- Theatrical Splendor: This glamorous hotel turns a stay into an experience. Over a thousand pieces of operatic memorabilia and thematic interiors ensconce guests in Bill Bensley’s vision of opera’s golden days passed.
- Location: Just a mere steps away from the iconic Hanoi Opera House, the Capella Hanoi sits in the prestigious Hoan Kiem quarter, offering guests convenient access to cultural highlights, shopping, and restaurants.
- Curated Culture: Capella Hotel Group’s focus on cultural experiences is a cornerstone at each of its properties. From intertwining local culture in the property design to bringing local cuisine to its house restaurant and bar menus, Capella’s Culturists further enhance guests’ stays with complimentary Rituals and Programming curated to furture explore the local culture.
- Duration
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Price Per Person
-
Terms & Conditions
Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
- Interests
- Destinations
Starting in the capital, you'll see some of the city's most intriguing historic landmarks, including a trip to the charming Old Quarter. You'll experience the romance of overland travel with a sleeper train journey aboard the luxurious Victoria Express to Sapa. In Sapa, you'll trek through rice paddies to the region's most picturesque hill tribe villages. Enjoy fresh mountain air and the simplicity of rural life before returning via sleeper train to cosmopolitan Hanoi.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.
Highlights
• Hiking: North Vietnam's rice-terraced mountains are perfect to explore on foot, showcasing the best views and the traditions involved in growing the staple grain.
• Ethnic Groups: The region's many hill tribes include ethnic Kinh, Red Dao, and Black Hmong, and travelers will get to meet members of these communities on village walks, at handicraft markets, and in home visits.
• Overnight Train: Dusky views pass by your cabin window as you enjoy an overnight trip on the elegant Victoria Express sleeper train.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam is an ancient city with more than 1,000 years of history. On your first day here, you'll get a feel for the city in the Old Quarter, with its narrow tree-lined streets and tightly packed shop-fronts. Next, relax by scenic Hoan Kiem Lake, with its 17th-century Turtle Tower on an island in the middle. In the evening, settle into your luxury Hanoi hotel.
Hotel Options
History: The hotel has its own bomb shelter used in the American War (1964-1975) with a complimentary path of history tour offered daily for in-house guests.
Relaxation: Enjoy complimentary tai chi and yoga classes.
Food: A wide range of dining choices from seafood buffets to French fine dining, European rustic menu and Vietnamese modern cuisine.
Day 2
Hanoi
For some insight into local history, today you'll visit the striking Temple of Literature, an 11th-century temple of Confucius comprising five courtyards, various halls and pavilions and altars to Confucius. This fascinating place was Vietnam's first university. Next, it's over to Hoa Lo Prison Museum for a look at the place famously dubbed the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs. After a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, you'll hop aboard an Express Train for an overnight trip to Sapa.

Day 3
Sapa
This morning you arrive in the high-altitude town of Sapa, famous for its picturesque rural scenery and ethnic diversity. After settling into your room, you'll make the leisurely trek to Cat Cat Village, a Hmong township surrounded by lush green mountains and terraced rice paddies. Here, you can buy local handicrafts and glimpse day-to-day rural life in the highlands.
Hotel Options
- Aesthetics: The vibrant array of haute design elements will stun guests of the Hotel de la Coupole, where marble floors, elegant crown moldings, ornate light fixtures, and plush furnishings are aesthetic touches that come mandatory.
- Variety: Whether in reference to the many room types or the numerous dining options and amenities, the Hotel de la Coupole brings no shortage of options to the table for guests to choose from.
- Services: The Hotel de la Coupole is truly a five-star establishment in every sense — especially when it comes to service, which is extensive and thorough.
Located 18 kilometers from the town of Sapa, Topas enjoys an idyllic mountaintop location with stunning views over Sapa Valley. Its 25 individual lodges offer double or twin occupancy, and come with traditional thatched roofs and hot water.
If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.
Day 4
Sapa
Today you will trek to the village of Ta Phin, thirty minutes from Sapa. Ta Phin is inhabited by ethnic Kinh, Red Dao and Black Hmong, and here you can experience rich cultural exchange through home visits, guided village tours, mountain walks, observing field work and interacting with locals. Ta Phin has a wealth of traditional craftspeople and here you can pick up intricately embroidered clothing or locally-made silver jewelry.

Day 5
Overnight Train
Another of Sapa's beautiful must-see sites is Heaven's Gate, Vietnam's highest stretch of road, located on the provincial border. From this vantage point you'll enjoy spectacular valley and mountain views. Tonight, board the Express sleeper train for the 10-hour journey back to Hanoi. On the way, enjoy a gourmet dinner accompanied by fine wines, then wake up back in the capital.
Day 6
Departure
This morning, the train arrives in Hanoi where you can stay to enjoy the sights of the capital for a little longer, or continue your onward journey. Hanoi offers all manner of cultural activities, shopping and fine dining included – or you might decide to follow up this northern itinerary with a trip to the stunning limestone karsts of Halong Bay.
Suggested Hotels For Days 1–2
Capella Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
This richly historic 358-room French colonial masterpiece opened in 1901 and is one of Vietnam's finest hotels, with luxuriously appointed rooms, attentive staff and gracious service. It is ideally located in central Hanoi and houses a beautiful interior garden. Excellent French cuisine is served at Le Beaulieu, and Hanoi specialties are offered at Spice Garden. The hotel has a well-equipped fitness center with cardio machines and weights, as well as a swimming pool and spa offering massage treatments. All of the guest rooms have broadband Internet access and are decorated in an opulent, neo-classical style.

Overnight Express Train
Guests traveling between Hanoi and Lao Cai can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience through Northern Vietnam aboard a luxurious overnight express train. Premium sleeping cabins feature wood-paneled and equipped with air conditioning and reading lights.
Suggested Hotels For Days 3–5
Hotel de la Coupole Sapa
Sapa is a verdant, mountainous town located in northern Vietnam known for its rich ecological and cultural diversity stemming from its proximity to the Chinese border. With picturesque rice terraces and forested hills surrounding the town — and the Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, located nearby — a stay in Sapa will leave visitors feeling like they’ve escaped to an old-world settlement that dates back to the colonial era of French Indochina. The Hotel de la Coupole Sapa, a luxury hotel that fuses design elements of elegant French colonial style with the colorful touches of native hill tribes, stands as the only five-star international hotel in Sapa. The Hotel de la Coupole features 249 accommodations, an on-site shopping mall, and a selection of bars and restaurants. Other amenities include air conditioning and heating (more sought-after than one might think in a mountain climate famed for occasional “four-season days”), numerous meeting and banquet rooms, and a Spa and Fitness Center complete with a sauna and massage parlor. And for those wishing to venture out and explore the surrounding mountains, waterways, and lush slopes, local guides are easily hired, and transportation is conveniently arranged either through the hotel or by local means.

Overnight Express Train
Guests traveling between Hanoi and Lao Cai can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience through Northern Vietnam aboard a luxurious overnight express train. Premium sleeping cabins feature wood-paneled and equipped with air conditioning and reading lights.

Topas Ecolodge
Similar Itineraries
Classic Vietnam
Experience the best of Vietnam on this 13-day journey that takes you from north to south, tracing the country's stunning coastline to its must-see destinations. You’ll take a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, see the famous Cu Chi tunnels in Saigon, and discover one of Vietnam's most active floating markets in Can Tho.
- Duration
- 13 days / 12 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $12,000
Discover Southeast Asia 2025 | Aman Jet Expeditions
Discover Southeast Asia is an in-depth two-week cultural journey through the heart of a compelling and diverse region.
- Date
- Nov 2–15, 2025
- Price Per Person
- $98,888
The Grandest Tour 2025 | Aman Jet Expeditions
The Grandest Tour returns in 2025 offering guests seven Aman sanctuaries in seven different countries, in just one journey by private jet.
- Date
- Apr 19–May 9, 2025
- Price Per Person
- $188,888
A Vietnamese Culinary Journey
Delve into the taste sensations of fresh Vietnamese cuisine on this sensually-stimulating 14-day trip. You’ll learn cooking secrets from a top chef, dine on freshly-caught seafood in Mui Ne, sample local favorites from fresh markets, and dine at some of Saigon’s top restaurants, while staying in Vietnam’s best hotels.
- Duration
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $8,100
Classic Southeast Asia
This 20-day classic journey to Southeast Asia is a great way to experience the best of what this diverse region has to offer. With an extended trip, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the cities, villages, and beaches of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
- Duration
- 20 days / 19 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $21,000
Enchanting Vietnam: From Dalat to Hue
French-Asian fusion is a rare cultural find but comes to life in charming Dalat. Be a coffee connoisseur as you sample what has been named the world’s best coffee. This 8-day luxurious Vietnam vacation takes you through both historical fortresses and stunning natural sites such as the Dray Nur Waterfalls and Dray Sap.
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $3,900
Exploring the Best of Vietnam and Cambodia
Lap up the best of Vietnam and Cambodia on this 15-day luxury tour, taking you from Hanoi to Siem Reap. You’ll be mesmerized by Halong Bay’s limestone karsts, exchange cultural insights in the Black Tai villages, and step into the ancient Khmer Kingdom at Angkor Wat, while staying in some of the region’s best hotels.
- Duration
- 15 days / 14 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $9,000
Indochina's Heritage Sites by Air: Bangkok to Bagan
On this 12-day luxury private jet adventure, stroll the streets of emperors in Vietnam, visit old-word temples scattered across Southeast Asia, and try your hand at bargaining with the locals at different fresh markets. This trip hits all of Southeast Asia’s must-see destinations, traveling from Thailand to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. See isolated cities and towns not frequented by the average traveler, made accessible by a private jet.
- Duration
- 12 days / 11 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $93,100
Northern Charms of Sapa and Lao Cai
Get off the beaten tourist-trail with an unforgettable journey from colonial Hanoi, along the brand new highway to the beautiful northern regions of Lao Cai and Sapa. Marvel at the scenery and get immersed in local life in the villages nestled into the hills.
- Duration
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Price Per Person
- Extension: Optional add-on to your itinerary
One River, Two Countries: Saigon to Phnom Penh by Mekong
Make your way from Vietnam’s Saigon to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh on this fascinating 6-day luxury voyage that takes you to historical sites, bustling markets, on languid cruises, and to your final destination by speedboat, while you bed down in some of the area’s most luxurious hotels by night.
- Duration
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Price Per Person
- From $4,900

Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
The Nam Hai’s Blaise Claude Montandon on Travel in Post-COVID Vietnam
- Author
- Travelogues
Spotlight on Vietnam: Favorite Remote Lands Journeys
- Author
- Travelogues
Vietnam War History Expedition
- Author
- Remote Lands
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

4 friends from Madrid and Monaco
Sir Winston Churchill said: "we are not difficult to please, we are always happy with the best". And we are having the very, very best time, so we are very, very happy