Hanoi, Yen Bai, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa and Ha Long Bay

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel, where you will enjoy a welcome drink and a briefing on the days ahead.

After time to check in and refresh, take an in-depth orientation walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, followed by a Vietnamese dinner at an authentic restaurant. The rest of the evening is yours.

Meals: D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

An early start to visit Hanoi’s flower and fresh-food markets and to take in the morning activity around Hoan Kiem Lake, before returning to your hotel for breakfast and time to rest.

In the afternoon, explore the railway track and the Old Quarter, followed by dinner at an authentic restaurant. The rest of the evening is yours.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

An early start for the train to Yen Bai, with a local breakfast served on board. On arrival, board your private transfer to Nghia Lo, with brief stops for photography and time to wander through villages and meet hill-tribe communities along the way.

Enjoy dinner and an optional massage, then continue to Tu Le for overnight.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

After breakfast, learn about the region’s hill-tribe communities, then transfer by road to Lim Mong village to wander through the village and its rice terraces for photographs.

Return to your hotel for lunch, rest and free time, followed by a visit to Nam Co village and Tu Le Market. The rest of the day is yours.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

Depart for Mu Cang Chai, stopping along the way at the Khau Pha Pass, a salmon farm and a skydiving viewpoint for photographs at sunrise, with a picnic breakfast amid the stunning scenery.

Continue to Mu Cang Chai with further stops at the Mam Xoi viewpoint. On arrival, enjoy free time for lunch and rest, then travel to Kim Loong and Giang Phinh villages for photographs at sunset. Dinner and overnight at a mini-hotel.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

After breakfast, visit a local school, then take a scenic drive along the winding road to Sapa, with photographic opportunities at local villages, small hill-tribe markets, terraced landscapes, tea plantations and the Heaven’s Gate pass.

Enjoy free time in Sapa town, then continue to Lao Chai and Ta Van for an overnight homestay, with evening photography of the rice terraces and surrounding villages.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

An early walk around the village, followed by breakfast, then a scenic drive along the winding road to Bac Ha, with ample photographic opportunities at tea plantations, rice fields and villages.

On arrival, enjoy free time for lunch and rest. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Meals: B/L/D Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

Set off at dawn for a local market, with ample time to wander for photographs, before returning to Bac Ha town to visit its own well-known market.

Continue to Ban Pho village, then transfer by road to Bac Ninh town, with a lunch stop along the way. On arrival, check in to your hotel, with time to rest before dinner.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

The morning is free at your leisure. Around noon, check out and travel to Ha Long City, with lunch en route and stops in the countryside for bucolic photography.

On arrival in Hon Gai in the late afternoon, check in to your hotel, with time to wander the streets and markets for photographs before dinner.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

An early leisurely walk to the fishing harbour, a sampan ride through the floating village and market, and a stroll through the Hon Gai seafood market, before breakfast.

Around noon, check out and transfer to the harbour to board a traditional boat, enjoying lunch while cruising among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, before anchoring at a quiet spot for the night. Dinner on board.

Meals: B/L/D    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard

Rise early for Tai Chi on the top deck and a light breakfast, then disembark for a gentle exploration of a nearby cave. Return to the boat, check out of your cabin, and enjoy brunch while sailing back to shore.

On arrival at the harbour, board your private transfer back toward Hanoi, visiting Ba Vang Pagoda and a ceramics factory along the way, time permitting, before continuing to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: B/L    Hotel: subject to availability, or similar standard