Hanoi to Sapa
5 Days 4 Nights — Ethnic Villages, Rice Terraces & Fansipan
Price: Contact us for pricing
Tour Map
- Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival & Night Train
- Day 2 – Lào Cai → Sapa → Muong Hoa Valley
- Day 3 – Ethnic Markets & Night Train
- Day 4 – Hanoi City Tour
- Day 5 – Departure
Tour Itinerary Overview
| Day | Destinations / Activities | Hotel | Meal |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 |
Hanoi Arrival – Night Train to Lào Cai |
Overnight train (4-berth cabin) |
B: –; L: –; D: Light dinner |
Day 2 |
Lào Cai – Muong Hoa Valley – Sapa |
Sapa Hotel |
B: Restaurant; L: TBA; D: – |
Day 3 |
Ethnic Markets – Ban Pho Village – Night Train |
Overnight train (4-berth cabin) |
B: Hotel; L: TBA; D: – |
Day 4 |
Hanoi City Tour |
Hanoi Old Quarter Hotel |
B: Hotel; L: TBA; D: – |
Day 5 |
Hanoi Departure |
No Service |
B: Hotel; L: –; D: – |
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Night Train to Lào Cai
- Arrive at Nội Bài Airport; driver transfers you to a mini-hotel near the train station
- Light dinner with local food; shower and relax before the overnight journey
- Board the overnight train at 10:00 PM in a shared 4-berth cabin
- Train arrives Lào Cai ~6:00 AM
Day 2: Lào Cai – Muong Hoa Valley Trek – Sapa
- Arrive Lào Cai ~6:00 AM; transfer ~1 hour uphill to Sapa town
- Breakfast at a local restaurant; drop luggage at hotel
- 9:00 AM — descend into Muong Hoa Valley on foot, home to the largest terraced rice paddies in the Sapa area (May–September: witness planting and harvesting)
- Trek from Lao Chai Village (Black H'mong minority) to Tả Van Village (Zay minority) — compare traditions, costumes, and daily life of two distinct ethnic groups
- Return to Sapa by car for lunch
- Afternoon: hotel check-in, leisure, or shopping at the Sapa night market
- Optional — Fansipan Peak by cable car (surcharge: cable car USD 35–37/person round trip + funicular USD 8/person round trip): board the funicular from Sun Plaza to the cable station, then cable car to 2,800 m, then walk to Fansipan summit at 3,143 m — the highest point in Indochina. Enjoy panoramic views over Sapa, Muong Hoa Valley, and Hoàng Liên National Forest. Note: not suitable for those with respiratory or heart conditions, or fear of heights.
Day 3: Ethnic Markets – Ban Pho Village – Night Train to Hanoi
- Early breakfast; explore the vibrant ethnic minority markets — each held on a specific day of the week:
- Bắc Hà Market (Sunday) — Vietnam's most colourful hilltribe market; 8+ ethnic groups, H'mong King's palace
- Cốc Ly Market (Tuesday) — riverside market along the Chay River
- Cao Sơn Market (Wednesday) — Mong, Dao, H'mong & Phu La ethnic convergence in Muong Khuong District
- Lung Khau Nhin Market (Thursday) — stunning hilltop views with vivid colours against mountain backdrops
- Cán Cấu Market (Saturday) — off-the-beaten-path hidden gem for adventurous travellers
- Afternoon light trek to Ban Pho Village, home to Flower H'mong minority — enter local homes, share green tea and corn wine, hear family stories
- Return to hotel; transfer to Lào Cai station for the overnight train back to Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi – City Tour
- Arrive Hanoi ~5:30 AM; guide and driver meet you at the station
- Transfer to hotel for early check-in and breakfast
- 8:30 AM city tour begins: Ba Đình Square — site of the 1945 independence declaration
- Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, stilt house, One-Pillar Pagoda & Presidential Palace
- Museum of choice: Vietnam Military History Museum, Fine Arts Museum, or Hỏa Lò Prison
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Temple of Literature — Vietnam's first university (founded 1070), stunning traditional architecture and manicured gardens
- Evening free to explore the Old Quarter streets; optional Water Puppet Show at Thăng Long Theatre
Day 5: Hanoi Departure
- Breakfast at hotel; leisure time until transfer
- Driver takes you to Nội Bài Airport for your departure flight
Photo Gallery
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Includes:
- Accommodation at 4-star Hanoi hotel (2 nights) + 4-berth overnight train cabins (2 nights) + Sapa hotel (1 night), English-speaking guide, private transport, meals as listed, admission fees, travel insurance, recommended tips for guide & driver
Excludes:
- International flights, personal expenses, drinks, Fansipan cable car (USD 35–37/person) & funicular (USD 8/person), optional Water Puppet Show, others not mentioned
Children's Policy
- Under 4 years: Free (must share seat/table with parents)
- 4–9 years: 75% of adult price
- 10+ years: 100% adult price
- Two adults can bring one child free/at reduced rate. Second child charged as adult.
Cancellation Policy
- 3–5 days before departure: 75% fee charged
- 2 days before departure: 100% fee charged
- Cancellations must be received and confirmed by Indochine Tours