9 Days in Northern Vietnam: The Ultimate Backpacking Itinerary
Vietnam is a country with many surprises, lush paddy fields, mountainous landscapes, meandering rivers and the bluest of oceans. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you may just be overwhelmed with all the available options. In a country where every corner has something to offer, where the cuisines are exceptionally delectable and the culture is vibrant, what is it that you must not miss? First and foremost, it is noteworthy to make sure that if you are on a time crunch, it would be better to plan your itinerary region-wise, to not miss out on anything. Here, I have curated a 9-Days itinerary for Northern Vietnam, for you. You will find a guide on all the major things to do and places to see in this ultimate backpacking itinerary for Northern Vietnam. The best time to travel in Northern Vietnam is during the spring and autumn seasons. Spring, from March to April, sees mild weather with blooming flowers and lush green terraced fields with less humidity. You can enjoy trekking and other outdoor activities easily during this season. In Autumn, from September to November, the weather is cool and dry with average temperatures ranging between 20 °C and 25 °C. As it is also the harvest season, you can enjoy many cultural festivals during this time. This 9-day North Vietnam itinerary is your guide to curating the perfect vacation for you in Northern Vietnam. If you are flying into North Vietnam directly, you may book a ticket to the Noi Bai International Airport, more commonly known as the Hanoi Airport. The commute is hectic and time-consuming in Vietnam. Therefore, my recommendation would be to keep sufficient buffer time for the commute. One of the prettiest places to visit in Vietnam, Ninh Binh is a must-stop destination on your Vietnam itinerary. How to Reach Ninh Binh? What are the places you should not miss in Ninh Binh? Did you know that Ninh Binh was the first ancient capital of Vietnam? You will not run out of things to do here. The region is known for its karst topography, which resembles Halong Bay’s limestone formations. To explore Ninh Binh, I recommend staying here for at least two nights. Since this region is known for its rice fields, you cannot miss a chance to explore it. Rent a cycle and go explore around the area. After exploring the rice fields, you can take a boat tour to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best thing about Trang An is that there are several limestone mountains here, but they are not connected. On Day 2, start with an early morning hike to Hang Mua Peak. It offers the best viewpoint in Ninh Binh. Next, head to the Bich Dong Pagoda, located in the complex of Trang An Heritage. This is one of the best pagodas to explore in this region. Later, you can make your way to Van Long Reserve, a wetland nature reserve that is the perfect place for bird watchers and nature lovers. Bonus tip: If you can, don’t forget to visit the Kenh Ga floating village to experience a real Vietnamese fishing village. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika Nomllers (@radhika_nomllers) More things to do in Ninh Binh: Top 25 Best Things To Do in Ninh Binh: Must-have on your itinerary Your next stop is Cat Ba Island. There is a lot to do in Cat Ba. From beaches to hikes, there is something for all kinds of travellers here. How to Reach Cat Ba from Ninh Binh? Reaching Cat Ba from Ninh Binh is fairly easy, with a distance of about 129 km. If you opt for public transportation, you can take a bus from Ninh Binh to Hai Phong City. On arriving at Hai Phong City, head to Binh Ferry Terminal, which is the departure point of ferries for Cat Ba Island. How To Travel From Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island One of the best things to do on Cat Ba Island is to take the Halong Bay, Lan Ha, or Bai Tu Long Bay cruise from here. For those who are on a budget, a day trip to Lan Ha Bay will be perfect. Lan Ha Bay feels like a picture straight out of a postcard, with limestone grottoes, crystal clear beaches and a serene, laid-back culture. You can try out different cuisines and visit different tourist spots such as the Tung Gau area, Cat Ba Island, Cat Dua or the Monkey Island, Dark & Bright Cave, and Ba Trai Dao Beach, etc. Don’t miss out on activities like kayaking, swimming and visiting the floating villages. You can take this day to relax, visit the Cat Ba National Park, one of the most famous tourist attractions on the island or take a short hike to the Ngu Lam Mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view of the island. If you are a party person, exploring the Cat Ba nightlife is a great option too. Your trip should end in one of the most culturally rich cities of Vietnam, which also happens to be its capital, Hanoi. With its rich history and architecture, Hanoi has a lot to explore. I recommend booking your stay near the Old Quarter to enjoy the city in its most authentic form. A food-walking tour of the Old Quarter should not be missed, which takes approximately 3 hours. Indulge yourself in the Vietnamese cuisine, which is an adventure in itself. This is also where you can visit the Instagram-famous Train Street. Enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the aesthetic cafes while a train passes by, just inches away from you, as if it is no big deal! Don’t forget to take a stroll in the Hanoi night market which is held during the weekends. How to Reach Hanoi Take an early morning ferry and a bus to reach Hanoi, which will take you around 4 – 6 hours. You may
