Embark on a 5-day journey to explore the stunning rice terraces and experience the rich ethnic culture of the H'mong and Giay people in Sapa. You'll also marvel at the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's most iconic natural wonders. Perfect for budget-conscious travelers with limited time, this tour offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in vibrant local cultures and breathtaking landscapes.
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you’ll be greeted by our driver at the exit of the arrival hall. You’ll then enjoy a 45-minute drive to the heart of Hanoi, passing over the Red River, where you can catch a glimpse of the city’s unique architecture and its famously bustling traffic. Once you arrive in the Old Quarter, the driver will drop you off at your hotel.
6:45 - 7:30 AM: Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Once everyone is on board, we’ll set off for Sapa via the Hanoi - Lao Cai Highway. The drive takes about 6 hours, with a few optional stops along the way for coffee breaks. As we travel, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the rural countryside, mountains, and river landscapes. We expect to arrive in Sapa around 1:00 PM. If your accommodation is in the town center, the driver will drop you off at your hotel, or at a location of your choice within Sapa.
Our local guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in the center of Sapa town. From there, your journey begins with a scenic bus ride from Sapa to Lao Chai, a village home to the Black Hmong ethnic group.
Arrival at Lao Chai village, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in their daily life, observing how they create traditional clothing, handicrafts, and indigo dye. If you visit during the rice-growing season, you'll be treated to stunning views of the valley, offering some of the most breathtaking rice terraces in Vietnam.
From Lao Chai, you’ll take a short walk to Ta Van village, where the Giay people live. This small ethnic community has a rich cultural heritage, and their charming houses sit amidst lush rice fields. You’ll learn about their unique customs and gain insight into their everyday life.
To conclude your trip, a bus will pick you up and return you to Sapa town.
Our local guide will pick you up from your hotel in the center of Sapa town. From there, we’ll begin by walking downhill to Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H'Mong ethnic minority. The village is nestled in a picturesque valley, about 2 km from Sapa town center.
As we make our way to the village, especially during the rice-growing season, you may catch a glimpse of H’mong farmers working on their rice terraces. Once we arrive at the village, you’ll visit a traditional house and meet the host for a friendly chat, giving you a unique insight into their daily life and culture.
After exploring the village, we’ll continue to Cat Cat Waterfall, where you can take a short break and enjoy the refreshing atmosphere. Sometimes, traditional ethnic performances are held here, and you may even have the chance to participate before we walk back to Sapa.
08:15 - 09:00: Our tour guide will pick up guests from various hotels in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (if you have booked the transfer with us). We then depart for Halong Bay.
10:30 - 10:45: We will make a quick rest stop halfway to stretch our legs, use the facilities, or grab a quick snack if you missed breakfast (not included) before getting back on the road to complete the drive.
12:00 – 12:30: Arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor. Welcome to Cozy Bay Premium Cruise. We will take you on a 5-hour journey via a two-day sleeper boat cruise route, renowned for its striking passages with uninhabited islets and outcrops given imaginative names by the locals due to their perceived shapes. Lunch will be served on the boat.
14:00: You will visit Sung Sot Cave to see a variety of stalagmites and stalactites with different shapes resembling sea life.
15:00: Visit Titop Island, which features a sandy beach and a towering limestone mountain with an excellent backdrop of the Bay. Climb up Titop Peak for a panoramic view of the bay, which looks like paradise.
16:00: Enjoy kayaking or a bamboo boat ride in Luon Cave to discover the beautiful lagoon.
18:00 – 18:30: Cruise back to Tuan Chau Harbor. Enjoy a Sunset Party with tea, cakes, and sunbathing on the upper deck with music, and have great fun with fellow travelers among the world’s iconic natural scenery. Then, we will take the bus back to Hanoi via the expressway, with a short break for 20-30 minutes.
21:00 – 21:30: Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi and take you to Noi Bai Airport. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Vietnam and contain a minimum of two blank pages.
French citizens, as well as nationals of 12 other countries (including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain), may enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. If you plan to stay longer, or if your nationality is not eligible for this exemption, please check with the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or feel free to contact us for further information.
International flights are not included in the price of our tours. You are free to choose and book the flights that best suit your needs and schedule. If you wish, our travel consultants can assist you in finding the best available options.
Valid travel insurance is mandatory to participate in the tour. It must cover the following:
Before departure, please provide us with the following information:
Please check whether your credit card already provides coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance if necessary.
Spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are the most pleasant seasons to visit Vietnam, with mild weather and limited rainfall. However, the country stretches over more than 1,600 km, and weather conditions vary significantly. Vietnam can be visited year-round:
Please pack clothing suitable for each region according to your itinerary.
Vietnam operates on GMT+7 year-round. There is no seasonal time change.
The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars and euros are sometimes accepted in hotels, but this is not guaranteed.
Tip: Avoid using old, damaged, or torn banknotes, as they are often refused for payment.
If your tour includes domestic flights, the exact schedules, flight numbers, and relevant details will be provided in your travel documents.
Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, bringing your passport and electronic ticket (or booking reference).
Baggage: Checked baggage allowance generally ranges between 20 kg and 23 kg, depending on the airline. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.
Attention: Additional fees may apply if you exceed the permitted limits. We recommend checking the specific conditions of each airline (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways, etc.) before your flight.
Flight schedules are subject to change by the airline. We will keep you informed in case of any updates.
If you have a connecting domestic flight in Vietnam, please follow these steps upon arrival:
Airport staff are generally available to assist you if needed. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
Recommended connection time: minimum 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows sufficient time for possible flight delays, queues at immigration and customs, and transfers between terminals.
Practical tip: At major airports such as Hanoi (Noi Bai) or Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat), domestic and international terminals are not always located in the same building. Please allow ample time and follow the signs upon arrival.
No mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Vietnam.
However, health authorities recommend the following vaccinations, especially for long stays or travel in rural areas:
If you are undergoing regular medical treatment, please ensure you bring a sufficient supply of medication for the entire duration of your stay.
Do not forget to carry your prescription, preferably in English, to facilitate any checks or medical consultations on site.
The risk of malaria is very low in Vietnam’s main tourist areas, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and the tourist areas of the Mekong Delta. No malaria prophylaxis is generally recommended for these regions.
However, if you plan to travel to remote rural, forested, or mountainous areas (for example, Muong Te in Lai Chau, certain border or isolated areas of the northern highlands, or deep areas of the Mekong), you should consult a doctor or a travel medicine clinic to assess the need for preventive treatment.
Tips to protect yourself from mosquito bites
Upon your arrival in Vietnam, our driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit, holding a sign displaying: “IZITOUR – [Your name]”.
Please take a moment to carefully check the signs at the arrival exit. If you have any difficulty locating our driver, do not hesitate to contact our assistance team, available 24/7, at the following number:
+84 382 536 266 (direct call or WhatsApp available).
Practical tip: Make sure your phone is activated for international calls or internet access upon arrival to facilitate communication if needed.
Note: At some airports, several drivers may be waiting at the exit. If you do not immediately find our representative, please remain in the meeting area and contact us — we will assist you promptly.
Our small-group tours generally bring together between 4 and 7 participants. You will travel alongside people from diverse backgrounds, with different nationalities, cultures, and ages. This is a great opportunity to share experiences, exchange perspectives, and build meaningful connections throughout the journey.
To ensure that all planned activities run smoothly, punctuality is essential. Please respect the schedules communicated by your local guide to guarantee an enjoyable and seamless experience for the entire group.
For group tours, room allocation is based on the gender indicated on your passport. By default, you will share a twin room with a traveler of the same gender.
You will be accommodated in a single room in the following cases:
In both cases, a single supplement applies. Please contact your travel consultant to check availability and the exact supplement amount.
Note: This supplement does not apply to train cabins, which include four berths per compartment.
Oct 17, 2024
