5 Days | Travel from Hanoi to Sapa and back on this short Vietnam adventure
Northwest Vietnam is a captivating mix of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colourfully clothed hilltribes. Set on the slopes of a beautiful green valley, Sapa is the heart of this unique piece of Vietnam. Travel to this peaceful land and meet resplendently dressed ethnic minorities at the local market, visit neighbouring villages and hike through rice terraces, witnessing how the current of life has thrived here for centuries. This five-day trekking adventure is full of opportunities to get to know traditional hilltribe culture and cuisine, while relishing the landscapes of Sapa and its surrounds.
Trip overview
- Start
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Finish
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Theme
- Short breaks, Walking & trekking
- Destinations
- Vietnam
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 12
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- TVAG
- Start your adventure in Hanoi, discovering the Old Quarter, delicious food and gorgeous landmarks in your free time.
- Stay in a traditional homestay for one night – the perfect way to access the remote parts of Vietnam and get a real glimpse into local life. You’ll also be treated to home-cooked meals, among breathtaking mountain scenery.
- Hike through the rolling rice terraces, waterfalls, mountains and lush green hills of Sapa and you’ll quickly realise why this has become an iconic image of Vietnam.
- Discover Sapa town on a walking tour with a local guide, tasting local snacks along the way – a trademark of the local lifestyle.
- Meet a community of hilltribe people who have been in Vietnam for over three centuries. Having emigrated from China, the H'mong settled in Cat Cat Village and will invite you to learn about their rich culture.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Vun Art. Donations help them empower people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing vocational training and employment opportunities.
- This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means for some portions of this trip, such as at the homestay, you may join-in with other travellers who have booked on a different style of trip, or through other companies.
- With the flexibility of frequent departures there is a chance you may end up travelling solo on this trip. You will always have a local guide and all included activities will remain the same.
- You’ll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/
- This trip includes a moderate level of hiking in the hills for 3 days of this trip, ranging from 3 to 6 hours. Although this hiking is possible for most travellers, a good level of fitness will help increase your enjoyment of this experience.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions
3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Minibus, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle
Homestay (1 night), Hotel (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
- Sapa- Guided Central market visit and local food tasting
- Sapa- Orientation Walk with local guide
- Sapa- Guided Trek Sapa - Sa Seng - Hau Thao - Hang Da - Giang Ta Chai
- Sapa - Guided Trek Giang Ta Chai - Su Pan
- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
- Hanoi - Temple of Literature - VND70000
- Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
- Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD29
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at around 9 pm - on Day 1 in Hanoi. This trip ends on Day 5 and you are free to leave at any time.
2. You will be picked up on Day 1 from the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary. Pick-up will take place between 9.00 pm-9.30 pm in the hotel foyer.
3. If you require to pick up from another hotel located in Hanoi's Old Quarter, please inform your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure.
4. Your adventure ends upon arrival at Hanoi train station in the early morning (around 5 am). If you would like to stay a little longer in Vietnam, Intrepid can book additional nights for you (if you wish to have the room available on your arrival, you may need to book the night before as check-in time is usually midday). Please note that it's not possible to organize a transfer from the train station, so please make your own way to your hotel or the airport.
5. Please note this trip is operated by one of our local partners, based in Vietnam.
6.Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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