Package overview
This is the only itinerary in this range that pairs Hanoi with Sa Pa rather than a second lowland or coastal destination, and it does so without an overnight Ha Long Bay stay — the bay is covered in a single day cruise, freeing up two full nights for the six-hour overland journey each way to Sa Pa. It suits clients who specifically want the Fansipan cable car and northwest highland scenery rather than more time on the water.
The Sa Pa leg covers Heaven Gate, Tram Ton Pass and the Silver Waterfall by road, then the world's longest cable car up to Fansipan's 3,143-metre peak, known as Indochina's rooftop. The long bus transfers each way — around six hours over 315 km — should be set clearly in client expectations, and the route works best outside the wettest summer months, when mountain roads and views are more reliable.
Trip highlights
- A single day cruise on Ha Long Bay with lunch served aboard
- Six-hour overland transfer through terraced rice-field scenery to Sa Pa
- Heaven Gate, Tram Ton Pass and the Silver Waterfall
- Cable-car ascent of Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina
- Half-day Hanoi city tour before departure
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer from the airport)
Hanoi's French colonial streets, lakeside pagodas and dense Old Quarter set an easy pace before the longer travel days to come. Arrival afternoons are usually left free for a walk through the Old Quarter.
Day 2: Ha Long Bay day cruise (about 3 hours / 170 km one way)
An early departure covers the drive through the Red River Delta's rice fields to Ha Long Bay, where the group boards a private junk for a roughly four-hour cruise among the bay's 3,000 limestone islands. A seafood lunch is served on board before the return drive to Hanoi, arriving back at the hotel by evening.
Day 3: Hanoi to Sa Pa by road (about 6 hours / 315 km one way)
The drive to Sa Pa follows the Noi Bai–Lao Cai highway, passing terraced rice fields across the northwest highlands with a short break en route. On arrival, the group checks in and has lunch at a local restaurant before an evening walk around Sa Pa town.
Day 4: Heaven Gate, Silver Waterfall and Fansipan by cable car
The drive uphill passes rose farms and chayote grown on bamboo frames before a stop at the Silver Waterfall. Continuing to Heaven Gate and Tram Ton Pass, Vietnam's highest mountain pass at 2,047 metres, the route then heads to the Fansipan cable car — the world's longest and highest — which reaches the 3,143-metre summit, known as Indochina's rooftop, before the transfer back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Sa Pa to Hanoi by road (about 6 hours / 315 km one way)
The return drive follows the Lao Cai–Noi Bai highway back through the northwest highlands, with a short break en route, arriving in Hanoi for a final overnight stay.
Day 6: Half-day Hanoi city tour, airport transfer (about a 45-minute, 25 km transfer)
A half-day tour covers Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda beside West Lake, before an afternoon transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for the onward or homeward flight.
What's included
- INCLUSIONS
- EXCLUSIONS
- ACCOMMODATION
- VISA
- PAYMENT TERMS
- CANCELLATION POLICY
- DO'S IN VIETNAM
- DON'TS IN VIETNAM
- Accommodation with twin/ double/ triple sharing room basis with daily breakfast in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability).
- Meals as mentioned in the Tour Itinerary.
- Sightseeing & Transfers according to the above Tour Itinerary Details only.
- Transportation by vehicle with A/C
- Local English-speaking guide’s assistance.
- All Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Government taxes & service charge
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Not included
- Air Fare / Train fare.
- Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, porterage, water sports.
- Early check-in, late check-out
- Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Room Up gradation Charges.
- Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, which is directly payable on the spot).
- Travel Insurance.
- Bank Charges
- Tip to Driver & Guide (Compulsory)
- Airport Taxes
- Visa and Visa arrangement
- Anything which is not included in the inclusion.
Book this package
Visa requirements, payment terms and cancellation rules for this destination are set out on our [Vietnam travel information page](vietnam/travel-information).
Rates are quoted on request for your dates, party size and hotel category. Send us the itinerary reference and we will come back with a net B2B quotation.