5 Days in Northern Vietnam - Hanoi, Sapa & Halong Bay

We landed in Hanoi early in the morning — sleepy but excited — and went straight to our hotel to drop off our luggage before hunting down our first meal. Bun Cha Dac Kim was our initiation into Vietnam’s food scene, and what a start. Smoky grilled pork, tangy fish sauce, fresh herbs — every bite reminded us why Hanoi is a food lover’s heaven.

After that, coffee was non-negotiable. We found ourselves at Bancong Café, famous for its retro facade and chill vibe. We ordered the classics — egg coffee and salted coffee — both rich, creamy, and surprisingly addictive.

Later in the afternoon, we went to Train Street and chose Hanoi 1990s Café for our seats. Here’s a tip: message them first on Instagram or WhatsApp to reserve a table, because seats fill up fast, especially during train hours. They’ll meet you at the main entrance (222 Le Duan Alley) — don’t trust the Google Maps pin! And definitely check the train schedule before you go. Watching the train pass inches away while sipping your coffee was as thrilling as it sounds — a surreal start to our Vietnam adventure.

Our hotel, Urban Alley Hotel, helped us book a sleeper bus to Sapa that included pick-up from the hotel to the bus station. We just paid the fare at the reception, super convenient.

The trip took around 6 to 6.5 hours with one 30-minute stopover — clean restrooms and plenty of snacks, though no views yet of Sapa’s mountains.

We arrived just in time for lunch and ate at our hotel, Mountain View Station, which also has a restaurant with great portions and local food.

In the afternoon, we visited Rong May Glass Bridge, about 30 minutes away from the center of Sapa. Since it’s quite far, we rented a taxi for 3 hours (around 700,000 VND for 6 people). It’s best to book it through your hotel, because it’s not easy to get a ride back from there. We got our tickets from Klook, and the experience was so worth it — the glass bridge, the zipline, and the mountain views made it one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

We woke up to cool, misty weather — classic Sapa vibes — and got ready for a day of mountain adventures.

Our first stop was the Alpine Coaster, a fun and scenic ride that twists through the hills with a mix of thrill and views. You control your own speed, so you can take it slow to soak in the scenery or go full speed for an adrenaline rush.

Afterward, it was time to conquer Fansipan, known as the Roof of Indochina. The journey to the summit is an experience in itself. It starts at Sapa Station, located inside Sun Plaza, one of Sapa’s most photogenic buildings. From there, we took a short train ride to Muong Hoa Station, then transferred to the Fansipan Cable Car — a breathtaking ride that glides above terraced valleys and lush mountains.

Unfortunately, it was very cloudy during our visit, and most of the mountain view was hidden behind thick fog. But even without the clear views, the experience was still absolutely worth it — there’s something magical about standing above the clouds, surrounded by mist and quiet air. It gave the whole place a mysterious, almost dreamlike atmosphere.

Once we arrived at Fansipan Station, we had two options: trek up to the summit or take the funicular tram. We opted for the tram (our legs thanked us later). We bought our combo tickets through Klook, which made the whole process quick and hassle-free.

At the peak, the massive Fansipan monument appeared and disappeared behind waves of fog — a sight we won’t forget. The temples and shrines scattered around the summit added a peaceful contrast to the dramatic weather.

After descending, we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Sapa Town Center and Sapa Lake, a calm area perfect for strolling or grabbing a coffee. Getting around Sapa is convenient — you can easily book a Grab taxi if you’re heading to nearby attractions. We used Grab to go from the Alpine Coaster back to Sapa Station, and it worked smoothly.

We ended the day with dinner in town and warm drinks to cap off the chilly evening — a perfect end to our cloudy but unforgettable Fansipan adventure.

For our last morning in Sapa, we wanted to enjoy breakfast with a view — and Viettrekking Sapa Hotel was the perfect spot. This hotel is popular online for its panoramic mountain views and its front-row seat to the iconic red train that runs from Sapa Station (Sun Plaza) to Muong Hoa Station.

If you’re planning a trip to Sapa, I highly recommend booking a stay here early — it’s one of the best places for that full “Sapa above the clouds” experience. Even if you’re not checked in, you can still enjoy their café and avail of their breakfast buffet for only 150,000 VND per person. We tried it, and the food was great — hot coffee, hearty local dishes, and an unbeatable view.

After breakfast, we checked out around 10:30 AM and prepared for our ride back to Hanoi. This time, we booked our sleeper bus ourselves through the Sao Viet website, which was very easy to use. The booking already included pick-up from our Sapa hotel, and after around 6 hours of travel with one short stopover, we arrived in Hanoi. The bus dropped us off at Sao Viet’s Hanoi office, just a 7-minute walk from our next hotel, Amorita Boutique Hotel.

After checking in and resting a bit, we went out to explore the Old Quarter — our hotel was right in the heart of it, so everything was just a short walk away. The area was full of life: scooters weaving through narrow streets, rows of souvenir shops, local eateries, and the scent of street food everywhere.

We spent the evening shopping around the Old Quarter, hopping between small boutiques and souvenir stalls, before taking a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. Surrounded by city lights and the hum of motorbikes, it was the perfect way to experience the hustle and bustle of Hanoi — lively, chaotic, and charming all at once.

We checked out early from our hotel and got ready for our Halong Bay Cruise, which we booked through Klook as well. The package already included hotel pick-up, making it very convenient for travelers like us who wanted a smooth day trip experience from Hanoi.

The drive to Halong Bay took around 2.5 to 3 hours, with a short stopover along the way. Upon arrival, we boarded our cruise boat and were greeted by stunning limestone cliffs, emerald-green waters, and a refreshing sea breeze — the perfect contrast to the city bustle of Hanoi. The cruise included lunch on board, kayaking, and stops at some of the bay’s beautiful spots, giving us a full glimpse of why Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see in Vietnam.

After returning to Hanoi in the evening, we had several hours before our late-night flight back to the Philippines. The staff at Amorita Boutique Hotel were incredibly kind — even though we had already checked out, they offered us their restroom so we could freshen up and change before heading to the airport. It was a simple gesture, but one that made a big difference after a long day of travel.

It was the perfect end to our Vietnam trip — from the serene mountains of Sapa to the vibrant streets of Hanoi and the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay, every part of this journey was filled with warmth, adventure, and unforgettable memories.