7 days in the north at an easy pace: Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa and Ninh Binh

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.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay · Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Road via Hanoi

• 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 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Ha Long Bay → Sapa

Sapa · Ha Long Bay to Sapa, Via Hanoi ~8h

• O Quy Ho Pass & Silver Waterfall · 3 h

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Explore Sapa

Sapa

• Fansipan cable car to the 'Roof of Indochina' · 4 h. Check the summit webcam — cloud often clears after 10am.
• Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
• Sapa town & night market · 1.5 h

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

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Sapa → Ninh Binh

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

• Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.

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

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

• Mua Cave viewpoint climb · 1.5 h. ~500 steps; go for sunset.
• Bai Dinh Pagoda complex · 2 h
• Cycling through rice fields · 2 h
• Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.

Local tip: ~500 steps; go for sunset.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

• Hoa Lu ancient capital temples · 1.5 h

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

Open day 7 route in Google Maps