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.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to travel in Northern Vietnam is during the spring and the autumn season.
Spring, during 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 temperature ranging between 20 °C to 25 °C. As it is also the harvest season, you can enjoy many cultural festivals during this time.
The Northern Vietnam Itinerary
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.
Day 1: Ninh Binh
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?
It will take you approximately two to three hours to reach Ninh Binh, depending on the commute you choose. If you choose to travel via public transportation, which is quite cost-effective, you may book a bus from the airport to Ninh Binh. Alternatively, you can also book a private cab to reach Ninh Binh faster. However, a scenic option would be to reach the Hanoi railway station via a bus and then take a train to 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, resembling 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.
Day 2: Ninh Binh Tour
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.
More things to do in Ninh Binh: Top 25 Best Things To Do in Ninh Binh: Must-have on your itinerary
Day 3: Ninh Binh to Cat Ba Island
Your next stop is the 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
Day 4: Lan Ha Bay Boat Tour
One of the best things to do in Cat Ba Island is to take the Halong Bay, Lan Han, 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.
Day 5: Cat Ba Island Tour
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.
Day 6: Cat Ba Island to Hanoi
Your trip should end in one of the most cultural 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 culinary 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 use local websites such as Bookaway.
Day 7: Hanoi City Tour
Reserve your next day for a complete Hanoi city tour.
You can commence this with a visit to the Hoan Kiem Lake, or the Lake of the Returned Sword, a popular place to visit for the locals. Remember to visit the Ngoc Son Temple, which is located on an island within the lake, accessible through the aesthetic Huc Bridge.
Head to the famous Hoa Lo Prison Relic Museum, to learn the history of Vietnam. Here, you will get to know more about the infamous Vietnam War and the French colonization of Vietnam.
Another great place to visit in Hanois is Dong Xuan Market, one of the largest markets in the city. This is a perfect place to fulfil your urge as a shopaholic.
Bonus Tip: If you are unwilling to spend 2-3 days at Cat Ba, you can opt for day tours from Hanoi to Cat Ba, as well.
Day 8: Hanoi City Tour
Start your day with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, dating back to the 7th century.
Next, you can head to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, to pay respect to the greatest leader of Vietnam, who led the country to independence. It is usually regarded as one of the first things to do in Hanoi if you are travelling for the first time.
Don’t miss out on the Thang Long Water Puppet Show held every evening in the city, to end your trip in the best possible way.
Day 9: Departure from Hanoi
Well, this is the last day of exploring North Vietnam. If you feel that you could not have enough of the country (which I am sure, you will), you can choose to explore more of Northern Vietnam or head towards the South.
If you have followed this itinerary, let me know in the comments how you liked it. If you are planning to stay a little longer or explore offbeat Vietnam, I have another itinerary for you that you can follow.
Don’t let me know in the comments if you visit these places.
This literally brought back all the memories from my Vietnam trip back in 2017. While you did Ninh Binh – Cat Ba – Hanoi. I did Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi, and Cat Ba as a 2D 1 N trip. But Vietnam is really so beautiful, and without a doubt one of my favourite destinations.
Ultimate