Northern Vietnam is home to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, which is often the starting point of a Vietnam itinerary. From Hanoi, it is easy to reach other famous attractions in the north, including Sapa, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Sapa, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Hai Phong, Ba Be, Ban Gioc…
With a wide range of diversity in landscape as well as authenticity of culture, this region has everything to offer travelers from all over the world. With 10 years in Vietnam, I offer you a brief itinerary to visit North Vietnam as below:
Hanoi, 2-3 days
Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, should be a starting point for your trip to North Vietnam. It is recommended to spend 2-3 days here. A full-day city tour will take you to all the key sites of the charming capital, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, the Old Quarter of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Hanoi Opera…
You will have the chance to taste the centuries-old culture and history with its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture and ancient oriental pagodas.
In the afternoon, be sure to enjoy the water puppet show, which features colorful puppets depicting traditional Vietnamese lifestyle and folk music.
Above all, you should not leave Hanoi without tasting street food like “pho”, “bun cha”, “cha ca”… which can easily be found at any street vendor. For those who want to immerse themselves in the vibrant nightlife and drink a cup of beer, Bia Hoi corner on Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets is a perfect place. There are also plenty of pubs and bars open late into the evening.
Sapa, 2-3 days
Let’s leave the hectic and busy life behind and take the opportunity to immerse ourselves in an incredible atmosphere with friendly Sapa locals.
About 350 km from Hanoi, you can travel by shuttle bus, night train or private car, and it takes about 6-8 hours to get there. It is recommended to take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with rice terraces and pass through isolated hill tribe villages like Cat Cat, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van.
Then you have the chance to explore daily life and learn about the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who inhabit the region. You can also spend half a day to visit one of the most famous local markets around Sapa like Bac Ha on Sunday, Coc Ly on Tuesday, Can Cau on Saturday… Or take a cable car to Mount Fansipan – “the roof of Indochina” and admire the spectacular panoramic view from there.
Ninh Binh, 1-2 days
Located about 100 km south and a 2-hour drive from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is a perfect choice for a day trip or overnight stay here to continue your North Vietnam trip to Mai Chau or head towards the Halong Bay.
Ninh Binh is famous for its calm and peaceful landscape of rice fields, limestone cave system and historical remains.
A must-do thing to do for a day trip to Ninh Binh is to take a rowing boat trip along the Ngo Dong River to the tourist spot of Tam Coc – Bich Dong or the scenic landscape complex of Trang An. Or you can cycle the country roads to Hoa Lu, the ancient 10th century citadel, passing through the rice fields and rural villages.
For those who want to experience nature and see the rich and well-protected biodiversity of the region, Van Long Nature Reserve, Cuc Phuong National Park or Thung Nham Bird Garden are the best choice. It is suitable for a half-day excursion.
Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay, day cruise or night cruise
Located east of the north and about a 2-hour drive on the new highway from Hanoi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Halong Bay tops many travelers’ Vietnam travel bucket lists. It’s a must-see destination in northern Vietnam with nearly 2,000 limestone islands dotting emerald water.
If you don’t have enough time, a one-day Halong cruise would be the most suitable choice. However, an overnight bay cruise will be the best way to enjoy Halong. There are 3 different tour itineraries for night bay cruises, namely Halong Bay (the most traditional and well-known), Lan Ha Bay (near Cat Ba Island) and Bai Tu Long Bay (relatively unexplored route).
You can choose a 2 days 1 night or 3 days 2 nights tour to spend a night in the middle of the bay. During the day, you can participate in interesting activities around the bay such as kayaking, swimming, visiting limestone caves and floating villages. Apart from this, tourists can do a seaplane tour in Halong Bay for a memorable experience and the spectacular panoramic beauty of the bay from above.
Mai Chau, 1-2 days
Mai Chau is a small town nestled in the middle of a lush valley and surrounded by rice fields. Located just 150 km from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a perfect getaway for those who want to immerse themselves in the tranquil and authentic atmosphere with picturesque views of the picturesque landscape, dotted with pagodas and rural villages.
Hiking through the rice terraces and H’mong villages such as Xa Linh, Pa Co is a typical activity during a day trip to Mai Chau. You get a chance to experience the natural beauty of the valley and encounter the culture of ethnic people here. Additionally, cycling along the paved trails is another option.
To get closer to the locals, spending a night with a local is the best choice. You will enjoy a family dinner and watch the unique and joyful traditional musical dance of the Hmong tribe. The peaceful beauty of the countryside culture and the hospitality of the people here is something you will never forget after the trip.
Ha Giang, 2-3 days
Located in the far north of Vietnam, Ha Giang is famous for its majestic landscapes, endless winding roads and immense flower fields. It is also well known for the Dong Van Stone Plateau, recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s 77 geological parks.
The park is dotted with ethereal karst formations that are around 400 million years old. Lung Cu hamlet located inside the Dong Van stone plateau is another must-visit destination as it marks the northern tip of Vietnam with the Lung Cu Flag Tower on Dragon Mountain.
Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Meo Vac all have their charm and their specificities to discover. Hoang Su Phi has some of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam, no less. And there is a unique love market in Khau Vai which is held once a year, from the 26th to the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month. It’s a meeting place for ex-lovers.
Don’t forget the Meo Palace in Ha Giang.
Ha Giang is about 300 km from Hanoi, you can reach this paradise after 8 hours of driving by car. It is recommended to spend 2-3 days in Ha Giang to explore all the key sites here.
