10 days in Southeast Asia Itinerary

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has bounded back from the effects of war, and today serves as a bustling commercial and cultural hub bursting at the seams.

On the 15th (Sun), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. The adventure continues: visit Old Quarter, steep yourself in history at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and contemplate the waterfront views at Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake).

To find photos, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, use the Hanoi road trip planning app.

Siem Reap, Cambodia to Hanoi is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and car. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Wed) so you can travel to Halong Bay.

Halong Bay encompasses a cluster of verdant limestone islets that jut out from the sea and make up an enchanting setting recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Thu): head off the coast to Hon Ga Choi Island, then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then explore the activities along Hạ Long Bay. On the next day, explore the activities along Bai Tu Long Bay.

For where to stay, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Halong Bay trip planner.

Getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay by combination of bus and ferry takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of train, car, and ferry; or do a combination of bus, flight, and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Sapa.

A hub of tourism in the country's northwestern mountainous region, Sapa represents home for a large number of ethnic minorities from the hill tribes of the region, and acts as a base for explorations of the surrounding area's wealth of natural sights.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Sat): stroll through Y Linh Ho, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Fansipan Mountain, then take in the dramatic scenery at Love Waterfall, and finally look for gifts at Indigo Cat.

To see photos, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Sapa online visit planner.

You can do a combination of ferry, car, flight, and bus from Halong Bay to Sapa in 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, flight, and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry, flight, taxi, train, and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can drive to Ninh Binh.

A fairly nondescript town, Ninh Binh acts as a base for explorations of the province of the same name, with the karst landscape and lush valleys that surround the town offering a wealth of scenic vistas of rice paddies and rugged rocks.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): stop by Minh Trang Handmade, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Bai Dinh Pagoda, and then relax and rejuvenate at Mai Spa. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the fascinating underground world of Trang An Grottoes.

For maps, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Ninh Binh vacation planner.

Drive from Sapa to Ninh Binh in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of car, flight, and bus. In January in Ninh Binh, expect temperatures between 23°C during the day and 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time for the car ride to Hai Phong.

Haiphong is a major industrial city and the second largest city in the northern part of Vietnam. To find maps, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Hai Phong road trip planning app.

You can drive from Ninh Binh to Hai Phong in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or take a train. You will leave for home on the 24th (Tue).