North and Central Vietnam tour. Best 2025
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A 6-Day Tour of Vietnam’s Northern and Central Highlights
This 6-day North and Central Vietnam tour is a fast-paced and comprehensive journey designed for travelers wishing to experience the highlights of both regions in one seamless trip. Expertly managed by Wigo Tourist, this itinerary covers the cultural capital of Hanoi, the mountains of Sapa, the historic charm of Hoi An, and the modern coastal city of Da Nang.
Part 1: The Northern Highlights (Days 1-4)
Day 1: Hanoi City Cultural Tour Your tour begins in Hanoi with a professionally guided half-day city tour. Following a welcome lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring key historical landmarks. The itinerary includes a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, peacefully situated on West Lake. You will then proceed to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, where you can view the preserved “Stelae of Doctors” honoring past scholars. The tour concludes with a visit to the historic Hoa Lo Prison. The evening is then free for you to explore the vibrant Old Quarter at your own pace.
Day 2: Ninh Binh Day Trip – “Ha Long Bay on Land” Day two features a full-day excursion to the scenic province of Ninh Binh. The trip begins with a visit to the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the political center of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Afterward, you will take a boat tour through the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The day’s final activity is a climb up the 500 steps at Mua Cave, which rewards you with outstanding panoramic views of the Tam Coc valley. You will return to your hotel in Hanoi in the evening.
Day 3: Journey to Sapa & Cat Cat Village The tour continues with a journey north to the mountain town of Sapa. You will be picked up in the morning for the 5-hour transfer, during which you can observe the transition from the flat Red River Delta to the mountainous highlands. After arriving and checking into your hotel, the afternoon is scheduled for a guided walk to Cat Cat Village. This provides an excellent introduction to the local H’mong culture, where you can see traditional indigo dyeing techniques and local crafts. The tour concludes with dinner at a local restaurant and an overnight stay in Sapa.
Day 4: Fansipan Peak & Return to Hanoi The highlight of your time in Sapa is the morning ascent of Fansipan Peak, known as the “Roof of Indochina.” You will travel via a modern cable car system, which offers spectacular views over the Muong Hoa Valley. As it is currently mid-September, the valley’s famous terraced rice fields will be a vibrant gold during the harvest season. At the summit, you can explore the beautiful spiritual complex, including the Great Buddha statue, and take in the panoramic views. After the excursion, you will have lunch and free time in Sapa before the bus journey back to Hanoi. This completes the northern leg of your North and Central Vietnam tour.
Part 2: The Central Coast Adventure (Days 5-6)
Day 5: Flight to Da Nang, Marble Mountains & Hoi An After breakfast in Hanoi, you will be transferred to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone hills representing the five natural elements. You’ll explore the caves, pagodas, and viewpoints of this important pilgrimage site. The evening is spent in Hoi An Ancient Town, a remarkably well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage site that was once a bustling trading port. You will have dinner featuring local specialties and free time to explore the charming, lantern-lit streets before returning to your hotel in Da Nang.
Day 6: Ba Na Hills, Golden Bridge & Tour Conclusion Your final day is dedicated to visiting the popular Ba Na Hills mountain resort. The trip includes a ride on the world-record-setting cable car and a walk along the famous Golden Bridge, held aloft by two giant stone hands. You will also have time to explore the European-style architecture of the French Village and enjoy the various games and attractions at Fantasy Park. After a buffet lunch, you will descend via cable car. The tour concludes in the late afternoon with a drop-off at your hotel in Da Nang, allowing you to extend your stay or arrange onward travel.
Included/Exclude
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
12:30AM – 05:30PM: Half Day Hanoi City Tour
- The car will pick you up for lunch.
- The half-day afternoon itinerary will include visits to the following sites:
Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple of Literature, and Hoa Lo Prison. These are prominent cultural
landmarks of Vietnam, known for their beauty and solemn atmosphere.
- Around 5:30 PM, the itinerary will conclude. You can freely explore the Old Quarter,
have dinner, and optionally watch a water puppet show at Hoan Kiem Lake.
07:15 – 08:00: Pick up in Hanoi, depart for Ninh Binh
10:15: Bike to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – temples of King Dinh & King Le
12:00: Lunch at Cozy Vietnam Restaurant and have buffet lunch
13:00: Boat trip to Trang An (~2 hours) – UNESCO site, filming location of “Kong: Skull Island”
16:00: Visit Mua Cave, climb 500 steps for panoramic view of Tam Coc
19:00: Return to Hanoi
21:00: Arrived in Hanoi and take a rest
06:00–06:30: Sleeping bus picks you up in Hanoi Old Quarter, depart for Sapa via highway (~5 hours)
12:00–12:30: Arrive in Sapa, transfer to hotel & have lunch
14:00–14:30: Walk to Cat Cat Village – explore H’mong culture, visit Cat Cat Waterfall &
old French-built hydroelectric plant
18:00–18:30: Dinner at local restaurant
Overnight stay at hotel in Sapa Town
07:30: Have breakfast at the restaurant. Then, You can conquer Fansipan peak by the most modern cable car system
in Southeast Asia or rent a motorbike by yourself to visit the remaining beautiful scenes in the
dreamy town of Sapa such as visiting Love waterfall, the valley. Muong Hoa...
12:00 – 12:30: Have lunch, check out procedures. Free to visit and shop at Sapa market.
15:00: Delegation gets on the bus back to Hanoi.
21:00: Arrived in Hanoi and take a rest
Morning: Breakfast → Hotel check-out → Transfer to airport → Fly to Da Nang
Check in at hotel and relax
15:30: Depart for the Marble Mountains, with commentary on local highlights such as
My Khe Beach, luxury resorts, and more along the way.
16:00: Explore Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, Xa Loi Tower,
Linh Ung I Pagoda, caves, and panoramic views from the mountain’s viewpoint.
18:00: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with specialties from Hoi An cuisine.
19:00: Free time to stroll around Hoi An Ancient Town, visit the
Japanese Covered Bridge, lantern-lit streets, old houses, and assembly halls.
20:30: Regroup and return to Da Nang – end of the tour."
7:30 - 8:15: The tour guide will pick you up at the hotel, and transfer to Ba Na Hills (40km)
with the longest telpher (6.000 m) in the world.
9:00: Arrive at Ba Na - Suoi Mo cable car station to achieve 4 Guinness World Records
9:30 - 11:45: You will visit:
Golden Bridge - the unique highlight of Ba Na Garden of Love "Le Jardin D'Amour" Debay Wine Cellar
French Village - "A Miniature Europe"
12:00: Have a buffet lunch at the restaurant. Free time to relax or continue to enjoy the games in Fantasy Park.
15:00: Return to cable car for leaving Ba Na Hills.
16:00: Stop at Central Specialities Supermarket for shopping.
Return to Da Nang city.
17:00: Drop you at your hotel. End tour.
Note Tour
CHILDREN POLICY
– The price for children is applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with 2 adults.
– The children under 5 years old are FOC (not included domestic flight ticket)
– 5-8 years old without bed: 75% adult rate
– From 9 years old: Adult rate
CANCELLATION POLICY
– Before 30 days: free of charge
– From 30-15 days before departure day: 30% of total rate
– From 7-14 days before departure day: 50% of total rate
– Less than 7 days before departure day or no-show: 100% of total rate
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FAQ
What type of visa do I need to enter Vietnam?
Tourists need to apply for a tourist visa (visa D1) to enter Vietnam. The visa application can be done online or at the Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate.
What are the entry procedures for Vietnam?
Upon arrival at the airport, tourists need to present their passport, visa, and entry declaration form. This process is usually quite quick.
What is the currency of Vietnam and what are the exchange rates?
The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Exchange rates can vary, so tourists should check the rates before exchanging money.
Where can I use my credit card?
International credit cards are accepted at major hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for use in places that do not accept cards.
Do locals speak English?
Locals in major cities often speak English, especially in tourist areas. However, English may not be widely spoken in rural areas.
Which areas are safe to travel to?
Tourist areas like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are generally safe for visitors. However, tourists should avoid isolated areas at night.
What are the signature dishes of Vietnam that I should try?
Some signature Vietnamese dishes that tourists should try include pho, banh mi, bun cha, and nem ran (spring rolls).
What is the most convenient mode of transportation within the city?
In major cities, public transportation options like buses, taxis, and ride-hailing services such as Grab are convenient.
Where can I rent a motorbike or bicycle?
Tourists can rent motorbikes or bicycles at rental shops or hotels. However, they should carefully check the rental terms and always wear helmets while riding.
