Sapa, Hanoi & Ninh Binh

6 days / 5 nights

Mountain villages in Sapa, ancient streets in Hanoi, and Ninh Binh's dramatic limestone landscape — often called Ha Long Bay on land — for one of Vietnam's most beautiful and rewarding itineraries.

Trip Highlights

Why you'll love this trip

Cruise through towering limestone caves and see Ninh Binh's summit for iconic dragon-back valley views.

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 en route. Check in to Moana Sapa and take in the view — the Muong Hoa Valley stretching below is stunning.

Moana Sapa
Day 2
Sapa Town Highlights
Guided Tour
Breakfast
Sapa

A full day exploring Sapa's highlands with your private guide. Take the cable car to the summit of Fansipan — at 3,143m, the highest peak in Indochina. Trek down through cascading rice terraces to Cat Cat Village, a traditional H'mong minority community with a waterfall and handicraft weavers. End with a ride on the Alpine Coaster.

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

Wake early for sunrise over the valley — one of Sapa's most breathtaking moments. Walk to the Glass Bridge for a final panoramic view before boarding the sleeper bus back to Hanoi. Arrive in the afternoon and check in to your Old Quarter hotel. The evening is yours to explore.

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

A full private day in Hanoi. Explore the Old Quarter's 36 ancient streets by double-decker bus. Walk Train Street — café tables lining the tracks, trains passing centimetres away. Browse Dong Xuan Market for local goods, snacks, and street life. Wrap up at Hoan Kiem Lake as the city lights come on.

Old Quarter by Double-decker Bus Train Street Dong Xuan Market Hoan Kiem Lake
Day 5
Ninh Binh
Guided Tour
Breakfast, lunch
Hanoi

Drive south from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (2 hours) — Vietnam's most dramatic inland landscape, often called Ha Long Bay on land. Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, built into a cliff face in the 15th century. Board a rowing boat on Tam Coc River, gliding through gorges and three natural limestone caves. Climb the 500 steps of Hang Mua Summit for the most spectacular valley panorama in northern Vietnam. A lunch is included.

Bich Dong Pagoda Tam Coc River Boat Three Limestone Caves Lotus Lake Hang Mua Summit (500 steps)
Day 6
Departure Day
Breakfast
Airport Drop-off

A final quiet morning in Hanoi — one last pho, a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, or a browse through the silk shops of Hang Gai Street. 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
Cat Cat Galerie d'Art
Sapa Town, Lao Cai
Mountain view rooms·Fansipan panorama·Boutique art-gallery feel
★★★★☆
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)
Return transfers: Hanoi ↔ Ninh Binh (Days 4–5)
Guides
Licensed English-speaking local guide on all scheduled trips
Driver and tour guide fees
Activities
Cat Cat Village entry and guided trek
Tam Coc: rowing boat through gorge and caves
Hang Mua Summit climb
Trang An UNESCO complex: rowing boat
Bich Dong Pagoda entry
lunch in Ninh Binh (Day 4)
Accommodation
1 night overnight train sleeper
2 nights in Sapa hotel
2 nights in Hanoi hotel (all breakfast included)
Meals
Daily hotel breakfast
lunch in Ninh Binh (Day 4)
Other
Taxes and all applicable fees
One bottled water per person on each day trip
Flights
International flights to/from Hanoi
Meals
Lunches (except Day 4 in Ninh Binh)
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.

Hang Mua involves climbing around 500 steps — it's steep but manageable for most fitness levels. It takes about 20–30 minutes to the top. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, we can simply skip the summit and enjoy the Tam Coc boat instead.

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 Hanoi.

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

Add Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise, extend with an extra night in Ninh Binh, or combine this north Vietnam journey with Hoi An or Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

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Sapa, Hanoi & Ninh Binh

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