Vietnam 10-Day Itinerary: Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long, Hoi An
Ten days takes you from the rice terraces of Sapa to the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay and the lanterns of Hoi An, with two free days to breathe. The route covers Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang and Hoi An on daily small shared tours from two travelers, using 4-star hotels and one domestic flight.
Your ten days at a glance
| Day | Where | What you do | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | Arrive, private city tour with lunch | Hanoi |
| 2 | Sapa | Early road transfer, trek to Cat Cat Village | Sapa |
| 3 | Sapa to Hanoi | Fansipan cable car, road back to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| 4 | Hanoi | Free day | Hanoi |
| 5 | Ha Long Bay | Cruise, island stop, cooking class | On board |
| 6 | Ha Long to Da Nang | Surprise Cave, back to Hanoi, flight to Da Nang | Da Nang |
| 7 | Marble Mountains, Hoi An | Afternoon and evening outing with dinner | Da Nang |
| 8 | Ba Na Hills | Cable car and the Golden Bridge | Da Nang |
| 9 | Da Nang | Free day at the beach | Da Nang |
| 10 | Departure | Airport transfer | Flight home |
How the trip works
Your first day in Hanoi and your airport transfers are private. Sapa, the cruise, Hoi An and Ba Na Hills are shared with other travelers on the same day, which is why the trip can leave daily, without waiting for a fixed group date. You get guides where they matter and free time where you want it.
Day 1: Hanoi with your own guide
Plan to land early. Your guide takes you from Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and One Pillar Pagoda, then to a lunch of eight Vietnamese dishes and the courtyards of the Temple of Literature, founded in the 11th century.
Days 2–3: Sapa and the roof of Indochina
Day 2 starts before most of Hanoi wakes up, with a boxed breakfast and pickup from your Old Quarter hotel at about 05:50. The road climbs north through Yen Bai, and you reach Sapa around 13:00. After lunch you walk down to Cat Cat Village, home of the Black Hmong people, past terraced rice fields, a waterfall and an old French hydroelectric station.
After dinner, walk through Sapa town in the cool air. Vendors grill corn and eggs over charcoal, which is a good excuse to stay out for a while.
On Day 3 the cable car lifts you towards the summit of Fansipan, at 3,143 m, known as the Roof of Indochina. On a clear day the mountains roll away in every direction, and on a misty one you walk among the clouds. You come down for lunch, then take the road back to Hanoi, arriving in the Old Quarter between about 19:30 and 21:30. A short taxi to your hotel is at your own cost, and your guide can call one.
Day 4: your own day in Hanoi
You have earned a slow day. Sit by Hoan Kiem Lake, wander the Old Quarter, try egg coffee and bun cha, or see a water puppet show. Nothing is planned, so you can go at your own pace.
Days 5–6: a night on Ha Long Bay
The cruise shuttle takes about 3 hours to reach Tuan Chau Wharf, arriving around 12:30. Lunch is served as the boat sails between the islands. You stop at Titop Island to swim or climb, visit a pearl farm village, join a cooking class and watch the light fade from the sundeck.
Day 6 begins at 06:00 with tai chi on deck, then Surprise Cave and brunch. You leave the boat around 11:00 and return to Hanoi by shuttle, with some free time before your transfer to the airport. Book your flight to Da Nang for the evening.
Days 7–9: Hoi An, the Golden Bridge and the beach
Day 7 starts at 15:30, so the morning is yours. You watch the sun go down from the Marble Mountains and visit a stone-carving village, then have dinner with the dishes of central Vietnam. After dark you walk through Hoi An Ancient Town, past the Japanese Covered Bridge and old merchant houses, as the lanterns come on.
On Day 8 a cable car climbs to Ba Na Hills, at 1,487 m. You cross the Golden Bridge, held up by two giant stone hands, wander through the French village and pagoda, and have a buffet lunch.
Day 9 is free, and by now you will want it. Spend it on My Khe Beach, or ask for a day trip to Hue to be added to your quote.
Day 10: heading home
Check out by noon. Your driver takes you to the airport for your flight home, with a head full of mountains, islands and lanterns.
Good to know
- Flights: domestic and international tickets are not in the price. Book Hanoi to Da Nang for the evening of Day 6, and fly home from Da Nang
- Bring a warm layer for Sapa and Fansipan, even in summer
- Pack a small overnight bag for Sapa and another for the cruise. Your main luggage can stay at your Hanoi hotel if you ask ahead
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes on Mondays and Fridays, and from 15 June to 15 August. You can still see the outside
- In bad weather the authorities can cancel cruises for safety. A hotel in Ha Long is then arranged instead
Which months suit this route
March and April usually suit both regions, since the north has spring weather and the centre is in its dry season. Avoid October and November if the centre matters most, because of rain, storms and floods in Hoi An. Sapa is cold from December to February. Our Vietnam travel guide sets out the seasons region by region.
Other ways to do it
| If you want | Ask for |
|---|---|
| Saigon, Phu Quoc and the Mekong as well | A private north to south route |
| Fewer days in the north only | A shorter Hanoi, Sapa and Ha Long route |
| Your own guide and vehicle | This route as a private tour |
Questions before you go
Is 10 days enough for Vietnam?
It is enough for the north and centre at a steady pace, with two free days. To add the south, you need more flights and fewer rest days.
What is the minimum group size?
This trip runs from two travelers. Solo travelers can ask for a separate quote.
What does the trip include?
It includes 4-star hotels on shared rooms, daily breakfast, 5 lunches, 3 dinners, the Sapa and cruise packages, the Hoi An and Ba Na tours, airport transfers and travel insurance. Flights, visa fees, tips and personal expenses are extra.
Is it tiring?
Days 2 and 3 are the hardest, with long road journeys to and from Sapa. The free day after them, and the second free day in Da Nang, are there to balance that.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Read our Vietnam visa and entry guide before you book flights.
Want this trip?
Reply to the person who sent you this guide with your travel dates, number of travelers and hotel class. They will send you a quote and handle any changes before and during your trip.
This guide is from Dong Thi Co., Ltd, a licensed international tour operator since 2008.
