily life. Listening to the tour guide introduced and explained the process of wet rice and how to grow it and have a chance to work as a real farmer.

    Day 9: Hoi An free exploration (B)

    After having your delicious breakfast at your hotel the day will be in your free time to explore the rest of the city. If you need hot tips for your day, please feel free to ask our tour guide.

    Or you can ask for a visit to the Ba Na Hill complex in Da Nang. We will hop on one of the cable cars which achieves two Guinness World Records for the longest non-stop single-track cable car (5,042m) and the highest difference in elevation between the top and bottom station (1,292m). The ride offers us a spectacular view of the endless tree line, lush jungle, and Fairy Waterfalls along the way. Once we get to the first stop, feel free to visit Le Jardin Garden, Debay wine cellar, French village, and Linh Ung Pagoda. We can’t miss the famous Golden Bridge which achieves many rewards for its impressive design. This bridge was built at a height of 1.400m above sea level and features a harmonious blend of groundbreaking architecture and spectacular nature. Get on the second cable car to the top of the mountain where we will have a leisure walk or challenge our limits with the Peak of Chua Mountain at a height of 1,487m. Visit the trail of Dreaming Stream, the rainbow Waterfall. 

    OPTIONAL: BA NA HILL COMPLEX IN DA NANG can be added to your itinerary upon

    request.

    Day 10: Goodbye Hoi An (B)

    Enjoy your last hearty breakfast at the hotel and your last hours in the beautiful area. Say farewell to your travel companions before your flight home with wonderful memories.

    RouteFlight AgentClass
    Ha Noi – Da NangVietnam Airline/ Bamboo AirwaysEconomy
    Da Nang – Ha NoiVietnam Airline/ Bamboo AirwaysEconomy

    INCLUSIVE:

    • All domestic flight tickets
    • Accommodation based on twin sharing occupancy
    • Meals as indicated in program, (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • Private A/C car or van with driver during on tour.
    • English or French speaking guide (any other requested language guide)
    • All entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated in the program
    • Junk cruise in Halong bay and other boat trips
    • Service charges, rooms tax and handling fees

    EXCLUSIVE:

    • International air tickets and airport departure taxes
    • Visa stamping fee
    • Travel insurance
    • Tips and gratuities
    • Personal expenses and other services
    • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program

    NOTES: Tour can be modified, hotels changed to suit your tastes and budget. Minor program changes are sometime necessary, depending on road conditions and weather

    Reviewed by

    Diep Van

    Phone: +84901166884

    Email: diep.van@ftripvietnam.com

    Diep Van

    Founder & Photography Guide

    Specialties: Culture, landscape, portrait, hiking, active and adventurous tour

    Besides my unlimited passion for traveling, a professional tour guide for over a decade, I have been taking photographs since sitting at Hanoi of the University of Culture in the early 2000s. Photography started as a hobby but it was seriously taken due to my work relations and my significant passion for the beauty of our world, especially in Southeast Asian parts such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

    Within a few years of taking photographs, my works began to be recognized by many reliable international publications such as AFAR Travel, The Times, and The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In addition, I continuously add to my growing profile by winning numerous major awards: 3rd Position of The Independent Photographer 2018, 1st Position of Amateur Photographer of the year 2018, Grand Prize Winner of the AFAR Travel Photography 2019, and a Gold Award of San Francisco Bay International Photography 2020.

    I photograph a wide variety of subjects, from travel to landscapes to street scenes. I enjoy documenting the East’s rich cultural heritage and its land soaked in glorious sunrise or sunset light in remote and secluded spots. And, I am very happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. You can visit Luminousvietnamtour to explore tour!


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