10 days from Sapa to Saigon: Ha Long, Hue, Da Nang and Cu Chi
10 days, 9 nights: Hanoi (1N), Ha Long Bay (1N), Sapa (2N), Da Nang (2N), Hue (1N), Ho Chi Minh City (2N). Best time to go: Best Feb–Apr, when all three regions are dry; Oct–Dec is wet on the central coast.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Hanoi
- Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
- Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
Local tip: Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
Day 2: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay · Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Road via Hanoi
- 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.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay → Sapa
Sapa · Ha Long Bay to Sapa, Via Hanoi ~8h
- Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
Day 4: Explore Sapa
Sapa
- Fansipan cable car to the 'Roof of Indochina' · 4 h. Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
- O Quy Ho Pass & Silver Waterfall · 3 h
- Sapa town & night market · 1.5 h
Local tip: Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
Day 5: Sapa → Da Nang
Da Nang · Sapa to Da Nang, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Dragon Bridge fire & water show · 1 h. Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.
- Marble Mountains caves & pagodas · 2 h
Local tip: Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.
Day 6: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge by cable car
Da Nang
- Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge by cable car · 7 h. Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.
Local tip: Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.
Day 7: Da Nang → Hue
Hue · Da Nang to Hue, Coastal train / Hai Van Pass ~2.5h
Day 8: Hue → Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City · Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.
Local tip: Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.
Day 9: Explore Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
- Cu Chi Tunnels half-day · 5 h. Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
- Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h
- Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
- Bui Vien walking street nightlife · 2 h
Local tip: Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
Day 10: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Hanoi (1 night): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Ha Long Bay (1 night): On-board cruise cabin (Lan Ha / Ha Long). Your cruise ticket includes the cabin night.
- Sapa (2 nights): Muong Hoa valley eco-lodges. Wake up over the terraces; trek from the door.
- Da Nang (2 nights): My Khe beachfront. Beach across the road; Ba Na and Hoi An within an hour.
- Hue (1 night): Perfume River south bank (Le Loi). Riverside, restaurants and easy taxis.
- Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.