Adventure in Vietnam

1. Day 1: Hanoi
   30 minutes (14 km) from Noi Bai International Airport

   Start the trip by exploring the Old Quarter, a maze of streets filled with shops and street vendors. Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university founded in 1070, and experience the local cuisine by trying a bowl of pho, a popular local noodle soup dish. End the day by watching a traditional Water Puppet Show.

2. Day 2: Sapa
   5 hours (310 km) from Hanoi

   Take an early morning overnight train to Sapa, a mountainous town near the Chinese border. Experience the local Hmong and Dao cultures by taking a trekking tour in the surrounding hills or visit the Bac Ha Market, a colorful weekly market where local ethnic minorities gather to trade goods.

3. Day 3: Halong Bay
   4 hours (230 km) from Sapa

   Take a 4-hour drive from Sapa to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands. Take a boat tour to explore the bay's many caves and grottoes or try a sea kayaking adventure to explore the islands up close. Spend the night on board or on Cat Ba Island.

4. Day 4: Ninh Binh
   3 hours (160 km) from Halong Bay

   Drive to Ninh Binh, a scenic province known for its karst landscape and ancient temples. Take a biking tour to visit the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and the picturesque Tam Coc caves, also known as the "Halong Bay on land". End the day by watching the Bai Dinh Pagoda light show.

5. Day 5: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
   7 hours (400 km) from Ninh Binh

   Take a long drive to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its spectacular cave systems. Take a cave exploration tour to visit the world's largest cave, Hang Son Doong, or take a zip-line tour over the jungle canopy. Spend the night in the nearby town of Dong Hoi.

6. Day 6: Hoi An
   4 hours (360 km) from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

   Take a drive to Hoi An, a charming town known for its well-preserved Ancient Town and delicious food. Take a cooking class to learn how to make local specialties like cao lau or banh mi, or take a bicycle tour of the surrounding countryside. End the day by taking a lantern-making class and admiring the colorful lanterns that light up the town at night.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Temple of Literature (1 hour, 30,000 VND)
• Water Puppet Show (1 hour, 100,000 VND)
• Trekking tour in Sapa (4 hours, 800,000 VND)
• Bac Ha Market (2 hours, free entrance)
• Boat tour in Halong Bay (4 hours, 500,000 VND)
• Sea kayaking in Halong Bay (3 hours, 600,000 VND)
• Biking tour in Ninh Binh (4 hours, 300,000 VND)
• Cave exploration tour in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (6 hours, 1,500,000 VND)
• Zip-line tour in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (4 hours, 1,200,000 VND)
• Cooking class in Hoi An (3 hours, 500,000 VND)
• Bicycle tour in Hoi An (2 hours, 200,000 VND)
• Lantern-making class in Hoi An (2 hours, 300,000 VND)
Total Estimated Costs: 6,930,000 VND

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City or taking a motorbike tour of the Ha Giang Loop. If you have less time, consider skipping Sapa or Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and spend more time exploring Hanoi or Hoi An. Don't forget to pack comfortable trekking shoes and quick-drying clothes for the outdoor activities.