In Northern Vietnam Tour, you’ll travel through the capital of Hanoi, cycle through the scenic wonderland of Ninh Binh, sail through the awe-inspiring Halong Bay on a traditional junk cruise, and hike to the area of Sapa, which is known for its ethnic villages, lively markets, and welcoming locals.
This journey to Vietnam will delight adventurous travelers, as it is a culturally diverse country with some of the best scenery in Southeast Asia. Our journey begins in Hanoi, where we walk and ride rickshaws through the busy old city. We will spend a few days on mountain bikes, snaking around steep mountains, passing through isolated towns, and passing through lush meadows. We also hike into Lai Ci Village in Sapa to see the colorful Red Dao hill tribe for a taste of culture.
Our guide will meet you at the Hanoi airport and transport you to the hotel. Depending on when you arrive, you’ll probably have some spare time to rest, change, and wander around Hanoi’s busy Old Quarter. Meet your guide in the evening for a savory spread of Vietnamese dishes, followed by a visit to the Water Puppet Theatre for a presentation of this ancient traditional art form.
This morning, board a private minibus to Sapa, a town in northwest Vietnam’s Hoang Lien Son Mountains. It will take about 5 hours to complete this trip. Venture out from Sapa’s central market on a short trek through the nearby valleys to a village named Cat Cat. The Hmong people, who emigrated from China 300 years ago, call this place home. Set up your hotel in Sapa for the overnight.
After breakfast, we’ll travel through a breathtaking landscape of lush mountain landscapes and across a couple of minor passes. We will trek from Lao Chai to Ta Van, take in the scenic scenery and panoramic views of rural Vietnam. You’ll drive by corn and rice-ripe terraced fields, bubbling brooks, and picturesque villages. Stop for a picnic lunch before moving on to our evening homestay with a nearby family.
This morning, we’ll trek to Su Pan, make our way through stunning scenery. You’ll pass through Ban Ho village along the way, where you’ll be able to take in the breathtaking views of the valley and rice paddy terraces. You’ll have the chance to visit the Tay minority’s Ban Ho village before crossing the river on a suspension bridge, where your guide can cook a tasty lunch in a nearby home. The walk then proceeds through the rice fields to Nam Toong, a Red Dao hill tribe, where you can stop for a cup of tea before returning to Sapa to rest your feet. In the afternoon, we will drive to Hanoi (approximately 5 hours).
After breakfast, we’ll head out to see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and the 11th century Temple of Literature, among other historic sites in Hanoi. After lunch, we’ll visit the Ethnology Museum before riding in rickshaws through the historic 36th Street Old Quarter, which is a shopper’s and photographer’s dream, with shops and stalls selling everything imaginable.
Today, we leave Hanoi city, hop on our bike and cycle to the Mai Chau valley.
Cycling in Mai Chau allows you to explore one of Vietnam’s most scenic countryside while also learning about the Thai ethnic group’s rich culture and tradition. Pedaling on backroads, there are plenty of photo opportunities, stop at a scenic overlook to take in the view of Mai Chau, which is home to a variety of minority communities, each with its own culture and language. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to assist local farmers in planting rice.
Arrive in Mai Chau and travel to Pom Coong, where your local host will meet you and introduce you to your lunch, as well as provide information on the people of the city, their lives, traditions, and history.
After breakfast, set out again on your bike on a cycle from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh, a region well known for its green valleys, karst mountains, and conservation areas. Cycling there gives you the amazing experience of the awesome natural wonder of what the area offers you. You will feel like you’re right there interacting and soaking in the magnificent beauty. Today’s ride will cover approximately 60 kilometers in total.
After breakfast, we’ll begin our bike ride on a very quiet and peaceful trail. The trail offers breathtaking views of the nearby limestone mountains. Cycling there gives you an incredible view of the amazing natural wonders that the region has to offer. You’ll feel as if you’re right there, engaging with the wildlife and taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Afterward, we will sail in a rowboat along the natural channels of the Thung Nham Valley and explore the mystical caves along the way. We make a stop at a local restaurant to enjoy lunch before continuing to Mua Cave or Hang Mua, considered to be the Great Wall of Vietnam, where a 20-minute climb and 486 stone steps to reach the top of the mountain, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Tam Coc landscape of stunning natural beauty.
This morning, we depart Ninh Binh to Halong Bay (approximately 4 hours). We will stop at Xuan Thuy National Park, which is a destination for many species of birds, including endangered species, as they migrate north each winter. The unique Vi Khe Ornamental Plant Village offers the opportunity to stop and smell the orchids, camellias, and roses a little further up the road.
On arrival, we will transfer to a junk (a traditional Chinese style sailing ship) for your cruise on Halong Bay. Sailing through emerald waters and past rocky islets and lush islands, a delicious lunch will be served on board.
Halong Bay is blessed with numerous grottoes, hidden pools, and mystical islands, and this afternoon, there will be the opportunity to disembark the boat and explore the region further. Off-boat excursions are usually by ship’s tender although often there is the opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of the bay by kayak or bamboo rowing boat. Visits to nearby caves or sandy beaches may also be on the agenda and of course, there is always the option to remain on board and take in the glorious vista from the spacious sundeck. As night falls, the boat will drop anchor in a peaceful spot. Enjoy a refreshing drink and the view from the sundeck before sitting down to a leisurely dinner which will either be served on deck or inside the dining room depending on the vessel and local weather conditions.
Early risers may have the opportunity to witness sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, there will be further opportunities to discover the bay with its stalactite and stalagmite-filled caves, swimming beaches, and secluded coves that are perfect for kayaking. Get up close and personal kayaking beside the tree-clad outcrops, with lunch on board also included. Halong Bay’s World Heritage designation was extended to the Cat Ba Archipelago thanks to its similar aesthetic value, and the scenes of turquoise water and junk boats are quintessential Vietnam. No one will judge you for taking a selfie here. Spend a second night on Cat Ba, with the evening free to visit the local restaurants and bars.
Brunch on board as the traditional junk continues sailing through the idyllic landscapes of Halong Bay. We bid farewell to this natural beauty before heading back to Halong port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi by road. Arrival, transfer to the hotel, and the rest of the day free to visit the favorite places of the city and acquire some souvenirs
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Hanoi.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Hanoi at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Located in Hanoi and with Thang Long Water Puppet Theater reachable within 100 metres. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk and a private bathroom.
Sapa, Vietnam
This Sapa hotel offers an abundance of exceptional services and conveniences. This hotel has a variety of on-site amenities to please even the most discerning visitor.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
Santa Maria Cruise Halong has a restaurant, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Ha Long. Featuring barbecue facilities, the 4-star cruise has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.
Meals are characterized by fresh, seasonal ingredients, prepared in a simple, classic style of Vientam. Food & cooking course is offering bountiful selections of local specialities and feature hand-made food among other favourites. Western food is also available during the trip.
Dietary Requirement
If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies), please inform in advance so that we can provide a notice to the restaurant or hotel where you will be served.
Each activity comes with an experienced tour guide responsible for offering local insight, pursuing great experiences and make every tour exceptional.
They are trained to make your trip magical. We know that it’s the unexpected surprises that make a trip memorable. That’s why our guides pride themselves on anticipating your needs before you ask.
Hanoi | Hanoi
Min. 2 – Max. 12 People
18+ years old
Hike/Bike/Boat
Read important information about your destination(s), including weather, terrains, bike repairs, and tipping guidelines.
READ MORE INFORMATIONGo with us to the right number of like-minded travellers to make new friends. Once you book, your price and date are guaranteed.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. Have a tailor-made trip designed exactly to your interests. Simply tell us your preferred travel dates and we’ll work together to deliver the same great trip on your custom schedule.
Our trip designers are constantly gathering information about the best local experience, food, accommodation with your needs and budget. Get in touch with a Trip Designer to begin planning your perfect vacation.
REQUEST A QUOTEThe terrain is varied, mainly flat and follows by the mixture of tarmac roads and dirt roads passing the countryside & Angkor complex. We cycle on backroads with lovely open landscapes and leisurely with plenty of stops to rest or take photos. Our Siem Reaper guides can also easily accommodate type riders, who seek less ride with a boost in the van.
We strongly recommend that you ride a mountain bike for our trips involved in asphalt, dirt, and backroads that some are sandy and rocky. If you are much more comfortable with your own stuff, we highly suggest bringing such as pedal, saddle, helmets, and water bottles. Our mechanic will adjust to your bikes and personal stuff.
The tools and spares are carried by your tour guide in the vehicle along with a full toolkit for the tour. However, it is also gauche for us to carry spares for every eventuality, therefore, it is necessary that when before departing, you should have a quick look at your two-wheel fellow whether it is in good order.
We recommend you to wear a helmet all our biking adventures and is non-negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour guide is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree, you must be responsible for your own safety while riding.
The country has two distinct weather seasons but we can travel all year round in Cambodia. Our wet season runs from May to September and the dry season from October until April and the heaviest rainfall usually in August & September. The cooler is 24°C around November/December and hottest hitting 35°C around April/May.
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.
The currency of Cambodia is called ‘Riel’, and there are however no needs to change the currency into riel as US dollars are accepted everywhere. Please kindly note that ripped, torn, or old bills will not be accepted. ATM machines are available in the main cities across the country and mostly in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday morning until 12:00 PM. Most hotels and restaurants in the major cities will charge US dollars, but for other currencies, it is advisable to visit a bank. Traveller’s checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, but it is not usable outside of the major cities. We would highly recommend using Visa Card or Master Card, as they are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. As if you wish to travel in a local taxi (Tuk-Tuk), make sure to have the right amount of cash and change with you as the drivers are unlikely to keep a lot of cash with them.
The visitors to Cambodia require a passport to enter the country and all travelers must hold a passport with the validation for 6 months after their planned exit from Cambodia.
Citizens of the UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and almost all other nationalities will require a visa to visit Cambodia. Non-UK residents should check with the Cambodian Embassy in their country of residence for the most up-to-date information. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh & Siem Reap international airports without prior registration. Visa issued on arrival for most nationalities, US $30/pax, and the visa has a one-month validity. You need to pay in cash and in US Dollars and provide two recent, identical passport photographs.
Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company. As medical facilities in Cambodia are rather limited, so it is imperative for you to take out a good medical insurance policy when travelling.