12-day Vietnam family adventure: Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Hoi An, Da Nang and Saigon

Day 1: Arrive in Sapa

Sapa

• Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
• Sapa town & night market · 1.5 h

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: 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

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

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Sapa → Hanoi

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

• 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.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: 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.
• Hoa Lu ancient capital temples · 1.5 h

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

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: 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.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Ha Long Bay → Hoi An

Hoi An · Ha Long Bay to Hoi An, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Hoi An Ancient Town heritage walk · 2.5 h. The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.

Local tip: The ticket covers 5 heritage houses; evenings are for lanterns.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Hoi An

Hoi An

• Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
• 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.

Local tip: Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Hoi An → Da Nang

Da Nang · Hoi An to Da Nang, Car ~45 min

• Marble Mountains caves & pagodas · 2 h
• Dragon Bridge fire & water show · 1 h. Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.
• Linh Ung Pagoda & Lady Buddha, Son Tra · 1.5 h

Local tip: Saturdays & Sundays at 9pm only.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: 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.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City · Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.

Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: 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.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: Depart from Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.

Local tip: Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.

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

Open day 12 route in Google Maps