Planning a Northern Vietnam travel itinerary can feel like opening a treasure chest of adventure and culture! From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the serene waters of Halong Bay, each day promises a new discovery in this vibrant region. Whether you’re looking for a quick 7-day getaway or an immersive 14-day journey, Northern Vietnam offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re coming from my post on how to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll know that Vietnam is a long country, and seeing the whole country in 10 days is almost like trying to see California, Washington DC, New York, and Florida in 10 days. Trying to see Vietnam and Cambodia could easily take 20 days if you wanted to thoroughly explore both countries.
On our recent trip to Vietnam, we had limited PTO, so we stayed in the northern half of the country. But since I’m a Type-A planner and just in case I found another 7 days of PTO in a hat with a rabbit, I researched the entire northern half of the country.
This travel guide is perfect if you have 7 days, 10 days, or 14 days. If you’re on a whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia and have less than 7 days in Vietnam, check out my guide to spending 3 days in Hanoi here.
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7-Day North Vietnam Itinerary: Essential Highlights
Day 1: Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter
You’ll start your adventure in Hanoi, landing in Nội Bài International Airport. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a bustling city known for its vibrant street life and rich history. Hanoi is really also the capital of north Vietnam and is well-situated for a fully northern Vietnam trip.
The Old Quarter is the most popular spot to select as your home base, and we found that every excursion we booked included pick-up from Old Quarter. Hanoi’s Old Quarter is delightful, and you’ll love wandering through the narrow streets full of shops and street food stalls.
The only thing you won’t love in Hanoi is the general attitude toward pedestrian traffic. In order to cross the street, you just have to walk confidently in front of a fast approaching armada of motorbikes. They’ll stop for you if you just assertively cross the road. They won’t stop for you if you wait at a stop sign or stoplight or try to use a crosswalk. It honestly took us a hot minute to get used to it, but then we quickly learned to embrace it.
Start your Hanoi adventure at Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the heart of the city. This scenic spot, nestled in the Old Quarter, features the historic Ngọc Sơn Temple on a small island. The temple commemorates the 13th-century victory over Mongol invaders. Entry costs $2 USD. You’ll need to make sure your shoulders and knees are covered or they’ll give you a men’s XL dress-shirt. I even knew this ahead of time but it was so hot and humid that it didn’t cross my mind to have my handy shawl with me.
A stroll around the lake takes about 30-45 minutes, and the people watching is phenomenal. If you’re there in the morning hours, you’ll walk by what feels like dozens of fitness groups. If you’re lucky enough to be there on the weekend, they close the road around the lake to traffic and it feels like one big block party to walk around.
I highly recommend diving into Hanoi’s renowned street food scene on your first day in Vietnam with a Hanoi street food tour. This tour takes you to eight different stands, carefully chosen for their quality and authenticity, making it perfect for your first day. We found it a great way to get to know the area and try a ton of new food. You can book it here.
After your food tour, wander through the bustling markets of the Old Quarter. For the most part the shopkeepers won’t bother you or pressure you to buy things like I’ve had in other tourist areas in cities around the world. Dong Xuan Market and Ta Hien Street Market are teeming with local goods, from fresh produce to souvenirs.
End your day at Bia Hơi Corner, famous for its cheap, freshly brewed beer. When I say cheap, I mean CHEAP. We’re talking $0.40 a glass. They have to throw it out after 24 hours, so you could get it as cheap as $0.10 if you time it right. The alcohol content is around 4%. Sit on tiny plastic chairs and enjoy the local atmosphere.
Day 2: Historical and Cultural Highlights of Hanoi
Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It’s a must-see for learning about Vietnam’s beloved leader. Next, head to the Temple of Literature. It’s Vietnam’s first university, dating back to 1076 AD, and it’s modeled after a Confucian temple. It’s a great spot to learn about the country’s educational history.
Then, check out Trấn Quốc Pagoda on West Lake. It’s the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, famous for its nine-story tower and peaceful gardens.
While I had been doing a couple of months of Vietnamese Duolingo prior to our trip, I didn’t really have a reliable vocabulary to be able to read any of the signs or plaques across these historical places.
If you’re a bit of a history buff or just really looking to make the most of your time in Hanoi, I really wish I would have booked us a tour with an English guide to really be able to appreciate these places. This one has fantastic reviews.
In the evening, catch the Thang Long Water Puppet Show. It’s a unique and ancient Vietnamese art form that’s well worth an hour of your time. And if it’s not your thing, it’s less than $10 USD and only lasts 50 minutes, so you’re really not out a ton. We personally really enjoyed it, even if we didn’t spring for the audio guide and generally didn’t have a clue what was going on.
For dinner, try Banh Mi 25. It’s a hit with both locals and tourists and is located on a super cute side street. And we tried banh mi from several other stands around Hanoi, but this one is really the best you’ll find. Afterward, grab a drink at a rooftop bar like those at Tirant Hotel or La Siesta Premium Hang Be. The views of the city are amazing!
Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise
Halong Bay is famous for its beautiful limestone peaks and clear green waters, making a cruise one of the best things to do in north Vietnam. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to caves that have signs of human dwellings from thousands of years ago. The bay features floating fishing villages and those ancient secret caves, offering amazing views and fun adventures. It’s a peaceful getaway from the city and perfect for taking stunning photos.
The waters of Halong Bay are calm, and the ships that you’ll be cruising on are large enough where you shouldn’t have to worry about getting seasick at all.
As I detail in my guide to traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, here’s roughly what to expect on a 1-night cruise:
- 8am: Pickup from your Hanoi hotel.
- 10:30am: Brief stop at an art gallery, then arrival at the ferry terminal around 11:30am.
- 12:30pm: Board your boat and start the cruise with lunch. Afterward, explore a cave or go kayaking.
- Evening: Enjoy happy hour, dinner, and some evening activities as the ship cruises past the limestone karsts.
- Next Morning: Optional Tai Chi on the deck around 6:30am, then visit a cave or fishing village.
- Early Lunch: As the boat heads back to the harbor.
- 10:30-11am: Disembark and return to Hanoi, arriving around 4-5pm.
Here are some 1-night Halong Bay cruise operators that I would recommend:
- 2 Day 1 Night – This is the company we used, and the staff was fantastic. The price is $137 per person. This is an affordable luxury cruise option and is a great value at the price.
- 2 Day 1 Night Halong Bay cruise option that is $160 per person. While we didn’t use this company, they were following a similar route as our cruise and the people we talked to had a great time.
Day 4: Halong Bay to Hanoi
Once you arrive back in Hanoi around dinner time, I would retrace your steps to any of the spots on the street food tour that were your favorites. This is another great evening to have a cocktail at any of the rooftop lounges and enjoy panoramic views of the city
Day 5: Ninh Binh Exploration
Next on this Northern Vietnam itinerary is a day trip from Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on Land,” features stunning limestone karsts and beautiful landscapes. Both routinely top the lists of best places to visit in Northern Vietnam. I personally enjoyed getting to see both of them, as Halong Bay is full of turquoise waters and calm seas, while Ninh Binh is green as far as the eye can see and equally stunning.
You can either join an organized tour or go DIY. Tours typically include stops at Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, and Mua Cave, and are convenient with pickups from your Hanoi hotel. For a DIY approach, you can take a bus or train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, which is relatively easy and affordable.
We personally did the organized tour since I did not want to have to worry about logistics, and it was pretty cheap compared to usual prices of day trips in other parts of the world.
We had an awesome day – you can book the tour we did here.
Once in Ninh Binh, you’ll find plenty to do. Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital, has a blend of Vietnamese and Chinese architecture and peaceful courtyards. Tam Coc offers a serene boat ride through rice paddies and caves, while Mua Cave provides a challenging climb with stunning views. Renting a bike to explore the rice paddies is also a great way to see the area at your own pace. Pro tip: if it’s 95 degrees, like it was when we visited in April, 25 minutes of biking is plenty.
Day 6: Hanoi to Sapa
On Day 6 of your itinerary, visiting Sapa is a fantastic way to experience Vietnam’s stunning mountainous landscape and local culture. Located in the northern highlands, Sapa offers breathtaking views of terraced rice fields, lush valleys, and towering peaks and is one of the top north Vietnam places to visit. If you bought a Vietnam guidebook, Sapa is likely on the cover.
Start your day early to make the most of your trip. You can take a scenic drive or train ride from Hanoi to Sapa, which takes about 5-6 hours. Once there, explore the town’s charming French colonial architecture and bustling market.
A must-do in Sapa is visiting the nearby ethnic minority villages, like those of the Hmong and Dao people. You can hike through the stunning rice terraces and enjoy the peaceful scenery, or take a guided tour to learn about the local traditions and crafts.
Sapa is also known for its cool climate, which is a refreshing change from the somewhat oppressive urban heat of Hanoi. The food scene is going to be pretty different than in Hanoi, so don’t miss out on trying local specialties like fresh trout and traditional herbal teas.
If you are looking to plan as little as possible, join this highly rated 2-day tour from Hanoi. Organized tours are so affordable in Vietnam compared to other parts of the world.
Day 7: Sapa Villages and Return to Hanoi
Depending on when your flight departs if you’re on the 7 day itinerary, you may need to head on the train or bus in the early morning hours. If you’re got some time to kill, trek through local villages like Cat Cat or Ta Phin before boarding your transport back to Hanoi and heading to the airport for your international departure.
10-Day Itinerary: Extended Northern Vietnam Adventure
Day 8: Ha Giang Loop Adventure – Hanoi to Ha Giang
The Ha Giang Loop, a popular route for adventurous travelers, takes you through remote villages where you can experience the traditional lifestyles of various ethnic minority groups, like the Hmong and Dao people. The area is also known for its unique natural beauty, including impressive passes like Ma Pi Leng, which offer some of the most spectacular vistas in Vietnam. If off-the-beaten path is your travel style, you’ll find serious hidden gems here.
Start your journey from Hanoi early in the morning. You can either take a bus or rent a motorbike if you’re up for the challenge (I’d think carefully about choosing this route unless you’re a motorcyclist usually). It’s about a 6-8 hour drive, so prepare for a long ride. If you’re traveling solo in Vietnam, this is totally safe to do.
When you arrive in Ha Giang, get settled in your accommodation—there are plenty of guesthouses and homestays to choose from. Spend the evening exploring the town and grabbing some local eats. Rest up because the real adventure starts tomorrow!
Day 9: Ha Giang to Dong Van
Hit the road early to start the loop. Your first stop is the stunning Quan Ba Pass, known as the “Heaven’s Gate.” From there, head to the impressive Sung La Valley and see the traditional Hmong villages. Make sure to stop at the Hmong King’s Palace in Dong Van. It’s a cool historical site with amazing views. After a day of exploring, stay overnight in Dong Van. It’s a charming little town with plenty of local food options.
Day 10: Dong Van to Ha Giang
Start your day by heading to the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass. The views here are absolutely breathtaking, with cliffs and deep valleys. After taking in the scenery, make your way back to Ha Giang. You can take a slightly different route back to enjoy more of the beautiful landscape.
Once you arrive in Ha Giang, you’ll catch a bus or drive back to Hanoi, reminiscing about the incredible sights you’ve seen. If your flight is late that evening, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. If it’s the following day, enjoy one final evening in Hanoi, a city that I’m guessing you’ll have grown to love just like we did.
14-Day Itinerary: Extended Vietnam Adventure
If you have any additional time in North Vietnam, or up to 14 days, you have a couple of beautiful options:
Bonus Day: Hanoi Leisure Day
On this day, start your morning with a bowl of pho from one of the local stands for breakfast. It’s the local favorite as a breakfast dish and a must-try—rich, flavorful, and less sweet than what you might find back home in the United States. Most bowls cost around $1.50, so it’s a steal of a deal. I’d recommend this over your hotel’s continental breakfast.
After pho, head to Vi Anh Coffee in the Old Quarter. This spot has two levels with awesome views from the top. Their hot salt coffee is a unique treat and was my favorite thing to order in Hanoi, but don’t sleep on the iced coconut coffee either—it’s a close second and was my husband’s go-to order.
Next, dive into a Vietnamese cooking class. This was a highlight of our trip and one of the best things to do in Northern Vietnam! You’ll visit a local market to pick out fresh ingredients and then learn to cook traditional dishes. Plus, you get a recipe book to take home. If you’re a foodie, aspiring chef, or barely know how to boil water, this is a must. This is the class we booked and loved, especially getting the Vietnamese recipe book to download at the end of the class.
To unwind, treat yourself to a cheap massage. Hotel spas in Hanoi offer great deals—around $25 for an hour, and some local places are even cheaper. Or if your hotel has a rooftop pool and the temps are warm enough, spend some time relaxing there to beat the humidity.
Finally, check out Train Street in the Old Quarter. I recommend grabbing a drink at the Railway Cafe. It was the only cafe that didn’t try to shove a menu in our face in this admittedly pretty touristy area. But Train Street is fun to watch the trains zoom by just a couple of feet from your toes and the atmosphere is lively. It’s a fun spot to chill and chat with fellow travelers.
Bonus Day: More Halong Bay
If I were you, I would not hesitate to extend my time in Halong Bay to a 2 night cruise, as you’ll get maximum relaxation in the midst of a busy itinerary that way. We actually did a 2 night cruise and loved it. We had time to get massages on the ship and lounge around on the sundeck with cocktails. The extra night allowed us to be in total vacation mode.
That also leaves a couple of days in Hanoi to actually slow down in between leaving the city so many times. You’ll be able to discover more nooks and crannies of the city that way. And more food! Truly, Hanoi does it best.
Book the 3 day, 2 night cruise we did here. Pro tip: Vietnam is so affordable that you can afford to splurge on a room with a balcony.
Bonus Day 2 Days: Hoi An
Or I would consider actually hopping on a domestic flight to Hoi An for a couple of days. It’s about a 90 minute flight from Hanoi with a decent variety of departure times throughout the day.
Hoi An is a charming town in Vietnam known for its well-preserved ancient buildings and vibrant lantern-lit streets. If Sapa is on the cover of your Vietnam guidebook, Hoi An is on the back cover. It’s that picturesque. It offers a unique mix of cultural influences, delicious local food, and beautiful riverside scenery.
We met so many tourists (Aussies specifically) who were coming from the colorful town that we had some serious FOMO.
Coolest Hotels in Hanoi
If you’re traveling on a budget, Hanoi is a total win for finding great places to stay. You can book high-end hotels that would set you back $300+ in the US for just $80-$100 in Hanoi. And if you’re okay with a room without a window, you can score luxury digs for as low as $40-$50. We decided to treat ourselves a bit since it was our first trip in a while, but even then, our splurge was way cheaper than a Holiday Inn in most US cities.
I’d recommend staying in the Old Quarter. It’s packed with hotel options and is super convenient for exploring Hanoi’s attractions. Plus, most tours and day trips pick up from Old Quarter, so you won’t have to worry about transportation hassles. If you choose to stay outside Old Quarter, just double-check the pick-up details for your tours
- Tirant Hotel – A fantastic pick right in the heart of the Old Quarter is a place that I’d call “affordable luxury.” You’ll feel like royalty as soon as you step into the lobby, but it only costs around $100 a night for a room with a window. It’s one of the taller buildings in the Old Quarter, so the views from the rooftop pool and bar are absolutely amazing.
- La Siesta Premium Hang Be – Check out this upscale hotel with an awesome rooftop bar. Rooms with windows run about $75 a night, while rooms without are under $50. It’s popular and books up a couple of months in advance, so don’t wait too long to snag a spot!
- Le Chanvre Hanoi Hotel & Spa – new luxury hotel with stunning Gothic architecture. The staff are incredibly friendly and seem genuinely excited to help with anything you need. It’s pricier than the other options, but definitely worth it for the experience.
The Best Month to Visit Northern Vietnam
October is the best month to visit northern Vietnam. The weather is cool and dry, with temperatures around 20-25°C (68-77°F), which is perfect for exploring cities like Hanoi and natural spots like Halong Bay. The skies are mostly clear and there’s less rain, so you’ll get great views.
In October, the rice paddies in places like Sapa and Ninh Binh are golden from the harvest, making the scenery beautiful. The cooler weather is also ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Plus, it’s less crowded compared to peak travel seasons, so you can enjoy the sights without the big crowds.
We visited in April and ran into cloudy skies and super high humidity, but not a ton in the way of actual rain, which made our trip enjoyable if you’ve got a spring slot you’re looking to fill on your travel calendar.
So, there you have it! Whether you’re diving into a quick 7-day adventure or savoring a full 14-day immersion, Northern Vietnam is packed with incredible experiences. For a speedy trip, start in Hanoi with its lively Old Quarter, historical sites, and tasty street food, then cruise through Halong Bay for some epic natural beauty. A day trip to Ninh Binh or a quick jaunt to Sapa will add some extra wow to your journey.
If you’ve got a bit more time, stretch out your adventure with a 10-day north Vietnam travel itinerary. Explore the Ha Giang Loop, where you’ll tackle stunning mountain passes and local villages, and return to Hanoi for a cooking class and some downtime at a rooftop pool. Feeling even more adventurous? Go for that 14-day north Vietnam itinerary and spend an extra night in Halong Bay or hop over to Hoi An for a change of pace.
No matter how you slice it, Northern Vietnam will charm you with its unique landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable moments. Tailor the itinerary to fit your vibe and pace, and get ready for a journey you won’t forget. Happy travels!
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