Vietnam.It doesn't run through you. It goes through you.
From the magnetic chaos of Hanoi to the rice terraces of Sapa. From the reed floating among the stone giants of Halong to the lanterns of Hoi An. From the tunnels of Cu Chi to the golden dunes of Mui Ne. Seventeen days to cross the country that most changes those who live it.
An expedition. One date only.
In November the north is dry, the center temperate and the south in its best season. It is the perfect time to cross Vietnam from end to end. - and that is why there is only one departure per year.
November - 2026
Vietnamfrom north to south
From November 1 to 17
All you will find in these 17 days.
- Duration17 days / 14 nights at destination
- Group6 to 13 + Rakel/Toni
- Internal flights2 included
- Lodging4★ hotels + cruise + train
- AccompanimentDouble guidance 24/7
From north to south. Eight stops, one trip.
We started in Hanoi with the noise of the motorcycles. We finished in Mui Ne with the barefoot steps on the dune. In between, all the soul of Vietnam.
- 01.Days 1-2 - North
Hanoi
The capital with a thousand years of history. Old town, Mausoleum, Temple of Literature and traditional tricycle ride.
- 02.Days 3-4 - Northwest
Sapa
Rice terraces and villages of the Red Dao and H'Mong ethnic groups. Trekking through Nam Cang, Ma Tra and Ta Phin. Night train included.
- 03.Day 5 - Northeast
Halong Bay
One night aboard a traditional junk with private cabin. Tai Chi at sunrise and cooking class with squid fishing.
- 04.Days 6-7 - Center
Hoi An
The city of a thousand lanterns. UNESCO Heritage Old Town, Japanese Bridge and a free day to feel its magic.
- 05.Days 8-9 - Center
Hue
The ancient imperial capital. UNESCO Citadel, royal tombs, Perfume River and Thien Mu Pagoda. The legacy of the Nguyen.
- 06.Days 10-11 - South
Ho Chi Minh City
Old Saigon. 24h energy, colonial architecture, Cathedral and the mythical Post Office designed by Eiffel.
- 07.Day 11 - South
Cu Chi Tunnels
Historical subway network where you will understand the strength of a people. One of the most emotional experiences of the trip.
- 08.Days 12-15 - Coast
Mui Ne
Three days in the desert by the sea. White dunes at sunrise, red dunes at sunset and the Arroyo de las Hadas.
Vietnam is not toured. It goes through you.
There are countries that can be seen from a coach window. And there are countries that through the soles of the shoes, by smell and by hearing - and no longer leave. Vietnam belongs to the second group.
It is a fascinating blend of deep history, wild nature and a rhythm that never stops.. We will not avoid the intensity of its cities - we will live it. From the hustle and bustle of Hanoi's old town to the silence of Sapa's ethnic villages.
Sleeping in a night train sharing berths like the locals do. Walking the land by the rice terraces of Nam Cang. Navigating among the stone giants of Halong. Descending into the tunnels of Cu Chi to understand the strength of a people. Crossing, never touring.
This is not a pretentious luxury or backpacking trip. It is a expedition designed to return home with a real story to tell.
One country. Three souls.
Vietnam is shaped like an elongated S. From top to bottom it changes climate, food, architecture and even mood. To cross it in its entirety is to discover that it is three countries in one.
The north mystical.
Where motorcycles roar in Hanoi and villages sleep in the mist of Sapa.
The journey begins with the magnetic shock of Hanoi - its motorcycles, its street cafe, its Rising Sun bridge, its Temple of Literature. We ride a traditional tricycle through the old town and discover the surreal «Train Street», where life stops inches from the tracks.
Afterwards, the night train - an experience that you can't read in a guidebook, only live it. Bunk beds, rattling, voices in Vietnamese and the sunrise in Lao Cai. We arrived in Sapa to walk among rice terraces and share a table with ethnic groups. Red Dao and H'Mong. We close the north on board of a traditional junk in Halong, sleeping among stone giants.
- Hanoi: old city, Temple of Literature and traditional tricycle
- Night train Hanoi-Sapa-Hanoi as the locals do it
- Trekking in SapaMuong Hoa valley, Nam Cang, Red Dao and H'Mong villages
- Halong Cruise on junk with private cabin and Tai Chi at sunrise
The center imperial.
Where Hoi An's lanterns float on the river and Hue's royal tombs hold centuries.
Direct flight to the aesthetic heart of the country. Hoi An is the most photogenic and romantic city in Vietnam - yellow facades, Japanese Bridge, old merchant houses and a thousand lanterns lit at sunset. A free day to lose ourselves in its silk market and its magical atmosphere.
Afterwards, the Mandarin route through the Paso de las Nubes - one of the most beautiful roads in Southeast Asia - all the way up to Hue, the former imperial capital. Here time stands still: the UNESCO Heritage Citadel, The royal tombs of Khai Dinh and Minh Mang, a boat ride on the Perfume River and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Living history.
- Hoi An: old town, Japanese Bridge and a thousand lanterns at sunset
- Paso de las Nubesone of the most scenic routes in Southeast Asia
- Hue Citadel UNESCO and imperial tomb of Khai Dinh
- Perfume River by boat and Thien Mu Pagoda
The South vibrant.
Where Saigon does not sleep, Cu Chi keeps memory and Mui Ne invents the desert by the sea.
Flight to the south. Ho Chi Minh City - the old Saigon - welcomes us with its 24-hour energy, its French colonial architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the legendary Post Office designed by Eiffel. The next day we descend to the Cu Chi tunnels, The subway network that changed the history of the 20th century is told here from the inside.
And to finish the trip as it deserves: Mui Ne. Three days in the desert by the sea - white dunes at sunrise, red dunes at sunset, the Arroyo de las Hadas between colorful cliffs. Beach, real rest and the option of kitesurfing if the body asks for it. The last breath before returning transformed.
- SaigonReunification Palace, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Post Office
- Cu Chi TunnelsThe Viet Cong subway network
- Ben Thanh Market and War Museum
- Mui Newhite dunes, red dunes and Arroyo de las Hadas
This is our Vietnam. We do not delegate it.
Bali makes us fall in love. Thailand fascinates us. But Vietnam obsesses us. It is the country that pushed us to create SunZen, the one that is the hardest to explain and the one that changes us the most every time we come back.
That's why this itinerary doesn't look like anyone else's. We have added the night train when other agencies put in flights. We have put two days off in Mui Ne when the standard is zero. We have chosen a junk with private cabin and not an overcrowded cruise. We have opted for Sapa when the easy route is to skip it.
Each decision in this itinerary answers a single question: would we want this for ourselves? It's the journey we've thought out piece by piece - with local guides who know the country from the inside and with the exigency that you do not have time to apply.
- Rakel and Toni, SunZen.
Four pillars that make it unique.
It is not an itinerary. It is a way to cross Vietnam. Four axes that are repeated every day and that make the difference between «seeing the country» and really living it.
The group and laughter.
You don't come to see people, you come to be part of a traveling family. Toasts with local beer in Hanoi, impromptu dinners in Hoi An and that unrepeatable complicity that only comes from after a shared night on the night train.
Temples with history.
Places that impose silence. From the elegance of the Hue Citadel to the pagodas hidden among mountains. They are corners that force you to put away your cell phone and listen, finally, to your own mind.
Taste authentic.
Vietnamese cuisine is a festival of freshness, crispness and surprise. Try a Phở in a street stall or a EGG COFFEE in a hidden alley is the best way to connect with the real pulse of the country.
The embrace of the wild.
We leave the asphalt behind to get lost in the infinite green of Sapa or the silence of Halong Bay. You will feel how the wild nature of Southeast Asia gives you back the energy that routine had taken away from you.
What no one forgets.
There are activities you can do on any trip to Vietnam. And there are four that are the reason this trip is told for years after returning. These are those four.
The night train to Sapa.
It is not a transfer. It is the soul of the journey. Shared bunk beds, rattling, voices in Vietnamese and the sunrise over the mountains when waking up in Lao Cai. An experience that no photo can tell - only those who have been there understand it. Two nights in total, round trip.
Tai Chi at dawn among giants.
Awakening in the Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk, go out on deck with the fog still low over the sea and do Tai Chi while sailing among thousands of karst stone islets. Includes cooking demonstration and night squid fishing. Private cabin.
Sharing a table with the Red Dao ethnic group.
Trekking through the valley of Nam Cang, We will drive between cascading rice terraces to a traditional house where a Red Dao family invites us to have lunch with them. It is not a tourist show - is to enter a real home and discover a Vietnam that is rarely seen anymore.
Descend to the Cu Chi tunnels.
A subway network that changed the history of the 20th century. Going down to the Cu Chi Tunnels it's not a visit - it's understanding the resilience of a people. You leave different. It is one of the most emotional moments of the trip, and one of the most memorable afterwards.
The route of the energy.
Fifteen days designed to go through Vietnam with calm, depth and authenticity. Balanced rhythm: adventure when it's time, rest when it's needed. From the chaos of Hanoi to the dunes of Mui Ne, without haste but without repetition.
Takeoff from Madrid.
Meeting at the airport for the first real group hug. This is where the magic beginsWe leave the routine behind and fly to Southeast Asia. Night in flight.
The heartbeat of Hanoi.
Arrival in Hanoi and private transfer to the 4★ hotel in the heart of the capital. We will start strolling around the old quarter to taste the real flavors of Vietnam: phở, bánh mì, Vietnamese coffee. First contact with the magnetic chaos of the country. Night in Hanoi.
Temples, tricycle and night train.
Intense full day of Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, House on Stilts, Single Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the famous Train Street, Hoan Kiem Lake and traditional tricycle ride around the city. At nightfall, transfer to the train station for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in train.
Trekking in Nam Cang.
Arrival in Lao Cai and breakfast. 2-3 hours trekking in the Nam Cang Valley to see the cascading rice terraces and the traditional houses of the ethnic group Dao Network. Shared lunch at a local home and time at Nam Thang stream. Overnight in Sapa.
Ma Tra and Ta Phin.
Free morning in Sapa to rest at your own pace. In the afternoon, walk through the villages of Ma Tra and Ta Phin, home of ethnic artisans H'Mong and Red Dao. We will learn about their way of life and traditions. Transfer to the station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight in train.
Shipping in Halong.
Transfer to the port and welcome aboard the traditional reed. Lunch on board while sailing among the stone giants. Visit to the Surprise Cave or Me Cung Cave, cooking and night squid fishing demonstration. Dinner under the stars of the bay. Night on board in private cabin.
Tai Chi at dawn.
Tai Chi class at sunrise on deck as we sail among thousands of islets. Visit to the Titov Island. Brunch on board and return to the pier. Transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Da Nang (included). Transfer to hotel 4★ in Hoi An. Night in the city of a thousand lanterns.
Hoi An at your own pace.
A parenthesis of calm. Stroll through the Japanese Bridge, Visit the houses of the old merchants, get lost in its silk market or simply enjoy the magic of its yellow facades along the river. At dusk, the thousand lanterns are lit and the river turns to gold.
The route Mandarin.
Transfer by the Mandarin Route and the spectacular Paso de las Nubes, one of the most scenic roads in Southeast Asia. Visit the Cham Sculpture Museum and the Marble Mountains, where stone is transformed into art. Arrival in Hue and overnight in the ancient imperial capital.
The splendor imperial.
A journey into Vietnam's feudal past. We will tour the Hue Citadel, UNESCO Heritage. Visit to the Tomb of Khai Dinh and boat ride on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tomb of Minh Mang. We close at Dong Ba market. History that can be felt in every stone. Overnight in Hue.
Rumbo to the old Saigon.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Ho Chi Minh City (included). We land in the most cosmopolitan and vibrant city in the country. It's time to feel the pulse of the south, its French colonial architecture and its inexhaustible energy. 24 hours a day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ingenuity of a people.
We will descend into the subway network of the Cu Chi Tunnels. to understand Vietnam's resilience. Afternoon: War Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the mythical Eiffel Post Office. Shopping at the Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
The desert by the sea.
Transfer by road to the beaches of Mui Ne (approx. 4 hours). We leave the asphalt behind to take refuge on the coast. Mui Ne welcomes us with its dunes and its fishing atmosphere. to start our most zen stage of the trip. Overnight in Mui Ne.
White dunes and red.
A day to walk barefoot. Suggestions: visit the White Dunes at dawn, the Red Dunes at sunset or the Arroyo de las Hadas between colorful cliffs. Or if the body asks for it, kitesurfing or windsurfing. - Mui Ne is a world wind mecca. Overnight in Mui Ne.
Last day no plan.
Second full day off. Beach, rest, a last massage, a coffee watching the sea. After 13 days of intensity, it's time for official permission to do nothing. Tonight feels short: tomorrow we go home.
The last good-bye.
Transfer from Mui Ne to Ho Chi Minh airport for international flight. Overnight flight and arrival in Madrid/Valencia. The journey ends here, but the energy of Vietnam, the smell of phở and the complicity of the group will be with you long after you unpack your suitcase.
The six moments that are engraved forever.
There are trips that can be summed up in moments. These are the six that people remember years after returning from Vietnam with SunZen.
The first night in the train to Lao Cai.
Sunrise among stone giants.
The infinite rice of the Nam Cang valley.
The thousand lanterns floating in the river.
Silence underground in the tunnels.
Walking barefoot on the red dune.
The place where you sleep is part of the journey.
Whether it's a boutique hotel with history, a traditional junk or the legendary night train. From colonial and boutique charm in the heart of Hanoi to the absolute peace of our junk in Halong Bay.
A single promise: sleep is also part of the trip.
What it includes -
and what will never include.
No surprises in the final invoice. This is exactly what goes into the price of your expedition to Vietnam. And this is what, as a matter of principle, we will never put in.
All that makes the trip.
- Accommodation 4★: 11 nights in selected hotels (Hanoi - Sapa - Hoi An - Hue - Ho Chi Minh - Mui Ne) in superior double room.
- Traditional cruise in Halong: 1 night on board with private cabin, all meals and activities (Tai Chi, cave, cooking, squid fishing).
- Night train Hanoi ↔ Lao Cai: 2 nights in shared cabins with 4 bunk beds. Private cabin option for a supplement.
- 2 internal flights included: Hanoi-Da Nang and Hue-Ho Chi Minh in economy class. Without managing anything yourself.
- Spanish-speaking local guide in all the scheduled excursions of the itinerary.
- 24/7 SunZen accompaniment: Rakel or Toni with the group from Madrid to Madrid.
- Private transfers in air-conditioned vehicles. Airport-hotel-airport included.
- Daily breakfasts at all hotels and on the ship. Lunches and dinners specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Brunch on the cruise of Halong included.
- Traditional tricycle ride by Hanoi included.
- Halong Activities: kayak or rowboat in the bay included.
- Boat trip in Hue by the Perfume River.
- All entries to monuments, national parks and historic sites along the itinerary.
- Details SunZen: mineral water, wet wipes during transfers, visa invitation letter (if required).
What we prefer you choose.
- International flights Madrid/Valencia - Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City - Madrid/Valencia. We advise you to choose the best combination and coordinate the group if possible.
- Visa stamping fee: approximately 25 USD upon arrival. We will arrange the letter of invitation if necessary.
- Free lunches and dinners not mentioned in the program, to discover the local gastronomy at your own pace.
- Travel insurance mandatory. We will give you the contact information of the one we use (IATI, Chapka or Mapfre).
- Extra drinks outside breakfast and meals included (soft drinks, alcohol, extra water).
- Voluntary gratuities for guides, drivers and cruise staff (customary in the country).
- Personal expenses: laundry, telephone calls, non-standard hotel services.
- Optional supplements by private cabin by night train or kitesurfing activities in Mui Ne.
- Nothing you won't see in the itinerary. No surprises in the final bill.
The reward of authenticity.
That's how much it costs for an expedition made with good judgment. No wholesalers, no massive chains, no small print - and with the two internal flights already taken care of for you.
+ international flights
Domestic flights, VAT and taxes included
What you pay is not the price. That's all there is behind it.
- Total peace of mind: 2 internal flights included + night train + junco + transfers. You do not manage anything.
- Double guide: Spanish-speaking local guide at each stage + Rakel or Toni with you 24/7.
- Exclusivity: group of 13 maximum + a single trip per year.
- Experiences firm: night train, Tai Chi at dawn on private junk, Cu Chi Tunnels, Red Dao ethnic group.
- Presence: 17 days with a balanced rhythm so that you return refreshed, not exhausted.
Three steps. No commitment to the last.
You don't fill out a form and show up in Hanoi. There's a human conversation beforehand. It's what sets us apart - and what makes groups work.
You fill in the form.
You tell us the basics: how you travel, what you are looking for, if you have already been to Southeast Asia. It does not commit you to anything. It helps us to prepare well for the conversation with you.
We speak with you.
A short video call with Rakel or Toni. We solve real doubts and see if there is a good fit with the group. Our goal is not to fill seats, but to create a group that works.
Now begins the good.
If we both feel it's a good fit, we will formalize your place with a deposit of 300€.. The rest is structured according to the payment schedule. We help you with flights and open the WhatsApp group.
Completing the form does not imply any reservation. It is the first step in a conversation. If in the end we both feel it doesn't fit, nothing happens - we propose you another SunZen trip or we simply say goodbye as friends.
We do not send anyone in our place.
We are Rakel and Toni, the creators of SunZen and the ones who go with you on this expedition. One of us will be with the group from Madrid to Madrid. - the first flight, the night train to Sapa, the sunrise in Halong, the last sunset over the dunes of Mui Ne... Everything.
In Vietnam we also have Spanish-speaking local guides at each stage, We are a team of local experts who open the doors of history and culture without language barriers. Perfect combination: SunZen proximity + authentic local knowledge.
Getting to know us better →Is this your trip?
You already know the route, the accommodations, the signature experiences, the price and the process. This is the last honest confirmation before you order your place - so you can make an informed decision.
This trip is for you.
- You are looking for a real expedition with calm and awareness, not a quick and superficial tour.
- You are attracted to traverse Vietnam from north to south - not to stay only in the comfortable.
- You value differential experiences: night train, traditional junk, northern ethnic groups.
- You want 4★ hotels with neat aesthetics + unique experiences (private cruise, train).
- It resonates with you to share a route with a small group of 13 people filtered with criteria.
- A balanced pace suits you well with 2 final free days in Mui Ne to breathe.
Maybe is not this one.
- A quick tour with a bus of 50 people and a small flag.
- A backpacking trip with rush, hostels and improvised schedules.
- Night train sounds uncomfortable and you would prefer flights on all stages.
- The cheapest option on the market - we do not compete on price here.
- A trip without physical activity - here there is trekking, kayaking and stairs.
- A passive experience to watch Vietnam from the outside without getting involved.
What usually ask us.
Honest answers to the most common questions about Vietnam. If you have any other questions, tell us in the call.
Can you help me with international flights?
Of course. We advise you to choose the best combination and, if possible, we coordinate the group to fly together from the beginning. It is not mandatory to depart from Madrid: each person chooses his or her airport of origin.
The 2 internal flights within Vietnam are included. in the price (Hanoi-Da Nang and Hue-Ho Chi Minh). This is managed by us.
What happens if I travel alone?
It is designed exactly to work well when traveling alone. Many of the people who rely on SunZen come to us alone. - the pre-filter exists so that the group has the right energy before flying.
About the rooms: The basic room is shared with another person of the same gender (no extra charge). If you prefer a single room, it is possible with transparent supplement that we communicated to you before confirming.
Is the night train comfortable and is it essential?
It is the firm's experience of the trip - not a functional transfer. The cabins are shared 4 bunk beds, with clean sheets, air conditioning and blankets. It is not a hotel on wheels, it is crossing the north as the locals do. The vast majority of travelers remember it as one of the best moments.
If you prefer more privacy, there is the private cabin option with transparent supplement that we can coordinate with you on the validation call.
What documentation do I need to travel to Vietnam?
Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Vietnam requires tourist visa (approximately 25 USD, subject to change according to nationality) to be arranged online before departure or upon arrival.
We will arrange the letter of invitation if necessary. - one of our SunZen details included.
What are the physical fitness requirements?
You don't have to be an athlete. Yes, it is necessary to be able to walk 2-3 hours with moderate slope and climbing steps. The most demanding activities are trekking in Sapa (Nam Cang, Ma Tra, Ta Phin), walking in the Hue Citadel, the Cu Chi Tunnels (narrow areas) and walking in the dunes of Mui Ne.
If you have any physical or health limitations, let us know on the call and see if the trip fits - sometimes we adapt, sometimes we propose another option.
What do I need to bring on the trip?
We send you a detailed baggage guide before flying: light clothing for tropical weather, a thin jacket for the nights in Sapa (yes, it gets cooler there), light trekking shoes, modest clothing for the temples (shoulders and knees covered), mosquito repellent, high sunscreen, plug adapter and a small bag for the train with the minimum for 2 nights in bunk beds.
Can I depart from another airport?
Yes, the group is usually coordinated from Madrid, but you can depart from Valencia, Barcelona or any European airport.. We help you to coordinate the connection with the arrival flight to Hanoi so that you can meet the group at the hotel without complications.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is mandatory. Traveling 17 days to Southeast Asia without insurance is crazy. We pass you the contact of the insurance that we use (IATI, Chapka or Mapfre depending on the case), with coverage adjusted to what you are going to do: trekking, kayaking in Halong, Tai Chi, boat trips. It costs between 70 and 130€ for the dates of the trip.
Is there a minimum number of travelers for the group to depart?
Yes, 6 persons minimum. Below that, we cancel the departure and refund the 100% of the deposit. As Vietnam is one-time annual output, We can also offer you to Bali or Thailand if you prefer. You'll never get stuck by our decision.
Can I bring a companion?
Of course. You can come with a partner, friend or family member. The previous filter would be done with both people (a joint conversation). All we ask is that everyone has their own criteria for coming here - we don't want someone to come «dragged». That doesn't go well in any group, let alone 17 shared days.
Is there an age limit?
We set no formal limits. Our trips attract people between 30 and 65 years old mostly, but we have had people outside that range. What matters is the attitude, the way you travel and the desire to live the adventure - not the age of the passport.
Why travel in a group?
Because there are countries that are best enjoyed accompanied. Vietnam is one of them. The conversation while crossing the jungle, the improvised dinners in Hoi An, the shared sunrise over Halong, the night on the night train - those things don't happen the same way traveling alone. And because we take care of the logistics, you just take care of living.
Can I find a similar proposal in the market?
Honestly, finding something identical is difficult. Yes there are organized tours to Vietnam - but with groups of 30+ people, basic accommodations, no overnight train (they put in flights), with overcrowded cruise. What we do (group of 13, 4★ hotels, junk with private cabin, train, double guide, 2 internal flights included, 2 free days in Mui Ne) is a intermediate category between backpack and classic luxury. That's where we live.
What if I have never traveled in a group?
Even better. You don't bring vices from previous experiences. The first time on a SunZen group trip is often an eye-opener. - people are surprised at how well it works when the group is filtered and the pace is right. If you have a specific concern, tell us about it on the call.
What is the profile of my travel companions like?
People who are looking for exactly what you are looking for when you read this page.Travel with criteria, with human rhythm and with the desire to experience Vietnam from the inside. They are usually professionals, people traveling alone or as a couple, curious, with previous travel culture. The website is in 5 languages - who knows where your companions on this expedition will come from.
Your place in Vietnam is waiting for you.
Only 13 seats, one outing a year. The first thing is the conversation - no commitment, no salesmanship, no small print.
The expedition begins the moment you decide to take the plunge.
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