Sapa & Hanoi Old Quarter

5 days / 4 nights

Trek through cascading rice terraces and H'mong hill tribe villages in Sapa, then descend to the ancient streets of Hanoi — a contrast of mountain silence and city life that stays with you.

Trip Highlights

Why you'll love this trip

Panoramic cable car ride above sweeping rice terraces to stand on the "Roof of Indochina."

Walk among the clouds on a glass-bottomed bridge and see jaw-dropping valley views.

Sapa's instagrammable landmarks and breathtaking mountain viewpoints.

Wander through historic, bustling streets and experience the thrill of the famous Train Street up close.

Day by Day

Your journey

Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi & Journey to Sapa
Airport Pick-up
Hanoi → Sapa
Private Trip
Sapa

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, where your private driver will be waiting. Skip the city for now — your private car takes you straight northwest to Sapa (approx. 5 hours), with a stop for lunch along the way. Check in to Moana Sapa and step outside: the valley view here stops you in your tracks.

Moana Sapa
Day 2
Sapa Town Highlights
Guided Tour
Breakfast
Sapa

A full day exploring the highlands around Sapa with your private guide. Take the cable car to the summit of Fansipan — at 3,143m, the highest peak in Indochina. Walk down through the rice terraces to Cat Cat Village, a traditional H'mong minority village with a waterfall and weavers. End the afternoon with a ride on the Alpine Coaster for a different kind of mountain thrill.

Fansipan Cable Car & Summit Cat Cat Village Rice Terraces Alpine Coaster
Day 3
Sunrise Serenity & Journey to Hanoi
Guided Tour
Sapa → Hanoi
Breakfast
Hanoi

Rise early to catch the sunrise over the Muong Hoa Valley — the mist rolling between the rice terraces at dawn is one of Sapa's defining images. Walk to the Glass Bridge for a final panoramic view before boarding the sleeper bus back to Hanoi. Arrive in the afternoon, check in to your Old Quarter hotel, and explore the neighbourhood at your own pace.

Sunrise Viewpoint Glass Bridge Sleeper Bus to Hanoi Hanoi Old Quarter
Day 4
Hanoi Highlights
Guided Tour
Breakfast
Hanoi

A full private day in Hanoi. Climb aboard a double-decker bus through the Old Quarter's 36 ancient trading streets — each historically named after the craft sold there. Walk to Train Street, where coffee shops line the tracks centimetres from passing trains. Browse Dong Xuan Market, Hanoi's largest covered market, for local goods and street snacks.

Old Quarter by Double-decker Bus Train Street Dong Xuan Market Hoan Kiem Lake
Day 5
Departure Day
Breakfast
Airport Drop-off

A final morning in Hanoi — banh mi from a street stall, one last egg coffee, or a quiet walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. Your private driver will take you to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure.

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Alternative Trips

Where you'll stay

Our handpicked hotels

★★★☆☆
Best for Sapa nights (boutique)
Cat Cat Galerie d'Art
Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Mountain view rooms·Panoramic Fansipan views·Cosy art-gallery ambience
★★★★☆
Best for Hanoi nights
Dalvostro Valentino Hotel
Old Quarter, Hanoi
Old Quarter location·Art-deco boutique style·Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake

Hotels are subject to availability. If our top choice is fully booked, we'll secure a similar alternative and let you know.

What's Covered

Included & not included

Transfers & Transport
Private airport pickup and drop-off
Private air-conditioned car and driver for all day trips
Car fuel, toll, and parking fees
Overnight train: Hanoi → Sapa (private soft-sleeper cabin)
Bus or train: Sapa → Hanoi (Day 3)
Guides
Licensed English-speaking local guide on all scheduled trips
Driver and tour guide fees
Activities
Cat Cat Village entry and guided trek
All listed attraction entrance tickets
Accommodation
1 night overnight train sleeper
2 nights in Sapa hotel (breakfast included)
2 nights in Hanoi hotel (breakfast included)
Meals
Daily hotel breakfast
Other
Taxes and all applicable fees
One bottled water per person on each day trip
Flights
International flights to/from Hanoi
Meals
All lunches and dinners
All dinners (budget approx. $8–18/day)
Drinks and snacks
Travel essentials
Travel insurance (required — see FAQ)
Vietnam visa fees (check requirements for your nationality)
Personal expenses
Optional activities beyond what's listed
Personal shopping and souvenirs
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
Optional Extras

Make it more yours

Incense Village
Motorcycle Tour
Villages Trekking
Hmong Clothing Rental
Sapa Mario Kart
Food Tour

Have something else in mind? Let us know, and we'll seamlessly weave it into your itinerary.

Questions

Frequently asked

That's exactly what we're here for. Every Tará trip is built around you — your pace, your interests, your group. The itinerary above is a starting point. We can add days, swap attractions, extend your stay, or build something completely different. Just tell us what you're dreaming of.

Sapa can be cool year-round, especially at night, and can get quite cold in winter (Dec–Feb). We recommend packing a warm layer regardless of when you visit. The rice terraces are at their most spectacular during harvest season (September–October) and planting season (May–June).

We recommend a minimum of 4 people for the best pricing. That said, we can accommodate smaller groups — couples and solo travellers are welcome. Just enquire and we'll give you an honest quote for your group size.

Pricing depends on your group size, travel dates, and specific preferences (hotel category, any add-ons). Since every trip is tailor-made, we don't publish a fixed price — send us an enquiry and we'll put together a personalised quote within 48 hours. No obligation.

Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. Cebu Pacific flies direct from Manila. Book your return from the same airport.

Philippine passport holders can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 30 days. For other nationalities, an e-visa is available online. We recommend checking the latest entry requirements with your local embassy or the official Vietnam Immigration website before you travel.

Yes — we require all travellers to have travel insurance that includes medical coverage and trip cancellation. If you need help choosing a policy, we're happy to recommend options that work well for trips to Vietnam.

What You Get

Every trip is tailor-made

Flexible Itineraries
Flexible Itineraries

Add an extra night, swap a stop, upgrade a hotel — your trip bends to you, not the other way around.

Group Perks
Group Perks

Travelling with family or friends? The more of you, the more we can tailor.

Free Rebooking
Free Rebooking

Plans change. Move your dates without losing your itinerary or starting over.

Private Car & Driver
Private Car & Driver

Skip the taxis and bus transfers. Every day moves at your pace, door to door.

Licensed Local Guide
Licensed Local Guide

Real insight from people who live here — not a script, not a rush.

Complimentary Breakfast
Complimentary Breakfast

Every stay we book starts the day right — breakfast is always included.

Flexible Check-in & Out
Flexible Check-in & Out

Early arrival, late departure — your schedule sets the time, not the front desk.

24/7 Support
24/7 Support

Reach us directly on Messenger or Viber, any time before or during your trip.

Want Something Different?

We can build
any trip you imagine

Extend the trek, add Ha Long Bay, include Ninh Binh, or continue south to Hoi An or Saigon. We'll build the north Vietnam journey that's right for you.

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Sapa Rice Terraces & Hanoi Old Quarter

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