Stay in Northern Vietnam

Finally, northern Vietnam is very rich historically: the presence of colonists, foreign merchants or clergy is still very visible in the many historic and architectural monuments. Culturally, it is a true mosaic with 52 ethnic groups well represented.

10 Recommended Destinations for a Stay in Northern Vietnam

Although Vietnam is fascinating as a whole, we sometimes recommend to our travelers to limit their stay to Northern Vietnam. Indeed, due to lack of time, or simply the desire to practice slow travel in Vietnam, it is interesting to limit the geographic area of your trip in Vietnam.

It can be difficult to narrow down the many options based on your itinerary, so Horizon Vietnam Travel proposes a selection of 10 destinations recommended in a stay in Northern Vietnam. We then point you to some favorite itineraries to help you visit them.

Halong Bay Maritime, 7th Natural Wonder of the World

Halong Bay

Where is Halong Bay located?

Halong Bay is a vast natural bay of sea water over 43,000 hectares (1,500 km2). It is located between Hạ Long and the national park of Cat Ba island of Cat Ba. In the province of Quảng Ninh in northern Vietnam, on the Chinese border of Dongnan Qiuling. It is located 170 km east of the capital Hanoi. By road you should expect approximately 2.5 hours travel from Hanoi.

Hanoi

You will certainly visit Hanoi during your trip to northern Vietnam since your plane will land there. As the capital of the country, Hanoi is an exciting mix of Eastern and Western culture. French colonialism is visible through the city’s architecture, particularly in the French Quarter of Hoàn Kiêm district. However, Vietnamese culture is just as important. Hanoi is rich in incredible temples and a visit to the Temple of Literature dating back to the 11th century is a must-see activity. The ethnography museum and Ho Chi Minh mausoleum are also major attractions in Hanoi.

Location of Hanoi:

Hanoi is located in the northern region of Vietnam, in the Red River Delta, about 90 km (56 miles) from the coastal area. Hanoi comprises three types of basic territory, which are the delta zone, the intermediate zone and the mountainous zone.

Sapa

The mountain town of Sapa is known for its very diverse population as well as its incredible landscapes. Sapa is home to members of numerous mountain ethnic tribes, including Hmong, Dao, Muong and Tay. The town also overlooks the magnificent Muong Hoa valley and its terraced rice fields, which are stunning to see. If you want to get an idea of the life of local residents and their cultures, head to Sapa for a hike or stay with a local family. You can trek to the more remote villages, then spend the night eating and exchanging with the inhabitants of the perched villages.

Sapa is one of the most accessible regions for a stay in Northern Vietnam. However, there are other magnificent mountainous landscapes in the surroundings that offer equally exceptional experiences. Both in terms of exchanges with the local people and landscapes. Consult our article on the best places to discover the rice fields of Vietnam to learn more.

Ha Giang Province

One of the most remote provinces in the country is Ha Giang. So the region and its surroundings are to be favored for travelers eager for adventure off the beaten path and original experiences!

Near the border with China, Ha Giang province is known for its lush forests and limestone mountains. It’s another incredible destination for exploring ethnic diversity. You can participate in outdoor activities such as camping or hiking.

As a picturesque province, Ha Giang hosts numerous spectacular viewpoints. Such as in particular the Dong Van limestone plateau classified in the list of World Geological Parks. This area features a majestic landscape of mountains. It is inhabited by the Hmong who grow corn on sloped valleys. Furthermore, open-air markets are common in Ha Giang. In fact, Ha Giang is renowned for its unique fairs that embody the culture of local peoples. One of the most well-known fairs is the Lung Phin fair, it is a true mixture of colors, flavors and scents!

Where is Ha Giang located?

The Ha Giang province, about 300 km as the crow flies from Hanoi, is the most northern province of Vietnam and of the former French Indochina. It borders Yunnan province, in southern China.

Halong Bay Terrestrial in the Ninh Binh Region

The Ninh Binh region is particularly known as the terrestrial Halong Bay, offering unique landscapes of sugar-loaf-shaped mountains.

The place can be described as a beautiful landscape of flat rice fields surrounded by limestone cliffs and rock formations. The best way to explore is by small boat. You will have no difficulty finding a boat run by a local. It takes you along lush rice fields and winds between limestone cliffs. You will discover underwater caves that pass through mountains, carved over time by the river itself.

The region is also suitable for walking or cycling. You can visit Hang Múa, where 500 steps allow you to access a view of the region where the river winds lazily among the rice fields.

Where is Ninh Binh located?

Ninh Binh is located in northern Vietnam, about 90 km, the travel time from Hanoi is about 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can visit the region in a day, but it is still recommended to spend a night there.

Bac Ha

On the borders of the north of the country lies the town of Bac Ha. Bac Ha is a small village, the best way to explore it is to walk around and take in the authentic atmosphere of the place. There are a handful of local restaurants that serve delicious and inexpensive food, and several vendors offer handmade crafts.

The mountainous surroundings are suitable for hiking. The road is picturesque, often dotted with plum and peach trees. You can visit nearby villages inhabited by Tay, Phù Lá and H’Mong, H’Mong Flowered ethnic groups.

What is also worth seeing in Bac Ha is the Sunday market. Every Sunday morning, residents from all over the region gather in Bac Ha, and it becomes a cacophony of colors, sounds and dynamism. Members of the surrounding mountain tribes come to shop and sell, which makes the occasion fantastic for seeing a range of ethnicities in one and the same scenario.

Cat Ba Island

In Halong Bay in Vietnam there is the Cat Ba archipelago. While the archipelago counts more than 360 islands, the largest is called Cat Ba. A small island just off the northwestern coast in the midst of the famous Halong Bay, Cat Ba is one of our favorite places in Vietnam. It is an ideal starting point for visiting Lan Ha Bay, just as beautiful as Halong Bay but still less well known.

On the waterfront, restaurants, hotels, small boutiques are numerous. At mealtimes, all kinds of different formulas and settings are offered to our choice. The signs are always authentic and for all tastes. Nearby beaches with golden sand nestle in caskets of rocks, a true dream for swimmers!

Moreover, more than 50% of the island is a national park, which was created to protect the rare Cat Ba Langur, an adorable primate but difficult to spot. If you fail to spot any langurs, take a ferry to Monkey Island. There, macaques are found in abundance. Cat Ba Island also hosts the incredible Cannon Fort, which was built in 1942. You can visit the fort and take advantage of the altitude to take amazing photos of the seascapes.

Where is Cat Ba located?

It is located about 50 kilometers from the city of Hai Phong, a speedboat journey from the Hai Phong pier lasts 1 hour.

Mai Chau

In the heart of Hòa Bình province is Mai Chau, a region composed of lush vegetation, beautiful mountains and vibrant culture. Mai Chau is a wonderful place to explore if you want to get an authentic vision of the many cultures that have found refuge in northern Vietnam.

Mai Chau is a sort of melting pot, which is home to seven distinct ethnic groups: Hmong, Zao, Muong, Hoa, Viet, White Thai and Tay. In addition to the lush valleys, the village distinguishes itself by its stilt houses. These houses are built 3 meters above the ground and often provide shelter for animals seeking shelter from the elements.

Sleeping in a stilt house in Mai Chau and taking a bike ride is an unforgettable experience!

Yen Bai and Mu Cang Chai

Yen Bai is a mountainous province, located in the northwest of Vietnam. It borders Lao Cai province to the north, Phu Tho to the south, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang to the east and Son La province to the west.

The province is located on the road axis that divides Tonkin into two very contrasting halves: the Northwest with very rugged terrain and the Northeast more undulating. Yen Bai thus combines in itself the characteristics of these two regions.

The region, about 200 km from the Vietnamese capital, can be a peaceful stop. Stays in beautiful Thai villages with succulent dishes accompanied by glasses of local alcohol and walks in green valleys.

The “Nghia Lo-Mu Cang Chai photographers’ pass” offers views that overlook the terraced rice fields. You will visit the Dao ethnic groups near the large Thac Ba lake and palm plantations.

Water cruises and visits to tea plantations will complete the discovery of the region…

In short, it is a region that retains a serenity typical of the middle and upper Tonkin: without being touristy, the people will welcome you warmly like the evening around a meal prepared by the family with a rare conviviality.

Learn more: Yen Bai Province

Pu Luong

The Pu Luong nature reserve belongs to the districts of Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa and Thanh Hoa. It has an area of over 17,600 hectares and rich flora and fauna. It preserves a tropical forest of intact beauty.

This place is one of the tourist attractions of the Northwest that attracts many visitors.

The slowness of Pu Luong contrasts strikingly with the life of the capital just a few hours’ drive away. Endless mountains, fertile valleys and virgin jungle are just some good reasons to visit.

The limestone landscape of Pu Luong is a reserve composed of magnificent nature, culture and great biodiversity. It extends from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong National Park. These are mountains of impressive karst formation covered with jungle and beautiful terraced rice fields. The background of the landscape is also magical, with rows of mountains entirely covered by lush forest. The primary forest still hosts some rare species of mammals in Vietnam.

Located not far from Cuc Phuong National Park, Pu Luong has great similarity with the flora and fauna compared to Cuc Phuong.

Map of Northern Vietnam

To give you an idea of the distances, here is a map with the location of all the previously mentioned destinations:

What Price for a Vietnam Trip in the North?

Vietnam is a destination accessible on small budgets. Furthermore, by limiting your stay to northern Vietnam, you limit transport costs. Based on your choices of accommodation categories and how you travel, prices can however change significantly.

The budget for a 15-day stay in northern Vietnam with our agency Horizon Vietnam Travel is about 70 euros per day and per person on the basis of a group of 2-star accommodation and a group of 6 people.

When to Go to Northern Vietnam?

Northern Vietnam has a subtropical climate marked by four seasons. It is the region of Vietnam that experiences the greatest temperature contrasts.

The most favorable period to visit northern Vietnam is from October to April. It is also the ideal period for travelers who wish to dedicate themselves to trekking. Winter (January) can be really harsh in some mountainous provinces of the Great North, so pack warm clothes if you leave during this period.

Check the weather for your region before leaving!

Our Itinerary Advice for a Stay in Northern Vietnam

So if you want our recommendations regarding recommended itineraries. You can consult our very varied circuits, capable of satisfying very different requests, whether it is cultural, culinary, trekking, beach stays, honeymoon trips…

We can offer you a repertoire of must-see sites and off-the-beaten-path. Then you have the freedom to customize them by making your modifications as you see fit, based on your tastes, your availability, your means, but also the weather conditions…, with a view to planning your own circuit in northern Vietnam.

Consult below our most beautiful proposals for a stay in Northern Vietnam!

With the Local in Vietnam in 14 Days

Hanoi – Mai Chau – Son La – Dien Bien – Tam Duong – Sapa – Bac Ha – Vu Linh – Ba Be – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay

As the name suggests, this beautiful circuit will take you to stay with locals. Through splendid mountainous regions of the Northwest of Vietnam, which are undoubtedly among the most beautiful mountainous regions in Asia. The change of scenery is total: winding and descending paths, wide bowls of tender green, small straw villages hidden in the shade of bamboo forests; small rivers flowing at the foot of exceptional mountains. Finally, an excellent 2-day and 1-night cruise in Halong Bay will close this unforgettable trip!

Splendor of the North 3 Weeks

Hanoi – Mu Cang Chai – Sapa – Bac Ha – Ha Giang – Cao Bang – Ba Be – Ninh Binh – Ha Long

This new and complete program “SPLENDOR OF THE NORTH” is designed to allow you to discover the North. In depth and off the beaten path. You will pass through superb landscapes of mountains, rocky pinnacles, and beautiful terraced rice fields. You will visit villages nestled between mountains and mist, paradise sites covered with lush jungle. This trip brings you above all to warm meetings with ethnic minorities. They still live at the rhythm of their ancestral traditions and the most beautiful “tribal” markets in Asia. That’s the real treasure: the smile of its inhabitants! A mosaic of ethnicities, a whirl of customs and cultures very much alive.

Upper Tonkin in 11 Days

Hanoi – Sapa – Bac Ha – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay