The Best of Northern Vietnam in 7 Days: All-Inclusive

Hiking Ta Xua Peak in Son La without a guide is not recommended due to its challenging and wild terrain. It is easy to get lost in the jungle.

Some of the best hiking spots in Vietnam, especially in the North and Northwest, include Ky Quan San in Lao Cai, Pha Luong in Son La, Lao Than in Lao Cai, Ta Xua Peak in Son La, and Lung Cung in Yen Bai. These places offer stunning landscapes and challenging trails. It is highly recommended to hire a private guide (porter) from companies like Kampá Tour, which provides experienced English-speaking guides. The terrain in these areas is very wild and unknown, and navigating without a guide can be difficult and dangerous due to the risk of getting lost in the jungle.

Accommodations on those adventures range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses, providing options to suit various preferences and budgets. In major cities like Hanoi, you can find high-end hotels with modern amenities, as well as charming boutique hotels that offer a more personalized experience. In places like Halong Bay, you might stay on a traditional junk boat, enjoying a unique overnight cruise. In Sapa and other rural areas, homestays with local families are the best-seller choice, offering an authentic cultural experience and a chance to connect with the local community. No matter where you stay, our accommodations are selected to provide comfort and convenience throughout your tour.

Yes, 7 days can be enough to see the highlights of North Vietnam. You can explore a major city, enjoy scenic landscapes, and experience cultural sites such as Hanoi, Tam Coc - Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Ha Giang or Sapa. It’s enough time to get a good sense of the region’s diversity and beauty, though your experience will depend on how you prioritize your destinations and activities.

You will be exempt from the Vietnamese visa if you are from countries like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the duration of your stay does not exceed 45 days. You just need to present a valid passport upon arrival in Vietnam and a return flight ticket reservation. Here is the list of European countries exempt from the Vietnamese visa: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway.

A visa is mandatory for those who are not mentioned above. There are three options to obtain a visa: an E-visa, issued online on the Vietnamese Immigration website; a visa on arrival; or a regular visa provided by the Vietnamese Embassy (or Consulate) in your country. We recommend choosing the E-visa or visa on arrival as they are easier to obtain and less expensive. Please contact us for more information on visa procedures.

Northern Vietnam itineraries offer opportunities to see a variety of wildlife in different natural settings. In the national parks such as Cuc Phuong and Ba Be, you can encounter diverse flora and fauna, including rare species like the Delacour's langur and numerous bird species. Halong Bay is home to marine life, and while cruising, you might spot dolphins, fish, and various seabirds. In the rural and mountainous regions, you can see water buffalo, traditional livestock, and sometimes even wild pigs. These wildlife experiences add a unique dimension to your tour, allowing you to connect with Vietnam's natural heritage.

We provide well-maintained, comfortable private cars with air conditioning for your trip. They are often equipped with a cooler, allowing you to have cold water bottles. The number of seats will depend on the number of participants. Here are our criteria:

Our drivers are professional, cautious, and friendly. If you wish, they are ready to make stops along the way so you can better admire a beautiful landscape, take photos, or simply relax.

North Vietnam trips offer a rich array of highlights, including the vibrant capital city of Hanoi, with its bustling Old Quarter and historical sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. Another must-see is Halong Bay, renowned for its stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters, perfect for a scenic cruise. Sapa, with its terraced rice fields and ethnic minority villages, provides a glimpse into rural life and breathtaking landscapes. Additionally, the ancient city of Ninh Binh, often referred to as "Halong Bay on land," offers stunning scenery and the historic Trang An complex.

Yes, it is entirely possible to make changes to the provided itinerary. We specialize in private and tailor-made trips, and our advisors will be able to adjust the program according to your every wish.

International cards such as Visa or Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants. However, please note that Vietnamese banks may apply an additional commission of 3% to 4% for this type of payment.

You can also pay in euros or USD at some businesses in major cities (hotels, restaurants, etc.). However, for small expenses, it is more advantageous to have Vietnamese Dong (VND). You can easily exchange currency at banks, jewelry shops, or even at your hotel. You can also withdraw VND from ATMs.

As for the balance payment, you can settle it in one of the following ways:

• In cash upon your arrival. We accept US dollars and Euros (USD/EUR exchange rate calculated on the day of payment). However, we do not accept defaced or excessively old banknotes. We kindly ask you to obtain new bills from your bank to avoid any inconveniences during your trip.

• By credit card upon your arrival at our office (using our credit card terminal). In this case, there is an additional fee of 3% for our bank if you pay with Visa or Mastercard and 4% for payments with Amex. Payment is made in the local currency.

• By bank transfer: We request that you complete this transfer no later than 10 days before your departure. This is to ensure that the balance of your trip is credited to our account before the start of your journey

To make the deposit payment, you have two options:

• Bank transfer: Our account details are provided in the travel invoice.
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) through our bank's secure website. This payment method includes insurance as part of the card services (cancellation insurance, medical coverage, repatriation, etc.). However, please note that you will incur additional fees for our bank with this option: 3% extra on the deposit if you pay with Visa or Mastercard, and 4% extra on the deposit if you pay with American Express. Payment is made in the local currency."

As an approximate guideline, the cost of a 2-week trip to Vietnam would be around 1450$ per person when traveling as a pair (excluding airfare). For a 3 or 4-week journey, please budget between 1900$ and 2500$ per person. If you're in a larger group (4 or 6 people), the trip will be more cost-effective. The price always varies depending on the duration and time of your stay, as well as your preferences (activities, services). Please leave us a quote request, and our travel advisor will provide you with more detailed information and a quote.

Customized travel is a service where your journey is designed according to your preferences for dates, duration of stay, services, and budget. A local advisor assists you in preparing for the trip and supports you on-site, handling transportation, visits, accommodation, and more. This ensures you benefit from an organized trip tailored to your desires and constraints down to the smallest details.

If you agree with the itinerary proposed by one of our advisors, please send us an email to confirm the reservation of the tour with our agency. Your advisor will then provide you with the booking documents, including:

• A reservation form containing detailed information about your booked tour, as well as your personal details and contact information to be completed. You will need to return the form with these details duly filled out, which will be used for the organization of your trip. Please also send us a scan of your passports.

• A travel invoice requesting a deposit payment of 25% of the total price.

The organization of your trip will be confirmed upon receipt of the completed form and once the deposit is in our possession. We will also send you a travel contract that certifies the details of your trip, including the duration, travel dates, deposit paid, and your contact information."

Vietnam experiences a diverse climate from north to south, owing to its varied topography and the country's considerable length (2000 km from north to south). When one region is humid, cold, or rainy, the other can be pleasantly sunny in contrast. Based on our experience, the optimal time to visit Vietnam is from October to April.

Within this timeframe, the best months are October to November and March to May. During these periods, the weather remains pleasant, and, additionally, they are the least rainy months of the year in Vietnam. While July and August can be a bit hot (30-35 degrees Celsius), Halong Bay typically enjoys sunny weather. You'll also have the opportunity to witness the region adorned with endless terraced green or yellow rice fields.

Regarding the southern region, despite it being the rainy season, precipitation usually lasts for only an hour or two each day, with the rest of the day being sunny. If you already have a specific timeframe in mind for your trip (winter, summer, etc.), please inform us, and we can provide guidance on the most favorable months.