DAY 1: Hanoi – Arrival & First Impressions

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Noi Bai International Airport, where your private driver ensures a smooth and comfortable transfer into the heart of Hanoi. Upon arrival, check in at your elegant hotel, where personalized service and refined touches set the tone for your trip. After a short rest, indulge in a delightful lunch of authentic Vietnamese rice dishes, perfectly introducing the flavors of the north. 

In the afternoon, step into history at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a place of national pride, before seeking peace at Tran Quoc Pagoda, a timeless sanctuary by the shores of West Lake. As twilight falls, a curated street food tour invites you to taste Hanoi’s iconic dishes - bún chả, nem rán, and bánh cuốn. 

The evening continues with a gentle stroll through the Old Quarter, where lantern-lit alleyways exude charm, and a stop for Hanoi’s famous egg coffee completes the experience. Returning to your hotel, you’ll feel the perfect balance of history, culture, and comfort as your Vietnamese journey takes flight.

DAY 2: Hanoi – Village Crafts & Local Culture

This morning, you journey just outside Hanoi to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, where the art of pottery has been passed down for centuries. Wander through artisan workshops, watch skilled hands shape clay into elegant forms, and try creating your own piece to bring home. Lunch is enjoyed in Ecopark, where chả cá, grilled fish served with herbs and vermicelli, showcases a unique flavor of Hanoi. 

In the afternoon, explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where the diversity of the nation’s 54 ethnic groups is celebrated through captivating exhibits and lifelike displays. Returning to the city, you may choose between a traditional water puppet show, telling folk tales through artistry and music, or a cyclo ride that weaves you through Hanoi’s bustling streets in style. 

Dinner features phở cuốn, a modern yet beloved local specialty, before the evening takes you to Train Street Café for coffee as the trains rumble dramatically by. Back at your hotel, the warmth of the city lingers as you prepare for tomorrow’s adventure.

DAY 3: Ha Long – Natural Wonder of the World

Leave the city behind as your private car whisks you through the Red River Delta to the legendary Ha Long Bay. Upon boarding your premium cruise, the emerald waters and towering limestone karsts immediately unfold before your eyes. Lunch is freshly prepared and served on deck, allowing you to savor seafood while the scenery drifts gracefully past. 

The afternoon offers choices - relax on the sun deck, take a swim in the bay’s calm waters, or paddle a kayak into hidden lagoons where silence reigns. Later, disembark to explore Ha Long City, strolling its lively waterfront and local night markets alive with color and flavor. Dinner rich in coastal flavors brings another celebration of fresh seafood, crafted to perfection. 

As evening settles, your limousine returns you to Hanoi, where the day’s magic blends seamlessly into comfort. Tonight, your hotel becomes a sanctuary after a day of extraordinary natural beauty.

DAY 4: Ninh Binh – Natural Beauty & Cultural Heritage

This morning, journey south to the emerald landscapes of Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land.” Your exploration begins at Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, where temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le Kings reflect the grandeur of Vietnam’s early dynasties. Continue to Bich Dong Pagoda, a timeless sanctuary built into the mountainside, where stone steps lead to tiered shrines and tranquil grottoes. Lunch highlights local delicacies - succulent mountain goat, crispy rice, and seasonal snails - dishes that carry the essence of the land. 

In the afternoon, a sampan boat ride awaits you at Trang An (or Tam Coc, should you choose), where you’ll glide across jade-green waters, drifting through caves and past ancient temples hidden among karsts. Later, climb to the summit of Mua Cave Peak (500 steps), rewarded with sweeping panoramas of rice fields and limestone valleys. Then, cycle leisurely through tranquil villages, greeting friendly locals and feeling the rhythm of rural life unfold around you.

As evening sets in, enjoy a refined dinner in Hoa Lu Ancient Town, where countryside tastes meet elegant presentation. The journey continues with a leisurely wander through the riverside streets, where vibrant nightlife mingles with historic landmarks to reveal the city’s enchanting nocturnal charm. Finally, conclude your day with a relaxing drive back to Hanoi hotel, the capital’s warm lights welcoming you home.

DAY 5: Hanoi – Sapa Mountain Retreat

Set out this morning on a scenic drive north, where winding roads lead through valleys, rivers, and terraced rice fields, each view more breathtaking than the last. A pause in Lao Cai offers a traditional lunch before you continue to Sapa, the jewel of Vietnam’s northern highlands. Upon arrival, check into your resort, where sweeping mountain views and luxurious amenities invite rest and renewal. 

The afternoon takes you to Cat Cat Village, home to the Hmong community, where handicrafts, cultural traditions, and daily life unfold against a dramatic backdrop. Returning to Sapa town, you’ll feel the blend of French colonial charm and mountain vibrancy in its bustling streets. Dinner is served in a refined local restaurant, featuring mountain delicacies prepared with artistry. 

As evening settles, you may choose to enjoy a soothing Dao herbal foot bath or stroll through the lively night market. Back at your resort, the cool mountain breeze accompanies a night of serenity.

DAY 6: Sapa – Leisure Trekking & Cooking Class Experience

Awake to crisp mountain air and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking terraced valleys bathed in morning light. Today begins with a gentle trek through rice paddies and bamboo groves, offering a window into the natural beauty that defines this highland region. Arriving at a welcoming village, you’ll join a private cooking class, guided by local hosts eager to share their culinary secrets. Using freshly gathered herbs and produce, you’ll prepare dishes that reflect Sapa’s unique flavors, before sitting down to share the meal together. The warmth of this cultural exchange lingers long after the plates are cleared. 

In the afternoon, continue with a relaxed trek through hidden valleys, where a quiet café offers the perfect stop for Vietnamese coffee amid the peaks. Your private car then returns you to your resort, where relaxation awaits - whether by the pool, at the spa, or simply gazing at the horizon. 

Dinner is intimate, celebrating regional specialties, before a gentle evening stroll through Sapa’s charming night market completes your day.

DAY 7: Fansipan Peak Exploration & Warm Farewell

Begin your final morning in Sapa with a leisurely breakfast at your resort, savoring the cool mountain air and the gentle glow of sunrise over the terraced valleys. Soon after, embark on an unforgettable ascent to the legendary Fansipan Peak, known as the “Roof of Indochina.” The modern cable car glides you above forests and drifting clouds, delivering sweeping views of the Hoang Lien Son range and sacred temples perched among the peaks. Standing at the summit, you’ll feel a profound sense of awe, surrounded by landscapes that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. 

Returning to Sapa, a farewell lunch awaits, where regional specialties honor the flavors and spirit of the highlands one last time. Afterward, your private limousine begins the scenic journey back to Hanoi, allowing time for reflection as misty mountains give way to the vibrant rhythm of the capital. Upon reaching Noi Bai International Airport, your guide and driver will bid you a warm farewell, ensuring a smooth departure. 

Though the journey ends here, the memories of Hanoi’s charm, Ha Long’s majesty, Ninh Binh’s tranquility, and Sapa’s soulful beauty will remain with you. This 7-day exploration of Vietnam is not simply a trip - it is a collection of moments, flavors, and encounters that stay in your heart long after you return home.