Northern Vietnam

Northern Vietnam, with Hanoi as its gateway, best known for Ha Long Bay, the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh's Trang An, and the terraced fields and ethnic minority cultures of Sa Pa and Ha Giang.

This region uses the 34 provincial-level units that resulted from the 2025 mergers, and includes 15 provinces and cities across the Red River Delta and the northern mountains: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Lai Chau, Son La and Dien Bien. After the mergers, Ha Giang was folded into Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai into Lao Cai, Bac Kan into Thai Nguyen, and Hoa Binh into Phu Tho.

Highlights: in Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter's 36 streets, the Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay and the neighboring Bai Tu Long Bay, Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay; the Trang An Landscape Complex (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Tam Coc and Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh; the terraced fields of Sa Pa and Fansipan, known as the “Roof of Indochina,” in Lao Cai; the terraces of Mu Cang Chai; the Ha Giang Loop, with the Ma Pi Leng Pass and Dong Van Plateau; Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang; and Ba Be Lake and Moc Chau Valley.

Classic itinerary: 2 days in Hanoi, 2 days on an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay, 1–2 days in Ninh Binh and 2–3 days in Sa Pa, 8–10 days in total; the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike or chartered car takes 3–4 days.

Getting around: Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport is the main gateway; Ha Long Bay is about 2.5 hours by road from Hanoi; to reach Sa Pa, take an express bus or night train to Lao Cai and transfer; Ha Giang and Cao Bang have sleeper buses.

Good to know: roads in the northern mountains are winding and may be hit by landslides in the rainy season; choose a reputable company for Ha Long Bay cruises.

Destinations

Itineraries