10-Day Trip to Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Da Nang & Ba Na Hills Adventure

Day 1: Arrival Night

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 7, 2025

9:00pm

Arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport

Reach Hanoi in the evening from various origins, meet your family and transfer to hotel.
VND0, 1h

10:00pm

Check-in at La Selva Hotel - Old Quarter

Stay at a well-rated but affordable hotel in Old Quarter, close to main attractions and dining options.
USD50 per night, Overnight
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Day 2: Hanoi City Tour

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 8, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Cafe Dinh – Old Quarter

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese coffee and Bahn Mi, open from 7am to 10am.
VND50000, 1h

8:30am

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Stroll around iconic lake and visit the temple, open from 8am to 5pm.
VND30000, 1h

10:00am

Explore Temple of Literature

Vietnam’s first university dating from 1070, a quiet cultural visit, open 8am-5pm daily.
VND30000, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Famous spot for Bun Cha, open 10am to 2pm, reasonably priced and authentic.
VND100000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

See the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and explore the surrounding gardens and museum. Closed Mondays & Fridays.
Free, 1h30m

4:00pm

Walk Old Quarter Streets and Lantern Shopping

Experience local markets and shops until early evening.
Varies, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong

Enjoy signature Hanoi grilled fish dish, open 6pm to 10pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise

Halong Bay, Vietnam on September 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast to prepare for the day trip.
Included in hotel, 30m

8:00am

Transfer to Halong Bay - Private minivan by Indochina Junk

About 3.5-hour road transfer, reliable and comfortable service.
USD20 per person, 4h

12:00pm

Board Halong Bay Day Cruise - Indochina Junk

Scenic cruise with lunch on board, sailing among limestone karsts. Cruise lasts around 4-5 hours, runs 8am-4pm.
USD70 per person, 5h

5:00pm

Return transfer to Hanoi

Bus or private car back to Hanoi, arriving late evening.
Included, 4h

9:30pm

Light Dinner or Snack near hotel

Explore street food like Pho or fresh spring rolls.
VND70000, 1h
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Day 4: Travel To Sapa

Sapa, Vietnam on September 10, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

First meal to energize before journey to Sapa.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Private car transfer to Sapa

Comfortable 5-hour mountain drive, stops along the way for scenery.
USD60 per car, 5h

1:00pm

Lunch Break at Sapa Center

Try local mountain dishes like Thang Co or local veggies.
VND120000, 1h

2:30pm

Check-in at Sapa Horizon Hotel

Mid-priced hotel with mountain views and central location.
USD40 per night, Overnight

3:30pm

Visit Sapa Market and Cat Cat Village

Explore local market for hill tribe handicrafts and visit nearby cat cat village for cultural immersion. Open until 6pm.
VND50000, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at A Quynh Restaurant

Well-reviewed for grilled meats and local specialties, open until 9pm.
VND150000, 1h
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Day 5: Sapa Trekking

Sapa, Vietnam on September 11, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early start with a hearty meal before trekking.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Half-Day Guided Trekking to Muong Hoa Valley

Trek through rice terraces, local villages inhabited by Hmong and Dao ethnic groups, guide included. Trekking is moderate and scenic.
USD25 per person, 4h

12:30pm

Lunch at Local family home or nearby restaurant

Experience homemade ethnic meals for lunch, included in tour or extra fee.
USD10, 1h

2:00pm

Free time in Sapa town

Relax or visit Sapa Church and local cafes.
Varies, 3h

6:00pm

Dinner at The Haven Sapa Camp

Enjoy beautiful mountain views and a variety of Vietnamese and western dishes, open until 9pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
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Day 6: Return to Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 12, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast before departure.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Private transfer from Sapa to Hanoi

Return trip about 5 hours via car or minivan.
USD60, 5h

1:30pm

Lunch in Hanoi Old Quarter

Try Bun Thang or Pho at Pho Gia Truyen, open noon to 3pm.
VND80000, 1h

3:00pm

Relax or optional visit to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Museum showcases culture of 54 ethnic groups, open from 8:30am to 5:30pm.
VND40000, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Popular spot with diverse Vietnamese street foods in nice setting, open till 10pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 7: Fly to Da Nang

Da Nang, Vietnam on September 13, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Quick breakfast before airport transfer.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Taxi to Noi Bai Airport

Allow 40 minutes for airport transit in Hanoi.
VND350000, 1h

10:00am

Flight Hanoi to Da Nang

Short flight about 1 hour, Vietnam Airlines or VietJet Air are recommended for reliability and price.
USD60, 1h

11:30am

Check-in at Sanouva Danang Hotel

Modern hotel in Da Nang near river, mid-priced and comfortable.
USD45 per night, Overnight

12:30pm

Lunch at Com ga Ba Buoi

Enjoy Da Nang’s famous chicken rice, open 10am to 8pm.
VND60000, 1h

2:00pm

Relax at My Khe Beach

Spend afternoon at one of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches, free and open all day.
Free, 3h

6:00pm

Dinner at Quan Com Hue Ngon

Sample Hue specialties in Da Nang, open till 9:30pm.
VND120000, 1h30m
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Day 8: Ba Na Hills Day Trip

Da Nang, Vietnam on September 14, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Early breakfast to prepare for day excursion.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Transfer to Ba Na Hills

Taxi or shuttle service recommended for 40-minute ride.
USD15, 45m

9:00am

Visit Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge

Explore French village, gardens, and iconic Golden Bridge. Park open 7:30am to 9pm.
VND750000 (entrance + cable car), 6h

3:00pm

Return to Da Nang

Travel back to hotel for rest.
USD15, 45m

7:00pm

Dinner at Lan Bo Restaurant

Great seafood with river views, open until 9:30pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
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Day 9: Return to Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 15, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Breakfast before checkout.
Included, 30m

9:00am

Flight Da Nang to Hanoi

Fly back to Hanoi for last day, using low-cost or major airlines.
USD60, 1h

10:30am

Check-in at La Selva Hotel - Old Quarter

Relax and store luggage at the familiar hotel.
USD50 per night, Overnight

12:00pm

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Taste delicious Vietnamese dishes with a social enterprise vibe.
VND130000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda

Enjoy serene lake area and visit historic pagoda, open all day.
VND20000, 2h

5:00pm

Shopping and Leisure in Old Quarter

Final souvenir shopping and street cafe visits.
Varies, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Little Hanoi Restaurant

Elegant setting with classic dishes, open till 10pm.
VND180000, 1h30m
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Day 10: Departure Day

Hanoi, Vietnam on September 16, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Last meal in Hanoi before departure.
Included, 30m

9:00am

Taxi to Noi Bai International Airport

Allow 45 minutes for airport transfer from Old Quarter.
VND350000, 1h

11:00am

Depart Hanoi

You fly back to Japan, parents fly back to Myanmar separately from Hanoi airport.
Varies, Varies
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