After breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guide for a full-day journey through Hanoi, Vietnam’s elegant and historic capital. Start at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located in Ba Dinh Square. This solemn site is the final resting place of Vietnam’s beloved leader. (Note: The mausoleum is open from 08:00 to 11:00 on Tuesdays to Thursdays and weekends.) Next, explore the Presidential Palace and the modest stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived. The simple wooden structure, gifted to him in 1958, embodies his humble lifestyle and deep connection to the people of Vietnam. A short walk takes you to the One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s most iconic landmarks. Built in 1049 by Emperor Ly Thai Tong after a divine vision of the Goddess of Mercy, this stunning pagoda was destroyed in 1954 but meticulously reconstructed in 1955.

Continue your cultural journey with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, founded in 1070. This tranquil site honours Confucius and offers a glimpse into the country’s rich scholarly traditions.

In the afternoon, explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where you'll discover a fascinating collection of exhibits that showcase the diverse cultural heritage of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The museum also features an outdoor area with traditional houses representing various ethnic communities. (Note: The museum is closed on Mondays.)

Then, embark on a cyclo tour through the charming streets of Hanoi Old Quarter. After the cyclo tour, you'll have some time to relax and enjoy the city's evening vibe before heading to the train station for your overnight train journey to Lao Cai (Sapa) (The train departs at 21:00 or 22:00, and you will have a comfortable ride in a sleeper berth in a shared cabin as you make your way to the scenic mountains of Sapa. The duration of this journey is 8 hours and 5 minutes. You will reach Lao Cai at 06:05 in the next morning. Note: There is no escorting guide from Hanoi to Sapa. We are committed to support the communities by using local guide in Sapa; some of them come from the surrounding ethnic villages. The best thing is their willingness to show you about their cultures, customs and especially they know the area as the back of their hand.

Arrive in Lao Cai station around 6h Am, meet your local guide and driver and you get on the car for journey to Sa Pa for breakfast at local restaurant. Then, a short transfer to Cat Cat Village. From there, you’ll begin your descent along a road that leads to Cat Cat, where you can enjoy views of the surrounding landscapes. Along the way, you’ll stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station before continuing on a dirt trail through lush rice paddies. The trek provides stunning views as you walk alongside a narrow river, leading you to Y Linh Ho Village, home to the Black Hmong minority. Take a rest and enjoy a local lunch by the river.

After lunch, head deeper into the Muong Hoa Valley, passing through Lao Chai Village of the Black Hmong minority. Continue on the popular trekking route towards Tavan Village, where you’ll spend the night with a local Giay minority family. Enjoy the serene beauty of the valley, and if you wish, take a refreshing dip in the nearby river. Approximate duration: 5 hours of trekking / 1-hour lunch

After a delicious breakfast, begin your trek to Giang Ta Chai Village, home to the Red Dao minority. Trek through the beautiful bamboo forest of Hoang Lien National Park, and stop by a waterfall where you can rest and take in the natural surroundings. You’ll then enjoy a packed lunch in a scenic spot. After lunch, continue your journey towards Su Pan, a small village located along the road. From here, you’ll be transferred back to Sapa by car. Approximate duration: 1-hour drive / 3 hours of walking / 1-hour lunch

Upon arrival at the railway station, pick up and you will walk to a nearby mini hotel for breakfast and fresh up. After breakfast, embark on a scenic 3-hour drive through the lush, rural landscapes of the Red River Delta as you make your way to Ha Long City. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, Ha Long Bay is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, featuring over 1,600 limestone karsts and islets that rise dramatically from the emerald waters. Upon arrival, board a traditional wooden cruise boat and set sail through this spectacular natural wonder. As you glide past soaring cliffs, hidden coves, and floating fishing villages, indulge in a freshly prepared seafood lunch served on board.

In the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time to swim in the clear, inviting waters of the bay or explore one of its enchanting limestone caves, filled with fascinating rock formations sculpted by millennia of natural processes. As evening approaches, your boat will anchor near a quiet island, providing the perfect setting for relaxation. Enjoy a delectable dinner served on board, and after, you can spend the evening stargazing from the deck or try your hand at night squid fishing. Overnight on board in Ha Long Bay.

Wake up to the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay and enjoy the peaceful moments of sunrise over the water. Afterwards, savour a delicious breakfast on board as the day begins. The morning is reserved for further exploration of the bay's lesser-known corners, with opportunities to swim in its inviting waters or simply relax and take in the stunning scenery.

Around midday, the boat will begin its return journey to the main harbour, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Hanoi for your departure flight. End of our service.