13 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 26th (Fri), wander the streets of Old Quarter, explore the activities along Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), and then look for gifts at Tired City Bao Khanh. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Sat): surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, read our Hanoi online tour itinerary builder.

Paris, France to Hanoi is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Paris to Hanoi due to the time zone difference. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) early enough to 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 28th (Sun): head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

For reviews, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Halong Bay holiday builder website.

You can take a bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, car, and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of train, car, and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Mon) early enough to travel to Hanoi.

Kick off your visit on the 29th (Mon): get outside with Outdoor Activities.

For photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Hanoi holiday planning tool.

Traveling by bus from Halong Bay to Hanoi takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, car, flight, and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry, car, and train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Hoa Binh.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Tue): make a trip to The Muong’s Culture Museum and then take a stroll through Giang Mo Village.

To find maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Hoa Binh vacation builder tool.

Drive from Hanoi to Hoa Binh in 1.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Tue) so you can travel to Mai Chau.

Mai Châu is a rural district of Hòa Bình Province in the Northwest region of Vietnam. Start off your visit on the 31st (Wed): take some stellar pictures from Thung Khe Pass, then stop by Hoa Ban Plus, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Chieu Cave.

To find traveler tips, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Mai Chau online day trip planner.

Drive from Hoa Binh to Mai Chau in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 38°C in July, and nighttime lows around 30°C. You'll set off for Sapa on the 2nd (Fri).

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.

On the 2nd (Fri), appreciate the views at Muong Hoa Valley, then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Fansipan Mountain, and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Y Linh Ho.

For where to stay, ratings, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Sapa trip planning website.

You can drive from Mai Chau to Sapa in 7.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough to travel to Bac Ha.

Bac Ha is known for shopping and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: hunt for treasures at Bac Ha Market and admire the landmark architecture of Hoang A Tuong's Castle.

To find more things to do, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, read our Bac Ha travel planner.

Getting from Sapa to Bac Ha by combination of bus and taxi takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive. On the 5th (Mon), you'll travel to Hanoi.

On the 6th (Tue), make a trip to Ho Van - Van Mieu.

For traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Hanoi trip planner.

Getting from Bac Ha to Hanoi by car takes about 4 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a train. You'll have a few hours on the 6th (Tue) to wrap things up before traveling home.