Northern Vietnam: Sapa and Halong Bay - 9 Days
VietnamNorthern Vietnam

Northern Vietnam: Sapa and Halong Bay - 9 Days

9 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Northern Vietnam: Sapa and Halong Bay - 9 Days

from $2,795 / person

Overview

This journey through northern Vietnam combines the energy of Hanoi with the mountain landscapes and coastal scenery that define the country’s north. Beginning in the capital, the route moves from Hanoi’s historic streets and vibrant food scene to the remote mountain region of Sapa, travelling by overnight train into Vietnam’s rugged interior.

The journey explores the rice terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley, passing through bamboo forests, mountain passes, and villages belonging to local ethnic communities. The walk concludes with a 2-day cruise through the extraordinary landscapes of Halong Bay, where limestone karsts rise from emerald waters, creating one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural settings.

Highlights

  • Discover Hanoi on a guided walking street food tour
  • Explore Hanoi's historic landmarks, temples and bustling Old Quarter on a guided city tour
  • Board an overnight sleeper train to Sapa
  • English-speaking guides who will bring the destination to life
  • Explore the remarkable Trung Trang Cave
  • Visit remote ethnic villages
  • Sail through the legendary Halong Bay on a 2-day luxury cruise
  • Trek through the stunning rice terraces of the Muong Hoa Valley

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival, make your own way from the airport to your Hanoi hotel. The standard check-in time is from 14:00. At 18:00, you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby/restaurant, from there we will head out to a local Vietnamese restaurant for a welcome dinner and briefing.

Accommodation

4-star Hotel in Hanoi

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (1 night), Overnight Train (2 nights), 3-star Hotel (4 nights), Cruise (1 night)

Meals

8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 6 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Train

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

Included Activities

  • Hanoi walking street food tour
  • Hanoi walking tour
  • Luxury cruise on Halong bay
  • Visit to Ma May ancient house

How We Rate This Walk

4

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

1-16 km

Daily distance range

Daily ascent range

4/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation on this tour is as varied as the landscapes you pass through. The first night is spent at a centrally located hotel in Hanoi, complete with concierge services and a restaurant. The journey to Sapa is made on an overnight train in a comfortable two-berth room, one of the most luxurious train journeys from Hanoi to the mountains, saving time while adding an experience worth having in its own right.

Four nights in Sapa are spent at a comfortable and well-positioned hotel in the centre of town. The tour closes on the water, with a night aboard a luxury yacht in Halong Bay, where spacious cabins with private balconies and a restaurant on deck make for an unforgettable final evening.

What You'll Eat

Meals are well covered on this tour, with eight breakfasts, eight lunches and six dinners included throughout. The food follows the journey, from the vibrant street food culture of Hanoi to the hearty flavours of Sapa's hill country and the fresh seafood of Halong Bay. On the evenings where dinner is not provided, there are good local options to discover at your own pace.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk both starts and finishes in Hanoi, Vietnam. Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is well connected with flights across Asia and beyond. Please contact the office for the starting hotel on your specific departure.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at the hotel for your onward travel arrangements.


This walk is graded moderate to challenging. The majority of walking takes place in the mountains surrounding Sapa, on well-formed paths and rural back roads. The terrain is uneven in places, so sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and grip are essential.

A regular training routine of three to four times per week, with some hill work incorporated as departure approaches, is advisable preparation.


You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Your luggage will be transferred with you to all accommodations on the tour, including the Ha Long boat tour.


Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Late September to November is the prime window — cool, dry conditions, clear skies and golden rice terraces at harvest time. Temperatures sit between 15°C and 25°C and the trails are at their best. March to May is a good secondary option, with comfortable temperatures and flowering landscapes before the summer heat arrives. December and January are dry but cold in the highlands, so pack warm layers. Avoid June through August entirely — it's hot, very wet and the trails turn muddy and slippery.

Both walks start in Hanoi, so fly into Noi Bai International Airport.

A comfortable mix depending on which walk you choose. The Sapa and Halong Bay trip includes a night in Hanoi, four nights in a hotel in central Sapa, and an overnight train to and from Sapa in two-berth sleeper cabins. The highlight is a two-day, one-night luxury boat cruise on Halong Bay. The Mai Chau to Ninh Binh walk stays in well-appointed hotels throughout, with daily breakfast included.

A comfortable daypack with water, snacks, sun protection and a light rain layer. Terrain varies across both walks — from flat village paths and rice paddy trails to jungle tracks and karst mountain routes — so a versatile pair of walking shoes or boots with good grip is recommended.

Vietnamese food is a genuine highlight of both trips, with fresh local cuisine prepared throughout. Let the team know about any dietary requirements at the time of booking and they will do their best to accommodate them.

Vietnam has a strong tradition of respect, particularly around temples, pagodas and religious sites — dress modestly and remove shoes when asked. A gentle, unhurried approach goes a long way in the villages along both routes. Tipping guides and drivers is customary and appreciated, though not obligatory.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy must cover injury, trip cancellation, luggage loss and medical evacuation. Never pack your passport in your main luggage.

Want to Know More?

The Northern Vietnam experience

Wonder
Trek through the breathtaking rice terraces of Muong Hoa Valley, among the most beautiful in the world
Visit remote H'mong and Giay villages in the highlands above Sapa on the slopes of the Hoang Lien Son range
Sapa sits at 1,500 metres in the Hoang Lien Son mountains, Vietnam's highest range near the Chinese border
Wellness
Local English-speaking guides bring deep knowledge of the ethnic minority communities along the route
Walking through the Black H'mong, Giay, and Red Dao minority villages offers cultural immersion of rare depth
A two-day, one-night cruise on Halong Bay, with its 3,000 limestone karsts, ends the journey in style
Nature
Bamboo forests, hidden caves, and cascading waterfalls in the heart of Vietnam's mountain north
Walk through a landscape shaped by traditional rice farming practices unchanged for generations
The Muong Hoa Valley's stepped rice terraces catch the morning light and evening mist in extraordinary ways