Sapa, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

6 days / 5 nights

Mountain rice terraces in Sapa, ancient streets in Hanoi, and limestone karst islands rising from the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay — three of Vietnam's most iconic experiences in one journey.

Trip Highlights

Why you'll love this trip

Spend a night on a premium cruise ship across this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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. 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 out onto the terrace — the valley view from Sapa town is extraordinary.

Moana Sapa
Day 2
Sapa Town Highlights
Guided Tour
Breakfast
Sapa

A full day in the highlands with your private guide. Take the cable car to Fansipan's summit at 3,143m — the roof of Indochina. Walk down through the rice terraces to Cat Cat Village, an H'mong minority village with a traditional waterfall and weavers. Finish with the Alpine Coaster — a thrilling way to descend the mountain.

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 for sunrise over the Muong Hoa Valley. Walk to the Glass Bridge for a final sweeping panorama before boarding the sleeper bus back to Hanoi. Arrive in the afternoon, check in to your Old Quarter hotel, and spend the evening exploring Hoan Kiem Lake and the 36 ancient streets.

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

A full private day exploring Hanoi. Board a double-decker bus through the Old Quarter's 36 trading streets. Visit Train Street — where café tables line the tracks just centimetres from the passing trains. Browse Dong Xuan Market, the city's largest covered market. End the day with an egg coffee in a rooftop café overlooking the old rooftops.

Old Quarter by Double-decker Bus Train Street Dong Xuan Market Hoan Kiem Lake
Day 5
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi → Ha Long
Guided Tour
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Ha Long Bay / Hanoi

Transfer to Ha Long Bay (3.5 hours from Hanoi) and board a luxury overnight cruise with your own private cabin. Sail through 1,969 limestone karst islands rising from emerald waters — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore caves by foot and hidden lagoons by kayak. All meals are served. Fall asleep to the sound of the bay.

Luxury Overnight Cruise Private Cabin Cave Exploration Kayaking UNESCO Heritage Site
Day 6
Departure Day
Ha Long → Hanoi
Breakfast
Airport Drop-off

Wake up on the bay, have breakfast as the mist lifts from the karsts, and return to shore. Transfer back to Hanoi and on to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

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Alternative Trips

Where you'll stay

Our handpicked hotels

★★★☆☆
Best for Sapa nights
Cat Cat Galerie d'Art
Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Mountain view rooms·Panoramic Fansipan views·Boutique art-gallery feel
★★★★☆
Best for Hanoi nights
Dalvostro Valentino Hotel
Old Quarter, Hanoi
Old Quarter location·Art-deco boutique style·Near 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)
Ha Long Bay: return transfer from Hanoi
Guides
Licensed English-speaking local guide on all scheduled trips
Driver and tour guide fees
Activities
Cat Cat Village entry and guided trek
Ha Long Bay day cruise (entry, cave, kayak, swim)
Lunch and dinner on Ha Long Bay cruise
Accommodation
1 night overnight train sleeper
2 nights in Sapa hotel
2 nights in Hanoi hotel (all breakfast included)
Meals
Daily hotel breakfast
Ha Long Bay: lunch and dinner on cruise (Day 5)
Other
Taxes and all applicable fees
One bottled water per person on each day trip
Flights
International flights to/from Hanoi
Meals
All lunches (except Ha Long Bay cruise)
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.

Yes — we can upgrade to an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay instead of a day trip, which means you get the bay at sunrise and sunset. This adds one more night and changes the itinerary slightly. Just let us know and we'll arrange it.

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), Hanoi. Cebu Pacific flies direct from Manila. Fly home 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

Upgrade to an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, add Ninh Binh to the itinerary, or extend south to Da Nang and Hoi An. We'll design the perfect north Vietnam journey for you.

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Sapa, Hanoi & Ha Long Bay

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