Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong, Sapa, Ninh Binh (2026 Guide)
Northern Vietnam includes Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa and Ha Giang. Plan 10 to 15 days for a complete circuit, from November to April to avoid rain and cold in the mountains. Hanoi serves as a base (2 to 3 days), then 2 days in Halong, 2 days in Ninh Binh, 3 to 4 days in Sapa or Ha Giang. Information verified as of 01/11/2026.
Northern Vietnam stands apart from the rest of the country with its mountains, terraced rice fields, temperate climate and thousand-year-old capital. Unlike the tropical South and the coastal Centre, the North combines urban heritage (Hanoi), natural wonders (Halong, Ninh Binh) and mountain ethnic minorities (Sapa, Ha Giang). This region is best visited as an itinerant circuit, with Hanoi as the starting point.
The climate imposes constraints: winter is cool, sometimes cold in the mountains, and the summer rainy season complicates travel. You must choose your dates and stops based on weather, available time and what you seek: culture, nature, trekking or encounters.
Hanoi: The Thousand-Year Capital (2 to 3 Days)
Hanoi is the entry point to Northern Vietnam, served by Noi Bai International Airport. The city has approximately 8 million inhabitants and preserves a dense historic centre, the Old Quarter, where each street bears the name of an ancient trade. You'll find Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university, founded in 1070), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Museum of Ethnology.
Allow 2 days to see the essentials, 3 days if you want time to stroll and eat in small street restaurants. Hanoi also serves as a logistical base: all excursions to the North depart from here. Night buses to Sapa, cruises to Halong, minibuses to Ninh Binh are all booked from Hanoi.
Hanoi's climate: winter (December-February) can drop to 12-15°C with grey skies, summer (June-August) rises to 35°C with stormy rains. The best periods are October-November and March-April. Consult /blog/que-faire-a-hanoi for a detailed 2 to 4-day itinerary.
Halong Bay: Cruise and Karst Islands (1 to 2 Days)
Halong Bay is located 170 km east of Hanoi, a 3 to 4-hour drive. It contains approximately 1,600 limestone islands and islets emerging from emerald waters, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 according to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. You visit the bay by cruise: options range from a day excursion (early morning departure, evening return) to a 2-day/1-night or 3-day/2-night cruise.
A one-day cruise is enough to see the landscapes, but you'll spend 6 to 7 hours on the road round-trip from Hanoi. The 2-day/1-night formula (overnight on a junk boat) is more comfortable: you sleep on the water, visit a cave, kayak, and enjoy sunrise over the bay. Prices range from €80 to €300 per person depending on the junk's standard, according to rates observed in 2026.
Halong Bay has two seasons: winter (November-March) is cool and misty, summer (May-September) hot and rainy. Typhoons can cancel cruises in August-September. October, November, March and April offer the best compromise. Full details in /blog/baie-d-halong.
Ninh Binh: The Terrestrial Halong Bay (1 to 2 Days)
Ninh Binh is located 100 km south of Hanoi, a 2-hour drive. It's called the terrestrial Halong Bay: same limestone peaks, but surrounded by rice fields and rivers instead of sea. You visit Tam Coc (rowing boat ride on the river, 2 hours), Trang An (UNESCO site, longer boat ride, 3 hours), Bai Dinh Pagoda (Vietnam's largest Buddhist complex) and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu (10th century).
One day is enough to see Tam Coc or Trang An plus another site. Two days allow you to see everything without rushing and rent a scooter to explore the surroundings (Hang Mua, viewpoint over rice fields after 500 steps). Ninh Binh is easily visited as a day trip from Hanoi, but staying overnight is more relaxing.
The climate: summer (June-August) is very hot (35-38°C), winter (December-February) cool (15-20°C). Rice fields are green from May to October, golden in November-December. The best periods are September-November and March-May. Complete guide: /blog/baie-d-halong-terrestre-ninh-binh.
Sapa: Terraced Rice Fields and Mountain Ethnic Groups (3 to 4 Days)
Sapa is a mountain town at 1,600 metres altitude, 350 km northwest of Hanoi, near the Chinese border. You reach it by night bus (8 hours, departure 9-10pm, arrival 5-6am, €10 to €15 per person) or night train to Lao Cai then local bus (30 minutes). Sapa is the starting point for treks to ethnic villages (Hmong, Dao, Tay) and terraced rice fields, the most spectacular in Vietnam.
Allow 3 days minimum: one day arrival and rest, two days trekking in villages (Cat Cat, Ta Van, Lao Chai, Y Linh Ho). You can add the ascent of Fansipan (3,143 m, Indochina's highest peak, accessible by cable car since 2016, 700,000 VND ≈ €26 round-trip in 2026 according to observed rates). Treks are done with a local guide (mandatory to avoid getting lost and to support the local economy): expect €20 to €40 per day depending on difficulty.
Sapa's climate is the most constraining in Northern Vietnam: winter (December-February) drops to 0-5°C, with fog and sometimes snow. Summer (June-August) is rainy, paths become muddy. The best periods are September-November (golden rice fields, clear skies) and March-May (green rice fields). Avoid January-February (too cold) and July-August (too much rain). Details in /blog/sapa-guide-voyage-hanoi.
Ha Giang: The Extreme Loop (4 to 6 Days)
Ha Giang is Vietnam's northernmost province, on the Chinese border, 300 km from Hanoi (6-hour bus ride). The Ha Giang Loop is a 300 to 350 km circuit by motorbike or car, over 3 to 4 days, through karst mountains, vertiginous passes (Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular) and isolated villages of Hmong, Tay and Nung ethnic groups.
You rent a motorbike in Ha Giang town (100,000 to 150,000 VND/day ≈ €4 to €6 in 2026) or book an organised tour by minibus or motorbike with driver (€50 to €80 for 3 days all-inclusive, rates observed in 2026). Classic stops: Ha Giang → Quan Ba (fairy plateau) → Yen Minh → Dong Van (ethnic market on Sundays) → Meo Vac (Ma Pi Leng Pass) → Du Gia → return to Ha Giang.
Ha Giang is Northern Vietnam's most difficult region to access: winding roads, little comfort, harsh climate. Winter (December-February) is cold (5-10°C), summer rainy. The best periods are September-November (buckwheat flowers in October, golden landscapes) and March-May. Reserve 4 days minimum from Hanoi: 1 day travel there, 3 days for the loop, 1 day return (or night bus to save time).
How Many Days for Northern Vietnam
A complete Northern Vietnam circuit requires 10 to 15 days from Hanoi:
| Stop | Recommended Duration | Journey from Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 2 to 3 days | Starting base |
| Halong Bay | 1 to 2 days | 3-4h drive |
| Ninh Binh | 1 to 2 days | 2h drive |
| Sapa | 3 to 4 days | 8h bus or night train |
| Ha Giang | 4 to 6 days | 6h bus + 3-4 days loop |
If you have 10 days, do Hanoi + Halong + Ninh Binh + Sapa (without Ha Giang). If you have 7 days, do Hanoi + Halong + Ninh Binh (without Sapa). If you have 15 days, you can do everything, but it will be intensive. Prioritise quality over quantity: better to see 3 stops well than rush everywhere.
How to Connect the Stops
From Hanoi, two connection strategies:
Classic circuit (10-12 days): Hanoi (2-3 days) → Halong Bay (2 days/1 night cruise) → return Hanoi → Ninh Binh (1-2 days) → return Hanoi → Sapa (night bus there, 3 days on site, night bus back). Total: 10 to 12 days.
Adventure circuit (14-16 days): Hanoi (2 days) → Ninh Binh (2 days) → return Hanoi → Halong Bay (2 days/1 night) → return Hanoi → Ha Giang (night bus there, 4 days loop, night bus back) → Hanoi (1 day) → Sapa (night bus there, 3 days, night bus back). Total: 14 to 16 days.
Night buses save time and one hotel night, but they're uncomfortable (narrow berths, winding roads). If you prefer comfort, take domestic flights (Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu for Sapa, for example) or add travel days.
To book journeys and excursions, go through your hotel in Hanoi or recognised local agencies. Compare prices and read reviews: scams exist (fake Halong cruises, unqualified guides).
Entry rules depend on your nationality; the official portal is evisa.gov.vn. If you prefer someone to handle the application, visa-vietnam.app can do it. visa-vietnam.app is run by the same publisher as this site.
When to Go to Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has four seasons, unlike the tropical South. The best periods vary by stop:
October-November: best overall period. Pleasant temperatures (20-25°C in Hanoi, 15-20°C in Sapa), clear skies, golden rice fields in Sapa and Ninh Binh, buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang (October). It's high season: book your Halong cruises and hotels in advance.
March-April: second best period. Mild temperatures (20-28°C), green rice fields, fewer tourists than October-November. Watch for light rain in March.
December-February: winter. Hanoi drops to 12-15°C, Sapa and Ha Giang to 0-5°C. Frequent fog, grey skies. Landscapes are less spectacular, but you avoid crowds. Bring warm clothes.
May-September: rainy season and heat. June-August: 32-38°C in Hanoi, afternoon thunderstorms, possible typhoons in August-September (Halong cruise cancellations). Rice fields are green, but mountain roads are dangerous. Avoid July-August unless you tolerate heat.
For a first trip, aim for October-November or March-April. If you can only come in winter, stay in Hanoi, Halong and Ninh Binh (bearable climate) and avoid Sapa and Ha Giang (too cold). The France Diplomatie site provides official travel advice for Vietnam, consulted in 2026.
Northern or Southern Vietnam for a First Trip
Northern and Southern Vietnam offer different experiences. Here are the selection criteria:
Choose the North if: you seek landscape diversity (mountains, sea, rice fields), cultural heritage (Hanoi, ethnic villages), trekking, and if you come between October and April. The North requires more travel (night buses, mountain roads) and more time (10 to 15 days to see the essentials).
Choose the South if: you seek year-round sun, beaches (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne), the Mekong Delta, urban life (Ho Chi Minh City), and if you have less than 7 days. The South is easier to access, hotter, more touristy. Consult /blog/ile-phu-quoc-que-voir-que-faire-quand-partir for the coastal South.
Combine both if: you have 15 days or more. Classic circuit: Hanoi (2 days) → Halong (2 days) → Ninh Binh (2 days) → flight to Da Nang or Hoi An (3 days) → flight to Ho Chi Minh City (2 days) → Mekong Delta (2 days). You cover North, Centre and South in 13 to 15 days. Details in /blog/itineraire-vietnam-15-jours.
For a first 7 to 10-day trip, the North offers more diversity than the South, but requires more organisation and resistance to journeys. If you prefer comfort and beaches, go for the South or Centre (Da Nang, Hoi An). If you like adventure and landscapes, the North is more rewarding.
Budget for a Northern Vietnam Circuit
Northern Vietnam is slightly more expensive than the South, especially in Hanoi and tourist areas (Halong, Sapa). Here are the expense items for a 10-day circuit, according to prices observed in 2026:
Accommodation: €10 to €30 per night in standard hotel (double room), €5 to €10 in hostel (dormitory). In Hanoi and Sapa, prices are higher than in Ninh Binh or Ha Giang.
Transport: night bus Hanoi-Sapa €10 to €15, Halong cruise 2 days/1 night €80 to €150, bus Hanoi-Ninh Binh €5 to €8, motorbike rental in Ha Giang €4 to €6/day, petrol €1 to €2/day. Total transport: €150 to €250 for 10 days.
Food: €2 to €5 per meal in a local restaurant, €8 to €15 in a tourist restaurant. Allow €15 to €25 per day for three meals.
Activities: Tam Coc entrance 120,000 VND ≈ €4.50, Trang An 250,000 VND ≈ €9, Fansipan cable car 700,000 VND ≈ €26, guide in Sapa €20 to €40/day. Total activities: €100 to €200 for 10 days.
Total for 10 days: €600 to €1,200 per person, depending on your comfort level. This budget includes accommodation, transport, food and activities, excluding international flight. Full details in /blog/budget-voyage-vietnam.
What to Remember
Northern Vietnam is visited in 10 to 15 days from Hanoi, with stops in Halong (2 days), Ninh Binh (1 to 2 days), Sapa (3 to 4 days) and Ha Giang (4 to 6 days). The best periods are October-November and March-April, avoiding cold winter (December-February) and rainy summer (June-August). For a first trip, the North offers more diversity than the South, but requires more time and preparation. Next step: consult /guide/hanoi to prepare your arrival in the capital, and /blog/meilleure-periode-vietnam to refine your departure dates.
Frequently asked questions
Jérémie
Author, based in Da Nang
A French entrepreneur living in Da Nang, Jérémie writes these guides from first-hand experience and official sources, cited and dated.
About the author