Itinerary: 9 Days in Hanoi, Sapa & Halong Bay

by Lily
Jan 14, 14:19
View all of her plans

The Northern of Vietnam - a place of rippling mountains, cascading rice terraces and the winnowed-out karst topography for which the region is famed. Halong Bay's seascape of limestone towers is the view everyone's here to see, not to be outdone by the scenery, northern Vietnam's cultural kaleidoscope is just as diverse. Source: Eat.Travel.Photography.

Duration 9.0 days
Estimated cost 238.81 USD
Total travel distance 567.0 km
Number of places 32 places
Intensity Moderate
Personal interests Temple Cultural Landmark Nature Neighborhood Outdoor Scenic Shopping Streets Landscape
Rating

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DAY 1 - ITINERARY 8 places

08:15

Noi Bai International Airport Detail Map

Noi Bai International Airport Phú Minh Sóc Sơn Hà Nội Vietnam

Noi Bai International Airport, the biggest airport in northern Vietnam, serves the capital city of Hanoi. The airport is located 45 kilometers from the city center.

This article was originally published in http://gaeria84.blogspot.sg/. Follow his journey to Hanoi at http://gaeria84.blogspot.sg/2015/01/hanoi-itinerary-9-days.html
You can exchange some Vietnamese Dong at the airport, or go to any banks (preferred Agricultural Bank).

Take a bus/train

2.90 USD

40 mins

26.57 km

10:00

Hanoi Aurora Hotel & Travel Detail Map

109 Mã Mây, Hàng Bạc

Hanoi Aurora Hotel & Travel is located at 109 Mã Mây, Hàng Bạc, Hanoi, Vietnam

The cheapest way to get from the airport to Hanoi is by airport shuttle. Taking Vietnam Airlines' airport shuttle, you will be dropped off at their office near Old Quarter.
From there, you can easily walk around the Old Quarter, or just get a motorbike taxi to get to the hotel.

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.67 km

11:15

Ha Noi's Old Quarter Detail Map

Hanoi, Vietnam

Ha Noi's Old Quarter is a must-see stop where you can explore the unique architecture blended with a touch of western design in the center of Ha Noi.

On the way to Old Quarter, try to find tour agents and book a tour to Tam Coc.

Pickup a taxi

0.56 USD

5 mins

0.96 km

13:30

Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) Detail Map

Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hoan Kiem Lake is located in the center of Ha Noi where you can observe the local lives at the early morning or enjoy the its romantic view at night.

There's plenty of photo opportunities include The Huc bridge, Ngoc Son temple and Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) when strolling around the lake, so don't forget your camera.

Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) by

Pickup a taxi

0.56 USD

5 mins

1.18 km

14:45

Ngoc Son Temple Detail Map

Dinh Tien Hoang St., Hanoi, Vietnam 1.34 USD

Ngoc Son Temple is located on a small island at Hoan Kiem's upper end, the temple is a good place to relax and cool down in the soft breeze over the lake

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.98 km

15:30

St. Joseph's Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon) Detail Map

40 Nha Chung St | Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

St. Joseph's Cathedral (Vietnamese: Nhà thờ Lớn Hà Nội, Nhà thờ Chính tòa Thánh Giuse) is a church on Nha Tho (Church) Street in the Hoan Kiem District of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Walk

0.00 USD

10 mins

0.93 km

17:45

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater Detail Map

57B Dinh Tien Hoang, Hanoi, Vietnam 4.48 USD

Thang Long Water Puppet Theater is where you will be amazed by one of the popular traditional performance in Viet Nam, especially in northen areas.

There are plenty of water puppet shows in Vietnam, but Thang Long is supposedly one of the more famous ones.

Pickup a taxi

0.56 USD

5 mins

1.0 km

19:00

Dong Xuan Market Detail Map

Dong Xuan and Hang Chieu Sts., Hanoi, Vietnam

Dong Xuan Market (Vietnamese: Chợ Đồng Xuân) is a market in the center district Hoan Kiem of Hanoi, Vietnam. Originally built by the French administration in 1889, Dong Xuan Market has been renovated several times with the latest in 1994 after a fire which almost destroyed the market.

The night market is pretty huge and will take several hours to see it in its entirety.
There are plenty of bars and live street performances to keep you entertained throughout your time here.

Comments

DAY 2 - ITINERARY 5 places

08:00

Hanoi Aurora Hotel & Travel Detail Map

109 Mã Mây, Hàng Bạc

Hanoi Aurora Hotel & Travel is located at 109 Mã Mây, Hàng Bạc, Hanoi, Vietnam

Pickup a taxi

52.69 USD

1 hour 50 mins

93.27 km

11:00

Hoa Lu ancient capital Detail Map

Trường Yên Hoa Lư Ninh Bình Vietnam, Vietnam, Hanoi 1.00 USD

Hoa Lu, the capital of Dai Co Viet (an old name of Vietnam) under the Dinh and Le dynasties bears with it a legend. Hoa Lu old capital has a variety of historical places for visitors to pay a trip.

There's nothing to see here besides admiring some quaint architecture amidst a backdrop of impressive limestone karsts.

Pickup a taxi

6.72 USD

20 mins

12.94 km

12:30

Tam Coc Wharf Detail Map

Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam, Hanoi

Tam Coc Wharf also known for famous names such as "Halong Bay in land" is a major tourist country in Vietnam. The whole area including the system of limestone caves and the historic dynasty related to Tran located mainly in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.

At Tam Coc Wharf, you can rent a bike and cycle around the outlying villages and rice fields.

Take a bus/train

2.90 USD

45 mins

26.27 km

14:30

Van Long Nature Reserve Detail Map

Khu bảo tồn thiên nhiên đất ngập nước Vân Long, Gia Vân, Gia Viễn, Ninh Bình, Vietnam, Hanoi 3.10 USD

Van Long Nature Reserve is known as the "Preserved Nature Area" of Ninh Binh, it offers wonderful views of landscapes and rural life.

If you are done with busy Tam Coc and you feel like doing something quieter then drive to Van Long nature reserve.
It is good for birdwatching, lot of reeds around, locals do the boating, no hassle.
There are also monkeys around nad if visit late afternoon, there is chance to spot more birds.