North Vietnam Itinerary for a Week

Day 1–2: Hanoi – Culture, Food & Old Quarter

 

Base: Hanoi

Day 1

• Walk around Old Quarter (36 ancient streets).

• Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

• Try famous street foods:

  • Phở

  • Bún chả

• Evening: watch a show at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

Day 2

• Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature.

• Explore Train Street cafés.

• Optional: food tour or cooking class.

Day 3–4: Ha Long Bay Cruise

 

Travel to Ha Long Bay (≈2.5 hours from Hanoi).

Best experience: overnight cruise.

Activities

• Kayaking through limestone caves.

• Visit floating fishing villages.

• Swim or relax on deck.

• Sunset dinner and squid fishing.

Alternative: quieter cruise in Lan Ha Bay.

Day 5–6: Sapa – Rice Terraces & Hill Tribes

 

Head to Sa Pa (overnight train or 5–6 hr bus).

Day 5

• Trek through rice terraces.

• Visit ethnic villages like Cat Cat Village.

• Meet Hmong and Dao communities.

Day 6

• Ride the cable car to Fansipan (3,143 m).

• Local market visit.

• Return to Hanoi in the evening.

Day 7: Ninh Binh – “Ha Long Bay on Land”

Day trip to Ninh Binh (2 hours from Hanoi).

Highlights:

• Boat ride in Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

• Climb to the viewpoint at Mua Cave.

• Explore Tam Coc rice valleys.

Return to Hanoi for departure.

✅ Why this itinerary works

• Minimal long flights

• Mix of city, nature, and culture

• Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes