14 days south to north: Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa and Ha Long

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• Independence Palace & Central Post Office · 2 h
• Ben Thanh Market · 1.5 h. Bargain; prices start high.

Local tip: Bargain; prices start high.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City

• War Remnants Museum · 2 h. Graphic in parts — preview before taking kids.
• Cu Chi Tunnels half-day · 5 h. Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.

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

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: 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 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: 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.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: 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.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: 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.

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

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Hoi An

Hoi An

• My Son Sanctuary sunrise · 5 h
• An Bang beach afternoon · 3 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Hoi An → Hanoi

Hanoi · Hoi An to Hanoi, Domestic flight ~1–2h

• 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.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: 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.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Ninh Binh → Sapa

Sapa · Ninh Binh to Sapa, Via Hanoi ~7h

• O Quy Ho Pass & Silver Waterfall · 3 h

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: 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 11 route in Google Maps

Day 12: 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 12 route in Google Maps

Day 13: 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 13 route in Google Maps

Day 14: Depart from Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

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