| Day | Stage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, water puppets |
| 2 | Ninh Binh | about 2 h by road or train; boat at Trang An or Tam Coc, Hang Mua viewpoint |
| 3 | Hanoi then Ha Long Bay | start of the 2-day / 1-night cruise |
| 4 | Ha Long Bay then Hanoi | back in the afternoon |
| 5 | Hanoi - Sapa | limousine bus 5h30 to 6h or night train |
| 6 | Sapa | trek in the Muong Hoa valley, night in a homestay |
| 7 | Sapa - Hanoi | Fansipan or waterfall, back in the evening |
Day 1: Hanoi
One day covers the essentials; see Hanoi in 1 day; for more time, Hanoi in 3 days. Our advice: arrive the day before if your flight is early.
Day 2: Ninh Binh
See Ninh Binh in one day or 2 days in Ninh Binh; the train is detailed in Hanoi to Ninh Binh.
Days 3 and 4: Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha
The 2-day cruise is nicer than a day trip: see the overnight cruise and Lan Ha, which cruise. Departures are in the morning from Hanoi with transfer.
Days 5 to 7: Sapa
See Sapa in 3 days from Hanoi and bus or train.
Variant: the Ha Giang loop
For landscape and guided-motorbike fans, replace Sapa with the Ha Giang loop, 3 days. Rougher, wilder.
Tips
- Book the cruise and the night bus ahead in high season.
- October to April: cooler weather; see the best time to visit.
- Plan an eSIM: see SIM and eSIM.
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for northern Vietnam? Yes for Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Sapa at a brisk pace.
How many days for Sapa? Three days give a real experience: a travel day, a trek day, a Fansipan day.
Should I spend a night in Ninh Binh? Not required: a day is enough, but a night avoids the evening crowds.
