2-Week Northern Vietnam Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Northern Vietnam tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaNorthern Vietnam travel expert at TourRadar

• 14 Day Northern Vietnam Itinerary, incl. Hanoi and Sapa

  The 14-day route spans 8 destinations from Hanoi to Halong Bay, featuring MILA Cruises overnight stay. H'mong villages in Muong Hoa Valley welcome trekkers, while historic Dien Bien Phu battle sites tell war stories. Chau Long II Sapa Hotel hosts guests enjoying 13 breakfasts and 6 lunches.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Hanoi & Mai Chau Valley

    Start in Hanoi before taking a 4-hour car ride to Mai Chau Valley. "Visit the local population and stay overnight in homestays—it's the best way to see beyond tourist attractions," one traveler recommends. Take afternoon walks through Muong villages and look for photo spots during golden hour. The valley gets quite humid, so pack light clothes that wick moisture well.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Son La & Dien Bien Phu

    Drive to Son La province and stop at Pa Co village to meet Black H'mong communities. You'll pass tea plantations in Moc Chau. The light hits the terraces best around 10 AM for photos. The next day includes a drive through the famous Pha Din Pass at 1,500m elevation on your way to Dien Bien Phu. Visit the War Museum in the early morning to avoid crowds and heat.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Tam Duong & Hill Tribe Villages

    Tam Duong is your base for meeting hill tribes. The Sunday market starts at 7 AM when ethnic minorities come to trade. It's a great spot for photography. You can trek through H'mong, Man Tien, and Lu communities. Bring shoes with good grip since paths get slippery in the rain.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Sapa Adventures

    Take the 6-hour morning train to Sapa. Trek to Cat Cat village and through Muong Hoa Valley. A recent visitor shared: "The trek through rice terraces was humbling. Bring a shawl—mornings are chilly even in summer." Plan market visits for clear mornings when you can see Fansipan Mountain.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Halong Bay Cruise

    The drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay takes about 3.5 hours. Spend two days cruising through limestone karsts and sleep on the boat. The bay is most peaceful before 7 AM for sunrise photos. Bring motion sickness pills if you need them.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Hanoi Exploration

    Explore Hanoi's Old Quarter and visit the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The mausoleum is closed Mondays and Fridays. For the best pho, follow locals to street stalls around 6 AM. Watch a water puppet show to end your trip. Try to get front row seats for the best view.

    

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• 14 Day Northern Vietnam Itinerary, incl. Hanoi and Sapa

  Northern Vietnam unfolds over 14 days, from Hanoi through Ba Be National Park and Ban Gioc Waterfall. Remote H'mong villages dot Ha Giang's landscape, while Sapa's terraced fields lead to traditional Thai stilt houses across 2,000km of mountain terrain.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Hanoi to Ba Be National Park

    Leave Hanoi early and ride along the Red River dike road past quiet villages. Spend your first night in Vu Linh village with the Dzao people near Thac Ba Lake. The next day takes you on mountain roads to Ba Be, Vietnam's biggest natural lake. Get on the road before 7:30 AM to avoid Hanoi's heavy traffic. Plan for 6-7 hours of riding each day.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Cao Bang Province and Ban Gioc Waterfall

    Take the winding Ma Phuc Pass to Ban Gioc, the country's most spectacular waterfall on the Chinese border. The 300m-wide waterfall looks best in morning light. Stay with a local Nung An family in Quang Uyen and try your hand at making traditional rice wine.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Ha Giang Loop

    This famous mountain route includes the steep Ma Pi Leng Pass between Dong Van and Meo Vac. Bring warm clothes as temperatures can drop below 10°C up high. The roads have many blind curves, so take it easy if you're not an experienced rider. Stop at the beautiful Hmong King's Palace from the early 1900s.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Bac Ha and Sapa

    Ride through the beautiful Hoang Su Phi area with its stepped rice fields. Try to visit Bac Ha during the Sunday market when Flower Hmong people wear their colorful traditional clothes. In Sapa, pick Ta Van village for an authentic look at Dzay minority life. Take the cable car up Mount Fansipan but go early before the 9 AM crowds.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Mu Cang Chai to Mai Chau

    The road through Mu Cang Chai shows off Vietnam's most beautiful rice terraces. Be careful of loose gravel on curves near Da River lake. Stop in Mai Chau's Thai villages to stay in traditional stilt houses.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Return to Hanoi

    Follow the old French road along the Black River back to Hanoi. Try to arrive before 4 PM to miss rush hour. You'll see limestone mountains like those in Ha Long Bay on your final stretch.

    

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• 14 Days in Northern Vietnam, incl. Hanoi and Halong Bay

  A 14-day route through 12 destinations, from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Trekking leads through Ban Luoc's rice terraces, into Nguom Ngao limestone Cave, and along Tu San Abyss Alley. Traditional homestays in Nam Dam village and comfortable hotels provide rest, with all 13 breakfasts and dinners included at approx. $140 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Hanoi & Ninh Binh

    Start in Hanoi before taking a 2.5-hour drive to Ninh Binh. Take a 2-hour sampan boat ride through three cave-tunnels in "Inland Halong Bay." Go cycling between limestone karsts and rice paddies. Pack quick-dry clothes since the humidity stays high all year. Make time to visit Thai Vi temple and Bich Dong Pagoda.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Bac Ha Region

    Visit Duong Lam's ancient village to see 300-year-old houses before heading to Bac Ha. Plan to be there on Sunday for the biggest ethnic minority market in the region. Get there by 6 AM to watch H'mong traders in traditional dress set up their stalls. The livestock section is best before 9 AM.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Hoang Su Phi

    Walk through some of Vietnam's most beautiful rice terraces. Take the path from Nam Hong village to Thong Nguyen center. It's a challenging 2-hour downhill hike but the views make it worth it. Stop at the Tay minority village of Thon Tha where locals often share their homemade rice wine with visitors.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Dong Van Plateau

    Take the scenic Ma Pi Leng Pass drive to Dong Van. Hit the skywalk trail before 9 AM to avoid crowds and heat. Take the 1.5-hour boat ride through Tu San Canyon. Sit on the right side for the best photos.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Ba Be & Ban Gioc

    Take a boat trip on Ba Be National Park's huge freshwater lake. At Ban Gioc Waterfall, ride the raft to get close to the falls but expect to get wet. Check out Nguom Ngao Cave too but wear good shoes since the limestone paths get slippery.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Bac Son Valley

    Climb to the telephone station viewpoint. It's a 45-minute hike that needs decent fitness but offers great valley views. Come in late afternoon for the best light for photos. Spend the night with a Tay family in their traditional stilt house.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Halong Bay & Return

    End your trip with an overnight cruise in Halong Bay. Get up for the 5:30 AM sunrise. The morning mist makes for great photos of the limestone karsts. Pick a boat that goes through the quieter Bai Tu Long Bay route.

    

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