Grand Northwest Vietnam

Ha Noi - Arrival

Arrive in Ha Noi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Early evening, begin your journey with the Hanoi After Dark Vespa tour, accompanied by a private driver. This experience offers an exciting and stylish way to discover the city after sunset. Riding on a vintage Vespa, you witness Hanoi’s streets come alive with a bustling, vibrant, and colorful nighttime atmosphere. The route showcases the striking contrasts between the historic Old Quarter, the elegant French Quarter, and the dynamic modern districts. Along the way, you savor the essence of Hanoi’s cuisine through carefully selected local dishes. Each stop reveals authentic flavors and stories that reflect the city’s rich culinary heritage. The evening concludes at a trendy bar, where you can relax with premium drinks and enjoy live music in a comfortable setting.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Hanoi full day city tour

Take a full day tour to explore Ha Noi’s illustrious history. In the morning, visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (CLOSED ON MONDAYS & FRIDAYS) before moving onto his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. You will then explore the first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, which is imbued with the profound philosophies of Confucianism. In the afternoon, visit the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son Temple and an ancient Vietnamese "long house". A one-hour cyclo tour of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter allows you to catch a glimpse of ancient Ha Noi and learn about traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Overnight in Ha Noi.

Ha Noi – Nghia Lo

Depart from Ha Noi in the morning and travel northwest toward Nghia Lo, passing through changing landscapes of lowland countryside and rolling hills. Along the way, make several scenic stops to stretch your legs and capture photographs of rural life, rice fields, and mountain backdrops. Upon arrival in Nghia Lo, check in to your accommodation and enjoy some time to relax. Later in the afternoon, take a guided excursion to Nghia Lo Market, where local ethnic communities gather to trade fresh produce and daily goods. Continue exploring the surrounding villages to gain insight into traditional lifestyles and customs. Lunch and dinner will be served at carefully selected local restaurants, offering authentic regional cuisine.
Overnight in Nghia Lo.

Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai – Sa Pa

After breakfast, depart Nghia Lo for Tu Le, a charming village inhabited by the Thai ethnic minority and surrounded by rice paddies and mountain scenery. From here, continue to the spectacular Cao Pha Pass, one of the most scenic mountains passes in northern Vietnam, where sweeping views of valleys and terraced fields unfold below.

Travel uphill by vehicle to La Pan Tan Commune, widely regarded as home to the most impressive terraced rice fields in the region. Take time to walk around, admire the intricate agricultural landscape, and photograph this iconic scenery. Continue the journey toward Sa Pa via Than Uyen, with photo stops en route at ethnic minority villages, allowing glimpses of daily life along the mountainous roads. Drive across the dramatic Hoang Lien Son Pass, stopping at Tram Ton—Vietnam’s highest mountain pass—for panoramic views and photographs before descending toward Sa Pa. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight in Sa Pa.

Sa Pa Excursion

Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure, giving you time to explore Sa Pa town independently or simply enjoy the mountain atmosphere. In the afternoon, drive to Y Linh Ho, the starting point of a scenic trek descending into the famous Muong Hoa Valley, renowned for its lush terraced rice fields, particularly beautiful during the harvest season from September to October.

Depending on your fitness level and available time, choose from trekking options ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours along trails of the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. Along the way, pass through ethnic minority villages, cross small streams, and enjoy numerous photo stops overlooking the valley. Reach the Lao Chai Junction for a panoramic viewpoint before continuing on foot to Ta Van village. At the end of the trek, transfer back to Sa Pa by car. Difficulty level: 3/5.
Overnight in Sa Pa.

Sa Pa – Ethnic Market – Lao Cai – Ha Noi

After breakfast, depart Sa Pa for a visit to a lively local ethnic market, an important weekly meeting point where different minority groups gather to trade goods, socialize, and wear their traditional attire. The specific market visited depends on the day of the week: Coc Ly (Tuesday), Cao Son or Sin Cheng (Wednesday), Can Cau (Saturday), or Bac Ha, Muong Khuong, or Muong Hum (Sunday).

After the market experience, continue the drive toward Ha Noi via Lao Cai, enjoying the changing landscapes along the way. Arrive in Ha Noi in the late afternoon or early evening and transfer to your hotel, marking the end of a memorable journey through Vietnam’s northern highlands.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

In the morning, enjoy a private transfer from your hotel in central Hanoi to Ha Long Bay via the modern expressway. The journey offers a pleasant glimpse of Northern Vietnam’s countryside, with expansive rice paddy fields and rural landscapes along the way. Upon arrival at the Ha Long cruise terminal, complete embarkation procedures and step aboard your luxury cruise vessel. A refreshing welcome drink is served as the cruise gently sails into the heart of Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Savor a refined lunch at the elegant onboard restaurant while admiring the spectacular limestone karsts rising from emerald waters.

During the afternoon, participate in carefully curated activities such as visiting a magnificent limestone cave, kayaking among dramatic islets, or simply relaxing on the sundeck as the sun sets over the bay. As evening falls, indulge in a gourmet dinner in an intimate and sophisticated setting, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Ha Long Bay.

Overnight onboard.

Morning Cruise – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

Begin the day with the gentle light of sunrise over the bay. Enjoy breakfast onboard as the cruise continues its scenic route through towering limestone formations and calm waters. Take in the final highlights of Ha Long Bay before disembarkation. After leaving the cruise, return to Hanoi by expressway, arriving in the early afternoon. The journey concludes with unforgettable memories of an elegant escape into nature.

Overnight in Hanoi/Or next departure.