North Vietnam is, in our opinion, the most beautiful region of Vietnam with insane nature. High mountains, unusual rock formations and rice fields are found everywhere here. With this trip to North Vietnam in 3 weeks, you’ll see the highlights of North Vietnam and have some reference when you plan your trip.
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Tip: In this round trip North Vietnam we link to more extensive articles about the destinations. Clicking on the link will take you to the article.
Start your tour of North Vietnam in Hanoi: 3 days
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and, given its international airport, an ideal place to start your tour of North Vietnam.
How to get to Hanoi: To fly to Hanoi is often a very expensive flight. If you have a transfer this can save you a lot of money. For all tickets and providers, check out Skyscanner.
From Laos, you can also easily travel to Hanoi. Depending on where you leave from, the bus will take between 20 and 24 hours. All bus tickets can be found on 12GO.Asia or ask your accommodation for the best options.
Things to do in Hanoi: As the capital city, Hanoi has many fun sights and activities. On your first day in Hanoi, explore the city right away with a fun bike tour so you know exactly where to find the great spots. The guide’s detailed explanations ensure that you immediately get a good idea of Vietnam’s history.
Then, of course, visit the famous trainstreet, where the train comes by 20 inches from you through Hanoi’s narrow streets. Furthermore, you can delve further into Vietnam’s history by visiting Hoa Lo Prison, the Military Museum and the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Also read the comprehensive article on the 10 best activities and attractions in Hanoi.
Accommodation in Hanoi: It is recommended to stay in the Old Quarter in Hanoi. This atmospheric neighborhood is the real (tourist) center, from here you can walk to most attractions. Especially at night, the Old Quarter comes fully alive.
In the bustling heart of Hanoi is the Hanoi Center Silk hotel, an excellent choice for travelers on a limited budget. This hotel offers comfortable beds and helpful staff, all from only ā¬20 per night! If you have a little more to spend and are looking for a more luxurious room, the enchanting L’Heritage Hotel is a must. Here you can enjoy very nice accommodation, at a starting rate of ā¬45 per night. Are you a solo traveler looking for a nice hostel in Hanoi? Click on the image below where you can see Vietnam’s best hostels as well as 3 great hostels in Hanoi.
Tam Coc / Ninh Binh: 3 days
Continue your tour of North Vietnam by traveling to Tam Coc.
How to get to Tam Coc / Ninh Binh: First, it is good to know that the province is called Ninh Binh but the nice town with the beautiful surroundings is Tam Coc. So make sure you travel to Tam Coc and book your stay here as well. From Hanoi, you can get to Tam Coc by bus in as little as 2-3 hours. You can check bus times at 12GO.Asia, where you can also book tickets right away. After that, all you have to do is show it on your phone at the bus.
Things to do in Tam Coc: Tam Coc is also known as the Halong Bay of the country. Everywhere you see the huge limestone rock formations rising from the ground. It’s great to bike or drive among these to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Furthermore, you can take a nice boat tour that takes you past a number of temples and caves. It is also recommended to climb to the Mua Viewpoint: climb 500 steps and you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surroundings. Read this extensive article on Tam Coc for more specific information.
Accommodation in Tam Coc: The very best accommodation in Tam Coc is Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow. You can choose to stay in the hostel or in a private bungalow by the pool. It really feels like an oasis of calm here. Furthermore, Banana Tree Hostel is a very social hostel in Tam Coc where you will meet many solo travelers.
Cat Ba: 3 days
The third destination of the North Vietnam tour is the island of Cat Ba. From here you reach the beautiful Ha Long Bay.
How to get to Cat Ba: Continue your North Vietnam tour from Tam Coc to Cat Ba. You can easily do this by bus. This one takes an average of 4 hours and again can be booked online through 12GO.Asia.
Things to do in Cat Ba: Cat Ba is best known for its beautiful nature as well as the overnight cruise to Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay. Make sure you not only come to Cat Ba for this two-day cruise but also plan one full day to explore Cat Ba by motorbike yourself. Climb the viewpoint, visit the Hospital Cave and enjoy the beautiful nature. There are plenty of great attractions in Cat Ba.
Accommodation in Cat Ba: If you are staying on Cat Ba, you have the choice of staying in the center on the southeast side of Cat Ba. There you will encounter many (Vietnamese) tourists, but you are close to all the restaurants and sights. The Catba View hotel is a good option for this location.
Alternatively, you can choose to stay a little further from the center in nicer accommodation. You will get beautiful views and good quality in return. In our opinion, JoyStay is the most beautiful accommodation in Cat Ba. You’ll stay there in a beautiful bungalow surrounded by nature, and prices start at just ā¬35 per night! The most beautiful and fun hostel in Cat Ba is Secret Garden with, as you guessed it, a beautiful garden, good food and lots of fun.
Ha Giang: 4 days
The absolute highlight of the North Vietnam tour is Ha Giang. In fact, for us, this was the highlight of all of Vietnam. This beautiful destination is absolutely not to be missed.
How to get to Ha Giang: From Cat Ba you can take a bus to Ha Giang, it takes an average of 12 hours. You can choose to travel during the day or go by night bus. You can also book these tickets through 12GO. Asia, but you can also check with your hostel in Ha Giang just to be sure (if you are going to ride the loop with a hostel tour).
Things to do in Ha Giang: You come to Ha Giang for only one thing: the 4-day motorcycle run. The Ha Giang Loop is known worldwide as one of the most beautiful motorcycle rides. For four days you will ride over, between and through the mountains of North Vietnam. The views are spectacular and at night there is a lot of fun at the homestays. Read our detailed report and all the information about Ha Giang (where to book, packing list, etc.) in this article.
Accommodation in Ha Giang: we ourselves did the Ha Giang Loop with Mom’s hostel. Here you may also sleep for free the night before the run. If you return from the run and would prefer to recover for a night in a hotel instead of a hostel, Yen Bien Hotel is a recommended place to stay.
Tip: Most young people (between the ages of 20 and 35) do the Ha Giang Loop. Don’t feel like doing the run or don’t like being on a motorbike? Then you can also go to Sapa from Cat Ba and skip the loop. We then recommend in this North Vietnam tour to book one extra night in Sapa, one extra night in Cat Ba and one extra night in Tam Coc.
Sapa: 3 days
Continue your tour of North Vietnam in Sapa, another destination not to be missed. It is a stunning area with beautiful rice fields.
How to get to Sapa: From Ha Giang, take the direct bus to Sapa. This one takes 6 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains and rice fields of northern Vietnam. Therefore, we recommend taking this route during the day. For all the options again, check out our favorite booking site 12GO.Asia or arrange it with your accommodation.
Things to do in Sapa: Sapa is known for its many green rice paddies that are cascading. You will discover the beautiful surroundings while trekking. You can choose to hike one day but there are also plenty of multi-day treks. You then stay overnight at the guide’s home in the homestay. Read our experience of the two-day Sapa trek here.
Accommodation in Sapa: Sapa Alley Homestay is a pleasant and affordable hotel to stay at. If you plan to explore the surroundings of Sapa by motorbike, you can also rent a motorbike here inexpensively. If you prefer to stay in a slightly more luxurious hotel, the beautiful Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa is available for ā¬35 a night.
Hoi An: 4 days
Although Hoi An is actually in Central Vietnam, it fits very well into the North Vietnam tour schedule. In fact, Hoi An is a really nice town that is absolutely worth visiting.
How to get to Hoi An: Hoi An is located in central Vietnam but really should not be skipped. That’s why we included Hoi An in this tour of North Vietnam anyway. From Sapa, you can take a bus to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. From there you will fly by domestic flight to Da Nang from where you can take a Grab or cab to Hoi An. You will spend a whole day here, but Hoi An is definitely worth it.
Would you rather not fly? Then you can still use this round trip North Vietnam and linger a little longer in each place. Tam Coc and Cat Ba in particular are nice to stay longer and plan an extra day of relaxation. If you still prefer to visit another destination, we would include Phong Nha in your tour of North Vietnam. In Phong Nha, you will find insane ancient caves including the largest cave in the world. The scenery is amazing and it is a beautiful area to visit.
Things to do in Hoi An: Hoi An does not have many activities but is mostly a very nice town to stroll through. Hoi An’s old town is super atmospheric with lots of lights, lanterns and colored houses. Especially in the evening there is a pleasant atmosphere and you can stroll around. Furthermore, in Hoi An you can take a fun cooking class, take a boat ride on the iconic coconut boats and enjoy yourself at the beach. Explore the 15 attractions in Hoi An to create a fun schedule.
Accommodation in Hoi An: If you are looking for a nice accommodation in Hoi An, you should consider whether you prefer to stay near the beach or in the old town. We have stayed in both places and prefer the old town. In fact, during the day you can easily take a bike or Grab cab from the old town to the beach. In the evening, you can then stroll through the cozy old town, where you can enjoy good food and check out stores.
There are many nice accommodations in Hoi An’s old town. Our favorite is iHome. It is a beautiful hotel with a nice pool. The breakfast is very good and the rooms are great. You can choose from several private rooms or, if you are traveling alone, the dormitory is also good.
Hoi An Odyssey Hotel & Spa is also a great place to stay in the city of Hoi An. It is close to the old town and has views of the river. The rooms are large, clean and there is a nice swimming pool. Longan Homestay is a great budget accommodation in Hoi An, just a 1-minute walk from the old town. Here you can rent bikes for 35,000 dong (ā¬1.5).
Would you rather stay near the beach anyway? Red Flower Cottages is our favorite place, one minute walk from the beach with a very friendly host.
Back to Hanoi
From Hoi An, you will have to return to Hanoi. Unfortunately, your tour of North Vietnam is over. From the airport in Da Nang, you will first fly back to Hanoi. Note that you arrive at the Domestic Arrival and have to go to the International Terminal. It takes about 15 minutes to get from one airport to the other so keep this in mind when booking your flights.
A tour of North Vietnam is fun for every type of traveler. Vietnam is a great country anyway, but the north is still the most beautiful. Therefore, a trip North Vietnam is a one to absolutely put on your bucket list.
Check out all of our Vietnam articles for more comprehensive inspiration for your trip to Vietnam.
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