Northern Vietnam packs an extraordinary amount into a short distance: a thousand-year-old capital, emerald rice fields threaded by rivers, and the limestone towers of Halong Bay rising from the sea. A week is enough to see the highlights at a comfortable pace.

Days 1–2: Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam at its most atmospheric. Start in the Old Quarter, where each street once specialised in a single trade, and let yourself get a little lost among the scooters, shophouses and pavement cafés.

  • Hoàn Kiếm Lake at dawn, when locals gather for tai chi.
  • The Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070.
  • The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex and the One Pillar Pagoda.
  • A water puppet show, a traditional art form born in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta.

Hanoi is one of the world’s great food cities. Try phở for breakfast, bún chả — grilled pork with noodles — for lunch, and finish with a cup of Hanoi’s famous egg coffee.

Day 3: Ninh Binh

About two hours south, Ninh Binh is often called “Halong Bay on land”. Glide by rowing boat through the caves and rice fields of Tràng An or Tam Cốc, then climb the steps at Hang Múa for a sweeping view across the karsts. Cycling between villages is the best way to explore.

Days 4–5: Halong Bay

Halong Bay’s nearly two thousand limestone islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highlight of most trips to the north. An overnight cruise is far better than a day trip: you sail beyond the busiest areas, kayak among the islands, visit caves and wake to mist lifting off the water. Many cruises now head to quieter Lan Ha Bay, next to Halong, which offers the same scenery with fewer boats.

Pack a light jacket for the cruise between December and March — evenings on deck in the north can be cool and misty.

Days 6–7: Back to Hanoi, or onwards

Return to Hanoi for a final evening of street food and shopping in the Old Quarter, or extend your trip. A short flight takes you to Hoi An for its lantern-lit old town and tailors, or to Huế for the imperial citadel. With more time, the mountains and terraced valleys of Sapa are an unforgettable overnight train ride away.

When to go

The north has distinct seasons. October to December and March to May bring the most comfortable weather. Summers are hot and humid with occasional storms, and winters can be cool and grey — though still a fine time for city sightseeing.

Our Vietnam tours include an overnight Halong Bay cruise, Old Quarter food experiences with local guides, and the option to continue south to Hoi An and beyond.