Tonkin Elegance 8 Days
4.4 8

Itinerary

This 8-day Northern Vietnam tour is designed for families and senior travelers who want to experience the region’s iconic destinations without the long journey south. Featuring overnight stays in Hanoi, Sapa, and Halong Bay, with quality accommodations and a comfortable sleeper train experience between Hanoi and Sapa. The focused itinerary allows you to deeply explore each destination rather than rushing through multiple locations.

We’ve combined cultural immersion with natural beauty: exploring Hanoi’s historic quarter, trekking through mountain villages at your chosen difficulty level, and relaxing on a premium bay cruise. The overnight train is equipped with comfortable sleeping berths, or you can opt for a private vehicle transfer if preferred. Want to extend your Sapa stay for additional treks or add extra cruise time? Contact us via this form or email [email protected] to adjust the itinerary.

Highlight

  • Hanoi – Discover the Old Quarter’s temples and street food, visit museums, and enjoy water puppet performances
  • Overnight Train to Sapa – Experience comfortable sleeper cabins on the scenic journey to the mountains
  • Sapa – Choose from easy walks to moderate treks through terraced rice fields and ethnic minority villages
  • Halong Bay – 2 Days premium cruise with spacious cabins, kayaking, and fresh seafood dining

DAY 01: HANOI ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at Nội Bài International Airport, you are welcomed by our driver and escorted to your hotel (approximately 45 minutes). Check in and relax after your flight. Overnight stay in Hà Nội gives you time to refresh and prepare for the journey ahead.

Meal: N/A
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

woman on bicycle selling things on Hanoi street

DAY 02: HANOI – LAO CAI

Spend the day exploring Hà Nội’s most notable sites: visit the memorials and house of Hồ Chí Minh, the Presidential Palace and One-Pillar Pagoda, then stroll through the serene past of the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university from the 11th century. After lunch, immerse yourself in the cultural richness at the Ethnology Museum. Later, wander through Hà Nội’s atmospheric Old Quarter with its historic craft-guild streets. In the evening, we escort you to the station and board the sleeper train bound for Lào Cai. Enjoy a night aboard as the train winds through northern Vietnamese landscapes.

Overnight on the train.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Man on bicycle selling hat on Hanoi street

DAY 03: LAO CAI – SAPA

Arrive at Lào Cai early morning and transfer by road to Sapa. After breakfast and hotel check-in (early check-in if available), enjoy free time to rest or explore the small town. In the afternoon, visit Silver Waterfall and then journey to Heaven Gate & Tram Ton Pass at 2,047 m – the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. From there, enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range and lush valleys. On the descent, you’ll pass through O Quy Hồ forested slopes and expansive farms, an ideal spot for photos and experiencing rural highland life. Return to Sapa for overnight stay.

Meal: Breakfast
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Sapa rice terrace with children

DAY 04: SAPA – MA TRA – TA PHIN – HANOI

Located just a bout 5km southeast of Sapa town, Ma Tra valley attracts visitors for its stunning scenery highlighted with impressive terraced rice fields. The Hmong peoples has changed from sifting lifestyle into sedentary one form early 20th Century and built terraced field to ensure their ermanent earning by farming wet rice. 

Trip commences from Sapa at 08.30am or 01.30pm by a 5km road transfer out of Sapa town. Then walk starts from here downhill and cross the stream to the other bank where Suoi Ho village beautifully sits on the top of a low hill. Spend half an hour to visit several local homes for understanding of local life before continue walking along a large path on hillsides which is paved with rock to get through Ma Tra village. This portion of the walk offers beautiful scenery of the valley and terraced paddies as well as flower farm. Late afternoon, we bring you back to Lao Cai Railway station for overnight train to Hanoi.

Overnight is on the train.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Ethic woman at Ta Phi Village, Sapa

DAY 05: HANOI - NINH BINH - HOA LU - TRANG AN

Arrive in Hà Nội early (5.00 AM), transfer to hotel for breakfast and rest. Then depart for Ninh Bình to visit the ancient capitals’ temples at Hoa Lư, once home to early Vietnamese dynasties. In the afternoon, explore the UNESCO-recognised Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex on a peaceful boat ride through limestone karsts, caves, waterways, and lush greenery. Return to your Hanoi’s Hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English-speaking guide


DAY 06: HANOI - HALONG

After breakfast, at around 8.00 am, we will pick you up to embark on a journey to the mesmerizing Halong Bay.

On arrival, you are welcomed on board and served a mouth-watering lunch while cruising through the bay. Depending on which cruise you choose, the detailed itinerary will include a visit karst cave, kayaking (an extra option on most of the boats, some boat has kayaking included), swimming in crystal water, and enjoying the landscape, or relaxing at the sundeck. The day will end with a sumptuous dinner on board, and you will spend the night under the starry sky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English-speaking guide on board


DAY 07: HA LONG - HA NOI

Wake up to the gentle sound of waves. After breakfast, visit a limestone grotto or explore hidden caves (depending on cruise schedule). Continue cruising to the harbor, disembark by late morning. Return by road to Hà Nội, arriving in the afternoon. Enjoy free time in the city or depart for your next destination.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English-speaking guide


DAY 08: HANOI DEPARTURE

Today is at your leisure until the scheduled transfer to the airport. This marks the end of your Tonkin Elegance 8 Days tour. Departures can be arranged to fit your flight schedule.

Meals: Breakfast
Tour guide: English-speaking  guide

The Huc bridge Hanoi - Hanoi city tour

Pricing

Category Price valid from Jan 1st – Dec 31st, 2026 (per person in US dollar)
2 people 3 – 4 people 5 – 6 people 7 – 8 people Single supplement
Superior $914 $782 $657 $597 $254
Deluxe $991 $859 $734 $674 $318
Luxury $1,131 $999 $874 $814 $473

Note: If you’re planning to visit Vietnam in 2025 or at another time, please fill out this form or email us at [email protected] to get a quote with a customizable itinerary.

ACCOMMODATION

Below is our suggested accommodations. As we offer private tour, your hotel can be selected to match your travel interests.

Cities Hotel Category
Superior Deluxe  Luxury
Hanoi San Boutique Hotel
Premium
Anatole Hanoi Hotel
Grand Deluxe
Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel
Grand Deluxe
Sapa Bamboo Sapa Hotel
Superior Window
Aliana Boutique Sapa
Deluxe Balcony
Silk Path Grand Sapa
Balcony Classic Garden
Halong Renea Cruise
Deluxe
Peony Cruise
Deluxe Balcony
Indochine Lan Ha Cruise
Junior Suite

Include & Exclude

TRIP INCLUSIVE

  • Accommodations based on twin sharing room with daily breakfast
  • Private transfer with air conditioning for airport pick up/drop off
  • A bottle of water anda  cold towel daily in the private car
  • Regional and experienced English-speaking guides
  • Meals as indicated (without beverage)
  • All entrance and sightseeing fees.
  • 2D1N trip in Ha Long Bay
  • Overnight train tickets: Hanoi Station – Lao Cai Station (02 ways)
  • Service charges and government tax

TRIP EXCLUSIVE

  • Travel insurances
  • Drink and meals not mentioned in the Inclusive column
  • Personal tipping and gratuities
  • International flight ticket
  • Vietnam Visa

Note:

* Check-in time: 02.00 pm – Check-out time: 12.00 pm

* Special offer in Low Season from May 1st – Sep 30th is applied. Please contact us for more details.

* Price is based on a minimum of 2 people sharing 1 double/ twin room. Single supplement is surcharged when one person occupies one room.

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