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

Viewed by 253 travelers

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
Find Hotels in Hanoi > Cat Ba Islands

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
Find Hotels in Cat Ba Islands

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
Find Hotels in Cat Ba to Sapa via Hanoi

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
Find Hotels in Sapa

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
Find Hotels in Sapa > Da Nang > Hoi An

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
Find Hotels in Hoi An

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
Find Hotels in Hoi An > Ninh Binh

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
Find Hotels in Ninh Binh

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
Find Hotels in Ninh Binh > Hanoi > Kolkata (via flight)
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