On arrival in Hanoi, be met by your local guide and transfer to the station. Overnight train to begin your onward journey to Sapa. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening on the Chapa Express Train – shared cabin (or similar).

As dawn approaches, arrive early into Lao Cai station, where you will disembark and transfer to your hotel in Sapa town. Along the way, take in the spectacular panoramic mountain scenery. Located in the far northwest of Vietnam in the mountains bordering China, Sapa is home to deep mountain valleys and traditional villages. After enjoying a delightful breakfast with your fellow travellers, you will spend your morning admiring the beauty of Sapa on-board the Fansipan Cable Car that will take you 3000m to the upmost peak of Fansipan to explore the many temples as well as admire the natural beauty of Hoang Lien Son and Muong Hoa Valley. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening at the Bamboo Hotel (or similar)

This morning, you will be met at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver for a short road transfer heading northwards of Sapa along national road 4C to O Quy Ho with several stops for magnificent landscapes of Fansipan, Sin Chai valley and especially amazing flower and vegetable farms . Then turn right to follow a narrow road for half an hour getting through the wild region with thick rain forest covering walled-up mountains, passing several waterfalls before arriving to Ban Khoang, a village of the Red Zao ethnic peoples who live their unique way of life and well maintain their traditional values. The village looks prosperous thanks to the combination of wet rice cultivation on the terraced fields with cardamom farming under the shade of trees in thick forest. Spend over an hour walking to explore this remote village for a brief understanding of local life. Leaving Ban Khoang and process along the road for about 10km to Ta Giang Phinh valley inhabited by the Black Hmong who live in some small villages scattering along a peaceful stream. Enjoy an hour lunch break on the bank of a stream before walking along village path which connects village to village to witness daily activities of local life such as plough and harrow the fields, growing, harvesting or doing some house work. In leisure months men often gather to build new houses or repair parts of old ones while women stay home making their traditional costumes. The walk ends in mid-afternoon, picked up for the road ride back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

After enjoying breakfast, take advantage of a leisurely morning to explore Sapa at your own pace. Then you begin a scenic return drive through the mountains, heading back towards Hanoi. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes as you descend from Sapa's highlands to the vibrant city of Hanoi. On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers. Stay the next two nights at Le Jardin Hotel & Spa (or similar)

Full day Hanoi City Tour This morning you will be met at your hotel by your guide at 8am to begin your city tour with an orientation drive past some of Hanoi's unique sites including Long Bien Bridge, St Joseph's Church & the Opera House. Continue with a walking tour through the fascinating Old Quarter - 36 ancient streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the markets where peddlers continue to trade as they have done for centuries. We then visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, dedicated to the father of modern Vietnam – Uncle Ho, to see his mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, his 'house on stilts' and the One Pillar Pagoda. A short drive to take a look at the Citadel & Flag Tower which was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. After stopping for lunch at KOTO Van Mieu restaurant continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university now dedicated to Confucian worship. Also visit Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples and then the “Hanoi Hilton” - the nickname given to the place where U.S pilots shot down over North Vietnamese airspace were imprisoned during the Vietnam War - now converted into a small museum. Return to your hotel where your tour ends. (Lunch included)Important message Please note that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays; The Ho Chi Minh Museum & the Citadel are closed on Mondays.The Presidential Palace can only be viewed from the outside. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum has annual maintenance normally from September for 2 to 3 months and can only be viewed from the outside. All other sites in the Ho Chi Minh complex are still accessible during this period.

Full day Hoa Lu & Trang An Landscape Complex This morning you will be met at 8am at your hotel by your guide for your 90km drive south to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam dating back to the 10th century. Visit the famous sanctuary of Dinh Tien Hoang, a former emperor of the Dinh Dynasty, and the temple dedicated to the Le Emperor. Following the demise of the Le dynasty the capital was moved to Ha Noi. After lunch (own arrangement) we visit the Trang An Landscape Complex. A spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. Exploration of caves at different altitudes has revealed archaeological traces of human activity over a continuous period of more than 30,000 years. Recently awarded UNESCO world heritage status we take a small boat through this magnificent area before transferring to your hotel in Ninh Binh for check-in. Lunch not included. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening at the Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel (or similar).

Marvel at the towering limestone karsts and vast paddy fields as you make your way from Ninh Binh to Halong City, the gateway to Halong Bay. Dotted with 3,000 limestones karsts, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s stunning natural wonders. Board a beautifully appointed junk boat and begin to cruise the impressive emerald waters of Halong Bay. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch before stopping to explore the many secluded corners of the bay. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, or relax on the main deck or at the bar. Overnight on-board of Victoria Star Cruise (or similar)

Rise early to enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, or choose to relax and take in your final moments in this majestic location before feasting on a delicious buffet brunch. After disembarkation, drive back to Hanoi for your onwards flight to the former imperial capital of Hue, situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Enjoy your stay for the coming evening at Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel And Spa (or similar).

This morning you will be met at your hotel at 8am by your guide for a half day city tour of Hue. We start by viewing the tomb of the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty Tu Duc which is set beautifully amongst lakes & frangipani trees. Continue with a stop at Bunker Hill which overlooks the Perfume River with panoramic views of the plains that stretch towards the mountains in the west & then a brief stop at the Tiger Colossium. Next we explore the impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors - the Citadel. Graded as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored. We finish with a short boat trip to the much-revered Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful. After your own lunch, you will leave Hue for Hoi An. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in. This evening is free for you to explore Hoi An at leisure. Stay the next two nights at Little Residence - Little Boutique (or similar).

This morning, you will begin your walking tour of this UNESCO world heritage site. Hoi An was once Vietnam’s most active trading centre and over many centuries the Old Town has been largely preserved. The architecture of the city reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. Hoi An is also the town where French Missionary Alexandre De Rhodes introduced Catholicism to Vietnam as well as the Romanised script that has become the standard Vietnamese script. Today you will be guided on a walking tour through the streets of enchanting Hoi An. You will visit a traditional ancient house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall, Chau Ong pagoda and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The tour will end in Hoi An Ancient Town where you can enjoy more time at your leisure. Overnight in Hoian.

After breakfast, take a short drive to Danang where you’ll conclude your journey or continue on to your next destination.