The northern region of Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations, is home to lush mountains, iconic emerald bays, and terraced rice fields.
Ten days is enough time to visit the capital city of Hanoi, see the region’s natural beauty, and go on unique adventures.
I spent two adventurous weeks in Vietnam, and here, I share amazing things to do and tips on optimizing your trip itinerary. This post covers:
- 🗓️ 10-day optimized itinerary
- ⭐️ Top attractions in the region
- 📍 Vietnam map with key places
- 💎 Firsthand travel tips
- 🏠 Where to stay
- ✏️ Vietnam trip planner
Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Vietnam.
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Vietnam Itinerary Route
This itinerary takes you to some of northern Vietnam’s best places:
- Ninh Binh – known as the “Ha Long Bay on Land.”
- Ha Giang – a region known for its epic motorbike road trip.
- Ha Long Bay – the stunning world-famous bay (I recommend a less touristy alternative for this itinerary).
- Hanoi – the bustling and traditional capital of the country.
About This Vietnam Itinerary
This northern Vietnam itinerary efficiently sequences attractions and activities the country is famous for. It gives you the opportunity to:
- Meander through beautiful mountains on a motorbike
- Enjoy the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay in a quieter area
- Eat your way through several authentic restaurants
- See panoramic views of green rice fields and rice terraces
- Experience a unique, off-the-beaten-path activity (optional)
5 Essential Tips for Visiting Vietnam
Before getting into the itinerary, here are practical tips to know when traveling to Vietnam.
✈️ 1. Fly into Hanoi.
Centrally located in northern Vietnam and home to the only international airport in the region, Hanoi is the ideal entry point to other popular areas in the region:
- Ninh Binh – two hours south of Hanoi
- Ha Giang – six hours north of Hanoi
- Ha Long Bay – three hours east of Hanoi
🚙 2. Download the Grab app.
Grab (iOS, Android) is the major ridesharing app in Southeast Asia. It works similarly to Uber and is usually more affordable than flagging down a taxi in Vietnam.
A lot of areas in Vietnam will also have tuk-tuks. Grab generally has competitive pricing, so use Grab prices as a baseline for negotiations with tuk-tuks.
🧻 3. Bring toilet paper.
Many public bathrooms in Vietnam do not have toilet paper, so it’s a good idea to always carry some in a small bag.
Many restrooms in Vietnam are squat toilets. Face towards the hood or hole of the toilet.
👟 4. Cross the streets with confidence.
One of the biggest culture shocks for foreigners visiting Vietnam is crossing the streets in major cities. Vehicles, especially in Hanoi, do not stop for pedestrians, even when the walk signal is on.
You’ll need to learn how to cross the streets: Step into the street while keeping an eye on oncoming traffic and walk straight in a predictable path with a consistent pace so that vehicles can go around you.
🦟 5. Bring mosquito repellent.
Vietnam’s humid climate makes it a haven for mosquitos. Bring and wear mosquito repellent to decrease the spread of mosquito-borne illness.
I tend to get bitten, and I find that this insect repellent lotion works better than the spray alternative (per the CDC: “DEET offers the best protection against mosquito bites.”)
Learn other practical tips when traveling to Vietnam.
Vietnam Map
This map has all the recommended places in the Vietnam travel itinerary below.
10-Day Itinerary for Vietnam
Below is a great way to spend ten days in Vietnam. To help you plan efficiently, I’ve included suggested times for each activity based on my firsthand experience.
The Vietnam trip planner below has this itinerary prefilled.
| Day 1 – Hanoi (2 days) | ||
| ✈️ | Arrive at Hanoi airport and settle down | Morning |
| 🇻🇳 | Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum | 1–2 pm |
| 💧 | Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake | 2:15–3 pm |
| 🍜 | Go on a Hanoi street food tour | 6–9:30 pm |
| Day 2 – Ninh Binh (2 days) | ||
| 🚌 | Travel to Ninh Binh | 7:30–9:30 am |
| ✨ | Visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda | 9:30 am–12:30 pm |
| 🛶 | Take a boat ride on Trang An or Tam Coc River | 2–3:30 pm |
| ⭐️ | Visit Bich Dong Pagoda | 4–5 pm |
| Day 3 – Ninh Binh (2 days) | ||
| 🐉 | Climb Lying Dragon Mountain and see the Mua Cave | 10 am–12 pm |
| 🇻🇳 | Visit the ancient capital, Hao Lu | 1:30–4:30 pm |
| 🚌 | Travel back to Hanoi | 5–7 pm |
| Day 4 – Hanoi (2 days) | ||
| 📚 | Visit the Temple of Literature | 10–11 am |
| 👟 | Walk around Old Quarter and have lunch | 11 am–2 pm |
| 🚂 | Check out Train Street | 2–3 pm |
| ✋ | Enjoy an affordable massage | 3–4 pm |
| 💧 | See a traditional Water Puppet Show | 4–5 pm |
| 🚐 | Travel to Ha Giang City on a sleeper bus | 7 pm – morning |
| Days 5-7 – Ha Giang Loop or Sa-Pa (3 days) | ||
| 🏍️ | Option 1: Road trip on the Ha Giang Loop Option 2: Hike through Sa Pa | All day |
| Days 8-9 – Lan Ha Bay (3 days) | ||
| 🚌 | Travel to Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay | 8–11 am |
| 🚢 | Explore the bay through an activity | All day |
| Day 10 – Departure (1 day) | ||
| 🚌 | Travel back to Hanoi | 9–12 pm |
| ✈️ | Depart or head to Central Vietnam | Afternoon |
All prices mentioned here are in USD 💵 .
Hanoi (Days 1 & 4)
Fly into Hanoi and start your northern Vietnam trip there.
🍜 Why Visit Hanoi?
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations and the second largest city behind Ho Chi Minh City. It has a vibrant local community, a rich history, and an endless number of shops.
It boasts several streets of authentic food, which I recommend taking advantage of on your own or through a reputable street food tour.
✈️ Getting to Hanoi
Hanoi is at the center of northern Vietnam, so the best way to get there is by flying into its airport, Noi Bai International Airport.
Once in Hanoi, you can get around on foot (primarily in the Old Quarter area) or use the Grab app if you’re uncomfortable walking around the hectic streets.
✨ Top Attractions in Hanoi
With two days in Hanoi, below are the tourist attractions worth checking out. These are listed in the order of the itinerary above:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is Hanoi’s most famous site. It houses the preserved body of the revolutionary President Ho Chi Minh, who united Vietnam. Admission is free.
- Hoan Kiem Lake – Located in the heart of Hanoi, the lake is surrounded by pagoda gateways (Ngoc Sơn Temple is the most popular one) and offers a break from the chaotic streets. Admission is free.
- Hanoi Street Food Tour – Hanoi is known for authentic, local food and is lined with restaurants and shops.
Most restaurants are not English-friendly, and food poisoning is a concern, so the best way to try different foods is through a well-rated street food tour, as I did.
- Temple of Literature – This temple is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Hanoi and is a popular photo spot.
- Old Quarter – Old Quarter is Hanoi’s main business and tourist hot spot. It’s composed of 36 streets where you can see many historical sights and shops.
- Train Street – Train Street is a famous, narrow street where a train runs close to a handful of shops and cafes.
For many years, Train Street has had a “closed” sign warning visitors not to enter. However, as of 2024, you can still enter the street despite the sign. Locals typically stand near the entrance, offering to take tourists in for a small fee, but you can walk in on your own.
- Water Puppet Show – Water puppet is a traditional Vietnamese performance in which a dozen puppeteers control puppets while standing in water.
See more details on each Hanoi attraction.
🏠 Where To Stay in Hanoi
The best place to stay in Hanoi is within walking distance of Old Quarter, which is the main business and tourist hot spot.
I stayed at Bi Eco Suites Hanoi, just outside of Old Quarter. It required me to walk a bit to get to where all the action was, but I liked staying in a quiet corner of the city. The rooms were spacious and modern.
🍀 Lukiih’s Tips for Hanoi
Here are my overall tips for visiting this city:
- Learn to cross the streets – As mentioned, Hanoi can seem chaotic to visitors. Motorbikes and vehicles drive in all directions and do not stop for pedestrians. It’s essential to learn how to cross the streets here.
- Limit your time in Hanoi – Hanoi is a bustling city with poor air quality, so if you’re hoping to spend most of your trip in more beautiful places in Vietnam, I would only spend one to two days in Hanoi.
- Don’t skip the food – The street food tour in Hanoi was one of the highlights of my trip.
Ninh Binh (Days 2-3)
On your second day in Vietnam, travel south for a change of scenery.
⛰️ Why Visit Ninh Binh?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ninh Binh is called the “Ha Long Bay on Land” because of its green rice paddies and limestone cliffs.
It’s known for its rivers, green rice fields, mossy pagodas, and limestone karsts. Ninh Binh is a blend of a typical Vietnamese city and natural landscapes.
🚌 Getting to Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is located two hours (about 58 miles) south of Hanoi. You can get there by bus or train (a one-way ticket will cost between $8 to $15).
Many Vietnam transportation websites are challenging to navigate and are not English-friendly. Check Google Maps for trustworthy bus and train companies.
Ninh Binh can also be visited on a long day trip. (I did a day trip but wished I had stayed longer.) I booked this Ninh Binh day tour to prioritize the Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An boat trip.
✨ Top Attractions in Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is known for several attractions and activities. These are listed in the order of the itinerary above:
- Bai Dinh Pagoda – Bai Dinh Pagoda is the second-largest pagoda in Vietnam, located within a massive complex with several other temples, parks, and lakes. Admission is free.
- Trang An or Tam Coc River – These are two popular scenic rivers surrounded by lush trees and limestone karsts. Visitors typically take an hour-long boat rides passing through caves.
- Bich Dong Pagoda – Bich Dong Pagoda is an ancient mountainside Buddhist temple surrounded by lush greenery. Admission is free.
- Lying Dragon Mountain and Mua Caves – The Mua Caves area features a 500-step climb to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain, which offers panoramic views of Tam Com.
- Hao Lu – Hao Lu is an ancient capital with a history in the feudal system. If you want to skip one attraction in Ninh Binh, I would skip this one.
🍀 Lukiih’s Tips for Ninh Binh
Here are my overall tips for visiting this small city:
- Stay overnight in Ninh Binh if possible – Ninh Binh is a beautiful place to escape chaotic Hanoi. If I could re-do my Vietnam trip, I would have spent an extra full day in Ninh Binh and one less day in Hanoi.
- Expect tourism – Ninh Binh is much quieter than Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, but it’s still a tourist hot spot. Don’t expect to be the only one visiting the pagodas and rivers, especially during the high season.
- Choose a day tour that fits your interests – There are many Ninh Binh day tours to choose from, and they provide more or less the same things (e.g., transportation, buffet lunch, tour of popular sites). Choose tours based on the areas you want to visit.
Ha Giang Loop (Option 1 for Days 5-7)
On your fifth day in Vietnam, head north for an epic adventure.
🏔️ Why Do the Ha Giang Loop?
The Ha Giang Loop is an epic three- to four-day motorbike road trip through the rural mountains of northern Vietnam.
The loop is typically one of the highlights of Vietnam, as visitors travel through winding roads and beautiful mountain passes.
🏍️ How To Do the Ha Giang Loop
The Ha Giang loop starts in Ha Giang City, located six hours (170 miles) north of Hanoi.
If you’re an experienced motorbike driver, you can do the Ha Giang loop on your own at your own risk. If you don’t have experience, doing the loop with a tour operator is significantly safer.
See how to plan and prepare for the Ha Giang Loop.
🍀 Lukiih’s Tip on the Ha Giang Loop
The Ha Giang loop was one of my most memorable and unique experiences. The mountains and views are stunning.
I share my Ha Giang loop tips here.
Sa Pa (Option 2 for Days 5-7)
If riding a motorbike through the rural mountains of Vietnam doesn’t sound appealing, visit Sa Pa instead.
A remote town west of Ha Giang City, Sa Pa has rice paddies, mountains, and a vibrant community of ethnic groups. It is the perfect place for nature lovers looking to hike, ranging from one to three-day treks.
Top attractions in Sa Pa include Cat Cat Village, Muong Hoa Valley, and Fansipan Mountain.
Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay (Days 8-9)
Round out your Vietnam trip with a visit to the famous emerald waters.
💧 Why Visit Ha Long Bay/Lan Ha Bay?
Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions, featuring emerald waters surrounded by limestone cliffs.
Lan Ha Bay is part of the world-famous Ha Long Bay, but it’s also its own distinct area. I recommend visiting this bay instead.
Like its famous counterpart, Lan Ha Bay has beautiful limestone cliffs and emerald waters, but it’s a lot less popular and, therefore, more tranquil, less polluted, and has fewer junk boats.
📍 Getting to Lan Ha Bay
When traveling to Lan Ha Bay, visitors tend to stay on Cat Ba Island, which is approximately three hours (about 90 miles) east of Hanoi.
You can get to Cat Ba Island by bus or charter seaplane. I took a bus from Hanoi to Cat Ba Island, which cost $28 for a round trip.
✨ Top Activities in Lan Ha Bay
Whereas the primary thing to do in the famous bay is to take a Ha Long Bay cruise, Lan Ha Bay offers a lot more activities, including:
- Kayaking
- Rock climbing/Deep water soloing (which is what I did)
- Visiting the beaches: Cat Co 1, Cat Co 2, and Cat Co 3
- Catching the sunset on Cat Ba Island
- Snorkeling and scuba diving
🏠 Where To Stay on Cat Ba Island
Cat Ba Island is a small and contained island, so there’s no really bad place to stay in.
I stayed with Dai Thuy Hotel, a no-frills hotel with good customer service. The rooms are nothing special, but it worked for me as I spent most of my time outside.
🍀 Lukiih’s Tips on Lan Ha Bay
Here are my overall tips for visiting this lesser-known bay:
- Visit Lan Ha Bay over Ha Long Bay – While Lan Ha Bay is part of Ha Long Bay, it’s not the iconic area that most people think of. If you like being active, I highly recommend choosing Lan Ha Bay over its counterpart.
- Try rock climbing above water – Lan Ha Bay is one of the few places in the world where you can deep water soloing (aka rock climbing above water), even as a beginner. This is a great off-the-beaten-path experience.
See how to deep water solo in Vietnam.
Depart From Hanoi (Day 10)
On your last day in northern Vietnam, make your way back to Hanoi.
From Hanoi, take an international flight home or continue your trip to Hoi An and Da Nang in Central Vietnam.
How much will a trip set you back? I share my travel expenses in this Vietnam budget breakdown.
2024 Vietnam Trip Planner
To make your travel planning easier, download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.
The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free.
Vietnam Travel Guides
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam Travel Tips: 11 Practical Things To Know
- ⛰️ 10 Epic Days in North Vietnam: Unique & Active Itinerary
- 🍜 Hanoi Guide: 14 Great Things To Do, Eat and Skip
- 🏍️ Ha Giang Loop: Firsthand Review & Tips
- 🧗♀️ Deep Water Solo in Vietnam: Firsthand Review & Tips
- 🏮 Hoi An Guide: 11 Great Things To Do + 3-Day Itinerary
- 👗 My Hoi An Tailor Experience: Prices & What To Know
- 💰 My 2024 Vietnam Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
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