North Vietnam itinerary: The Ultimate GUIDE for best travel planning!
This North Vietnam itinerary guide provides ideas on how to experience vibrant cities with rich histories, explore serene villages, take in breathtaking scenery, and fully immerse yourself in the many cultures of each region.
Grab your backpack and head out to discover this fascinating region. You will surely have an enjoyable vacation with your schedule for Northern Vietnam. Below are some suggested itineraries that we hope you would find useful in creating your own.

Suggested North Vietnam itinerary to plan your trip
North Vietnam itinerary 5 days
During the North Vietnam itinerary 5 days, you will have the opportunity to experience local culture, sample delicious food and engage with friendly locals. The comprehensive itinerary is well-organized and covers all the must-see locations. This itinerary is best accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide who can help you navigate each location and give you insight into the history and culture of the area.
- Day 1, 2: The first two days of your North Vietnam itinerary should be spent touring Hanoi. This place offers a plethora of famous landmarks, delicious street cuisine, a taste of traditional culture, and a vibrant nightlife.
- Day 3: Proceed to Ninh Binh to take in the serene surroundings, majestic limestone mountains, rice fields and picturesque winding rivers.
- Day 4 and 5: Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the last destination on the itinerary of Northern Vietnam.

North Vietnam itinerary 7 days
This 7-day Northern Vietnam Itinerary is a terrific option for those looking for a comfortable and enjoyable approach to see the best of Northern Vietnam. The tour includes visits to popular destinations such as Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa and Ninh Binh. In each destination, you will have the opportunity to experience the local culture, sample delicious food and explore the natural beauty of the area.
- Day 1, 2: Start your journey to Northern Vietnam with an exploration in the capital of Hanoi.
- Day 3: Take a day trip to Ninh Binh.

- Day 4, 5: Spend time in Sapa. Take the night train, or take the limousine bus in the early morning from Hanoi to Sapa or choose a package Sapa tour for a more comfortable and cost-effective experience. While in Sapa, you can admire the magnificent natural landscape and learn about the local culture.
- Day 6 and 7: End this Northern Vietnam trip with your final destination as Halong Bay. Here, you can take in many breathtaking landscapes, enjoy pristine beaches, and swim in the cool blue water.
North Vietnam itinerary 10 days
This 10-day North Vietnam itinerary is a perfect amount of time, neither too long nor too short, to explore Northern Vietnam. From the vibrant metropolis of Hanoi, you may go in the northeast and northwest to several well-known locations like Ha Giang and Sapa as well as some lesser-known but still stunning locations like Mai Chau.
- Day 1, 2: Spend time exploring Hanoi
- Day 3, 4: Visit and enjoy 2 days in Ninh Binh
- Day 5 and 6: Visit Halong Bay, a UNESCO-recognized world natural heritage
- Day 7, 8: Visit Sapa to explore the northwest Vietnam
- Day 9, 10: Travel from Sapa to Ha Giang by bus. In Ha Giang, you can drive a motorbike to explore on your own or join a tour with a local guide.

Alternative option: Sticking to the same itinerary from Day 1 to Day 8. Then, traveling from Sapa to Hanoi, and spending 2 days and 1 night in Mai Chau. Mai Chau is always a peaceful and quiet getaway from the bustling of the city, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the mountains and forests to enjoy moments of relaxation!
North Vietnam itinerary 14 days
This 14-day Northern Vietnam itinerary allows you to make the most complete journey from Northwest to Northeast Vietnam. Meet diverse ethnic groups in ancient villages in hidden hills, witness the beauty of the famous terraced fields in Sapa and take a cruise on Ha Long Bay.
Then, you can explore Cat Ba Island with beautiful beaches, and walk to see Cat Ba National Park. All are promised to be great experiences for nature lovers.
- Day 1, 2, 3: Spend time in Hanoi
- Day 3 and 4: Visit and explore Ninh Binh
- Days 5,6,7: Spend time exploring Sapa
- Day 8: Return to Hanoi to take a rest, relax after a long trip and prepare for the next ones
- Day 9 and 10: Head to Mai Chau
- Day 11, 12, 13: Visit Halong Bay and explore Cat Ba Island
- Day 14: Take a day trip to Huong Pagoda. Spend a day exploring the serene surroundings, taking in the majesty of the mountains, mingle with nature and renew yourself and your spirit at Buddha’s door.

What should be included in the North Vietnam itinerary?
North Vietnam itinerary: Hanoi
- Hanoi is a popular tourist destination with bustling neighborhoods, outdoor markets, and delicious street cuisine.
- Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, features a charming blend of tradition and modernity, with plenty of intriguing sights to explore.
- Hanoi Old Quarter is a must-see, where visitors can experience the city’s bustling atmosphere and enjoy some famous Hanoi street food. Ta Hien street is a suitable spot to enjoy Hanoi draft beer and explore the vibrant nightlife.
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace offer insight into the country’s history, while the Temple of Literature and One-Pillar Pagoda showcase Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
- You can also stroll around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake or watch a unique water puppet show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.
- Explore some ancient temples: Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the most visited temples by tourists.
- For those who enjoy shopping, Dong Xuan market is the perfect place to find souvenirs and local goods.
According to the suggested North Vietnam itinerary, you should try some local dishes. This is one of the highlights of Hanoi with a variety of food options and food establishments. Foods to try in Hanoi: Egg Coffee, Cha Ca (grilled fish with dills), pate bread, Bun Cha (vermicelli noodles with barbecued pork), beef pho…
>>> Booking a Hanoi street food tour is one of the most popular things to do in the city.

North Vietnam itinerary: Ninh Binh
- Located nearly 100 kilometers from the capital Hanoi, Ninh Binh is an attractive destination with many natural and cultural sights. Trang An and Tam Coc are highlights of Ninh Binh, offering scenic boat trips through towering limestone mountains and peaceful rice fields.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda is also a place not to be missed because of its impressive scale and beautiful architecture. For those who want to get closer to nature, Cuc Phuong National Park and Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve are ideal locations, while Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Phat Diem Cathedral will bring you an insight into the rich cultural values of Vietnam.
- Ninh Binh also has other notable attractions such as Tuyet Tinh Coc Ninh Binh, Thung Nham Bird Park, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple and Non Nuoc Pagoda, making it an ideal destination for history lovers as well as nature enthusiasts.
- A trip to Ninh Binh will help you escape from the bustling life of the city. In the morning, you can visit Mua Cave, a beautiful viewpoint that requires climbing 500 steps to get a panoramic view of the surroundings.
Savoring local dishes is another must-try thing to do here. There are many delicious dishes that you can find in Ninh Binh, such as mountain goat meat processed into many dishes, scorched rice and a variety of other specialties of this region.
>>> Check out: TOP Best Ninh Binh Tours

North Vietnam itinerary: Halong Bay
- Only 2.5 hours drive from Hanoi, Halong Bay is a famous destination in Northern Vietnam that draws a lot of tourists from all over the world. With its breathtaking natural scenery, it offers many stunning attractions as well as engaging activities for tourists to experience.
- There are many different islands and caves here to explore such as Ti Top island, Sung Sot cave, Thien Cung cave and Dau Go cave.
- You can also experience the unique culture of Cua Van Floating Village and enjoy panoramic views of the bay from Bai Tho Mountain.
- Tuan Chau Island is a well-liked location for water activities, and the Ha Long Night Market provides a lively atmosphere for sampling regional cuisine.
>>> Check out: Top Best Ha long bay day tour cruise & Best Halong Bay overnight cruise

- Bai Tu Long Bay is a somewhat quieter alternative with equally stunning vistas for those looking to get away from the crowds. According to the suggested Northern Vietnam itinerary, you should take a cruise to explore the halong bay in 2 days, 1 night, which is also a popular tour that visitors often choose.
- Ha Long Bay is known for its fresh seafood, which includes Tien Yen sea fish, Sa Sung (peanut worm), oysters, Ngan (Austriella Corrugata), and Cha muc (Ha Long grilled chopped squid).
Northern Vietnam itinerary: Sapa
- Nestled in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Sapa is a must-see destination in Northern Vietnam. The cool climate and stunning landscape here make it a perfect escape from the bustling city life.
- Sapa is renowned for its diverse ethnic groups and stunning mountains. A trip to Sapa would not be complete without a visit to O Quy Ho Pass, which offers breathtaking views of the valley.
- Other highlights include trekking to Cat Cat Village, visiting the iconic Fansipan Mountain, exploring the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley, and admiring the stunning Silver Waterfall Sapa.
- Bac Ha market, the most vibrant market in Sapa that only opens on Sundays, is one of the largest markets in the northern mountainous provinces. Coming here, visitors can buy local agricultural products and other precious medicinal herbs and enjoy regional specialties.
- The town center of Sapa offers a variety of delicious local cuisine options, including the well-known Sapa New Market Food Area and the Ham Rong Street Snack Area. You especially can find very delicious hot pot with a lot of fresh ingredients and ethnic specialties such as thang co, charcoal grilled chicken, Sapa salmon, armpit pig…
- Don’t miss Ta Phin village either if you want to learn more about the culture of the Red Dao people. In particular, remember to take a scenic drive on Tram Ton Pass, the highest pass in Vietnam.

Northern Vietnam Itinerary: Mai Chau
- Located about 140 kilometers from Hanoi with 3-4 hours of travel time, Mai Chau Valley possesses a very unique attractive beauty of green nature, fresh air and typical Thai ethnic identity.
- Mai Chau is home to many ethnic minority communities such as the Thai, Muong,… and also famous for their stilt houses and traditional weaving. This beautiful valley is surrounded by rice fields and lush greenery, making it a popular place for trekking and cycling.
- This place has become an ideal spot for anyone to unwind. It’s recommended to spend a night or two in a typical stilt house so you may experience rural Vietnamese culture and enjoy delectable home-cooked meals prepared by the locals.
- Other famous attractions include Thung Khe Pass, Mai Chau Flagpole, Go Lao Waterfall, Ban Lac village, Pa Co Market…
- Enjoy Thai and Mong specialties such as bamboo-tube rice, pork belly, bitter bamboo shoots, grilled stream fish…
North Vietnam itinerary: Hai Phong
- Hai Phong is a bustling coastal city that offers visitors many interesting things to do. The must-see location here is Cat Ba Island, which is renowned for its stunning beaches and natural beauty.
- Other well-liked spots include Elephant Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the city, and Lan Ha Bay, where you can kayak and explore hidden caves.
- Trung Trang Cave, Hospital Cave, Red Pagoda, Hai Phong Museum, Du Hang Pagoda, and Hai Phong Diocesan Cathedral are all worthwhile visits for those who enjoy history and culture.

North Vietnam itinerary: Ha Giang
- The mountainous province of Ha Giang is located in the northernmost part of Vietnam. This is also the location of numerous remote towns and villages, as well as the UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Coming here, you can admire the breathtaking scenery of majestic mountains, winding roads and remote mountainous villages.
- The Ha Giang pass roads, which take you through some of the area’s most breathtaking scenery, are not to be missed. Ma Pi Leng Pass, which boasts some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking scenery, is one of them. The ideal way to enjoy these experiences is to go on a motorbike tour with a professional local guide, which allows you to take in the fresh air and breathtaking surroundings.
- Other famous attractions are Quan Ba Twin Mountains, Lung Cu Flagpole and Meo Vac Market.
Northern Vietnam offers a variety of experiences for travelers looking to explore the region’s rich history, vibrant culture and natural beauty. A carefully-planned North Vietnam itinerary will undoubtedly enable you to explore all the best that this stunning region has to offer!