5-day Northern Vietnam: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Sapa - Halong Bay cruise

Day 1: HANOI - HOA LU - NINH BINH - HANOI (L) SIC Tour

A 90km drive south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”. Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued in the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon back to Hanoi. 

Day 2: HANOI - SAPA BY BUS - CAT CAT VILLAGE (L/D)

Take a luxury bus from Hanoi to Sapa town. Have lunch and check-in hotel. Walking to 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.

Day 3: SAPA - LAO CHAI - TA VAN - HANOI BY BUS (B/L)

A short drive to Y Linh Ho then trek 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. Bus picks you up at Ta Van Bridge to Sapa. Have lunch in hotel. Relax and leisure on your own. 15:30 Back to Hanoi by bus.

Day 4: HANOI - HALONG BAY - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (L/D)

At 8AM, head to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO. We’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon 

Day 5: HALONG - HANOI (B/L)

After breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. Return to Hanoi around 4PM. Free at your own leisure