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Ban Gioc waterfall

North Vietnam bite-sized trips

Create your own holiday itinerary

Lively Hanoi streets brimming with history, limestone cliffs in Bai Tu Long Bay, rural villages dotted among the green lush landscape… North Vietnam is a region filled with energy and life.

Choose your favourite bite-sized trips below and our destination experts will create a tailor-made holiday just for you.

Not sure where to start? No problem, take a look at our full itineraries or just get in touch and we’ll talk you through the options.

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Speak to our Vietnam specialist, Steve

“Vietnam is as chaotic as it is calming, which is precisely why I love it! I’ve been spoiled for choice with its incredible landscapes and phenomenal pho”

Steve travel specialist

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North Vietnam bite-sized trips

Vietnam Hanoi tourist smiling

Xin Chao Hanoi!

Itinerary:
Hanoi
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 149.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Vietnam Hanoi tourist smiling

Vietnam Bai Tu Long Limestone Karst

Drift Between Limestone Peaks

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay - Hanoi
Duration:
2 days / 1 night (flexible)
Price:
From £ 195.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Vietnam Bai Tu Long Limestone Karst

Vietnam rice paddies

Rolling Hills & Remote Villages

Itinerary:
Mu Cang Chai
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 529.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Vietnam rice paddies

Ha Giang woman sat on side of road

Riding the Ha Giang Loop

Itinerary:
Ha Giang
Duration:
6 days / 5 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 554.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Ha Giang woman sat on side of road

Sapa locals

Railways & Rice Fields of Sapa

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Sapa - Villages - Sapa - Hanoi
Duration:
5 days / 4 nights
Price:
From £ 414.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Sapa locals

Vietnam Hoang Su Phi Pan Hou planting rice

Pan Hou: Rice Terraces of the Red Dao

Itinerary:
Pan Hou in the Hoang Su Phi valley
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
From £ 439.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Vietnam Hoang Su Phi Pan Hou planting rice

At home among the Karst Mountains

Itinerary:
Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Bai Tu Long Bay
Duration:
4 days / 3 nights
Price:
From £ 495.- per person (excluding flights), start: Mon and Thu

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.

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.

Peaceful Pu Luong

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Pu Long - Hanoi
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
From £ 499.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Ba be national park

Lakes & Waterfalls of the North

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Ba Be National Park - Hanoi
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 439.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Ba be national park

Vietnam Ninh Binh

Paddling through the Rice Paddies

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi
Duration:
2 days / 1 night (flexible)
Price:
From £ 254.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Vietnam Ninh Binh

Mai Chau paddies Vietnam

At Home with the Hill Tribes

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Mai Hich - Hanoi
Duration:
2 days / 1 night
Price:
From £ 289.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Mai Chau paddies Vietnam

Vietnam and Laos scenery local on a bike

From Hanoi to Hidden Laos

Itinerary:
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Vieng Xai - Sam Neua - Phonsavan (Plain of Jars)
Duration:
4 days / 3 nights
Price:
From £ 629.- per person (excluding flights)

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.

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.

Vietnam and Laos scenery local on a bike