Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Northern Vietnam
Think of amazing hiking trails in Vietnam that go through mountain villages where H'mong and Dzay families invite hikers into their homes. There are paths that go through Hoang Lien State Park, with great views of the valley. Paths to Cat Cat village and Ta Van are easy and let you see how people live in the area. Stay in a mountain home to get a real feel for the terraced rice paddies and hill tribe traditions.
10 best hiking & trekking Northern Vietnam tours
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern Vietnam travel expert at TourRadar
- 5-day Exploring Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa Highlights
- North Vietnam At A Glance: Halong Bay & Sapa 5 days
- North Vietnam Snapshot 7 Day - One Life Adventures
- Mystique Vietnam Vacation In 13 Days by Realistic Asia
- The Northern Vietnam Photography In 12 Days - Private Tour
- Off The Beaten Tracks Northern Vietnam Itinerary 12 Days/11Nights
- Sapa 3 Days 2 Nights Trekking Tour From Hanoi (2 Nights in Hotel)
- Northern Vietnam 5-Day Tour – Hanoi, Sapa & Ha Long Bay
- Sapa 3 Days 2 Nights Trekking Tour From Hanoi (1 Night In Ta Van Village, 1 Night In Hotel)
- 3 Days Sapa Trekking Tour with Overnight Train from Hanoi
5-day Exploring Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa Highlights
“She was able to find one that matched my requirements and I cancelled my original booking.”
Boss, traveled in January
Dramatic paths lead from Cat Cat Village to Muong Hoa Valley. Uphill climbs reach Y Linh Ho village, crossing suspension bridges and Hmong settlements. Scenic trails wind through Ta Van's rice terraces and mountain paths.
Duration 5 days Destinations Hanoi, Sapa, Cat Cat Village, Ta Van, Halong Bay, Titov Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 540 mi Operator Crossing Vietnam Tour From
- US$398
North Vietnam At A Glance: Halong Bay & Sapa 5 days
“All of the locations we went to were beautiful and amazing. After the pandemic I hope we have the chance to do the longer tour of all of South East Asia.”
Garrett, traveled in January
Northern Vietnam's scenic beauty unfolds across 9km from Y Linh Ho to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Cat Cat Village's French colonial hydroelectric station stands along the path to Sin Chai at Fansipan Mountain's base. Local Hmong guides share Sapa's treasures.
Duration 5 days Destinations Hanoi, Lao Cai, Sapa, Linh Ho, Ta Van, Cat Cat Village, Sin Chai, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Easy Distance 708 mi Operator BestPrice Travel From
- US$355
North Vietnam Snapshot 7 Day - One Life Adventures
“It's so easy to get around and the people are so lovely!”
alicia, traveled in May
Duration 7 days Destinations Hanoi, Halong Bay, Lao Cai, Sapa, Ta Van Age Range Ages 18-59 Physical Rating Moderate Distance 624 mi Operator One Life Adventures From
- US$995
Mystique Vietnam Vacation In 13 Days by Realistic Asia
“Majestic nature, unique cuisine, friendly, hospitable people and a diverse culture.”
Zain, traveled in September
Cover 18km through Hoang Lien Son valley's terraced rice fields, connecting Giang Ta Phin village to Sapa. Pass through bamboo forests and mountain trails to remote Black Hmong settlements, with stunning views of Fansipan peak (3,143m) and stops at ethnic minority villages for cultural immersion.
Duration 13 days Destinations Hanoi, Ba Vi National Park, Xã Mai Hịch, Mai Chau, Nghia Lo, Tu Le, Mu Cang Chai, Than Uyen, Sapa, Bac HaSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Physical Rating Moderate Distance 734 mi Operator Realistic Asia From $1,439
32% off- US$979+$350 local payments
The Northern Vietnam Photography In 12 Days - Private Tour
“The scenery was extraordinary, but it was the sense of seeing a quieter and more personal side of Vietnam that made the trip feel worthwhile.”
Teerapon, traveled in August
Duration 12 days Destinations Hanoi, Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Bac Ha, Halong Bay Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Physical Rating Easy Distance 498 mi Operator Vietnam Tour Fun From $1,158
32% off- US$787+$500 local payments
Off The Beaten Tracks Northern Vietnam Itinerary 12 Days/11Nights
“this itinerary is fantastic. unforgettable scenery”
Emily, traveled in May
Duration 12 days Destinations Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Dong Van, Meo Vac, Cao Bang, Ban Gioc, Ba Be National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Distance 556 mi Operator Bee Gng International Joint Stock Company From
32% off- US$2,180
Sapa 3 Days 2 Nights Trekking Tour From Hanoi (2 Nights in Hotel)
“The town is quite nice and seeing the traditional people and learning about their way of life was interesting.”
Nada, traveled in October
Cover Northern Vietnam's highlands with 11.5km total trails through H'mong villages. Visit Cat Cat's waterfall, Y Linh Ho's terraced fields, and Ta Van community. Rest at The View Sapa Hotel near Sa Pa Lake.
Duration 3 days Destinations Hanoi, Sapa, Lao Cai Age Range Ages 15+ Physical Rating Moderate Distance 324 mi Operator Vietnam Travel Top From
32% off- US$149
Northern Vietnam 5-Day Tour – Hanoi, Sapa & Ha Long Bay
“The guides, the planning, and the communication were all great.”
Sue, traveled in January
Duration 5 days Destinations Hanoi, Sapa, Ta Van, Tuan Chau, Halong Bay Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Relaxing Distance 615 mi Operator Open Asia Travel From
32% off- US$395
Sapa 3 Days 2 Nights Trekking Tour From Hanoi (1 Night In Ta Van Village, 1 Night In Hotel)
“It was a very good tour through the country side of Vietnam as a first time visitor. She also catered very well to what we wanted to get out of this extremely positive trip.”
Bente, traveled in July
Move 12km through bamboo forests and rice paddies from Y Linh Ho to Lao Chai village. Follow the scenic path along Muong Hoa Stream and visit Giang Ta Chai village's Red Dzao community. Reach viewpoints overlooking Hoang Lien Son peaks with experienced local guides sharing cultural insights.
Duration 3 days Destinations Hanoi, Sapa, Cat Cat Village, Ta Van Age Range All Ages Welcome Physical Rating Moderate Distance 375 mi Operator Vietnam Travel Top From
32% off- US$139
3 Days Sapa Trekking Tour with Overnight Train from Hanoi
“We really enjoyed ourselves. Would highly recommend this tour to those who love nature and enjoy walks.”
CollinEdmund, traveled in May
Scale the challenging slopes around Mount Fansipan (10,312 feet) and cross suspension bridges in Golden Stream valley. Pass through rice terraces from Ma Tra to Ta Phin village with experienced guides. Tackle steep descents to Lao Chai village and authentic trails through Black Hmong territories.
Duration 3 days Destinations Hanoi, Sapa Age Range All Ages Welcome Distance 315 mi Operator Bravo Indochina Tours From
32% off- US$239
What people love about Hiking & Trekking Tours in Northern Vietnam
- 5-day Exploring Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, and Sapa Highlights
Overall the experience was very good. We enjoyed our time in Vietnam. The guides we excellent. Hotels were very nice. The only complaint we had was the airport pickup did not go smoothly as we had hoped.
- North Vietnam At A Glance: Halong Bay & Sapa 5 days
We have a great time in our 3 day cruise in Ha Long bay. The crew was really nice, great food and good amenities in the Nostalgia cruise. Mÿ Uyên, our travel agent, was very helpful and supportive.
- North Vietnam Snapshot 7 Day - One Life Adventures
The tours are really good really safe and it’s a nice way to explore without being scared of getting scammed wrong information or food poisoning. I’m very happy with the tour.
What our customers ask about Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Northern Vietnam
When is the best time of year for hiking in Northern Vietnam?
Northern Vietnam's prime hiking seasons run from September to November and March to May. These periods bring comfortable temperatures between 15-20°C with minimal rain creating clear conditions for outdoor activities. The Sapa region offers excellent visibility of the terraced rice fields while Ha Giang comes alive during autumn when buckwheat flowers cover the landscape. A TourRadar traveler shared: "We had perfect trekking weather in October - cool mornings warm afternoons and stunning clear views of the Hoang Lien mountains."
What kind of accommodation can I expect on multi-day treks?
Lodging options range from simple homestays to modern hotels depending on your location. Travelers staying in Ta Van village sleep in traditional stilt houses with local families while those in Sapa town can book rooms at places like the Amazing Sapa Hotel. The Panhou Retreat in Ha Giang combines local architecture with modern comforts. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The homestay family were very nice dinner was modest and breakfast was pancakes - it was a great authentic experience!"
How much does a typical Northern Vietnam trekking tour cost?
Tour prices span a broad range. Basic 3-day treks through Pu Luong begin at 165 USD while upscale 8-day journeys including Hanoi and Halong Bay can cost up to 2700 USD. Most travelers opt for 4-5 day mid-range trips between 400-800 USD which cover lodging meals and guide services. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The 5-day Ha Giang trek at 646 USD offered excellent value with quality homestays and an experienced guide."
What are the best hiking trails in Northern Vietnam for different skill levels?
The region's trails accommodate all abilities. Beginners can enjoy the gentle 3.5km Cat Cat Village path while intermediate hikers often choose the Ma Pi Leng Pass route with 4-6 hours of moderate walking. More experienced trekkers take on the demanding 15-17km trails in Hoang Su Phi known for UNESCO-listed rice terraces. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The trek was very beautiful with breathtaking views. Our guide Sue was excellent and the homestay was simple but clean."
What cultural experiences can I expect during Northern Vietnam treks?
Trekking routes weave through communities of H'mong Red Dao and Tay people. The Sunday markets in Bac Ha display traditional clothing and handmade goods. Village stays in places like Ta Van let visitors share meals with families and experience local traditions. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The local market is so colorful which was our favorite part. We learned so much about the area's culture from our guide."
What wildlife might I encounter while hiking in Northern Vietnam?
Protected areas like Pu Luong Nature Reserve house 200 bird species and 350 butterfly types. Ba Be National Park offers sightings of langur monkeys and diverse birdlife while Hoang Lien National Park near Sapa features rare orchids and mountain species. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The biodiversity in Pu Luong was amazing - our guide pointed out countless butterflies and birds we'd never have noticed otherwise."