12-Day Luxury Northern Vietnam In-depth Tour

Tour Code: ZB0AGSEA4MXZ 

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Hanoi, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong Bay
Land tour From: $676
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Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

1 person

Languages

___

About this tour

Embark on an enchanting journey through Northern Vietnam, immersing yourself in the captivating tapestry of its culture and history. Explore the bustling streets of Hanoi with an exhilarating cyclo ride, unveiling the city’s vibrant charm. Venture deep into the Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu, where majestic landscapes and rich historical heritage captivate the senses.

Continue your adventure with a scenic overnight train to Sapa, a remote and picturesque rural region, where vibrant ethnic minorities with unique cultures await. Trek to remote villages, discovering the colorful traditions and way of life that define this highland paradise.

Then, set sail on a luxurious cruise to the heart of Halong Bay, where breathtaking natural wonders will leave you in awe. Delight your taste buds with an exquisite array of authentic meals, and experience the warm hospitality and boundless generosity of the local people.

This unforgettable journey promises a harmonious blend of exploration, cultural immersion, and culinary delights, leaving lasting memories in your heart.

Highlights

  • * Ha Long Bay: A stunning bay with thousands of limestone cliffs and islets rising from the water. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam.
  • * Sapa: A mountainous region in the northwest of Vietnam, known for its beautiful rice terraces, ethnic minority villages, and trekking opportunities.
  • * Ninh Binh: An area of natural beauty, with stunning karst landscapes, rice fields, and ancient temples.
  • * Hanoi: The capital of Vietnam, with a mix of old and new architecture, street food, and cultural sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature.

Included/Excluded

  • * All accommodations (with Twin/Double rooms) while on tour
  • * Accommodation based on twin or double sharing room
  • * All transfers and road transport in modern, air-conditioned vehicles if specified in the program
  • * Meals as mentioned in the program. B-Breakfast, Br-Brunch, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
  • * Your tour guide is a professional, fully trained employee of Vietnam Tour Packages ( Vietnam Tour Packages)
  • * All sightseeing as specified including entrance fees
  • * Airfares if specified in the program. ( E-Economy class, B-Business calss)
  • * Visa Approval Letter if specified in the program
  • • Compulsory tips for tour guide and driver
  • • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • • Any flights (Domestic and International) and airport tax
  • • Single Supplement. Early check-in and late check-out. Hotel/Room upgrade
  • • Drinks, personal expenses and any services not clearly mentioned in the program
  • • Surcharge for the festive seasons
  • • Applicable Government Taxes and other service charges.
  • • The tour cost does not include POE charges and passport charges.
  • • Porterage Facility

Itinerary

<span> Day 1</span>ARRIVAL IN HANOI (D)

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our tour guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy a delightful Welcome Dinner and spend the night in Hanoi.

<span> Day 2 </span>HANOI CITY TOUR (B, L)

Embark on a captivating exploration of Hanoi, a city with a grandeur of its own. Commence your day by delving into the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh, the revered revolutionary leader. Visit his mausoleum, the stilt house, the Presidential Palace, and the historic One Pillar Pagoda. Continue your journey to the Temple of Literature, originally built as a temple to Confucius and the first university in Vietnam. After a delicious lunch, we'll visit the Museum of Ethnology, one of Vietnam's top museums. Experience the essence of Hanoi's charm as you take a memorable cyclo ride through the enchanting Old Quarter. Conclude the day with a unique and traditional Water Puppet show. Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8 am to 11 am. It is closed on Mondays and Fridays and undergoes maintenance for two months each year, usually in October and November, by a Russian expert.

<span> Day 3 </span>HOA LU - TAM COC (B, L)

Today, venture to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, once home to two Kings in the 10th and 11th centuries. Relish a delightful lunch at a local restaurant. Experience the local boating charm as we explore the mesmerizing Tam Coc, famously known as "Three Caves." Return to Hanoi around 4 pm and enjoy another restful night in this captivating city.

<span> Day 4 </span>HANOI - SAPA (B)

Savor a leisurely day in Hanoi. In the evening, transfer to the railway station for an overnight journey on the Sapaly Train. Settle into your private cabin and enjoy the overnight ride.

<span> Day 5 </span>SAPA (B, L)

Awake to the breathtaking beauty of sprawling valleys and vibrant rice paddy fields as the train reaches Lao Cai Railway Station. Your local guide will greet you and take you to Sapa for a hearty breakfast at Victoria Sapa Hotel. Embark on a captivating day of exploration as you trek to Lao Chai & Tan Van villages, with a delightful lunch at a local restaurant. Engage with the warm local ethnic communities before returning to Sapa Town for a relaxing evening. Overnight in Sapa.

<span> Day 6 </span>SAPA (B, L)

Continue your off-the-beaten-path adventure with treks to Ban Khoang and Ta Giang Phing villages. Embrace the opportunity to meet the friendly locals adorned in their traditional dresses and experience their authentic daily life. Enjoy a delectable lunch at a local restaurant, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to unwind. Overnight in Sapa.

<span> Day 7 </span>SAPA - HANOI (B)

Make the most of your free morning for final explorations in Sa Pa. In the afternoon, return to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi. Settle into your private cabin on the Sapaly train for a restful overnight journey.

<span> Day 8 </span>HANOI - HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

Upon arrival at Hanoi Railway Station, receive a warm welcome and transfer to Halong Bay. Board our cruise ship and set sail on Bai Tu Long Bay, a breathtaking journey amidst extraordinary limestone karst landscapes, Oan Lagoon, Teapot and Monster Head Islets, and the charming towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha. Explore the intriguing daily lives of Vung Vieng fishing village's inhabitants by local rowing boats or kayaks. Overnight on the Cruise ship.

<span> Day 9 </span>HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

After breakfast, venture to Trong (Drum) Cave, Trinh Nu (Virgin) Cave, Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet, and explore Toi and Sang Caves, amongst other fascinating sites. Visit a beautiful lagoon and enchanting fishing villages. Experience the thrill of kayaking through a stunning tunnel under a limestone karst and indulge in swimming. Return to the cruise ship for an overnight stay.

<span> Day 10 </span>HALONG BAY - HANOI (B, Br)

In the morning, visit the Surprise Cave - Sung Sot, a mesmerizing cavern with magnificent formations and awe-inspiring views of Halong Bay and its surroundings. After brunch, check out of your cabin and transfer back to Hanoi, arriving around 5 pm. Spend the night in Hanoi.

<span> Day 11 </span>HANOI FREE DAY (B, D)

Today, after breakfast, enjoy a leisurely day to explore Hanoi at your own pace. In the evening, join our Tour Guide for a delightful Farewell dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.

<span> Day 12 </span>HANOI DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast, your tour guide will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight home or to your onward destination. Depart with cherished memories of your journey.

Durations

9 - 12 days

Regional Tours

Vietnam

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Tour's Location

Hanoi, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong Bay
Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s “Killing Fields” - Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s "Killing Fields" 📍 Location: 40km southwest of Chau Doc⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM💰 Entrance Fee: Free🚗 How to Get There: Take Highway 91, then Highway N1 along the Cambodia border toward Ha Tien, and turn south onto Highway 3T for the final stretch. You can hire a taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) from Chau Doc, including waiting time if needed. A Tranquil Countryside with a Dark Past Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes southwest of Chau Doc, the peaceful village of Ba Chuc hides a history of unimaginable horror. In the late 1970s, as Cambodian refugees fled Pol Pot’s brutal regime, the region’s Khmer population swelled. Tragically, the Khmer Rouge pursued them into Vietnam, leaving behind a trail of massacres that still haunt this area today. The Ba Chuc Memorial: Remembering a Tragedy At the heart of the village stands a solemn memorial honoring the 3,157 victims of one of the worst massacres in Vietnamese history. Between April 18 and April 30, 1978, Khmer Rouge forces slaughtered nearly every resident, often in brutal and inhumane ways. Shockingly, only two villagers survived the bloodshed. The memorial structure, though simple in design, leaves a powerful impact. Beneath a stark concrete canopy lies an eight-sided glass enclosure, where skulls and bones of the victims are displayed, categorized by age—a chilling reminder of the innocence lost in this atrocity. Phi Lai Pagoda: A Silent Witness to Horror Many of the victims were mercilessly killed at the nearby Phi Lai Pagoda, which still bears visible bloodstains on its walls and floors. A small sign near the altar marks a tragic site where 40 villagers perished after a grenade was thrown into a tiny chamber beneath the shrine. Between the memorial and the pagoda, a small exhibition room houses harrowing black-and-white photographs taken immediately after the massacre. These images show scattered, mutilated corpses, offering an unfiltered look at the horrors inflicted upon Ba Chuc. Some pictures are extremely graphic and distressing, so visitors should be prepared before entering. Visiting Ba Chuc Today Despite its grim past, Ba Chuc remains an important historical site, attracting visitors who come to pay their respects and reflect on the devastation of war. A few cafés and food stalls nearby provide refreshments for those exploring the area. Ba Chuc stands as Vietnam’s own "Killing Fields", a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. While the site is not for the faint-hearted, it serves as a vital testament to history—one that should never be forgotten.The Hoa Hao Religion - The Hoa Hao Religion: A Unique Buddhist Sect in Vietnam 📍 Location: Hoa Hao Village, 20km east of Chau Doc👤 Founder: Huynh Phu So📜 Key Beliefs: Simplicity in worship, direct connection with the Supreme Being, ascetic lifestyle The Hoa Hao religion, a distinctive Buddhist sect, emerged in Vietnam in the late 1930s, originating from the small village of Hoa Hao, near Chau Doc. The movement was founded by Huynh Phu So, a visionary spiritual leader whose life story is deeply intertwined with the sect’s teachings. Origins and Core Beliefs Huynh Phu So, a frail child, was placed under the care of a reclusive monk, where he studied both traditional Buddhist teachings and mystical spiritual disciplines. In 1939, at the age of 20, he experienced a profound trance, during which a new form of Buddhism was revealed to him. Upon awakening, he was miraculously cured of his lifelong illness and began preaching his unique spiritual philosophy. Hoa Hao Buddhism promotes a stripped-down approach to worship, rejecting elaborate rituals, temples, and intermediaries such as monks and priests. Instead, it emphasizes direct personal communication with the Supreme Being. The faith also upholds strict moral values, discouraging alcohol, drugs, and gambling. These principles, along with Huynh Phu So’s reputed healing and prophetic abilities, quickly attracted a large following, especially among Vietnam’s rural peasant communities. Political Influence and Conflict Beyond its religious foundation, the Hoa Hao sect soon became a political force, forming a militia to support its nationalist, anti-French, and anti-Communist stance. During World War II, the Japanese occupation army supplied them with weapons, seeking to destabilize the French colonial administration. However, the French viewed the movement with deep suspicion, branding Huynh Phu So as the "Mad Monk." In 1941, he was imprisoned and later confined to a psychiatric hospital—where he astonishingly converted his doctor to Hoa Hao Buddhism. Upon his release in 1945, tensions between the Hoa Hao and the Viet Minh escalated, leading to Huynh’s assassination by Viet Minh agents in 1947. Despite fierce resistance, the sect’s influence waned over the following decades. In the 1950s, President Ngo Dinh Diem’s crackdown on dissident groups further weakened the movement, culminating in the capture and execution of Hoa Hao military leader Ba Cut in 1956. By the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Communist government had eliminated any remaining political or military presence of the sect. Hoa Hao Buddhism Today Despite its turbulent history, Hoa Hao Buddhism remains a significant spiritual tradition, with an estimated two million followers primarily residing in Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. Some devout male practitioners still wear long beards and hair tied in a bun, a traditional marker of Hoa Hao adherents. While the sect no longer engages in political activism, its legacy continues through its strong spiritual and ethical influence on local communities.

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Land tourFrom: $676
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Traveltui

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