10 days in North Vietnam: Hanoi, two nights on the bay, Sapa and Ninh Binh

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Hanoi

• Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology · 2 h
• Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.

Local tip: Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Hanoi

Hanoi

• Temple of Literature · 1.5 h
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda · 2 h. Mornings only, shoulders/knees covered; closed some Mondays and Fridays.
• Hanoi vintage jeep or Vespa city tour · 3 h
• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.

Local tip: Mornings only, shoulders/knees covered; closed some Mondays and Fridays.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Hanoi → Sapa

Sapa · Hanoi to Sapa, Sleeper bus / train via Lao Cai ~6h

• O Quy Ho Pass & Silver Waterfall · 3 h

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Sapa

Sapa

• Fansipan cable car to the 'Roof of Indochina' · 4 h. Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
• Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
• Sapa town & night market · 1.5 h

Local tip: Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Guided rice-terrace trek (Lao Chai–Ta Van)

Sapa

• Guided rice-terrace trek (Lao Chai–Ta Van) · 5 h. Best terraces Sep (harvest) and May–June (water-filled).

Local tip: Best terraces Sep (harvest) and May–June (water-filled).

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Sapa → Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay · Sapa to Ha Long Bay, Via Hanoi ~8h

• Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise · Full day. Lan Ha routes are quieter; pick free cancellation in Aug–Oct typhoon season.
• Kayaking & Sung Sot cave · 2 h. Usually included on cruises — confirm before paying extra.

Local tip: Lan Ha routes are quieter; pick free cancellation in Aug–Oct typhoon season.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

• Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h
• Sun World Ha Long Queen cable car · 2 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh · Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh, Private transfer ~3h

• Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
• Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.

Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

• Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.
• Hoa Lu ancient capital temples · 1.5 h
• Cycling through rice fields · 2 h
• Bai Dinh Pagoda complex · 2 h

Local tip: ~500 steps; go for sunset.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.