Wonderful Northern Vietnam
TOUR OVERVIEW
- 12 days
- Max people: 25
- Wifi available
- Jan 01 - Dec 31
- Min age:
- Pickup: Airpot
Wonderful Northern Vietnam: 12-Day Discovery | Jem Travel
Prepare to immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of northern Vietnam on this 12-day trip, which will take you through breathtaking landscapes and authentic local life experiences.
You will begin your journey in Hanoi, the bustling capital, and then explore Ninh Binh, nicknamed the “Halong Bay on the mainland.” From here you will move on to Mai Chau, an enchanting destination nestled in the rolling hills, where you will experience homestay with the local community.
The tour will continue to Nghia Lo, gateway to the mountainous regions of Tu Le and Mu Cang Chai. Here you will admire the striking landscapes of golden-colored terraced paddy fields surrounded by the picturesque traditional villages.
You will then reach Sapa, the beating heart of ethnic minorities, where you will have the opportunity to embark on an exciting trek to discover rural life.
The trip will conclude with the majestic Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Hanoi.
This tour will give you a truly unique experience, immersed in the fascinating culture of North Vietnam, including breathtaking landscapes and authentic interactions with local communities.
ITINERARY
Day 1Hanoi Arrival
Meet and greet by the driver (without a guide) at the airport exit (recognizable by the sign with your name) after you have collected your luggage and completed immigration procedures. You will be transferred and checked in at the hotel.
The rooms will be available starting from 2:00 PM. Early check-in is not included, but can be requested for an additional fee.
The rest of the day will be at your leisure (guide, transportation, and visits are not included).
Day 2Hanoi City Tour
Breakfast is included at the hotel.
Meet our guide at the hotel reception at 8:30 AM. The guide will accompany you to visit the Ethnography Museum, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the cultural richness of the numerous ethnic groups present in the Vietnamese territory. After the museum visit, you will head to the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), considered the first national university of Vietnam. It was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century and served as a place of worship for Confucius and a school for the education of royal children.
You will have a free lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior only, as it is closed on Mondays and Fridays) and take a pleasant stroll through the botanical gardens. You will also visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived and worked. Then, we will reach Ba Dinh Square, the place where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam from the French in 1945. Afterward, you will visit the One Pillar Pagoda, considered one of the most important symbols of the city.
Finally, you will visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, which dates back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De. Lastly, you will take a cyclo (xich lo) ride for about 40 minutes around Hoan Kiem Lake, known as the Lake of the Returned Sword, which brings to life the legend of a giant turtle and a magical sword used to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. You will also explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi with its famous lively and vibrant streets.
The day will conclude with an egg coffe at The Hanoi Coffee.
Dinner will be on your own, and you will spend the night in a hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3Hanoi - Ninh Binh
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30. Transfer to Ninh Binh, a place rich in historical, cultural, religious, and natural wonders. During the journey, you will cross the Red River Delta, where you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop to admire the beauty of the area.
Upon arrival in Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 9th to the 10th century, you will visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le dynasty (980-1009), who played a fundamental role in obtaining the country’s independence after a thousand years of Chinese rule.
Lunch will be at your leisure at a local restaurant.
The next stop will be Tam Coc, also known as “”Halong on land,”” which appeared in the famous French film “Indochina.” Upon arrival at the pier, you will board a private rowing boat for a ninety-minute cruise along the Ngo Dong River. You will pass through three caves and admire a beautiful landscape dotted with small villages, rice fields, cemeteries, and temples.
The tour will then continue to Bich Dong (closed around 4:30-5:00 PM), a typical pagoda located in the Red River Delta countryside, built in the 15th century. Upon arrival, you will cross a stone bridge to reach Chua Ha and from there, more than 100 steps will lead you to Chua Trung – the cave pagoda housing unique clay statues. Subsequently, you will walk up to Chua Thuong. In this place, you will not only have the opportunity to learn about Buddhism but also enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. The tour will end around 6:00-6:30 PM.
Dinner will be at your leisure, and you will spend the night at a hotel in Ninh Binh.
Day 4Ninh Binh - Mai Chau
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, if you wake up early, you can visit Hang Mua, also known as the Vietnamese “Great Wall,” one of the best trekking routes in Ninh Binh. You will walk up nearly 500 stone steps to reach the top of Ngoa Long, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of Tam Coc’s beautiful golden rice paddies, limestone formations and picturesque villages.
Next, you will depart for Hoa Binh by crossing a road surrounded by landscapes of terraced rice paddies, mountains covered with lush vegetation, and picturesque rural villages. You will continue to Thung Khe Pass, where you will enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the valley before arriving in Mai Chau town.
Lunch of your choice in the small local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will move on to Mai Hich, a charming village less frequented by tourists in the Mai Chau valley. A walk or bicycle ride around the village will allow you to fully appreciate this wonderful rural landscape, where green rice terraces dominate undisturbed. You will stay overnight in a hotel in Mai Chau.
Day 5Mai Chau - Nghia Lo
You will start the day with a simple breakfast with your host family.
Begin your journey from the picturesque Mai Chau Valley, famous for its traditional villages and terraced rice fields. After exploring this area, continue to Nghia Lo, a mountain town in the heart of the Yen Bai Hills. Here you will take in the breathtaking views and meet local ethnic minorities. You will make numerous photo stops along the way and visit villages of the H’mong and Thai Black ethnic minorities. Lunch of your choice in the small local restaurant.
You will arrive in Nghia Lo in the late afternoon. You will stay overnight in a hotel in Nghia Lo.
Day 6Nghia Lo - Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai
Breakfast at the hotel/homestay. From Nghia Lo, head to Tu Le, a charming village surrounded by rice terraces. Continue the journey until you reach Mu Cang Chai, one of the most spectacular destinations in northern Vietnam. Admire the terraced fields painted golden yellow during harvest season. You will stay overnight at a hotel/homestay in Mu Cang Chai.
Day 7Mu Cang Chai - Sapa
Breakfast at the hotel/homestay. During the morning, you will set out for Sapa, following a picturesque mountain road. You will make several stops along the way to take photos and admire rice terraces and tea plantations. Make a brief stop at Than Uyen, one of Thailand’s rice valleys. You will have lunch at a cozy local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will resume your journey to Tram Ton, where you will have a chance to watch the sunset. Located 1900 meters above sea level, Tram Ton is the highest point in Vietnam. On the Sapa side, the weather is often foggy and cold, while a few hundred meters below on the Lai Chau side, it is very sunny and warm. Streetcar Ton Pass marks the border between these two different weather fronts. You will arrive in Sapa, check in at the hotel, and rest up to face another adventure-filled day.
Day 8Sapa trekking
Breakfast at the hotel.
Afterwards, you will head to Sapa to visit Y Linh Ho village via a walking tour. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to interact with the friendly women and H’mong children who reside in houses nestled in the valley. If you are fond of sports and adventure, you can follow the Buffalo Trail (a dirt path) that offers breathtaking views and fewer tourists. For those who prefer an easier hike, you can take a leisurely walk along the Muong Hoa River.
Next, you will advance to Lao Chai Village by following a picturesque trail through rice fields until you reach the small hamlet. This will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life and cultural traditions of the local people. The tour will continue with an exploration of the charming Ta Van Village, home of the Dzay people, located on top of a hill with breathtaking views of the river, rice terraces and the towering Hoang Lien Son Mountains. While strolling through the narrow streets of the village, you will have a chance to meet the local villagers, who will warmly welcome you into their homes.
At lunch, you will enjoy local dishes at a typical restaurant in Ta Van. In the afternoon, you will walk for about 3 km along a hilly path surrounded by bamboo forest until you reach Giang Ta Chai Village, where you will have the opportunity to meet the Red Dzao ethnic minority. You will make a brief stop at a waterfall to take unforgettable photos and then stop at May Bridge (Cau May), the oldest suspension bridge in Sapa. Finally, you will visit Su Pan Village.
Dinner will be free and you will have the choice of several options. For overnight stay, you can opt for a homestay or a hotel in Sapa, depending on your preference.
Day 9Sapa - Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel/homestay.
At 08:30 am the day will begin with a leisurely hike through Suoi Ho, continuing on foot to the village of Ma Tra – Ta Phin. This valley, despite being close to the city, is incredibly quiet, with villagers continuing to live by their traditions. During our trek you will pass through several hamlets inhabited by the Hmong minority, scattered over the hills. You will continue gradually downhill for an hour to Ta Phin village, where the Red Dzao people live. Afterwards, you will return by car and transfer to Sa Pa in the afternoon. You will have free time until 3 p.m., when you will take the shared bus (without a guide) to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi at 9:30 pm and stay at the hotel. Dinner will be free and you will spend the night at the hotel.
Day 10Hanoi - Halong
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet the driver at 8:30 AM at the hotel reception for the shared bus transfer to Halong Bay (approximately 4 hours with an intermediate stop).
Halong Bay, called the “bay where the dragon descends into the sea” in Vietnamese, is a beautiful bay with thousands of limestone islands, karst caves, sea stacks, and islets, making it a picturesque and fascinating place. Magnificent, mysterious, and majestic, Halong Bay has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994 and is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Arrival at the port is expected between 12:00-12:30 PM. Afterward, you will follow the cruise company’s program.
NOTE:
- Lunch and dinner with a seafood tasting on board the junk boat (included – no drinks).
- Overnight stay on board in a private deluxe cabin (with air conditioning and shower).
- The cruise program may be subject to changes without prior notice due to weather conditions or decisions by local authorities.
- The junk boat will only have an English-speaking guide provided by the cruise company.
Day 11Halong - Hanoi
06:30: You will have the opportunity to participate in a sunrise Tai-chi class on the sun terrace or simply enjoy the beautiful bay in the morning while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.
07:00: Breakfast will be served Western style, providing you with the energy you need for a new day of exploring the bay. During breakfast, you can admire the lovely view that will charge you to take on new adventures.
08:00: The day begins with exploration of the secret cave of Thien Canh Son, located on the top of the mountain. This cave represents a true historical and geological treasure, a rare natural beauty. We recommend that you wear appropriate sports clothes for the hike and bring a camera to capture the wonders offered by the cave.
09:00: Return to the ship. You will have 30 minutes to freshen up and check out of your cabin. We kindly ask you to remove all your belongings from the cabin, but you may leave heavy luggage outside the cabin (staff will transfer it directly to the pier).
10:00 a.m.: Brunch will be served on board as the boat heads to port.
10:30: Arrival at the port.
11:00: Disembarkation at the cruise port in Ha Long.
Return to Hanoi by private car/ship coach and free time in the city.
Day 12Hanoi Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
You will have free time in Ha Noi until your transfer to the airport without a guide present. Please note that the room will be available until 12 noon. Please inform us in advance if you wish to extend your stay in the room beyond your departure time. We wish you a safe journey back!
