Planning a trip to Vietnam? From the buzzing streets of Hanoi to the misty peaks of Fansipan, the country offers a rich mix of culture, food, and breathtaking landscapes.
On our trip, we explored iconic destinations like Ha Long Bay and Sapa. We quickly realized that getting the logistics right, including airport transfers, cruises, buses, and attraction tickets, can make or break the entire experience.
The good news is that planning everything ahead of time is easier than you might think. We booked all our activities through Klook, which made the whole process seamless and hassle-free, from airport pickups to cruises and attraction passes.
In this guide, we are sharing the exact experiences we booked and how you can reserve them easily, from airport transfers to the Fansipan Cable Car. This way, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the journey.
Photo: When In Manila
Vietnam wasn’t exactly love at first sight for me, but it slowly grew on me in the best way possible. From the chaotic streets of Hanoi to the misty mountains of Sapa, the country offers a mix of culture, food, and landscapes that unfold little by little. If you’re planning a similar trip, here’s a simple guide to the experiences we tried and the easiest way to book them ahead of time.
1. Arriving in Hanoi: Skip the Taxi Stress
We landed at Noi Bai International Airport well past midnight. At that hour, ride-hailing apps like Grab aren’t always reliable, and taxis are known to overcharge tourists.
To avoid the hassle, we pre-booked our airport transfer to our hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter.
✔️ Pro Tip: Pre-book your airport transfer so you can go straight to your hotel without negotiating fares.
👉 Book your Hanoi airport transfer here.
Photo: When In Manila
2. What to See in Hanoi (Aside from Train Street)
Yes, Hanoi Train Street is popular—but it can get crowded and touristy.
What we enjoyed more was exploring St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the nearby cafés. The Gothic architecture is beautiful, and the surrounding streets are perfect for relaxing with Vietnamese coffee.
For one of the best egg coffees in the city, head to Cafe Dinh, overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake.
The egg coffee is thick, creamy, and surprisingly addictive.
Photo: When In Manila
3. Take a Day Cruise in Ha Long Bay
A trip to Vietnam isn’t complete without visiting Ha Long Bay.
What I thought would be a relaxing boat ride turned out to be a full day of adventure. The cruise included hiking through massive limestone caves, kayaking through quiet lagoons surrounded by towering karsts, and even stopping at a small beach where we had time to swim.
Photo: When In Manila
Coming from the Philippines, the scenery reminded me a bit of Palawan, but what Ha Long Bay does especially well is the experience itself—everything was smooth, organized, and easy to enjoy.
To top it all off, the cruise ended with a sunset party on deck while sailing back through the bay.
✔️ Pro Tip: Book your cruise in advance to secure a good boat and itinerary.
👉 Book a Ha Long Bay cruise here.
Photo: When In Manila
4. Take the Overnight Bus to Sapa
Next stop: Sapa.
The journey from Hanoi takes around 6–7 hours, and the most common option is an overnight sleeper bus. It’s not the most luxurious ride, but it’s definitely part of the adventure.
When we arrived at dawn, the entire town was wrapped in cool mountain mist—completely different from the busy streets of Hanoi.
✔️ Pro Tip: Book your sleeper bus early since these routes can sell out during peak travel seasons.
👉 Reserve your overnight sleeper bus to Sapa here.
5. Ride the Fansipan Cable Car
The highlight of our Sapa trip was visiting Fansipan, also known as the “Roof of Indochina.”
At 3,143 meters above sea level, it’s the highest peak in Vietnam.
Photo: When In Manila
Thankfully, you don’t have to hike for days to get there. The journey includes a scenic tram ride and the famous Fansipan Cable Car, one of the longest cable cars in the world.
Photo: When In Manila
At the summit, you’ll find temples, giant Buddha statues, and sweeping mountain views—sometimes hidden in clouds, but still magical.
✔️ Pro Tip: Book your Fansipan tickets online to skip long queues.
👉 Book your Fansipan cable car tickets here.
6. Don’t Skip the Alpine Coaster
One unexpected highlight of the trip was the Alpine Coaster.
It’s basically a mountain coaster where you control your own speed while riding down scenic slopes. Equal parts thrilling and scenic, it’s a fun way to end your visit.
👉 Book the Fansipan Alpine Coaster experience here.
Photo: When In Manila
Final Thoughts
Not every moment in Vietnam felt like a postcard. Some spots were crowded. Some views were hidden behind clouds. But the experience unfolds slowly through street food in Hanoi, limestone islands in Ha Long Bay, and misty mountain views in Sapa. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a trip memorable.
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