North Vietnam bite-sized trips

Hanoi is a capital city packed with character. Set foot in the Old Quarter and you’ll be immediately hit by the heady, hectic atmosphere. Here, motorbikes zip through the tangled maze of streets on a twenty-four hour basis, bohemian little cafes nudge up to sprawling fruit markets and food hawkers serve up steaming bowls of fragrant Pho.

Bai Tu Long Bay is every bit as beautiful as neighbouring Halong, but is less famous and so attracts fewer tourist boats. Rich in the fairytale feeling that Halong Bay has perhaps lost, it’s a more peaceful way to experience this extraordinary landscape, which is peppered with tiny jungle-topped islands and white sandy coves. During this trip, you’ll spend one night on a traditional junk boat, exploring the bay and soaking up the surreal atmosphere as you drift between towering karst mountains.

Spend a couple of days ambling amongst the emerald green rice paddies of Mu Cang Chai. Watch daily life unfold as you visit traditional Hmong and Thai villages, and take in the magnificent views as you trek through Vietnam’s spectacular countryside. You’ll be staying in a comfortable eco-lodge with panoramic views over the valley where you can unwind and take it easy after a busy day.

For a unique and memorable experience, explore Ha Giang, Vietnam’s remote north, by motorbike. Riding as a passenger with a local, you’ll navigate the region’s winding roads, take in views of towering karst peaks, and descend into lush valleys. Along the way, experience authentic Vietnamese culture by staying with welcoming host families and exploring traditional markets. This 4-day adventure offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and cultural immersion.

Take the overnight train to Sapa, trek in the mist-topped mountains and sleep as guests in a genuine hill tribe home. With a remote and real homestay in the mix, this trip is an authentic glimpse of gentle highland life. Wander through green terraces and plunging valleys, watching daily mountain life unfold around you. The treks are some of the longer and more challenging ones in the area, making it a great option for anyone that loves hill-walking. You’ll stray away from the beaten track, where tourism has not compromised age-old custom and a simple way of life remains.

The jagged mountains of Ha Giang surround hidden valleys and villages that are home to a host of different ethnic groups. From your comfortable ecolodge in Pan Hou, you will meet the Red Dao group, characterised by their red turbans and silver, while hiking along rice terraces. For a unique experience, extend your trip with a night in a Hmong homestay.

This bite-sized trip captures the essence of northern Vietnam. You’ll visit three highlights: Mai Chau Valley where you explore by bike and stay in a local home; the winding waterways and steep karst mountains of Ninh Binh which you discover on a traditional sampan, and the famous Bai Tu Long Bay with its dramatic scenery and thousands of islands.

Explore the untouched Vietnam, filled with bright green rice fields, wavering rivers and traditional farming communities. Here you’ll live in a stilted eco-lodge, just like the locals do, and explore the surrounding areas with your local guide. Cycle past the rice fields, hike to the waterfalls and visit tiny hidden villages scattered around.

Just a few hours’ drive from Hanoi, Ba Be National Park offers the perfect escape from the busy streets of the capital. You’ll be surrounded by stunning natural scenery – soaring mountains, sparkling waterfalls and vast lakes where you can kayak, swim, cycle and trek your heart out! You’ll sleep in a traditional homestay near the largest lake in Vietnam, the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Paddle past bright green rice terraces, gaze up at lofty limestone fingers and cycle through the tropical countryside. Most visitors rush through the Ninh Binh area on a day trip from Hanoi, but they’re missing out. Spending a night here will give you a real glimpse of rural hospitality and a chance to explore without the tourist traffic. Known as ‘Dry Halong Bay’, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty dotted with tucked-away pagodas.

Staying with a tribal family is by far the best way to get an understanding of local life in the hills. Tucked between the misty mountains of rural Vietnam, you’ll be house guests for one unforgettable night. The accommodation might be basic, but it’s huge on heart. You’ll experience genuine hill tribe hospitality and get a feel for authentic mountain ways.

Explore the rarely-visited backroads between Hanoi and hidden Laos, stopping for a heartwarming homestay on the way. It’s a journey of a million turns with staggering scenery, secret local spots, short mountain treks and a huge helping of local hospitality. Authentic and atmospheric, it’s one of our favourite trips.