The Perfect Northern Vietnam Itinerary – Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, & Ha Giang Loop

Northern Vietnam is one of the most jaw-dropping places on this planet.  It’s raw, mountainous, endlessly photogenic; the kind of place that makes you question, “Is this even real?”.  It’s also incredibly diverse with the bustling city of Hanoi, limestone peaks in Ninh Binh, misty rice terraces in Sapa, and untamed beauty that is the Ha Giang Loop.  It’s the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.  This Northern Vietnam itinerary focuses on traveling through Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, and the Ha Giang Loop in approximately 10 days, but depending on your pace you can complete this route in 8-12 days.

 

Overview of the Route

HANOI –> NINH BINH –> SAPA –> HA GIANG –> HANOI

I’ve traveled Northern Vietnam twice, and in my opinion, the best route is Hanoi to Ninh Binh to Sapa, Ha Giang, and back to Hanoi.  Of course, this can be flexible with another option being Hanoi to Sapa, Ha Giang to Ninh Binh, and back to Hanoi.  Usually, all routes lead back to Hanoi but with a little patience, you can customize this itinerary to your liking.  With that being said, I do recommend starting and ending in Hanoi due to its international airport and bus connections.

 

Check out Luxury Travel Vietnam for a chance to experience the luxurious side of Vietnam

 

Days 1-2:  Discovering Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a beautiful mix of culture, diversity, scenery – a place that activates all of your senses.  When you visit, there are so many unique things to do from drinking egg coffee in ancient cafes to trying street food and immersing yourself in the chaotic streets.  After two visits, here are my recommendations on the best things to do in Hanoi…

• Drink egg coffee at Cafe Đinh (egg coffee was created in 1946 when there was a milk shortage caused by the French war)
• Explore the Old Quarter (try a traditional Vietnamese dish – Bún chả – at 74 Hàng Quạt)
• Learn about Vietnamese history at the Hanoi Museum or the Vietnamese Women’s Museum
• Visit Hanoi Train Street
• Experience the nightlife at Polite & Co, The Alchemist – Cocktail Bar, or The Haflington
• Walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake

 

For an in-depth Hanoi itinerary, don’t miss…

• How to Spend 2 Days in Hanoi, Vietnam

 

How to Get to Hanoi & Where to Stay

Hanoi is easy to get to due to its international airport – Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), and it’s located about 19 miles north from the center of the city.

Once you arrive to the airport, getting to the city is easy with tons of options available.  The easiest option would be to ask your hotel to send you a taxi, but that will most likely be the most expensive.  Another option is to grab a taxi when you leave the airport (make sure to negotiate price BEFORE getting in the car), or you can order a Grab (Vietnam’s version of Uber).

When choosing a hotel in Hanoi, I suggest staying in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

 

Days 3-4:  Ninh Binh – “Ha Long Bay on Land”

IF I were to play favorites… Ninh Binh would be my favorite place in Vietnam.  The landscapes are out of this world, the energy is electric, the town is easy to get around, and the locals are incredibly friendly.  Ninh Binh is truly best for those who are craving adventure and love the outdoors… there are tons of things to do from scenic boat rides to visiting ancient pagodas.  After two visits, these are my favorite things to do in Ninh Binh…

• Try bun dao – a traditional Vietnamese dish made of vermicelli noodles, tofu, and shrimp paste – from Bếp nhà Hương Béo
• Explore the Bái Đính Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex on Bái Đính mountain
• Visit the Bich Dong Pagoda
• Hike to Mua Cave for sunrise or sunset
• Relax on a boat tour – Tam Cốc or Trang An

 

For an in-depth Ninh Binh itinerary, don’t miss…

• The Best 2 Day Ninh Binh Itinerary

 

How to Get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi & Where to Stay

Ninh Binh is located about two hours south of Hanoi.  You can easily travel by private car or bus.  If you’re deciding to do this itinerary another way, you can also travel to Ninh Binh from Sapa or Ha Giang and in that case, I would suggest taking a night bus.

When deciding where to stay in Ninh Binh, I suggest the Tam Coc or Trang An area.

 

Don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Sleeper Buses in Vietnam

 

Days 5-6:  Sapa – Mountains & Rice Terraces

Sapa is one of those places that truly takes your breath away.  Located in Northern Vietnam near the border of China, it’s mountainous with incredible green and golden rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see.  Of course, when visiting the draw is to trek through the rice terraces – which I recommend doing.  If you are not big on trekking, you might skip Sapa or only come for one day.  With that being said, here are some things I recommend for your Sapa itinerary…

• Trek to Cat Cat Village
• Take a cable car to Fansipan Mountain
• Hire a local guide to trek through the rice fields
• Try coconut coffee at Cong Coffee

 

For a more in-depth Sapa itinerary, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam

 

How to Get to Sapa from Ninh Binh & Where to Stay

The journey from Ninh Binh to Sapa is around eight hours by bus.  You can also rent a private car which will save you about an hour.  I suggest a night bus simply because the route is pretty bumpy and uncomfortable as you get into the mountains.

Once you arrive to Sapa, I suggest staying in Sapa town or in a homestay with a local family.

 

Days 7-10:  The Ha Giang Loop

In my opinion, the Ha Giang Loop is an undiscovered gem of Northern Vietnam.  It’s similar to Sapa, but more exaggerated, wilder, and with far fewer tourists.  Of course, the highlight of Ha Giang is the 350 km loop through jaw-dropping mountain passes on motorbike.  (You can do a self-guided tour, join a tour, drive on your own, or have a driver called an “easy rider”).  The Ha Giang Loop can last from 1-4 days depending on which loop you choose and I would only recommend visiting if you plan to see the loop on motorbike.

 

For a more in-depth Ha Giang Loop itinerary and suggestions on different Ha Giang Motorbike routes, don’t miss…

• A Complete Guide to Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop

 

How to Get to the Ha Giang Loop from Sapa

Ha Giang is located east of Sapa and can be reached by bus or private car.  The bus ride takes about six hours and can be quite uncomfortable at times as you’re driving through the mountains and the roads aren’t well maintained.

 

Best Time to Visit Northern Vietnam

Vietnam is a long country (from north to south) so the weather varies greatly between the north and south.  The weather in Northern Vietnam can get much colder and wetter than other parts of the country so there are specific times I would avoid visiting.  In my opinion, the best time to visit is in the spring (March-May) or fall (Sept-Nov) when you have better chance at clear skies and green landscapes.  The summer months (June-Aug) bring rain and the winter months (Dec-Feb) are cool and misty – especially in the mountains.

I visited once in March and once in September and I have to say that both months seemed to be the best time to visit Northern Vietnam.  The weather was hot (but manageable) and there were only scattered rain showers throughout my trip.

 

What to Pack for Northern Vietnam

As for what to wear in Vietnam, here are some tips, ideas, and a suggested packing list for Northern Vietnam…

• For trekking in Sapa you’ll want to bring lightweight clothes, layers (the mornings are much cooler than the afternoons), a rain jacket, and good trekking shoes
• For the Ha Giang Loop you’ll want clothes that will cover your body (you’re in the sun all day) and sunscreen
• For Hanoi you’ll want something lightweight and breezy (the city can feel humid with the amount of people and buildings)

 

For a more in-depth packing guide, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Packing List for Vietnam

 

Practical Tips to Know Before Traveling to Vietnam

Here is a breakdown of a few Northern Vietnam travel tips to ensure an easy trip!

1. Bring cash – not everywhere accepts card, especially in more remote villages.  You don’t need to get cash in your home country (and I don’t recommend that), but you do need to get cash at an ATM when you arrive
2. Consider traveling with an eSIM to ensure cell service throughout your travels
3. As an American, you do need a visa to travel to Vietnam

 

Don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Vietnam

 

FAQ About Northern Vietnam Travel

Q:  “Is Northern Vietnam safe for solo travelers?”

• A:  The first time I visited Vietnam was as a solo traveler and I did feel safe.  I took basic safety precautions like not going out drinking late at night, not walking alone at night, and watching my drink while out, but I did not experience anything dangerous during my trip.  With that being said, anything is possible so please be aware of your surroundings and make sure a loved one knows where you’re supposed to be at all times.

Q:  “How many days do you need for Northern Vietnam?”

• A:  I would recommend a minimum of a week, but if you have unlimited time you could explore the area for weeks and not see it all.  I think that 10-12 days is the perfect amount of time because you aren’t too rushed, and you can see the highlights of what Northern Vietnam has to offer.

Q:  “Can you do the Ha Giang Loop without riding a motorbike?”

• A:  You can, but I think that it takes the fun out of it and really what makes the route special is the motorbike.  If you can’t do the motorbike, I would focus on other areas of Vietnam instead or even considering going south to Hoi An.

Q:  “What’s better – Sapa or Ninh Binh?”

• A:  In my opinion, Ninh Binh is better.  I really liked Sapa simply because it was unlike anywhere I’d ever been or anything I’d ever seen before, but the area is incredibly touristy and a lot of the charm has been lost.  Ninh Binh still feels out of this world and has managed to retain its local charm.

 

Vietnam Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Vietnam

 

Vietnam is one of the most unique countries I’ve had the opportunity to travel to with adventure at every turn.  I hope that this 10 day Northern Vietnam itinerary from Hanoi to the Ha Giang Loop inspires your travels and helps plan your trip.  If you have any questions about visiting Northern Vietnam or Vietnam in general, let me know in a comment below!

 

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For more information on Vietnam, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinvietnam” or under my highlights, “Vietnam”

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