A Stunning Northern Vietnam Itinerary 5 – 14 Days

Not sure what to see in Vietnam with just 5 to 14 days? If you crave breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures, this Northern Vietnam itinerary is the perfect place to start.

After exploring the country solo on two separate trips, a three-week journey, and a return trip focused solely on the north, I can confidently say that the most unforgettable scenery is found in North Vietnam. From cruising through the UNESCO-listed islets of Ha Long Bay to hiking Sapa’s rice terraces and rowing through the limestone cliffs of Ninh Binh, this region is ideal for nature lovers.

This north Vietnam travel itinerary highlights my favourite places: vibrant Hanoi, peaceful Cat Ba Island, dramatic Ninh Binh, and the misty highlands of Sapa. Whether you have 5, 7, 10, or 14 days or more, I’ll show you how to make the most of it.

Let’s build your perfect North Vietnam itinerary, including how to get around, where to stay, and the best things to see and do.

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North Vietnam Travel Itinerary 5 – 14 Days

Whether you spend 5 or 14 days on this North Vietnam travel itinerary, your holiday will begin and end in Vietnam’s busy capital, Hanoi.

TIP: To ease into your trip, I suggest booking a transfer from the airport to your hotel, especially if your flight arrives in the evening. I can recommend it, and for me, it’s a relief to have a car waiting at the airport to avoid the throng of taxi drivers hassling for business.

Northern Vietnam itinerary – Getting Around

Getting around Vietnam is uncomplicated, and for my North Vietnam travel itinerary, I used buses, trains, and ferries. I also booked an overnight cruise to Halong Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay

I enjoyed exploring Hanoi on foot and used the Grab App to book cars or motorbike taxis for longer distances. I sometimes flagged down a green Mai Linh metered taxi on the street. I preferred to use Grab or metered taxis to avoid being overcharged or scammed by drivers in Vietnam.

TIP: I used 12Go Asia to book train, bus and ferry tickets in advance, especially for longer journeys. It’s and online service that’s reliable and easy to use throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

2 Week North Vietnam Itinerary

Days 1-3 Hanoi

My 14 day North Vietnam itinerary begins in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a cultural centre and a colourful city to visit with crazy traffic and a bustling vibe.

Discovering the local food is a must in Hanoi. Don’t miss trying a traditional chicken or beef Pho (noodle soup) and a delicious Vietnamese Egg coffee, a Hanoi specialty with whipped egg and sweet condensed milk.

TIP: A Hanoi Street Food Tour was a highlight for me on my first evening in Hanoi. It was a wonderful introduction to the city and included the famous Train Street, which is a lot of fun (and very touristy).

Getting Around Hanoi

I walked a lot in Hanoi, exploring the Old Quarter and the city centre, but I also had fun getting around on the back of a motorbike taxi (Xe-Om). It’s perfect for solo travellers in Vietnam and a good way to dodge the traffic jams in the busy laneways of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Best Things to Do in Hanoi

Here are some of the best things to see and do in Hanoi on a Northern Vietnam itinerary.

• Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, people watch and enjoy the gardens and tree lines pathways.

• Wander around the lake to the colourful Ngoc Son Temple on an island in the lakewith its bright red bridge. It’s the most visited temple in Hanoi and a very photogenic spot. The lakeside temple is very popular with girls wearing traditional costumes posing for photos.

• Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter, where the narrow laneways are named after the goods sold in the shops.

• Visit the lovely Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucious and learned scholars. It’s also a popular place for photos, and the green sculptured gardens are a pleasant escape from Hanoi’s busy streets.  

• Discover Hanoi’s Imperial history at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Citadel of Thang Long.

• Visit the French Quarter and the Gothic St Joseph’s Cathedral, the oldest church in Hanoi.

• Head to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to view the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. It’s one of the most interesting things to do in Hanoi. I joined a long queue of people and busloads of schoolchildren waiting to pay their respects to the former communist leader.

I waited for almost 2 hours to walk past the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, closely supervised by military guards. It’s a bizarre and unique cultural experience to add to your North Vietnam itinerary.

There’s a strict dress code, and visitors must dress respectfully, with knees and shoulders covered. Cameras are not allowed inside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

• Close to the Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda are worth seeing.

•  The ancient Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on the West Lakeis around a 15-minute walk away.

• Train Street is another cultural experience that you will enjoy in Hanoi. The train squeezes between houses and stalls on a tiny street on a single-track railway. I had fun here on New Year’s Eve.

• The lively Hanoi Night Market takes over a whole street in the Old Quarter. Rows of stalls line the street, selling clothes, souvenirs, street food and much more. I bought 5 pairs of socks at the night market for just a couple of dollars.

• Watching a Vietnamese circus performance is another enjoyable way to spend an evening in Hanoi. The performance I saw at the colonial Hanoi Opera House was quite dazzling and very entertaining.

Where to Stay in Hanoi

Mid-Range: I stayed in the old quarter at the Hanoi Graceful Hotel. I loved the location, the traditional décor and the tiny balcony.

I also stayed at The West Hotel and Spa on a busy street in the Old Quarter. The Hanoi Night Market is literally on the doorstep from Friday to Sunday. The street was very noisy, but my room on the fourth floor was quiet and comfortable.

Luxury: The Oriental Jade Hotel is a small hotel that offers a personal touch and a rooftop pool. The location in the Old Quarter is exceptional, and so are the reviews.

Days 4 – 5 Halong Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

 Stunning Halong Bay is a must-see addition to a northern Vietnam itinerary and one of my favourite parts of the country. The Ha Long Bay area is recognised for its geological significance, and the scenery is truly remarkable, with thousands of limestone peaks rising out of the calm green water.

The best way to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay area is by boat, and a 2 day cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Vietnam.

TIP: On my recent vacation in northern Vietnam, I took a cruise to the less-visited Bai Tu Long Bay, and I can recommend the experience.

Bai Tu Long Bay neighbours Halong Bay. It’s part of the UNESCO world heritage area, and like Halong Bay, the scenery is stunning, but there are fewer cruise boats on the water. The area is cleaner and much quieter than busy Halong Bay.

The Bai Tu Long Bay overnight cruise includes transport from Hanoi to the cruise port in Halong City. Kayaking to untouched beaches, visiting a cave, and climbing to viewpoints are also included. In addition, there was early morning Tai Chi on the upper deck, squid fishing and a cooking class.

Bai Tu Long Bay cruise boats pass through Halong Bay, and you’ll spend an afternoon and a morning surrounded by the lovely scenery. The cruise finishes around midday, and there’s plenty of time to get an afternoon ferry to Cat Ba Island. Check the ferry timetable and take a Grab car to the local ferry port.

Where to Stay in Halong City

If you want to add some luxury to your northern Vietnam itinerary, I can recommend the DeLaSea Halong for an overnight stay in Halong City.

It’s a comfortable (and very reasonably priced) 5-star luxury hotel near the beach and opposite the night market. It’s a great place to stay before or after a cruise. I was upgraded to a room with a stunning view over Halong Bay. I also enjoyed the pool and spa facilities

Days 6 – 7 Cat Ba Island

Cat Ba Island is the next stop on my North Vietnam 2 week itinerary. Cat Ba is the largest island in Lan Ha Bay, and although the Cat Ba Archipelago is part of the Halong Bay area, it was recognised by UNESCO in its own right in 2023.

Like Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay neighbours Ha Long Bay and offers a quieter, cleaner alternative for exploring the beautiful Halong Bay area.

One of the most enjoyable things about Cat Ba Island is the ferry ride to get there. Leaving Halong City, the local ferry sails through Halong Bay’s extraordinary islets, towering limestone cliffs and untouched beaches. The trip takes around an hour, and the scenery is stunning.

My favourite cruise in the Halong Bay area was a day cruise on Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island. The weather was sunny, the water was clean and clear, perfect for swimming.

I also loved kayaking on Lan Ha Bay, and paddling through 4 flooded sea caves in a kayak was a highlight of my north Vietnam itinerary.  

TIP: This Lan Ha Bay day cruise from Cat Ba Island includes kayaking and snorkelling. Of the three cruises I did in the Ha Long Bay area, the Lan Ha Bay day trip was the best. The scenery was incredible, the kayaking was the best in the area with flooded sea caves and pristine beaches.

Cat Ba Island has many beautiful beaches and is covered by lush forests. Around 50% of the island is a National Park offering hiking trails, viewpoints, caves and fishing villages.

I spent a day in the Cat Ba National Park and especially enjoyed the following:

• Hiking through the jungle to the lookout at the top of Ngu Lam Peak

• Exploring Trung Trang Cave and the network of tunnels and caverns that run for at least a kilometre inside the mountain.

• The view from the Cannon Fort just outside Cat Ba Town is also spectacular.

• The Hospital Cave, which wasused to hide wounded soldiers during the American war, is also worth seeing.

Where to Stay on Cat Ba Island

Unfortunately, I wasn’t happy with my accommodation on Cat Ba Island and can’t recommend it. But there are lots of places to stay in Cat Ba Town. Here are a few suggestions:

 Mid-Range: Quiri Hotel has a great location by the lake on the outskirts of town. There’s a popular restaurant and bar downstairs and it’s a short walk to the beach and the town centre.

The Cat Ba Wonder Hotel is comfortable and clean with a central location, a 5-minute walk to everything. This hotel gets exceptional reviews for its friendly service.

Upper Mid-range: The May Legend Cat Ba is a 4-star resort with a superb location, next to the beach and not far from the Cannon Fort.  The rooms are clean and spacious, and the views are stunning.

After a few days of relaxing on Cat Ba Island, travel by bus and ferry to Ninh Binh. This trip takes around 3 hours and is easiest if you buy a combined bus and ferry ticket from Cat Ba Town to Ninh Binh.

Days 8 – 10 Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is another stunning UNESCO World Heritage area in north Vietnam with beautiful karst mountains, rivers, rice fields and ancient temples. One of my favourite activities in the area was visiting Trang An and exploring the stunning landscape in a row boat on the river.

• Climbing the steep stairs to the top of the mountain at Mua Cave to enjoy the incredible view is also a highlight, but go early to avoid the crowds.

• One of my favourite things to do in Ninh Binh was cycling along the country roads to the ancient temples of Bich Dong and the Am Tiem Cave Pagoda, surrounded bygreen rice fields, lotus ponds and tall karst mountains.

• If you have time, there’s another more touristy boat ride through the scenic landscape of Tam Coc and an electric car tour that I enjoyed.

• Ninh Binh was once the capital of Vietnam, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hoa Lu are worth seeing for their historical value.

• If you have time, watch flocks of birds returning to their nests at sunset in the Van Long Nature Reserve or the Thung Nham Bird Park.

Spend a couple of days enjoying rural Ninh Binh, then travel back to Hanoi by bus or train (2 hours).

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh

The best place to stay in Ninh Binh is outside the city, close to the World Heritage areas in Trang An and Tam Coc. Here are some suggestions:

Budget: The Banana Tree Hostel has a great location in Tam Coc and is just a short walk from the boat station and all the action in the town.

Mid-Range: The Lotus Hotel has a quiet location, just off the main road into Tam Coc, a few kilometres away from the noise and hassle in town. I enjoyed staying at this hotel/homestay. The rooms are bright and comfortable with a pretty outlook over a lotus lake.

The Lotus Hotel has a pool and provides free bicycles and meals if required. Nearby, there is a good selection of restaurants and shops with foreign money exchange and a spa and massage offered next door.

Upper Mid-Range: The Indochine Boutique Hotel in Tam Coc is near the Bich Dong Pagoda a few kilometres from the centre of Tam Coc and away from the hustle and bustle of the town. This new property has stunning mountain views and gets outstanding reviews.

Luxury: Tam Coc Retreat is a tranquil 5-star escape in a breathtaking setting in Tam Coc. The resort gets exceptional reviews and has a great on-site restaurant.

Days 11 – 13 Sapa

The next stop on my 14 day North Vietnam itinerary is the scenic area of Sapa to enjoy stunning scenery and the diverse and colourful hill tribes. I suggest taking an overnight sleeper train from Hanoi and staying in Sapa or outside the town in a homestay.

Hiking in the picturesque rice fields surrounded by stunning mountains is the main reason for visiting Sapa. Many of the walks in the area are not difficult or especially strenuous, but the hike to the top of Fansipan Mountain, the tallest Mountain in the region, is very popular and very challenging.  

I can recommend relaxing with a spa after hiking through the rice fields, and the cosy bars and cafes in Sapa are very inviting, especially in the cold weather. Head to Gem Valley for great coffee and an amazing view.

One of the highlights of Sapa is visiting local ethnic villages like Cat Cat and Tha Phin and seeing the local women and children in their colourful traditional clothing.

I loved visiting local markets in Vietnam, but the markets in Sapa were especially interesting. The distinctive culture of the local hill tribes, with their unique textiles and crafts, makes these markets stand out.

TIP: An easy way to discover the beauty of Sapa is to book a 2-day Sapa trekking tour with a transfer from Hanoi.  Stay overnight in a beautiful hotel, enjoy local cuisine, enjoy trekking, and discover more about local communities on a guided tour.

Where to Stay in Sapa

Budget: Viet Duc Sapa Hostel (Homestay) has a central location with an amazing view and clean, spacious rooms.

Mid-Range: Cat Cat Galerie d’Art is a boutique hotel in a convenient, quiet location in Sapa town, just a 5 five-minute walk from restaurants, shops and the plaza. This hotel is cozy and clean, and it gets outstanding reviews.

Luxury: For a magical stay in the heart of Sapa, the Pistachio Hotel offers comfortable rooms with breathtaking mountain views and a superb location away from the busiest part of town.

Day 14 Hanoi

End this 2 week North Vietnam itinerary in the capital, Hanoi, with some more sightseeing before flying home.

When to Visit North Vietnam

The best time to travel in northern Vietnam is March / April or September / November. There’s clear weather and little rainfall in Hanoi, and it’s a good time for a cruise on Halong Bay.

In winter, the weather is cooler in Hanoi, and it can be cold in Sapa with snow in the mountains. I was there in January and found the winter weather mild. I went kayaking and swimming in Lan Ha Bay, but pack a warm jacket and thermals if you plan to visit Sapa and Cao Bang.

TIP: Vietnam experiences very different weather from the north to the south of the country. Learn more about the best and the worst times to visit Vietnam and when to travel to Cambodia and Vietnam , and what it’s like to visit Vietnam in January.

Shorter Itineraries in Northern Vietnam

North Vietnam Itinerary 5 Days

With a short 5 day itinerary in northern Vietnam, you’ll have time to explore the busy capital, Hanoi and enjoy a relaxing overnight cruise amidst the extraordinary scenery of Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s treasures.

Days 1- 2 Hanoi

Days 3 – 4 Halong Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay Overnight Cruise

Day 5 Hanoi

North Vietnam Itinerary 7 days

With a 7 day North Vietnam itinerary, you’ll visit Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh. From the cruise port in Halong City, travel directly to Ninh Binh by bus. A transfer to Ninh Binh from Halong City can often be arranged as part of a cruise package. From Ninh Binh, catch the train or bus back to Hanoi.

Days 1 – 2 Hanoi

Days 3 – 4 Halong Bay / Bai Tu Long Bay cruise

Days 5 – 6 Ninh Binh

Day 7 Hanoi

North Vietnam Itinerary 10 days

With a 10 day itinerary in North Vietnam, spend the first 2 days in Hanoi and enjoy an overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. After the cruise, travel from the cruise port in Halong City directly to Ninh Binh. Then, return to Hanoi and take an overnight sleeper train to Sapa.

Days 1 – 2 Hanoi

Days 3 – 4 Halong Bay/Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Days 5 – 6 Ninh Binh

Days 7 – 9 Sapa

Day 10 Hanoi

More than 2 weeks in North Vietnam?

2 weeks in Vietnam is enough time to experience the vibrant culture, meet the friendly local people and enjoy some stunning scenery. But there’s so much to see and do that you may want to stay a bit longer in northern Vietnam.

With more than 2 weeks you can include the following on a northern Vietnam itinerary.

• Cao Bang National Park and the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfalls are lesser-known gems on the border with China.  It takes around 7 – 8 hours to get there by bus, and it’s a wonderful addition to a northern Vietnam itinerary.

TIP: The easiest way to get there with limited time on a 2 week North Vietnam itinerary is to book a 3-day Cao Bang National Park tour from Hanoi. You’ll see all the top sites, including the Bản Giốc waterfall, Phong Nam Valley, Nguom Ngao Cave and Me Pja Pass.

• Explore the popular Ha Giang Loop on a motorbike. Take several days to discover the beautiful mountainous region near the border with China on an Easy Rider tour.

• With more than 2 weeks in Vietnam, head to Central Vietnam to discover the ancient royal capital Hue and the historic Old Town of Hoi An, relax on the beaches of Da Nang or explore the phenomenal UNESCO World Heritage caves of Phong Nha.

• Or explore southern Vietnam, dodge the traffic in busy Ho Chi Minh City, relax on the beautiful tropical beaches of Phu Quoc Island, and visit the colourful floating markets of the Mekong Delta.

• With a 3-week itinerary in Vietnam, you can travel from north to south and get an overview of the country.

TIP: Vietnam is an ideal destination to travel alone, but if need some solo travel inspiration or you’re nervous about travelling alone, these tips for women travelling solo will help you plan your trip, especially if it’s your first time in Vietnam.

FAQs

Final Thoughts: North Vietnam Travel Itinerary 2 weeks

With just 5 days you can get a taste of lovely North Vietnam but I suggest taking at least 10 days or 2 weeks for a northern Vietnam itinerary. You’ll see the highlights including the busy capital Hanoi, stunning UNESCO listed Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa and beautiful Cat Ba Island.

North Vietnam offers stunning scenery and outdoor activities like hiking, swimming snorkelling and kayaking in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. It’s an ideal destination for nature lovers and people who enjoy getting outdoors.

 I loved visiting Vietnam and I hope you enjoy my 2 week North Vietnam itinerary!

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