Vietnam — coast to highlands

This is the Vietnam route we send couples and small friend groups on most often. It opens with two slow days in Hanoi's Old Quarter, sails out into Halong Bay on a small boat, settles into a lantern-lit week in Hoi An, and ends in the cool air of Sapa's rice terraces. Pace is moderate — three flights, no overnight buses, plenty of breakfast in bed.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Arrive Hanoi

   Airport pickup, settle into your boutique hotel in the Old Quarter, evening walk to Hoan Kiem Lake.

   Meals: Welcome dinner · Stay: La Siesta Premium · Old Quarter

2. 2

   Hanoi food walk

   Half-day walking tour with our food writer guide. Afternoon free for the Temple of Literature or coffee on a tiny chair.

   Meals: Breakfast, Street food lunch · Stay: La Siesta Premium · Old Quarter

3. 3

   Drive to Halong Bay

   Three-hour transfer to the harbor and embarkation onto a small junk. Afternoon kayaking among the karsts.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Stay: Heritage Cruise · Halong Bay

4. 4

   Bay morning, fly south

   Sunrise tai chi on deck, brunch as you sail back to port. Afternoon flight Hanoi → Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An.

   Meals: Breakfast, Brunch · Stay: Anantara Hoi An

5. 5

   Hoi An at your pace

   Cooking class with a market visit, or a beach morning at An Bang. Lanterns light up after sunset.

   Meals: Breakfast · Stay: Anantara Hoi An

6. 6

   My Son ruins + free afternoon

   Half-day to the Cham temple complex, back in Hoi An by lunch. Afternoon at the pool or with the tailor.

   Meals: Breakfast · Stay: Anantara Hoi An

7. 7

   Fly to Hanoi → drive to Sapa

   Morning flight back north, scenic six-hour drive into the highlands. Arrive in time for sunset over the valley.

   Meals: Breakfast, Dinner · Stay: Topas Ecolodge · Sapa

8. 8

   Trek to Ta Van

   Six-hour trek through rice terraces with a Hmong guide. Overnight in a family homestay — simple but unforgettable.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Stay: Homestay · Ta Van village

9. 9

   Easy walk back, return Hanoi

   Short morning trek, drive back to Hanoi, last night in the Old Quarter for the food you missed first time.

   Meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner · Stay: La Siesta Premium · Old Quarter

10. 10

    Departure

    Private transfer to Hanoi airport.

    Meals: Breakfast

What's included

Pricing

Frequently asked

• Is the Halong cruise crowded?+

  We use small boats with 6–10 cabins. The big-ship circuit is on the other side of the bay; we use a quieter route through Lan Ha.

• How fit do I need to be for the Sapa trek?+

  Six hours mostly downhill on uneven dirt paths. If you can walk a hilly city for a full day you'll be fine. We also offer a shorter 3-hour version.

• Can we add Saigon and the Mekong?+

  Yes — most travelers add 3–4 nights at the southern end. Tell us in your enquiry and we'll quote the extension.

“Travel Acia routed us through three Vietnam our friends had never seen. The Sapa homestay was the best night of the year.”