14 days in Vietnam: Sapa treks, Ha Long, Hoi An, Hue and a Mekong night
14 days, 13 nights: Hanoi (1N), Sapa (2N), Ha Long Bay (2N), Hoi An (2N), Hue (2N), Ho Chi Minh City (2N), Mekong Delta (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 → Sapa
Sapa · Hanoi to Sapa, Sleeper bus / train via Lao Cai ~6h
- Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
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 → 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 5: Explore Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
- Sun World Ha Long Queen cable car · 2 h
- Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h
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.
Day 7: Explore Hoi An
Hoi An
- Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
- Tailor fitting (24–48h turnaround) · 1.5 h. Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
- Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h
- An Bang beach afternoon · 3 h
Local tip: Order on day 1 to allow two fittings; price is per garment.
Day 8: Hoi An → Hue
Hue · Hoi An to Hue, Hai Van Pass car ~3.5h
Day 9: Hai Van Pass drive to Hoi An
Hue
- Hai Van Pass drive to Hoi An · 5 h. Turns the Hue→Hoi An transfer into a sightseeing day.
Local tip: Turns the Hue→Hoi An transfer into a sightseeing day.
Day 10: 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 11: 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
Local tip: Hot and cramped — skip with young kids.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta · Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta, Road ~2–3.5h
- Cai Rang floating market at sunrise · 3 h. Needs a night in Can Tho — the market winds down by 9am.
Local tip: Needs a night in Can Tho — the market winds down by 9am.
Day 13: Mekong Delta day trip (My Tho / Ben Tre)
Mekong Delta
- 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 14: Depart from Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta
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.
- 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.
- Hoi An (2 nights): Ancient Town edge. Walk to lanterns at night without the noise.
- Hue (2 nights): 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.
- Mekong Delta (2 nights): Can Tho riverside. Positioned for the sunrise floating market.