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Vietnam

Northern Vietnam Odyssey: Hanoi, Sapa, Mai Chau, & Halong Bay 8-Day

Start & end in Hanoi 8 days Up to 12

About this trip

Eight days across northern Vietnam, moving from the noise of Hanoi to the hill country of Sapa and Mai Chau, then out onto the water at Halong Bay. It's a mix of city walking, mountain trekking and a night afloat, so the pace and scenery change often.

In Sapa you trek out to Cat Cat, Lao Chai and Ta Van villages through terraced rice fields, meeting local ethnic communities along the way. Mai Chau offers a slower few days in the Thai valley countryside, staying at Ba Khan Village Resort.

The trip closes with a cruise through Halong Bay's limestone islands, an overnight on a traditional junk, and a city tour back in Hanoi taking in the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the One Pillar Pagoda.

What you'll do

  • Trek to Cat Cat Village through Sapa's terraced rice fields
  • Visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages and meet local families
  • Stay in Mai Chau Valley at Ba Khan Village Resort
  • Cruise Halong Bay and overnight on a traditional junk boat
  • Walk Hanoi's Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and the One Pillar Pagoda
  • Eat your way through regional dishes including pho and spring rolls
Good to know
  • Involves trekking on uneven terrain in Sapa, so bring proper footwear
  • One night is spent aboard a boat in Halong Bay rather than a hotel
  • Covers a lot of ground in eight days — expect a new base every few nights
Price history — our own daily tracking
Tracked 4 days · 44 checks
Today
£535
Typical
builds at 21 days (now 4)
Lowest
£533
on 16 Jul
Highest
£535
£513£534£55516 Jultoday

Cheapest live departure per day, in £, recorded by our tracker since 16 Jul. Never a brochure “was” price.

Your free day in Hanoi

Landing early, staying on, or filling free time? The best-rated day experiences in Hanoi — you book on Viator (we may earn a commission).

What travellers actually say

Worth it if you value reliable logistics and knowledgeable guides. Think twice if you're a adventurous eater expecting authentic Vietnamese food throughout.

  • Punctual pickups and smooth transfers between locations; no waiting around for transport or guides in mornings.
  • Halong Bay boat tour stands out as genuine highlight with excellent staff and well-maintained vessel.
  • Boat meals heavily weighted towards European food; limited Vietnamese cuisine despite travelling in Vietnam.
  • Airport pickup offered even when arriving day before tour starts; good communication from booking through completion.

Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.

Tour dupe
Same trip, less money
£122 less all-in
Northern Vietnam Odyssey Tour 6-Day
4.7from £5276 days
The trade-off: 2 fewer nights, and a different operator.
See the dupe
How it compares

The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.

Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.

Getting there

Hanoi
One-way · arrive 21 Jul 26

Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.

Where to stay

A night before your tour in Hanoi · 21 Jul22 Jul

Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.

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