Northern Vietnam, Sapa & Halong
The north in full: city, mountains and bay
The north in full: city, mountains and bay A ready-built creator-led group trip across Vietnam, 5 days / 4 nights. GoExplorer shapes it into a departure under your name, with route, inclusions and logistics handled.
Vietnam · 5 days / 4 nights · Best season: October to April, the dry season across most of the country · Group size: 10–20 guests
Route
Hanoi > Sapa > Halong Bay
Highlights
- Old Quarter cyclo ride, egg coffee, local life
- Limousine to Sapa, Cat Cat Village trek
- Cable car to Fansipan summit, return to Hanoi
- Halong Bay day cruise, caves, kayaking, islands
- Free time, departure
Day by day
Day 1: Hanoi arrival & Old Quarter
On arrival at Hanoi airport, your private driver transfers you to your hotel. Begin with a relaxed one-hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, taking in local life and the heritage of its narrow, busy lanes. Pause for a traditional Hanoi egg coffee overlooking the streets, then choose to browse at Vincom Center Ba Trieu or visit Al-Noor Mosque, the city's oldest, before returning to your hotel around 5:00 PM.
Day 2: Sapa, Cat Cat Village trek
At 06:00 depart Hanoi for Sapa by shared limousine, a scenic drive through the northern mountains, with lunch at a local restaurant on arrival. In the afternoon, trek with your guide to Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H'mong people, walking down to the waterfall and old French hydro station before returning to Sapa town for dinner.
Day 3: Fansipan summit & back to Hanoi
Ride the cable car toward Fansipan (3,143 m), one of the world's longest three-cable systems. Reach the summit marker on the roof of Indochina by steps or funicular and explore the Fansipan Legend complex. Return to Sapa for lunch, then transfer back to Hanoi by shared limousine, arriving in the evening.
Day 4: Halong Bay day cruise
Around 8:00–8:45 you are collected from your hotel for the roughly 2.5-hour drive to Tuan Chau Harbour, arriving late morning to board a day cruise with a welcome drink. Cruise among the limestone islands with lunch on board, visit a cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through a lagoon, and stop at an island beach before cruising back. Return to Hanoi by road in the evening.
Day 5: Hanoi departure
Enjoy free time until your private transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Check-out is at 12:00.
Inclusions
- Private door-to-door pick-up and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking guide as per the itinerary
- 4 nights hotel accommodation in your chosen tier, centrally located, with breakfast
- Shared limousine transfers between Hanoi and Sapa
- Cable car ticket to Fansipan
- Full-day Halong Bay cruise with lunch and activities
- One-hour cyclo ride in the Old Quarter
- All entrance fees listed in the itinerary
- Meals as listed: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
- Bottled water in the vehicle (2 per person per day)
- Service charges and government tax
- 24/7 support throughout the trip
Exclusions
- International and domestic airfares
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the programme
- Peak-season or public-holiday surcharges, if any
- Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone and laundry
- Vietnam visa fees
- Tips for your guide and driver