Best Northern and Central Vietnam Adventure from Kolkata: Cat Ba Islands, Sapa, Hoi An, Ninh Binh & Phang Nga Caves

Day 1: Arrival & Transfer

Hanoi > Cat Ba Islands, Vietnam on June 7, 2025

6:00am

Flight from Kolkata (CCU) to Hanoi

Early morning flight from Kolkata to Hanoi, approximately 3.5 hours long; book a direct or one-stop flight to maximize time.
INR12000, 3h30m

10:30am

Transfer to Cat Ba Islands

Upon arrival in Hanoi, take a pre-booked shuttle or taxi to Haiphong port (approx 2 hours), then take a ferry to Cat Ba Islands (45 minutes).
VND300000, 3h

2:00pm

Check-in & Lunch at Cat Ba

Lunch at ‘Green Mango Restaurant’, serving fresh seafood and local Vietnamese dishes near Cat Ba port – open 11am to 9pm.
VND150000, 1h

3:30pm

Cat Ba National Park Visit

Explore the scenic Cat Ba National Park known for trekking and spotting monkeys and langurs, open till 5pm.
VND70000, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Cannon Fort View Restaurant

Enjoy sunset views and delicious Vietnamese cuisine with seafood specialties at this popular restaurant open till 9:30pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
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Day 2: Cat Ba Islands Exploration

Cat Ba Islands, Vietnam on June 8, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Cat Ba Market

Try traditional Vietnamese breakfast such as Pho or Banh Mi at a local market stall open from 6am.
VND50000, 30m

8:30am

Lan Ha Bay Boat Tour

Full-day boat tour around Lan Ha Bay to explore stunning limestone karsts, kayak, and swim; boat tours run 8am to 4pm.
VND550000, 7h

4:00pm

Relax at Cat Ba Beach

Spend late afternoon relaxing on Cat Co 1 beach near the town, open all day and great for sunset views.
Free, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Avant Garden Restaurant

Dine on fresh seafood and local dishes in a cozy garden setting, open 6pm to 10pm.
VND200000, 1h30m
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Day 3: Travel to Sapa

Cat Ba to Sapa via Hanoi, Vietnam on June 9, 2025

6:00am

Early ferry and transfer back to Hanoi

Depart Cat Ba early, ferry to Haiphong and then transfer to Hanoi (approximately 4-5 hours total).
VND350000, 5h

12:00pm

Lunch in Hanoi Old Quarter

Savor lunch at ‘Bun Cha Huong Lien’, famous for authentic Bun Cha, open till 2pm.
VND120000, 1h

1:30pm

Train or car to Sapa

Take an afternoon train or private car to Sapa (approx 5-6 hours). Private car recommended for time efficiency.
VND600000, 6h

7:30pm

Check-in and Dinner in Sapa

Dinner at ‘Good Morning Sapa Restaurant’, offering traditional Vietnamese and local hill tribe cuisine, open till 9pm.
VND180000, 1h
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Day 4: Sapa Trekking

Sapa, Vietnam on June 10, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your hotel to prepare for a day of trekking in the hills.
Included, 30m

8:30am

Guided Trekking to Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages

Spend the day trekking through stunning rice terraces and visiting local ethnic minority villages; tours last around 6 hours.
VND800000, 6h

2:30pm

Lunch at local family home

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese meal prepared by local families in Ta Van village for a cultural experience.
VND150000, 1h

4:00pm

Return to Sapa & rest

Head back to Sapa town for relaxation and exploring local markets.
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Red Dao House Restaurant

Try local specialties like grilled meats and hotpot; open 6pm to 9:30pm.
VND220000, 1h30m
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Day 5: Travel to Hoi An

Sapa > Da Nang > Hoi An, Vietnam on June 11, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast and early transfer to Hanoi airport

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a private transfer from Sapa to Hanoi Airport (approx 6h), to catch afternoon flight to Da Nang.
VND1000000, 6h

3:00pm

Fly to Da Nang

Take a flight from Hanoi to Da Nang (1h30m), then transfer to Hoi An (45 minutes).
VND1500000, 2h15m

6:30pm

Check-in and Dinner in Hoi An

Dinner at ‘Mango Mango’, a riverside restaurant famous for Vietnamese fusion dishes, open till 10pm.
VND250000, 1h30m
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Day 6: Hoi An Heritage Day

Hoi An, Vietnam on June 12, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at ‘The Espresso Station’

Popular cafe offering great coffee and light breakfast options, open from 7am.
VND100000, 45m

8:30am

Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site to see the Japanese Covered Bridge, old houses, and vibrant markets, open 8am-9pm.
VND120000, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at ‘Bale Well’

Enjoy traditional local dishes like Cao Lau and White Rose dumplings in a rustic setting, open till 2pm.
VND150000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit An Bang Beach

Relax or swim at An Bang Beach, just 20 minutes from town, open all day.
Free, 2h

4:00pm

Tailor shopping

Hoi An is famous for custom tailoring; visit ‘Yaly Couture’ for quality bespoke clothes, generally open till 7pm.
Varies, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at ‘Morning Glory’

Traditional Vietnamese meal in a charming setting, open until 10pm.
VND300000, 1h30m
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Day 7: Travel to Ninh Binh

Hoi An > Ninh Binh, Vietnam on June 13, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and depart for Ninh Binh

Early breakfast then catch a private transfer or train to Ninh Binh, travel time approx 9-10 hours with stopover in Hanoi.
VND900000, 10h

5:00pm

Check-in and dinner

Dinner at the ‘Chookie’s Beer Garden Ninh Binh’ offering a relaxed atmosphere and local dishes, open till 10pm.
VND200000, 1h
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Day 8: Ninh Binh Caves Tour

Ninh Binh, Vietnam on June 14, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at hotel

Simple breakfast included at accommodation to start the day early for the caves tour.
Included, 30m

8:30am

Trang An Boat & Cave Exploration

Scenic boat ride through the limestone karst caves and tunnels of Trang An, one of Vietnam’s top attractions; open 7am-5pm.
VND200000, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at ‘Nguyen Shack Ninh Binh’

Known for fresh fish dishes and local cuisine, open till 3pm.
VND160000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Mua Cave Viewpoint

Climb 500 steps to enjoy panoramic views of the Tam Coc area; open all day.
VND100000, 2h

4:00pm

Rest & Local market walk

Evening stroll through nearby markets for souvenirs and local snacks.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at ‘The Reed Restaurant’

Enjoy elegant dining with local specialties served in a beautiful garden ambiance, open 6pm-9pm.
VND250000, 1h30m
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Day 9: Phang Nga Caves & Departure

Ninh Binh > Hanoi > Kolkata (via flight) on June 15, 2025

7:30am

Early breakfast

Breakfast at hotel to prepare for morning cave exploration.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Phang Nga Caves Exploration

Visit the nearby limestone caves and mystical grottoes at Phang Nga area, ideal for photography and nature lovers; open 8am-4pm.
VND150000, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch and Transfer to Hanoi

Quick lunch at a local café before heading back to Hanoi airport (approx 2.5 hours drive).
VND100000, 1h

3:30pm

Flight from Hanoi to Kolkata

Evening flight back to Kolkata from Hanoi, arriving late night.
INR12000, 3h30m
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