Welcome to another #RAFCARLOSAID!
In this post, I will share my DIY North & Central Vietnam Trip with you! This trip was initially part of my IndoChina 2.0. Ideal flights can be from Manila to Hanoi or from Thailand to Hanoi. The places I visited during this trip are accessible via motorcycle, bus, and flight from another city.
Starting of the trip... :)
ITINERARY
Day 1: Flight to Hanoi
Flight to Hanoi Arrive in Hanoi (Afternoon)
Free day and roam around the City
Day 2: Ha Long Bay Tour
08:15 AM Start of Ha Long Bay Tour
Pearl cultivation side trip
Thien Cung Cave
Hòn Đỉnh Hương
Fighting Cock Islet
Roam around Hanoi for Dinner
Day 3: Hanoi City Tour
08:00 AM - Pick Up Hotel
Incense Quang Phu Cau Village Tour
Hanoi Train Street Experience
lunch in the City
**Start of Motorcycle Tour
Arrive Meeting point for the bus to Sa Pa.
Day 4: Sa Pa (Fansipan Tour)
**06:00 am Arrive in Sa Pa
**Took a taxi to Hotel from drop-off; Rest in Hotel
Mount Fansipan Whole Day Tour
Cable Car ride
Viewing Deck
Bich Van Thien Tu Temple
Indochina Summit
Temples and Pho Minh Pagoda Replica
Bodhisattva Statue
Amitabha Buddha Statue
Dinner in the City Center
Coffee in Ca Phe Bao Cap
Day 5: SaPa City Tour
Breakfast in the Center
**Hire Motorcycle
**Meeting point Bus to Hanoi
Day 6: Da Nang City Tour
Arrive in Hanoi, and rest at the Airport
Flight to Da Nang; Arrive in Da Nang Airport; Rest in Hotel
Hire Motorcycle at the Hotel
My Khe Beach visit
Start of Ba Na Hills Half Day Tour
Visit Dragon Bridge
Dinner near Hotel
Day 7: Hoi An City Tour
Da Nang Cathedral (Pink Church)
**To Hoi An
Coconut Boat Ride Experience
Roam around Ancient Town
Hoi An Market
Back to Da Nang
Day 8: Flight Back
Arrive at Da Nang Airport
Flight to Bangkok Flight to Manila
TIPS & GUIDE
Grab is widely used as a ride-hailing app in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hoi An. There is also a Grab bike for solo travelers.
MUST TRY! Vietnamese Egg Coffee. Try it in Hot.
Cebu Pacific offers flights from Manila to Da Nang, Hanoi, and HCMC.
If you are doing the Indo-China Trip, the suggested flights are from Bangkok or Laos in Luang Prabang.
Where to Book Tours
My Ha Long Bay, Motorcycle (Solo) Tour, Incense Village tour, Ba Na Hills, Fansipan, Cat Ca Village, Coconut Tour, and Lantern boat ride are booked through Klook. (Use my voucher code: RAFCARLOSAIDKLOOK)
Activity Links (Direct Links)
Ha Long Bay Whole Day Tour (Klook)
Incense Village Tour (Crossing Vietnam Tour via Google)
Ba Na Hills Ticket (Klook)
Fansipan Entrance Ticket (Klook)
Coconut Boat Ride Experience (Klook)
Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride (Klook)
Motorcycle Rental in Sa Pa (Booked on the day)
Motorcycle Rental in Da Nang (Booked on the day)
Hanoi to Sa Pa Bus Ticket (Booked via 12go.asia)
VISITING SA PA
The only cheapest way to travel to SaPa is via Sleeper Bus. I booked my sleeper bus through 12go.asia.
A tip is to book an overnight bus so time won’t be wasted. SaPa is a small city center.
You can rent a motorbike if you plan to travel to other places. No need for a license, just deposit your passport. Note to be cautious about your journey since this is a mountain, there are curved roads, cliffs, and thick fog.
Suppose you plan to visit the province in cold weather. The best time to visit is from December to March.
When visiting Fansipan - Check the weather, a foggy day is not worth it when visiting.
VISITING DA NANG AND HOI AN
Da Nang is located in Central Vietnam. The quickest travel to Da Nang from Hanoi is via plane.
The Golden Hand Bridge is located in Ba Na Hills. Also, Ba Na Hills is an amusement park and you can try the longest alpine coaster here.
The Dragon Fire and Water Breathing Bridge is only operational on weeknights at 9 PM.
If Visiting a coconut boat ride you can directly visit the place since different tours operate there.
Hoi An is 30-45 minutes away from Da Nang City. The best is to hire a motorcycle or rent a Motorcycle.
EXPENSES
Note: Credit card is widely used in different establishments in the City and other hotels.
₱37,300+++ TOTAL EXPENSES
₱3,350.00 - (1,450,000 VND) - Allotted for Food, motorcycle rental, and entrance fees. (750,000 VND - On Hand; 700,000 Withdraw)
₱8,384.00 - (3,627,000 VND) Flight Luang Prabang Laos to Hanoi
₱6,000.00 - Hanoi to Da Nang Flight via Vietjet
₱3,500.00 - Da Nang to Bangkok via Vietjet
₱2,390.00 - Ha Long Bay Tour
₱1,600.00 - (Paid in Dong 700,000VND) Incense Village & Train Tour
₱1,469.00 - Hanoi Motorcycle Tour
₱1,200.00 - (517,500VND) Bus to Hanoi to Sapa
₱900.00 - (429,000VND) Sa Pa to Hanoi Airport
₱2,229.00 - Fansipan Day Ticket
₱1,156.00 - Rong May Glass Bridge Ticket
₱1,447.00 - Cat Cat Village Tour
₱350.00 - (150,000 VND) Motorcycle Rental in Sa Pa
₱700.00 - (300,000 VND for 2 Days) Motorcycle Rental in Da Nang
₱2,058.00 - Ba Na Hills Admission Ticket
₱290.00 - Coconut Boat Ride Ticket
₱277.00 - Hoi An Lantern Ticket
HOTELS (with links for booking)
Hanoi - Nusmile’s Homestay and Tour (Shared Rooms - Bunk Beds)
SaPa - Tuong Mai Hotel (Solo room with Shower and 90* city view)
Da Nang - Crystal Boutique Hotel (Solo Romm with Shower)
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Thank you so much for reading this guide! I hope you'll enjoy your INDOCHINA trip soon! I would appreciate it if you could give me support by buying me a coffee! ☕️ Follow me on Instagram for more travel content, and you can also check out my Instagram highlights for the whole trip!
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