Traveling to Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Sapa is one of the most popular sightseeing routes in Vietnam. If you are planning to travel to the northern part of the country, discover our trip itinerary of 10 days in Northern Vietnam that can save you lots of time needed for choosing what to do and where to stay in North Vietnam.
Northern Vietnam is the place where you can find scenic travel destinations such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Sapa. This part of the country has numberless interesting places and offers visitors a variety of wonderful experiences, from admiring the magnificent landscapes of the bay and exploring the famous historical sites in the capital of Vietnam to learning the customs and traditions of the mountainous people at the place where you can see the mountains running on the horizon and the villages hidden in the clouds.
We’ve spent a lot of time researching before our trip to Vietnam, trying to make an unforgettable journey, and we really loved when actually visiting this incredible country. If you are preparing for a trip to Vietnam, feel free to follow our DIY Northern Vietnam trip itinerary and use it as your guide to plan a trip to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cat Ba, and Sapa for 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 9 days, or even more.
Northern Vietnam Itinerary for 10 Days
This is an exact trip itinerary of our 10 days in Northern Vietnam.
Day 1: Hello Vietnam - Start of Northern Vietnam Itinerary
We've started our North Vietnam trip by taking an international flight to Haiphong. As the number of international flights landing at this airport is very limited, you can easily take a flight to Hanoi Airport and travel from there to Haiphong on the same day. Just take a flight that arrives in Hanoi on the first half of the day. The cities are well connected, so you can travel between them in 2-3 hours. Explore the departure schedule and book tickets for transfer on this route here: Hanoi to Haiphong.
Afternoon
We took a Vietjet flight from Bangkok to Haiphong in Vietnam and landed at Cat Bi Airport (HPH) at about 17:00. This international airport is the nearest to Cat Ba Island, so getting to Haiphong was the most convenient option for our travel itinerary in Northern Vietnam, as we wanted to start it from Cat Ba and Halong Bay.
Evening
Transferring from Cat Bi Airport to the hotel in Haiphong City center by taxi wasn’t the smoothest, as the taxi driver overcharged us. Turning off the meter right after the car stops and asking for a higher price than displayed seems to be a common trick in Haiphong. It wasn’t a huge rip-off, and we normally leave tips of that size, but still, the first impression of Vietnamese people was ruined.
The good thing is that Haiphong was the only place in Vietnam, where taxi drivers were trying this trick on us. However, the next time we might be using a private transfer that can be booked in advance with a tour company or hotel. Not because of the price, just for not getting tricked on the first step in this wonderful country.
Overnight
The best area to stay in Haiphong is the city center, as it lets you easily reach different parts of the city and popular destinations like Cat Ba Island. Therefore, we have chosen to stay at the Hoang Hai Hotel, which is centrally located on Cau Dat Street, just a few hundred meters from Haiphong Railway Station and Haiphong Opera House.
As the impression was quite mixed, the next time we would better stay at the nearby Mercure Hai Phong or somewhere closer to one of the bus stops of Haiphong bus 16C that takes you to Cat Hai for taking the Cat Ba cable car or ferry.
Day 2: Traveling from Haiphong to Cat Ba Island
As our main goal was getting to Cat Ba Island, the time spent in Haiphong City was very limited. If you have more time, you might wish to explore the largest port city in Vietnam better.
Morning
After getting our first Vietnamese breakfast at the hotel, we started exploring Haiphong City’s most famous sites and attractions by stopping at Haiphong Opera House, flower stalls, Le Chan Statue, and visiting ancient structures, such as Nghe Temple and Du Hang Pagoda.
Afternoon
After lunch, we checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to Ben Binh Pier for taking the hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island. We got our tickets at the pier and boarded the hydrofoil departing at 13:00. The journey from Haiphong to Cat Ba Island took about an hour.
However, there's currently no boat that would be going all the way from the center of Haiphong to Cat Ba Island. Now the transfer to the island includes a trip by bus to the ferry port, crossing to the island by ferry, and another trip by bus on Cat Ba Island. There are plenty of companies offering a transfer on the entire route.
Travelers on a tight budget can now use public transportation to get from Haiphong to Cat Ba Island. You just need to take bus 16C from the city center to Cat Hai Island, cross between the islands by Cat Ba ferry or a bit more pricey but still affordable Cat Ba cable car, and then take a Cat Ba Bus 14 for getting to Cat Ba Town from the ferry pier or cable car station. Keep in mind that such a trip will take much more than an hour that was previously needed for getting to Cat Ba by hydrofoil.
Cat Ba is the largest of the 1,969 islands on Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay and is surrounded by blue sea, white sand, magnificent caves, and beautiful mountains. We reached Cat Ba Island at 14:00 and, after checking in at the hotel, went out to look for money exchange in Cat Ba and to find the place, where you can buy a local SIM card in Cat Ba Town.
Evening
We took a stroll to Cat Co Beach, which is the main beach in Cat Ba Island. Actually, there are three beaches with the same name not far from each other, and they all can be easily reached on foot. We walked along the mountainside walking trail, which is connecting the beaches, and got a chance to admire the magnificent sunset in one of them.
After that, it was time for getting our first dinner on the island and chillaxing at the bar in Cat Ba Town.
If you want to enjoy some time on the beach while on Cat Ba Island, consider staying at one of the hotels on Cat Co Beach. Next to Cat Co 1 Beach, you can find a very well-rated resort, The May Legend Catba. Half of Cat Co 1 Beach and the entire Cat Co 2 Beach are occupied by towers of a high-rise Flamingo Resort Cat Ba. Cat Co 3 Beach is the place where you can find one of the best hotels on the island, Hôtel Perle d'Orient Cat Ba. If you are looking for a place to stay in luxury and divine serenity, this hotel would be your best bet.
Overnight
In addition to Cat Co Beach, the best place to stay on the island is Cat Ba Town's beachfront road, called Street 1/4. As we were booking our accommodation quite late, most of the best-rated hotels on the main street were already fully booked out, so we ended up at the Catba Dream Hotel. It was a very affordable hotel and decent enough for a short stay, even if the promise of the "partial sea view" was a bit disappointing.
If you will be booking your accommodation a bit more in advance, check out the nearby well-rated hotels, such as Quang Tung Hotel and Paradise Cat Ba Hotel.
Cat Ba has plenty of accommodations, from affordable to luxurious hotels. The price of an ordinary hotel in Cat Ba is about 150,000-500,000 VND per night. For a better idea of choosing the place to stay in Cat Ba, check out our guide to Cat Ba accommodation.
Day 3: Discovering Halong Bay & Lan Ha Bay
Exploring Halong Bay and its less-busy southern neighbor Lan Ha Bay is one of the main reasons why travelers are choosing to come to Cat Ba. Taking a cruise to explore the worldwide famous bay should be a part of any Northern Vietnam itinerary.
Morning
We took a day tour to explore Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island. The boat was sailing around Lan Ha Bay and passing the floating village before making a stop at Monkey Island, where, no doubt, we were greeted by a gang of monkeys! The island was very charming, with white sand beaches and clear water. After leaving Monkey Island, the boat continued cruising to Halong Bay, a UNESCO world natural heritage site, where we got a chance to admire the most beautiful landscapes with hundreds of mysterious limestone islands in a variety of shapes and sizes. It was really out of this world scenery.
If you have more time to spend on the bay, for the most exceptional experience, you can join one of the 10 best Halong Bay cruises. When going on a cruise, you would be spending the night (or two) on the cruise ship sailing in the bay and would be enjoying the beauty of the bay at various times of the day.
Afternoon
After the lunch served on the boat in the middle of Halong Bay, kayaking experience was awaiting so we could explore the rock arch tunnel cave and hidden narrow lagoons. The boat also brought us to Three Peaches Beach for swimming and snorkeling.
Evening
As it was a full-day tour, we returned to Cat Ba Town only in the evening. Therefore, it was already time for a fresh seafood dinner at the restaurant. Really delicious and affordable!
Overnight
After touring Halong Bay all day long, we came back to the same hotel, the Catba Dream Hotel.
Day 4: Exploring Cat Ba National Park
A big part of the island belongs to Cat Ba National Park. If you love nature and have time left on your itinerary, join one of the national park trekking tours.
Morning
We woke up early to see the sunrise at the beach on the island. After having breakfast at Like Café in Cat Ba town, we went to Cannon Fort. Cannon Fort is the French-era fort that was used to defend Haiphong during the Vietnam War. It is said that this place is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Vietnam. Unfortunately, the fort was closed during the time of our visit, so we had to get back to the hotel and prepare for the afternoon trekking tour.
Afternoon
After lunch, we departed to Cat Ba National Park. We took a half-day trekking tour and hiked through the tropical rain forest to conquer the summit of the mountain, from where you can see panoramic views of the island. On the way back, we also visited the Hospital Cave, where lots of historical secrets from the war are still kept.
To fully enjoy the experience, join one of the full-day Cat Ba National Park trekking tours.
Evening
Came back to the hotel to rest before having Vietnamese dinner at the local restaurant. At the end of the day, a relaxing massage was awaiting.
Overnight
The last night on Cat Ba Island was also spent at the Catba Dream Hotel.
Day 5: Traveling from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi
After visiting Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island, the next destination on our Northern Vietnam itinerary was Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.
Morning
After breakfast, we said goodbye to Cat Ba Island. We took a bus from Cat Ba to Hanoi. This is the most convenient and very affordable way for getting to the capital of Vietnam. The journey by bus from Cat Ba Island to Hanoi took us about 4.5 hours.
The current bus departure schedule can be found, and bus tickets can be booked online here: Bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba.
If you prefer other types of traveling, use our detailed guide on how to get from Cat Ba to Hanoi.
Afternoon
We arrived at Hanoi Old Quarter, and the bus dropped us off nearby our hotel.
After checking in at the hotel, we went out to find the best place to exchange money in Hanoi while looking for the place to enjoy some local specialties. We’ve tried the well-known Bun Cha Hanoi (grilled pork and noodles) at the local restaurant.
After that, we started exploring the city from Hanoi Old Quarter to Hoan Kiem Lake (Sword Lake), where the ancient Turtle Tower sits peacefully and the Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) is waiting for visitors. We have also visited the Ly Thai To Monument and Trang Tien Street on the west side of Hoan Kiem Lake, where the eye-catching colonial streets of French Quarter can be admired.
Evening
We enjoyed watching a water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater next to Hoan Kiem Lake. This is a must-do thing in Hanoi, which is very popular with tourists.
Water puppet show tickets are often sold in combination with various Hanoi tours, such as the Special Hanoi Night Out Tour, which includes not only visiting the water puppet show but also eating a special authentic Hanoi dinner and ending the night with a cup of tea at some cozy street.
Overnight
Hanoi is a big city and attracts many tourists, so finding a place to stay there is not a problem. However, choosing the right place is really important if you want to explore the city conveniently. To do that, our guide to the best Hanoi areas can be really helpful.
We've decided to stay at a very well-rated hotel close to the old town, the Golden Moon Suite Hotel, and our short stay there was satisfying.
Day 6: Traveling from Hanoi to Sapa
As our Northern Vietnam itinerary wasn't very strict, we've decided to go from Hanoi to Sapa on the last day.
Morning
Due to the last-minute decision, there were not so many transportation options to choose from for getting to Sapa. Actually, there are many ways for getting from Hanoi to Sapa, but most of them were already fully booked.
We've got a ticket for a bus from Hanoi to Sapa online, and the journey was surprisingly good. The bus picked up us at the hotel in Hanoi and departed to Sapa early in the morning, making 2 break stops on the way. It took us about 7 hours to get to Sapa town. You can check our full review of the bus from Hanoi to Sapa.
The current bus departure schedule can be found, and bus tickets can be booked here: Bus Tickets from Hanoi to Sapa.
Another popular way to travel from Hanoi to Sapa is to take one of the privately run trains that are offering more safety and comfort than buses. However, when traveling to Sapa by train, you arrive at Lao Cai City first and then have to continue your trip from Lao Cai to Sapa by a local bus or private transport.
Afternoon
After arriving in Sapa town, we checked in at the hotel and enjoyed our lunch in one of the local restaurants.
We started our discovery of Sapa beauty by trekking to Ham Rong Mountain. Ham Rong Mountain is offering one of the most spectacular scenery and is easily reachable as it’s located in the heart of Sapa town. Vibrant Indochina orchids of all kinds and colors were leading us along the way to the top of the mountain, from where the panoramic view of this beautiful town opens up.
Evening
After enjoying the typical dishes of the Northwestern people at the local restaurant, we just freely roamed the town. We’ve visited the iconic Sapa Stone Church, which is the focal point of the town. If you will be visiting Sapa on the weekend, you will see that the large square in front of the church is often bustling as it is the venue for major cultural events in Sapa, including Sapa Love Market.
Overnight
While in Sapa, we were staying at the Sapa Scenery Hotel.
Why did we choose to stay at this hotel in Sapa? As the name says, because of the scenery and superb deal we got for one of their best rooms. While choosing the place for overnight, we’ve completed a guide to Sapa accommodation that might be helpful when looking for the best place to stay in Sapa.
Day 7: Discovering Cat Cat Village
Even if it's not the most authentic place in Sapa, we've included Cat Cat Village in our Northern Vietnam itinerary, and it took us a big part of the day to trek there independently and explore the place.
Morning
The morning was very cloudy and rainy, so after having our breakfast at the hotel, we just went out for a cup of coffee. There are countless cafes with stunning views in Sapa where you can sit peacefully and enjoy the scenery.
Afternoon
As soon as the sun came out, we started our 2.5 km trekking journey to explore Cat Cat Village, which is the residence of H’mong ethnic people. Cat Cat Village is located at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, so the whole village is covered by greenery, hills, and mountains. We’ve got an opportunity to see the beauty of Tien Sa Waterfall and terraced fields, enjoy traditional performances, and learn about the unique culture and customs of ethnic minorities here.
Even if there are many guided tours offering to visit Cat Cat Village, you can easily explore it independently, just like we did. To make things easier, explore our Cat Cat Village DIY itinerary.
Visit the country's most notable indigenous people on this tour of Cat Cat Village, which is the oldest settlement in the entirety of Sapa.
Evening
The evening was spent strolling around Sapa town, shopping at Sapa market, and enjoying highland specialties, such as grilled armpits and Lao Chai Beer.
Would you like more action? Check where to go and what to do in Sapa at night.
Overnight
As our pre-booked hotel in Sapa was decent enough, we've stayed at the Sapa Scenery Hotel for the second night.
Day 8: Visiting Lao Chai Village & Ta Van Village
For a more authentic experience, you should trek to more distant villages of ethnic minorities.
Morning
Right after our breakfast and check-out of the hotel, the tour guide took us on a trekking tour to Lao Chai.
On the way, we could admire the majestic natural scenery with the terraced rice fields of the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley. We also got an opportunity to visit hill tribe villages and explore the lives of the H'mong and Dao ethnic groups in the Northwestern region.
For those who are interested, there is also the Ancient Stone Field with 159 large and small rocks, located right by the mountain road between rice fields.
Afternoon
After having lunch at a homestay in Lao Chai Village, we continued trekking to Ta Van Village. On the trail, we passed the green bamboo forest and waterfall as well as a small road up the mountain. Expect to be approached by local people trying to sell you things at very high prices.
There are several hill tribe villages for you to discover, and you can choose the best village to visit in Sapa according to your preferences.
Evening
We decided to stay overnight at Ta Van Village, so we’ve spent an evening trying the herbal bath, which is the traditional healing bath of the Red Dao people in Sapa. They brew more than 10 herbs and pour the hot water into wooden tubs. It’s relaxing indeed!
Overnight
We've stayed at the homestay in Ta Van Village called Hmong House Sapa.
If staying at a homestay doesn’t look attractive for you, you can choose to stay at one of Sapa's best hotels with a view and enjoy the magnificent scenery during your entire stay.
Day 9: Conquering Fansipan Mountain & Trip to Hanoi
As Sapa is home to the highest peak of the country, visiting it is one of the must-do things in the area, especially when you can now take a cable car to the top of the mountain.
Morning
We came back from the village to Sapa town to start our conquest of Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam, which is known as the “Roof of Indochina”.
We took the Muong Hoa Monorail from Sun Plaza (a huge shopping mall in the center of the town) to reach the station, where the cable car going up to the peak of Fansipan Mountain is found. When getting on the “roof”, you can see the floating clouds, the entire town, the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Muong Hoa Valley, and surrounding areas from above. It’s just amazing!
Booking cable car tickets online is recommended to save time. We booked our Fansipan cable car tickets online to avoid disappointment, as our time on the last day in Sapa was very limited.
If you have more time to spend in Sapa, we would suggest visiting two famous waterfalls. One of them is Silver Waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in Sapa, flowing from an altitude of 200 meters. Another one is Love waterfall, the name of which fits the place. These waterfalls are located about 12 km from Sapa town.
You visit both famous waterfalls in the area, Love and Silver Waterfalls, as well as Ton Station, on this Love and Silver Waterfalls Private Day Tour.
Afternoon
We departed from Sapa to Hanoi by bus at 15:00 and reached our hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter about 21:30. After a long trip, getting some rest was the only thing we were missing.
Overnight
As our previous Hanoi hotel was fully booked, this time we were staying at the Hanoi Luxury Hotel, which is not as luxury as it might sound but did its job due to the convenient location and reasonable price.
Day 10: Exploring Hanoi
As previously we had just an evening to spend in Hanoi, the last day of our Northern Vietnam itinerary was dedicated to exploring the capital of Vietnam.
Morning
We started the day by visiting St. Joseph's Cathedral, a Gothic style Catholic Church built in the late 19th century, and the Temple of Literature, which is considered to be the first university of Vietnam.
After that, we continued to Ba Dinh Square, the site of the President’s Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We’ve also visited the Ho Chi Minh complex with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda.
You can visit the main Hanoi attractions independently or on a guided half-day city highlights tour that brings you to visit St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh Complex.
Afternoon
During the lunch at the local restaurant, we ate Bun Bo Nam Bo Hanoi (dry noodles with beef), which is a dish originated from southern Vietnam.
Relaxing with a cup of Vietnamese coffee at one of the cute cafes was a perfect follow-up. Coffee culture is one of the Vietnamese highlights, so visiting at least some of the best cafés in Hanoi is a must-do for every coffee lover.
After the lunch break, we visited the West Lake, the largest lake in Hanoi, and paid a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the most ancient Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi.
Hanoi is one of the most charming cities in Vietnam, and there's a lot to discover around the city. For moving between sights easily, you can take a popular cyclo tour to explore the Old Quarter or one of the Hanoi Hop-On Hop-Off tour buses to experience the beauty of the city in a very convenient way.
Evening
Hanoi nightlife is very lively. In the evening we went out for shopping at the busy Hanoi Night Market and had dinner at Hanoi Bia Hoi Junction (aka Bia Hoi Corner). There are plenty of food stalls and restaurants stretching along the street. Later at night, we’ve just spent time sitting on small plastic chairs along the roadside with locals and enjoying Bia Hoi, which is actually Vietnamese fresh beer sold by the local vendor for as low as just 5,000 VND for one glass. It was a night to remember!
Overnight
As the place was suitable for our trip plan, we've spent another night at Hanoi Luxury Hotel.
Day 11: Goodbye Hanoi - End of Northern Vietnam Itinerary
Morning
After breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and departed to Noi Bai Airport (HAN) to continue our trip to the next destination in Vietnam. There are several ways to travel from Hanoi Old Quarter to Hanoi Airport, and we’ve chosen to take a public bus 86. The journey was smooth and convenient.
If you don't mind spending a bit more, booking a private Hanoi Airport transfer is the most convenient and really affordable option for getting to the airport.
From Hanoi Airport, we took a flight to Da Nang, where we've started our Central Vietnam Itinerary.
Northern Vietnam Itinerary Extension
If you want to extend your stay in Northern Vietnam and explore a few more destinations, consider visiting Tam Coc, known as Halong Bay on the land and famous for its wonderful vast rice fields and spectacular limestone mountains, or Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning view of karst formations. Both of them are the most beautiful attractions in Ninh Binh province.
There are many tours offering convenient travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, as this province is easy to access and situated only about 100 kilometers south of the capital. Some of the best tours to Ninh Binh are Hoa Lu and Tam Coc Day Tour from Hanoi and Bai Dinh and Trang An Tour from Hanoi.
Tips
If you will be starting your Northern Vietnam itinerary in Hanoi, stay connected everywhere in Vietnam by booking your Vietnamese SIM Card online with an easy pick-up at Hanoi Airport.
