7-day North Vietnam family holiday: Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long and Ninh Binh

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Hanoi

• Thang Long water puppet show · 1 h. Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.
• Train Street café stop · 1 h. Watch from a café — walking on the tracks is restricted.
• Egg coffee & café crawl · 1.5 h

Local tip: Book a day ahead in Dec–Feb peak.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Hanoi → Sapa

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

• Cat Cat village walk · 2 h

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

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.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

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.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

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

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Ha Long Bay → Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh · Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh, Private transfer ~3h

• Trang An boat ride through caves · 2.5 h. Start by 8am to beat tour buses.
• Tam Coc rowing boat · 2 h. Late May–June the rice is golden.

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

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