Embark on a 2-day, 3-night adventure to explore the hill tribe villages, rice terraces, and stunning mountain landscapes of Sapa. Begin with an overnight train from Hanoi, and spend nearly two full days trekking through villages home to the Black Hmong, Red Dao, and Giay ethnic groups. This is a join-in tour, co-organized with our partner, where you'll have the chance to meet like-minded people, stay in a local homestay, immerse yourself in their culture and traditions, and enjoy breathtaking scenery.
8:30 - 9:30 PM: Board the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. The journey lasts around 8 hours, with an expected arrival at Lao Cai train station at approximately 5:00 AM the next morning.
Notes: Transportation from your hotel to Hanoi train station is not included.
Our driver will meet you at Lao Cai train station and transfer you to Sapa in a shared bus. The journey takes about an hour, giving you the opportunity to take in the stunning natural scenery, including picturesque rice terraces along the way.
At 9:30 AM, our local guide will meet you at the departure point in Sapa town, and we’ll begin our trek. Today’s hike will cover approximately 12 km, passing through the villages of Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai, where you’ll encounter the Black H’mong ethnic group.
We’ll stop for lunch in Lao Chai, either with a local family or at a small riverside restaurant.
After lunch, we’ll continue walking to Ta Van village, home to the Giay ethnic group. Here, we’ll check into a local homestay, enjoy dinner, and spend the night.
Breakfast will be served at the homestay around 8:00 AM. Afterward, we'll begin our trek at approximately 9:30 AM.
This morning’s walk covers about 8 km, taking us through the picturesque villages of Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan, home to the Red Dzao and H’mong ethnic groups. Along the way, we'll discover a stunning waterfall, cross a rattan bridge, and soak in the breathtaking natural scenery.
After passing through a bamboo forest, we’ll reach the main road where a bus will be waiting to take us back to Sapa town. We expect to arrive in Sapa around 3:00 PM.
Hop on our bus at the Sapa bus stop, and our driver will take you to Lao Cai in a shared bus. The journey lasts about an hour, and you’ll be dropped off either at the Lao Cai train station or a location of your choice in the city center.
Board the overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi. The journey lasts around 8 hours, with an expected arrival at Hanoi train station at approximately 5:00 AM the next morning.
Notes: Transportation from Hanoi train station to your hotel is not included.
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.
