Ultimate Guide to Northern Vietnam

A long strip of land, flanked by coast from tip to toe, predicting the best time to travel in Vietnam can be a tricky business. Across Vietnam there are a series of microclimates, with each region having a slightly different ‘best time’ to visit. 

As you head further north in Vietnam the winter temperatures can get surprisingly chilly. Hanoi and Halong Bay will see temperatures around 15C / 60F in December and January, and further north still – Ha Giang, Sapa, Lao Cai – there can even be snowfall! 

If your trip is concentrated purely in the north, we recommend visiting from mid-spring to early summer, March through to May, when you’ll find gorgeous temperatures and little risk of rainfall.

Around 2.5 hours drive south of Hanoi, the Ninh Binh region is fast becoming one of the north’s most popular destinations. Nicknamed ‘Halong on land’, its soaring karst peaks and limestone caves can be explored on foot hikes, or by gentle boat ride along a series of canals. Pulling in nearby Tam Coc and Trang An, and the mysterious temples of Bich Dong and Hang Mua, the area is worth at least a two-night stay. 

Situated around 4 hours west of Hanoi, out in rural Thanh Hoa province, Pu Luong is a protected nature reserve offering a bucolic escape from the city. The scenery here is emerald rice paddies, crisscrossed by small streams, set against a backdrop of tropical green hills. The area is home to a wide array of hill tribes, each with a distinctive clothing style and culture, and is a base for trekking, rafting, and immersive cultural tours.

The Vietnamese people include a whole rainbow of ethnicities and minorities tribes – with the vast majority of diversity found up here in the hills and valleys of northern Vietnam. 

Head north or west of Hanoi in any direction for a few hours and you’ll start to gain access to these intriguing ethnic villages, held amongst gorgeous rural scenery. The intricately curated rice fields and watercourses around Mai Chau and Pu Luong are the most accessible area to explore – typically warranting a two-night stay before looping back to Hanoi. 

Further north, the villages around Sapa and Lao Cai hold the widest variety of colorful tribal groups. Village treks are highly recommended, as are visits to one of the region’s fascinating weekly markets, which see ethnic groups come in from all over the hills to meet and trade.

Cruises through Halong Bay and around the Cat Ba island group are the most famous in Vietnam. We strongly discourage day trips from Hanoi – you’ll spend just over half the day in transit and be taken only to the most densely touristed spots – with cruises of one night, or better two nights, our preferred option. 

We love the Heritage Line boats for their small cabin count, luxurious cabins, and high-end service. Itineraries are thoughtfully put together and endeavor to take you away from the bulk of the crowds.

Special mention should also go to Pandaw’s pioneering Red River Delta cruise, a 7-night itinerary starting and finishing in Hanoi which links up the capital, Ninh Binh, and Halong Bay, with alluring Delta scenery taken in along the way.

The classic north Vietnam itinerary forms a triangle between capital Hanoi, Halong or Lan Ha Bay, and coming inland to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc. Each of these destinations is within a 3-4 hour drive of each other and offers a distinctly different experience from the last. 

A ‘square’ itinerary would also take in the village walks and rural bliss of Pu Luong or Mai Chau. Adding on the hill tribes of Sapa, with overnight journeys required there and back, and is an additional endeavor and usually results in dropping one of the other locations. 

An adventurous itinerary through the extreme north is a trip in itself, with loops from Hanoi up through Ba Be Lake, Meo Vac, Ha Giang, and Sapa taking a good 10-12 days. This itinerary is highly recommended for those of an adventurous nature taking their 2nd or 3rd visit to Vietnam, and really looking to get off the beaten track.