Northern Vietnam
Hanoi is the base. From there the usual trips are Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh’s karst rivers, and the mountain towns of Sapa, Ha Giang, and Mai Chau.
The north is the part of Vietnam with four seasons. Winter nights in Hanoi can feel chilly, and the mountains above Sapa can approach freezing. Summer is hot, humid, and stormy, which is also when the rice on the high terraces turns green and then gold.
Travelers usually sleep in Hanoi and add one or two overnights: a bay boat, Ninh Binh, or a mountain town. Doing the bay and a mountain loop in the same three days is a rush. Give the mountains at least two nights.
Top destinations in Northern Vietnam
Cities
Towns
3 Cat Ba
Cat Ba is the large island at the western edge of the Ha Long and Lan Ha bay karst.
4 Sapa
Sapa is a highland town near the Chinese border, used as a base for rice terraces, market days, and Fansipan.
5 Tam Coc
Tam Coc is the boat village of Ninh Binh.
6 Mai Chau
Mai Chau is a valley of rice and stilt houses west of Hanoi, closer and gentler than Sapa.
Landscapes and islands
Attractions in Northern Vietnam
- Ma Pi Leng Pass
The high road above the Nho Que River.
- Hoan Kiem Lake
The lake at the center of the visitor city, with Ngoc Son Temple on a small island.
- Lan Ha Bay
The island-dotted bay beside Cat Ba, usually quieter than the main Ha Long loops.
- Mua Cave viewpoint
A stair climb to a terrace with the classic view over rice and karst.
- Ta Van valley
Rice terraces and a Giay village further down the valley.
- Temple of Literature
A Confucian temple and Vietnam’s first national university, with quiet courtyards west of the old commercia…
- The three caves
Low passages where you may need to duck.
- Bach Ma Temple
A small neighborhood temple on Hang Buom, easy to include in a walk.
- Bai Dinh Pagoda
A very large modern pagoda complex.
- Cat Ba National Park
Forest trails and a peak viewpoint.
- Cat Cat
The closest village walk, pretty and busy.
- Dong Van
A stone town that makes a sensible overnight.
- Dong Xuan Market
The quarter’s main covered market, useful for a look at wholesale goods more than for souvenirs.
- Fansipan
The highest summit in Vietnam, reached by cable car in clear weather.
- Hoa Lu
The temples of an early Vietnamese capital, in a valley of limestone.
- Lac village
Stilt houses and a flat walk through the paddies.
- Sung Sot Cave
A large cave included on many boat loops.
- Ti Top Island
A short climb to a viewpoint over the karsts.
- West Lake
A large lake north of the center, with pagodas, cafes, and lotus in season.
- Train Street
A narrow residential track where a train still passes.