6 days in northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Sapa's peaks and a Ha Long cruise
6 days, 5 nights: Hanoi (1N), Sapa (2N), Ha Long Bay (2N). Best time to go: Best Sep–Nov and Mar–May; Dec–Jan Sapa nights drop near freezing.
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: 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
Local tip: Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
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
- Ti Top Island viewpoint · 1.5 h
- Sun World Ha Long Queen cable car · 2 h
Day 6: Depart from Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
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.