9-day family loop: Sapa, Hanoi, Ha Long and Hoi An with Ba Na Hills

9 days, 8 nights: Sapa (3N), Hanoi (1N), Ha Long Bay (1N), Hoi An (2N), Da Nang (1N). Best time to go: Best Feb–May; avoid Oct–Nov central rains and Aug–Sep cruise storms.

Day 1: Arrive in Sapa

Sapa

O Quy Ho Pass & Silver Waterfall · 3 h

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: 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 2 route in Google Maps

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).

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Sapa → Hanoi

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

Old Quarter street-food walk · 3 h. Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.

Local tip: Go after 6pm; bun cha, banh cuon and egg coffee are the classics.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: 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 5 route in Google Maps

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.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Explore Hoi An

Hoi An

Lantern boat on the Thu Bon river · 1 h
Cam Thanh coconut basket boat · 2 h
Market tour & Vietnamese cooking class · 4 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Hoi An → Da Nang

Da Nang · Hoi An to Da Nang, Car ~45 min

Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge by cable car · 7 h. Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.

Local tip: Be on the first cable car (~8am) for an empty Golden Bridge.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Depart from Da Nang

Da Nang

Marble Mountains caves & pagodas · 2 h

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

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Where to stay

Sapa (3 nights): Muong Hoa valley eco-lodges. Wake up over the terraces; trek from the door.
Hanoi (1 night): Hoan Kiem boutique stays. Quiet lanes, still walkable to the Old Quarter.
Ha Long Bay (1 night): 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.
Da Nang (1 night): My Khe beachfront. Beach across the road; Ba Na and Hoi An within an hour.