HO CHI MINH CITY – HANOI – HA LONG – NINH BINH (TRANG AN) – TAM CHUC – SAPA – FANSIPAN

Code:

5 Days 4 Nights
Flight – Coach

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Northern Vietnam, where breathtaking natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, spiritual landmarks, and the majestic landscapes of the Northwest come together. From the world-famous Ha Long Bay and the UNESCO-listed Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex to the tranquil Tam Chuc Pagoda, the vibrant capital of Hanoi, and the picturesque mountain town of Sapa, this thoughtfully designed itinerary offers an enriching travel experience with quality services and memorable activities.

Tour Highlights

Explore Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders.
Visit the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, recognized by UNESCO as both a World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Experience the serenity of Tam Chuc Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Vietnam.
Discover the unique ethnic cultures and breathtaking mountain scenery of Sapa.
Visit Cat Cat Village, home to the H’Mong ethnic community, and immerse yourself in the traditional way of life of Vietnam’s northern highlands.
Conquer Fansipan, the “Roof of Indochina,” by cable car (optional, at your own expense), and admire the magnificent panoramic views of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Tour price includes

Transportation: Air-conditioned tourist vehicle (16–45 seats, depending on group size). Airport transfers and transportation throughout the tour itinerary.
Round-trip Airfare: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) – Hanoi (HAN) – Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Airlines may include:
- Sun PhuQuoc Airways: 7 kg carry-on baggage + 23 kg checked baggage per flight
- Bamboo Airways: 7 kg carry-on baggage + 20 kg checked baggage per flight
- Vietjet Air: 7 kg carry-on baggage + 20 kg checked baggage per flight
Accommodation (3-Star Hotels): Twin, double or triple sharing.
Reference hotels (or similar):Sapa: Chapa Dew Hotel
- Hanoi: A25 Hotel, Emotion Hotel
- Ninh Binh: Binh An Nhien Hotel, BVM Hotel, Golden Season Hotel
- Ha Long: Diamond Hotel, Twin Hotel, King Hotel
Meals: 4 hotel breakfasts, 9 lunches and dinners at local restaurants, 1 light dinner on the departure day (for flights departing after 8:00 PM)
Tour Guide: Airport assistance at Tan Son Nhat International Airport; tour guide throughout the journey.
Travel Insurance: Coverage of up to VND 50,000,000 per case.
Sightseeing: Entrance fees to all attractions listed in the itinerary.
Complimentary Gifts: Travel hat; Bottled drinking water
VAT: Value Added Tax (VAT) is included in accordance with current regulations.

Tour price does not include

Tips for the tour guide and local driver.
Personal expenses, including beverages outside the meal plan, laundry services, itinerary changes, flight upgrades, excess baggage fees, single room supplement, and other personal expenses.
Fansipan Cable Car Ticket (currently from approximately VND 850,000 per guest, subject to Sun Group’s pricing policy).
Muong Hoa Funicular and Fansipan Mountain Railway tickets.

Accompanied service

Shuttle bus
Brunch
Gift
Instructor
Travel insurance
Sightseeing tickets
Hotel

Schedule

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY – HANOI – HA LONG BAY DISCOVERY
(Lunch, Dinner)

Morning: Our staff will welcome you at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and assist with check-in procedures for your flight to Hanoi. (Breakfast is at your own expense.)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to Ha Long City. Along the way, the guide will introduce you to the local culture, traditions, and daily life of the regions you pass through.

12:30 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, transfer to the tourist wharf and board a cruise to explore the spectacular limestone islands and caves of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Thien Cung Cave (Heavenly Palace Cave): One of the most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung Cave is renowned for its vast chambers, magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, and fascinating rock formations created by nature over millions of years.
Dau Go Cave (Wooden Stakes Cave): A historic cave associated with General Tran Hung Dao’s victory over the Mongol army in 1288. During the cruise, you will also admire Ha Long Bay’s iconic limestone islets, including Incense Burner Islet, Fighting Cocks Islet, Dog Rock Islet, and many other breathtaking natural formations.

5:30 PM: Return to the mainland and transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner, you are free to explore Bai Chay Beach, sample the famous Ha Long yogurt, shop for local specialties, or take a stroll across Bai Chay Bridge, one of Vietnam’s most impressive cable-stayed bridges, to admire the stunning nighttime scenery of Ha Long Bay.

DAY 2: HA LONG – NINH BINH – TRANG AN – MUA CAVE
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend some free time exploring the beautiful coastal city of Ha Long.

09:00 AM: Check out of the hotel and depart for Ninh Binh.

Lunch: Arrive in Ninh Binh and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, check in to your hotel and take some time to relax.

Afternoon: Your guide and driver will take you to visit the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. As Vietnam’s first mixed World Heritage Site, Trang An is renowned for its spectacular limestone mountains, winding rivers, lush rice fields, and mysterious cave systems.

Board a traditional sampan boat and cruise along the peaceful Sao Khe River, passing through breathtaking landscapes and exploring famous caves such as Sang Cave (Bright Cave), Toi Cave (Dark Cave), and Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine Cave).

Optional Visit – Mua Cave (Entrance ticket not included)

If time permits, guests may choose to visit Mua Cave, one of Ninh Binh’s most iconic viewpoints. Walk along picturesque pathways surrounded by lush greenery before climbing nearly 500 stone steps to the summit of Mua Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Tam Coc valley and surrounding limestone peaks.

On the way back, stroll through the beautiful lotus pond nestled among dramatic karst mountains. Traditional Vietnamese costumes are available for rent, offering a unique opportunity to capture memorable photographs in this scenic setting.

Evening: Enjoy dinner featuring Ninh Binh’s famous mountain goat specialties at a local restaurant. After dinner, take a leisurely walk through Hoa Lu Ancient Town, where you can experience traditional Vietnamese cultural performances, including water puppetry, Then folk singing, Cheo opera, Xam folk music, and Tac Xinh dance. Guests may also participate in traditional folk games such as bamboo dancing, tug of war, rope jumping, and Ô Ăn Quan. For a more relaxing evening, enjoy a boat ride on Ky Lan Lake, release floating lanterns, admire Tu An Tower, and take in the enchanting nighttime atmosphere of the ancient town.

DAY 3: NINH BINH – TAM CHUC PAGODA – HANOI
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then check out.

08:30 AM: Depart for Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex in Ha Nam Province.

Take a VIP boat across Tam Chuc Lake to visit the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex, one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Vietnam. Surrounded by limestone mountains, the lake is dotted with six small islands, creating a peaceful and picturesque landscape. During the boat trip, guests will visit a small island featuring Tam Chuc Pavilion, an elegant structure showcasing the traditional architecture of Northern Vietnamese temples.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take a short rest.

Afternoon: Continue the journey to Hanoi and visit:

Ba Dinh Square – A historic landmark where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake) – Known as the heart of Hanoi, this iconic lake is one of the city’s most famous cultural and historical attractions.
Tran Quoc Pagoda – The oldest pagoda in Hanoi, with a history of over 1,500 years, located on a small peninsula between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.

After the tour, check in to the hotel and relax.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner, you are free to explore Hanoi Old Quarter, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, or shop at the vibrant Hanoi Night Market.

DAY 4: HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM – LAO CAI – SAPA – CAT CAT VILLAGE
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

06:00 AM: Check out of the hotel and enjoy breakfast.

07:00 AM: Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Please note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed annually for maintenance from June to August. During this period, visitors will visit the exterior of the Mausoleum only.

08:30 AM: Depart for Lao Cai via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Sapa. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and relax.

Afternoon: Visit:

Cat Cat Village, home to the H’Mong ethnic people. Discover their unique customs, traditional lifestyle, and rich cultural heritage while enjoying the peaceful mountain scenery.
Cat Cat Waterfall and the French-built Hydroelectric Power Station, constructed in the early 20th century.
Sapa Stone Church, one of the best-preserved French colonial architectural landmarks in Sapa. Located in the town center, it is a popular gathering place and the venue for the famous Sapa Love Market on Saturday evenings.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner, you are free to explore Sapa Night Market or experience the lively atmosphere of the Sapa Love Market (available on Saturday evenings only).

DAY 5: SAPA – FANSIPAN – NOI BAI AIRPORT – HO CHI MINH CITY
(Breakfast, Lunch)

06:00 AM: Check out of the hotel and enjoy breakfast.

07:30 AM: Transfer to the cable car station to begin your journey to Fansipan Mountain.

Fansipan Tourist Area – Experience one of the world’s most impressive cable car systems, recognized with two Guinness World Records: the world’s longest three-rope cable car (6,292.5 m) and the greatest elevation difference between departure and arrival stations (1,410 m). Enjoy spectacular views of Sapa, Muong Hoa Valley, and Hoang Lien National Park above the clouds. Guests may continue climbing approximately 600 steps to reach the summit of Fansipan (3,143 m), known as the “Roof of Indochina.” (Cable car ticket is not included.)
Fansipan Pagoda Complex – Visit the sacred Buddhist temples at the summit, where you may offer prayers for peace, health, and good fortune for yourself and your family.

Lunch: Bid farewell to Sapa and depart for Lao Cai. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Continue the journey with visits to:

Ha Khau Border Gate, located on the border between Vietnam and China.
Coc Leu Border Market, where you can shop for a variety of local products at attractive prices (subject to available time).

Continue the journey back to Hanoi, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Vietnam’s northwestern mountains along the way.

05:30 PM: Arrive at the airport area. Guests with flights departing after 8:00 PM will enjoy a light dinner before being transferred to Noi Bai International Airport for the return flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Note:

The itinerary may be adjusted due to actual operating conditions while ensuring that all scheduled attractions and services are provided.
Flight schedules are subject to change in accordance with the airline’s operational arrangements.
Hotel check-in time is between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and check-out time is 12:00 PM