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 Day Vietnam & Thailand Itinerary, incl. Hanoi and Bangkok

  Northern Vietnam's treasures unfold across stunning landscapes. Ta Phin and Cat Cat villages showcase Sapa's charm, while Ninh Binh's Tam Coc caves and Hoa Lu temples reveal ancient history. UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts complement overnight train journeys and luxury accommodations.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Hanoi

    Arrive at Noi Bai Airport and make your way to Hanoi's Old Quarter. On day 2 get an early start to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Temple of Literature before the crowds arrive. Take a cyclo ride through the busy streets in the evening before catching your overnight train to Sapa. A VIP sleeper cabin costs more but will give you a much better night's sleep.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Sapa Region

    Once you get to Sapa take some time to adjust to the mountain climate. Visit Ta Phin village to meet Red Dao communities. The next day explore Cat Cat village. You'll need good walking shoes since the paths can get slippery. The Y Linh Ho trek has beautiful views of the rice terraces but it's a bit challenging. Getting a local guide is a good idea.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Ninh Binh & Halong Bay

    Start at Tam Coc to see the limestone karsts. Get there early to avoid crowds. Walk up the 500 steps at Mua Cave for great views. The next day take a 3-hour drive to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise. Try to get a boat with an upper deck and ask for a port-side cabin to catch the morning light.

    
  • Day 7

    Hanoi Transit

    Back from Halong Bay you'll have time to check out Hanoi's French Quarter. The Hoan Kiem Lake area gets really nice in the evening when they close it to traffic.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Bangkok

    After flying to Bangkok spend your first full day at the Grand Palace complex. Get there by 8:30 AM to beat the crowds. Visit Damnoen Saduak floating market early too. The best time for photos and authentic experiences is before 9 AM. The Jim Thompson House is less busy in the afternoon.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Phuket

    Time to enjoy Thailand's beaches. The Phi Phi Islands tour is popular but check the weather first. Morning boat rides usually have calmer water. James Bond Island looks best in afternoon light but morning tours are less crowded.

    
  • Day 14

    Departure from Phuket

    

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