11 days in Vietnam for couples: Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Da Nang and Hoi An
11 days, 10 nights: Sapa (3N), Hanoi (1N), Ninh Binh (1N), Ha Long Bay (1N), Da Nang (2N), Hoi An (2N). Best time to go: Best Feb–May; avoid Oct–Nov central rains and Aug–Sep cruise storms.
Day 1: Arrive in Sapa
Sapa
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: 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).
Day 4: Sapa → Hanoi
Hanoi · Sapa to Hanoi, Sleeper bus / train via Lao Cai ~6h
- Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
Local tip: Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.
Day 5: Hanoi → Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh · Hanoi to Ninh Binh, Private van ~2h
- Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
- Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.
Local tip: Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
Day 6: Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay · Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay, Private transfer ~3h
- 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 7: Ha Long Bay → Da Nang
Da Nang · Ha Long Bay to Da Nang, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Marble Mountains caves & pagodas · 2 h
- Dragon Bridge fire & water show · 1 h. Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.
Local tip: Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.
Day 8: 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 9: Da Nang → Hoi An
Hoi An · Da Nang to Hoi An, Car ~45 min
- Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
- Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h
- Tailor fitting (24–48h turnaround) · 1.5 h. Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
Local tip: Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
Day 10: Explore Hoi An
Hoi An
- Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
- Market tour & Vietnamese cooking class · 4 h
- Hoi An Memories show · 1.5 h
Local tip: The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
Day 11: Depart from Hoi An
Hoi An
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Sapa (3 nights): Muong Hoa valley eco-lodges. Wake up over the terraces; trek from the door.
- Hanoi (1 night): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Ninh Binh (1 night): Tam Coc / Hoa Lu boutique lodges. Pools and karst views, close to both boat rides.
- Ha Long Bay (1 night): On-board cruise cabin (Lan Ha / Ha Long). Your cruise ticket includes the cabin night.
- Da Nang (2 nights): My Khe beachfront. Beach across the road; Ba Na and Hoi An within an hour.
- Hoi An (2 nights): Ancient Town edge. Walk to lanterns at night without the noise.