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.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Temple of Literature & National University and then stop by Tired City Bao Khanh.

For reviews, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Hanoi trip site.

Mumbai, India to Hanoi is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also drive. You'll lose 1.5 hours traveling from Mumbai to Hanoi due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) early enough to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Thu): stop by Linh Handicraft and then appreciate the views at Muong Hoa Valley.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Sapa trip itinerary maker app.

You can drive from Hanoi to Sapa in 4 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time 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 17th (Fri): step off the mainland to explore Hon Ga Choi Island.

To find maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Halong Bay route builder app.

Do a combination of bus, flight, car, and ferry from Sapa to Halong Bay in 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of bus, train, taxi, flight, and ferry. On the 17th (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Cat Ba.

The largest of the islands in the south of the bay, Cat Ba offers a base for exploring the many limestone landmasses across the UNESCO-protected bay.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Fri): kick back and relax at Cat Co 1 Beach.

For photos, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read our Cat Ba tour itinerary builder site.

Traveling by ferry from Halong Bay to Cat Ba takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can travel 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 18th (Sat): don't miss a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda and then stroll through Tam Coc.

For traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Ninh Binh visit planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry and car from Cat Ba to Ninh Binh takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In February in Ninh Binh, expect temperatures between 24°C during the day and 18°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Ha Giang.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Sun): head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

For ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Ha Giang trip planner.

Drive from Ninh Binh to Ha Giang in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 19th (Sun) to allow time for the car ride back home.