11 days with the family from Saigon to Sapa and Ha Long Bay
11 days, 10 nights: Ho Chi Minh City (2N), Da Nang (1N), Hoi An (2N), Hanoi (1N), Sapa (2N), Ha Long Bay (2N) + Mekong Delta day trip. 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 Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
- Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.
- Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h
Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.
Day 2: Mekong Delta day trip (My Tho / Ben Tre)
Ho Chi Minh City
- Mekong Delta day trip (My Tho / Ben Tre) · 9 h. Sampan canals, coconut candy and fruit orchards in one day from HCMC.
Local tip: Sampan canals, coconut candy and fruit orchards in one day from HCMC.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City → Da Nang
Da Nang · Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- 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 4: Da Nang → Hoi An
Hoi An · Da Nang to Hoi An, Car ~45 min
- Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
- Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
Local tip: The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.
Day 5: Explore Hoi An
Hoi An
- Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h
- Market tour & Vietnamese cooking class · 4 h
- Tailor fitting (24–48h turnaround) · 1.5 h. Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
- An Bang beach afternoon · 3 h
Local tip: Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
Day 6: Hoi An → Hanoi
Hanoi · Hoi An to Hanoi, Domestic flight ~1–2h
- Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Local tip: Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
Day 7: Hanoi → Sapa
Sapa · Hanoi to Sapa, Sleeper bus / train via Lao Cai ~6h
- Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
Day 8: Explore Sapa
Sapa
- Fansipan cable car to the 'Roof of Indochina' · 4 h. Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
- Sapa town & night market · 1.5 h
- O Quy Ho Pass & Silver Waterfall · 3 h
Local tip: Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
Day 9: 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.
Day 10: Explore Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
- Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h
- Sun World Ha Long Queen cable car · 2 h
Day 11: Depart from Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights): District 1. Walk to museums, markets and the river.
- Da Nang (1 night): 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.
- Hanoi (1 night): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Sapa (2 nights): Muong Hoa valley eco-lodges. Wake up over the terraces; trek from the door.
- Ha Long Bay (2 nights): On-board cruise cabin (Lan Ha / Ha Long). Your cruise ticket includes the cabin night.