As the crow flies, roughly 1,000 miles separate Vietnam’s southernmost and northernmost points. And while the southern region boasts the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), and Phu Quoc Island, there are equally impressive sights and experiences to the north. Vietnam itineraries that tour the country’s northern regions allow you to explore the urban delights of Hanoi, the natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Halong Bay, and to experience the unique cultures of the ethnic hill tribes near the country’s borders with Laos and China.
We’re going to walk you through our recommended northern Vietnam itineraries – one main tour, followed by a couple of alternative routes – to help you decide which is the best plan for your exploration of northern Vietnam. But remember, nothing is set in stone: our northern Vietnam travel itinerary ideas can be tweaked and altered to make sure you get the best from your trip.
What to do in Northern Vietnam
You will have no problem packing your northern Vietnam itinerary with contrasting and interesting things to do. In northern Vietnam, you can explore the country’s capital and second-largest city (Hanoi); visit the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfalls and the nearby Nguom Gao cave in Cao Bang; relax among the limestone peaks and lush forests surrounding Ba Be Lake; take in the dramatic mountain passes of the Ha Giang Loop; experience the ethnic traditions and cultures in Bac Ha and Dong Van; and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay and its myriad awe-inspiring limestone karsts and islets.
Our core North Vietnam travel itinerary, outlined in detail below, includes all these destinations and more besides. We also offer a couple of alternative routes through this stunning region, and all our itineraries are customisable to suit your every need.
Northern Vietnam itinerary: our recommended route
Day 1 – Arrival in Hanoi
Our recommended North Vietnam itinerary begins and ends in Hanoi, the capital city, which is also nicknamed the “Paris of the East” due to its colonial French history. You can meander through the ’36 Guild Streets’ in the Old Quarter, take in the colonial architecture of the French Quarter, taste delicious street food (including the ubiquitous bánh mì), and enjoy the tranquillity and greenery surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake.
Days 2-5 – Ha Giang Loop and the Far North
- Day 2: Lao Cai – Bac Ha
- Day 3: Ha Giang – Xin Man – Quan Ba
- Day 4: Yen Minh – Lung Cu (Chinese Border) – Dong Van
- Day 5: Ma Phi Leng Pass – Meo Vac
On days two to five of our northern Vietnam itinerary, you will travel through some of Southeast Asia’s most breathtaking scenery as you wend your way along the Ha Giang Loop. As you leave the hustle and bustle of Hanoi behind, you will move into a world of lush greenery, high mountain passes, and the ethnic markets of the Hmong, Tay, and Lo Lo people.
Journeying through this region will skirt the Vietnam-China border and take you to the northernmost point of Vietnam as you hike in the Dong Van Karst Geological Park. You will also explore the ethnic markets at Bac Ha and Coc Pai before ending this section of the itinerary by crossing the Ma Phi Leng Pass: Vietnam’s highest pass, which sits 2000 metres above sea level and boasts incredible views.
Days 6-7 – Cao Bang Province and Ban Gioc Waterfalls
- Day 6: Journey to Cao Bang
- Day 7: Ban Gioc Waterfalls
The next two days will take you through Cao Bang province and take in the spectacular Ban Gioc waterfalls. On day six you will arrive in Cao Bang City, the province’s capital, which sits on the banks of the Bằng Giang River. After checking in to the hotel, you can explore its walking street and enjoy some of northern Vietnam’s culinary delights.
The following day you will travel the short distance to the border with China, where you will find the Ban Gioc Waterfalls. These four-tiered falls straddle the border, and the water cascades over a 30-metre drop, creating a thunderous roar that you will hear before you can see the falls.
Days 8-9 – Ba Be Lake and Return to Hanoi
- Day 8: Ba Be Lake – Dau Dang Waterfalls
- Day 9: Tan Trao – Dinh Hao – Hanoi
Moving away from the Vietnam-China border region, days eight and nine will take in more of northern Vietnam’s exquisite natural beauty before arriving back in the capital for a night. On day eight, you will head south to Ba Be National Park, which was set up to protect the lake and its surroundings. ‘Ba Be’ means “Three Lakes” in the local Tay dialect, and the name refers to the three parts of the lake named Pe Leng, Pe Lu, and Pe Lam. These three sections are connected, and together they form the largest natural body of fresh water in Vietnam. This vast body of water supports a diverse ecosystem, and a hike to the nearby Dau Dang Waterfalls can enable you to spot many animals along the way, including pangolins, slow lorises, and macaques.
On the following day, you will head back towards Hanoi. Stopping off at a couple of interesting sites en route. Tan Trao became the country’s temporary capital in 1945 as Ho Chi Minh was pushing to free the country of colonial French rule. Pushing on through the tea-growing region of Thai Nguyen Province, you will also stop at Thai Nguyen city, where you can visit the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups and its extensive gardens. The museum will help solidify your knowledge gained during your northern Vietnam travel itinerary so far.
Days 10-11 – Halong Bay Cruise
- Day 10: Halong Bay Cruise (Day 1)
- Day 11: Halong Bay Cruise (Day 2)
After a night enjoying the creature comforts of the capital, days 10 and 11 will be spent cruising the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. An early-morning departure from Hanoi will transport you to the sea, and in Halong Port you will board a traditional junk boat before setting off to cruise the waters of the iconic bay. Halong, or Ha Long, is home to thousands of limestone islands and what is perhaps Vietnam’s most famous scenery.
The limestone karsts have been formed over 500 million years and rise spectacularly from the emerald waters of the bay. Not only are they stunning to view from the comfort of the junk, but some are also hollow, and hidden chambers and caves lie within. During the cruise, you can also enjoy swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking before refuelling with delicious seafood and retiring to your air-conditioned cabin for a good night’s sleep.
Day 12 – Departure from Hanoi
After the cruise and your return to dry land, you will then transfer back to Hanoi. This is where this northern Vietnam travel itinerary comes to a close and you can enjoy the city’s excellent restaurants and street food stalls once again before your onward flight…
Other suggested Northern Vietnam itineraries
1. Northern Vietnam cultural itinerary: an 8-day journey for first-time travelers
If you fancy a slightly different North Vietnam itinerary, this shorter eight-day option may be for you. This tour also starts and finishes among the bright lights of Hanoi but ventures a little farther into the western part of North Vietnam. In fact, your first direction of travel after a full day exploring Hanoi will be south. Only a short distance, but sitting to the south of Hanoi is Ninh Binh province. Like Hanoi, Ninh Binh sits in the Red River Delta area, and the area is famed for its rich agriculture, including its rice paddies. The Red River Delta itself is a UNESCO-designated biosphere, and the area also contains the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – also a UNESCO-listed site. After viewing the magnificent scenery on a river cruise, you will head back to Hanoi and straight to the train station.
You will then disembark your overnight train in Lao Cai. As with the main northern Vietnam itinerary outlined above, you will also head to Bac Ha to experience the colours and aromas of the local, ethnic markets. On the following day – differing from the main itinerary again – you will explore the local area on foot. You will trek among the local tribes and stunning scenery, passing through Lao Chai and meeting the Black H’Mong tribe, until you reach Ta Van, where the Zday and Red Dao reside. This northern itinerary will then also conclude with a Halong Bay cruise and a return to Hanoi.
2. Northwest Vietnam itinerary: 12 days through rice terraces, mountains and villages
As a third northern Vietnam itinerary option, this 12-day option ventures a little deeper still into the country’s northwest regions. Again, after a day of exploring Hanoi, you will head off into the stunning, lush North Vietnam scenery. The next stop will be Hoa Binh, where several ethnic groups inhabit the mountainous landscape, which is dotted with rice paddies and tea plantations. You will then continue to the picturesque Mai Chau Valley, where the Tai people will be waiting to welcome you with a traditional local meal. The next stop will be Mai Hich village – a true off-the-beaten-track destination nestled in northwest Vietnam’s lush countryside. Here you can relax on a bamboo raft along the Ma River with delightful views of the paddy fields before taking in a local ethnic dance show in the evening.
From here it’s onwards and upwards – both literally and figuratively – as you head higher into the northwestern mountain regions, passing over breathtaking mountain passes as you go. The Khau Pha Pass will give you picture-perfect views of the Tu Le valley below on the way to Lim Mong – the traditional home of the Hmong and White Thai ethnic groups. La Pan Tan, a former hub of the opium trade, is next on the itinerary. The opium growing has been replaced by terraced rice paddies in recent times, and the new terraces are among the most photogenic in the country. The journey will then continue through the vibrant green scenery, and you will head towards Mount Fansipan – at 3,147 metres, it’s the highest mountain in the entire Indochinese peninsula. This North Vietnam travel itinerary will then pass through the Muong Valley before heading towards the tribal markets of Bac Ha and Halong Bay before sweeping back into Hanoi to finish up.
Customize your Northern Vietnam itinerary
As mentioned already, all of our Northern Vietnam travel itineraries are customisable. We can help you design your ideal, bespoke travel plans to explore the northern reaches of Vietnam – whether as a standalone tour or as a shorter add-on to another tour in the region. You could even combine a tour of northern Vietnam with our southern Vietnam itineraries to make a complete odyssey through the entire country. Why not get in touch to see how we can help you discover the very best of Vietnam?
Common questions about Northern Vietnam itineraries
For those intent on exploring northern Vietnam, the best time to visit is generally considered to be between April and October. During these months, you will be more likely to get the ideal weather, with clearer skies allowing you better views and photography opportunities when exploring the high passes among the rice terraces and also when cruising Halong Bay.
Northern Vietnam is a safe, welcoming, and highly rewarding region for first-timers. While the mountain roads and remote borders can be daunting to navigate alone, our guided tours remove all the stress. A northern Vietnam travel itinerary with In Asia Travel will ensure you have a seamless experience, allowing you to focus on the spectacular scenery while we handle the logistics and mountain driving.
While the busier tourist spots like Hanoi and Halong Bay are relatively easy to explore as an independent traveller, travel through the more remote regions can be a little more daunting. At In Asia Travel we have already forged long relationships in these areas to ensure we can bring you to the best cultural experiences and make the most of your time among the ethnic groups. So you can kick back and watch the stunning scenery roll by the window as we help you get from one amazing cultural experience to the next in a stress-free manner.
Absolutely. At In Asia Travel, we specialise in tailor-made journeys through Asia. You can adjust the pace, swap destinations, or choose a specific focus – such as photography, trekking, or culinary delights – to ensure the trip perfectly matches your every travel need
The best way to pack for your northern Vietnam itinerary is to think ‘layers’. This will make sure you are prepared for the region’s diverse microclimates. You’ll need breathable cotton for the humid lowlands, but a warm fleece or light down jacket is a good idea for the cooler mountain nights. For Hanoi and Halong Bay, think “smart casual” attire and swimwear, but remember to pack some modest clothing (covering shoulders and knees) for temple visits.
Sturdy walking shoes for trekking and a waterproof jacket for the mist are recommended for trekking in the higher regions. And to ensure you don’t miss that perfect photography opportunity, a 10,000mAh power bank is vital for long mountain drives. Also pack a universal adapter and a dry bag to protect your gear while rafting or cruising among the islets in Halong Bay.
