8 days in the far north: Fansipan, Sapa homestays and a Ha Giang option
8 days, 7 nights: Hanoi (2N), Sapa (5N). 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: Explore Hanoi
Hanoi
- Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple · 1.5 h. Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
- Hanoi vintage jeep or Vespa city tour · 3 h
Local tip: Weekend evenings the lake roads go pedestrian-only.
Day 3: Hanoi → Sapa
Sapa · Hanoi to Sapa, Sleeper bus / train via Lao Cai ~6h
Day 4: 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 5: Explore Sapa
Sapa
- Cat Cat village walk · 2 h
Day 6: 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 7: Explore Sapa
Sapa
Free day in Sapa — wander, café-hop, or ask us to add something.
Day 8: Depart from Sapa
Sapa
Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.
Where to stay
- Hanoi (2 nights): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
- Sapa (5 nights): Muong Hoa valley eco-lodges. Wake up over the terraces; trek from the door.