7 DaysPace: ActiveStyle: Regional Focus
Northern Vietnam 7 Days: Hanoi, Ha Giang Loop & Lan Ha Bay
The ultimate mountain-to-sea northern circuit combining the 4-day Ha Giang Loop with an overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise.
Route Sequence
Hanoi (1N + Night Bus) → Ha Giang Loop: Quan Ba, Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng, Du Gia (3N) → Lan Ha / Ha Long Bay (1N) → Hanoi (1N)
Day-by-Day Structured Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter & Evening VIP Cabin Bus to Ha Giang
Hanoi →MorningExplore Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature.
AfternoonOld Quarter street food walk and Egg Coffee.
EveningBoard the 21:00 VIP 22-cabin flat-bed sleeper bus to Ha Giang (includes complimentary rest bed on arrival until 08:00 AM).
Food Suggestion: Bun Cha & Pho Bo
Transport & Daily Cost: 21:00 VIP Cabin Bus (6 hrs) ($75 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Hoa Lo Prison & Ethnology Museum
Day 2: Ha Giang KM0 → Bac Sum Pass → Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate → Yen Minh
Ha Giang →Morning08:30 AM departure ascending Bac Sum Pass and Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate overlooking the Twin Fairy Mountains.
AfternoonVisit Lung Tam hemp-weaving village and ride through the Yen Minh pine forest.
EveningFamily dinner at a traditional Dao clay-walled homestay.
Food Suggestion: Highland wild herb hotpot & corn wine
Transport & Daily Cost: Easy Rider or 4x4 SUV (110 km) ($85 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: 4x4 closed SUV upgrade
Day 3: Tham Ma S-Curve → Hmong King’s Palace → Lung Cu → Dong Van
Ha Giang →MorningClimb Tham Ma Pass and explore the 1903 Vuong Family (Hmong King) Palace in Sa Phin Valley.
AfternoonAscend to Lung Cu Northernmost Flag Tower before checking into Dong Van Old Quarter.
EveningWalk Dong Van’s 19th-century stone market square.
Food Suggestion: Thang Co & Chao Au Tau porridge
Transport & Daily Cost: Easy Rider or 4x4 SUV (95 km) ($85 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Dong Van Ancient Town coffee houses
Day 4: Ma Pi Leng Pass → Nho Que River Tu San Canyon → Du Gia Valley
Ha Giang →MorningCross 1,500m Ma Pi Leng Pass and board a boat through 800m-deep Tu San Canyon on the emerald Nho Que River.
AfternoonRide past Meo Vac and M-Curve Viewpoint into terraced Du Gia Valley for a waterfall swim.
EveningTay stilt-house homestay dinner in Du Gia.
Food Suggestion: Banh Cuon Dong Van at breakfast; Tay grilled stream fish at dinner
Transport & Daily Cost: Easy Rider or 4x4 SUV (110 km) ($85 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Meo Vac covered highland market
Day 5: Du Gia → Lung Ho Viewpoint → Ha Giang City → Hanoi
Hanoi →MorningMorning ride through Lung Ho and Duong Thuong corn valleys back to Ha Giang City.
AfternoonHot shower at basecamp and 16:00 VIP limousine back to Hanoi (arriving 22:00).
EveningRest in a comfortable Hanoi Old Quarter hotel.
Food Suggestion: Late-evening Pho Ga on Nguyet Street
Transport & Daily Cost: VIP Limousine Van (6 hrs) ($80 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Direct daytime limousine return
Day 6: Hanoi to Lan Ha & Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Ha Long Bay →Morning08:30 AM expressway pickup from Hanoi to board your boutique cruise at noon.
AfternoonKayak quiet lagoons in Lan Ha Bay and relax on the sundeck.
EveningOnboard gourmet seafood dinner anchored among the karsts.
Food Suggestion: Grilled Ha Long squid & prawns
Transport & Daily Cost: Expressway Limousine (2.5 hrs) ($185 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Onboard spa & cooking class
Day 7: Morning Karst Cave Visit & Return to Hanoi
Hanoi →MorningDawn tai chi, cave visit, and 10:00 AM brunch onboard.
AfternoonArrive back in Hanoi Old Quarter by 14:30 PM.
EveningOnward flight from Noi Bai Airport.
Food Suggestion: Banh Mi & Vietnamese iced coffee
Transport & Daily Cost: Expressway Limousine (2.5 hrs) ($55 USD)
Rainy-Day Backup: Hanoi French Quarter cafes