Day 1 · Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi
Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. Settle in and enjoy a first taste of Vietnamese cuisine, with the rest of the day arranged around your arrival time.
Daily Tour
1 person
English, Francais, Vietnamese
10 Days · 9 Nights · Hanoi, Sapa, Bac Ha Sunday Market, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay
Discover the best of Northern Vietnam on a journey combining the historic streets of Hanoi, the mountain landscapes and ethnic cultures of Sapa, the vibrant Bac Ha Sunday Market, the dramatic limestone scenery of Ninh Binh, and an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.
This 10-day journey focuses on the very best of Northern Vietnam, with a considered balance of guided sightseeing, local experiences and free time. Explore Hanoi’s heritage, travel to the mountain town of Sapa, experience the colourful Bac Ha Sunday Market, discover the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh by boat and bicycle, and cruise among Ha Long Bay’s limestone islands.
The itinerary can be adapted to your travel dates, interests, accommodation preferences and pace. Ask Asia Travel Mates about private arrangements or possible extensions to Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam or neighbouring Indochina countries.
Days 1–2: Hanoi
Days 3–4: Sapa
Day 5: Bac Ha Sunday Market
Days 6–7: Ninh Binh
Day 8: Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Days 9–10: Hanoi and departure
Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. Settle in and enjoy a first taste of Vietnamese cuisine, with the rest of the day arranged around your arrival time.
Explore Hanoi’s historic highlights, such as the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. The final route depends on opening times and the confirmed guide programme.
Travel by road to Sapa in the northern highlands, enjoying views of the Red River Delta and the beginning of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Arrive in Sapa and explore the town and its surrounding landscapes.
Spend the day exploring Sapa’s mountain scenery and ethnic minority villages. Depending on the confirmed programme, enjoy a guided walk through terraced fields, visit a local community and learn about daily life in the highlands.
Visit the famous Bac Ha Sunday Market, one of the most colourful and authentic markets in Northern Vietnam. Explore the stalls, meet local ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. After the market, return to Sapa or continue toward Hanoi, as confirmed in the itinerary.
Transfer to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land.” Settle into your hotel and enjoy the peaceful countryside setting, with time to relax or explore the local area.
Explore Ninh Binh’s dramatic karst scenery. Enjoy a boat trip through Tam Coc or Trang An, cycle through rural villages and rice paddies, and visit a viewpoint such as Hang Mua if time and weather permit.
Travel to Ha Long Bay and board an overnight cruise among its limestone islands. Depending on the cruise programme and weather, enjoy time on the water, activities such as kayaking, sunset views and dinner on board.
Disembark after the cruise and return to Hanoi by road. Enjoy free time in the capital for shopping, cafés or independent exploration, or arrange an optional activity with the local team.
After breakfast, transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight. The transfer time will be arranged around your confirmed departure. Extension options to Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos can be arranged on request.
Proposed hotel: Minasi Premium Hotel, or a confirmed alternative near the Old Quarter.
Hotel: To be confirmed; choose a property with views of the mountains or convenient access to the town centre.
Hotel: To be confirmed; a peaceful countryside stay or well-located town hotel is a suitable starting point.
Stay: Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise with cabin accommodation. The cruise operator and vessel must be confirmed in the final quotation.
Only Minasi Premium Hotel is named in the current draft. The other properties are intentionally marked “to be confirmed” because the main Hotel Collections page links to hotel categories, not individual property profiles. Final hotel names, profile links, room categories and availability should be confirmed before publishing the tour price.
Choose from Asia Travel Mates’ curated City Hotels, Boutique Hotels and Heritage Hotels collections. These links help you compare accommodation styles; they are collection pages, not individual hotel profile pages.
The reference adult price is US$1,299 per person. Child prices below are suggested planning rates and must be reconfirmed in the final quotation, because hotel, cruise, transport and attraction policies may differ.
| Traveller / room arrangement | Suggested price | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | US$1,299 per person | Reference adult rate; confirm room occupancy and departure details. |
| Child aged 2–5 | US$779 | Suggested 60% of adult rate when sharing parents’ room without an extra bed. |
| Child aged 6–11 | US$974 | Suggested 75% of adult rate when sharing parents’ room without an extra bed. |
| Child aged 6–11 with an extra bed | US$1,039 | Suggested 80% of adult rate; subject to hotel and cruise availability. |
| Child aged 12 or older | US$1,299 per person | Use the adult rate unless suppliers confirm a different rate. |
| Infant under 2 | Quote on request | Depends on transport, cruise rules and any cot or meal requirements. |
Important pricing terms: These child prices are estimates, not guaranteed supplier rates. The final price depends on the child’s age at the time of travel, number of adults and children travelling, room-sharing arrangement, extra-bed requirements, transport, cruise operator rules, meals and entrance fees. A child sharing a room without an extra bed may still incur transport, cruise, meal and activity charges. Please request a family quotation before booking.
*Final inclusions and exclusions must match the quotation and booking conditions supplied to the traveller.
The 10-day Northern Vietnam itinerary is a starting point. Ask about shortening or lengthening the journey, adding extra nights, changing accommodation, or extending your travels to Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An), Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta), Cambodia or Laos.
It is designed for travellers interested in mountain landscapes, ethnic cultures, heritage, scenery and a mix of guided activities and free time. The pace can be discussed before booking.
The Bac Ha Market operates on Sundays. The itinerary should be planned so that Day 5 falls on a Sunday. If your travel dates do not align, the market visit can be replaced with another local experience or the itinerary can be adjusted.
Yes. The proposed itinerary includes one night aboard a cruise boat. The exact cruise, cabin category and activities depend on availability and the confirmed booking.
The Sapa programme can be adapted to different fitness levels. Walks can range from gentle village visits to longer treks through terraced fields. Please advise your preference when requesting a proposal.
Hotel changes and upgrades may be possible depending on availability and budget. Confirmed accommodation will be listed in the final quotation.
Yes. Extensions to Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos can be arranged, subject to transport, availability and the overall itinerary.
Child rates depend on age, room-sharing arrangement, whether an extra bed is required, and the policies of the hotels, cruise operator and attractions. The prices shown in the Tour Prices & Child Policy section are planning estimates only. Please request a family quotation for confirmed rates.
International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional activities, tips and meals not specifically listed as included are generally excluded. Check the final quotation for exact terms.
Tell us your preferred dates, group size, accommodation preferences and interests. Our team can help prepare a proposal around the way you want to travel, including extensions to other parts of Vietnam or Indochina.
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