Travel Itinerary: North Vietnam

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This travel itinerary lets you explore three of the most popular destinations in northern Vietnam. Your journey starts in Hanoi, the bustling capital with numerous colonial architecture, Buddhist shrines, and cultural sites that have stood the test of time. From there, you get to explore the iconic Halong Bay via boat cruises that cater to various price points.

A popular addition to a north Vietnam trip is a few days in Hoi An via Da Nang. The UNESCO-listed town is small and peaceful, offering a timeless environment you won’t find in modern cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Read our North Vietnam Multi-Day Travel Guide to discover what to do during your holiday.

Hanoi: recommended 2 to 3 days

Hanoi is one of the busiest cities in Vietnam. The traditional shopping streets, cultural museums, colonial buildings, and war memorials are all popular things to see and do throughout the day. Notable hotspots include Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter, and Hanoi Weekend Market.

The city’s definitive nightlife hotspot is Bia Hoi Junction, where you can enjoy Vietnamese draft beer for less than US$1. There are also plenty of bars and pubs in the area, but we recommend sticking to one or two venues as most close by midnight. You can also catch Hanoi’s iconic Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which features colourful puppets depicting traditional Vietnamese lifestyle and folk music.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Packed with charming colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Old Quarter, located near Hoan Kiem Lake Read More»
Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son

Hanoi tourists and locals alike head to Hoan Kiem Lake when seeking a place to get away from the noise of the city. Read More»
Bia Hoi Junction

A must-visit for any first-time visitor to Hanoi, Bia Hoi Junction is widely-regarded as the quintessential nightlife Read More»
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The large central sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site just in Read More»
Water Puppet Theatre

The world-famous Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi has its roots in an art form that dates back to the 11th Read More»
Hanoi Weekend Night Market

Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Hanoi Weekend Night Market is a busy, bustling gathering of roadside stalls and Read More»

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay: recommended day tour or 1 night stay on cruise

UNESCO-listed Halong Bay is one of the world's most stunning natural wonders, and is pretty much a 'must visit' when you’re in Hanoi. It’s about 4 hours away by car. There are plenty of tour companies offering daytrips that are inclusive of hotel transfers, guide, and, meals. To best enjoy Halong Bay we suggest a two-day-one-night excursion, as you get to spend a night on a boat in the middle of the bay. During the day, you get to explore limestone caves, floating villages, and islets such as Cat Ba Island and Bon Hon Island. Be sure to pack swimwear and sunscreen as you’ll be outdoors throughout the day.

Ha Long Bay

Halong Bay is a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam near the Chinese border. Designated a World Heritage Site Read More»
Ha Long Bay Attractions

This unique UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular place for tourists but it is good to know that large parts of Ha Read More»
5 Best Tours in Ha Long Bay

The best tours in Ha Long Bay are ideal for travellers looking to fully experience Vietnam’s most iconic natural wonder Read More»

Da Nang

Da Nang: recommended 2 to 3 days

From Hanoi, it takes about 1 ½ hours to fly to Da Nang, plus an additional 15 minutes by taxi to My Khe Beach. Located 6 km east of Da Nang, this expansive beach has plenty of mid-range and high-end resorts. You can enjoy hours of sunbathing, fishing, snorkelling, jet-skiing, and surfing here. Evenings are best spent at Da Nang Riverside, where rooftop bars, bistros and cafes overlook the Han River and Dragon Bridge. Many nightlife spots stay open as late as 03:00, with local DJs spinning a variety of music and live bands covering classic rock songs.

My Khe beach

Considered to be Vietnam's most picturesque beach, the white sandy 20-mile stretch of Myy Khe Beach was named by the Read More»
Marble Mountains

A cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble, Marble Mountains are a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, Read More»
Dragon Bridge in Da Nang

Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is the longest bridge in Vietnam, offering a dazzling display of lights, fire, and water that Read More»
La Maison 1888 Da Nang

La Maison 1888 offers exquisite French fine-dining within the luxurious InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Read More»
Han Market

Han Market is a significant landmark in Da Nang, having been in operation since the French occupancy in the 1940s. This Read More»
Sky36 Club Da Nang

Sky36 Club is the highest rooftop bar in Da Nang City Centre, attracting a steady clientele of affluent travellers and Read More»

Hoi An

Hoi An: recommended 2 days

When in Hoi An, make a trip to My Son Sanctuary in the early morning. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into Vietnam’s ancient Champa civilisation, which dates back between the 2nd and 17th centuries. Hoi An Old Town is most walkable in the evening as motorised vehicles aren’t allowed on the streets for the safety of pedestrians. You can also rent a bicycle or ride a cyclo to visit the town’s many heritage sights. Must visits include the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall, Chuc Thanh Pagoda and Hoi An Museum of History & Culture.

My Son Sanctuary

My Son Hindu Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great sample of the ancient Champa civilization located in Read More»
An Bang Beach

An Bang Beach is one of the few stretches of beach in Hoi An that’s relatively unspoiled by development, making it a Read More»
Hoi An Old Town

Once a major Southeast Asian trading post in the 16th and 17th centuries, the seaside town Hoi An is basically a living Read More»
Hoi An Central Market

Sharpen your bargaining skills and head south east to Hoi An Central Market, one of Vietnam’s best, offering an Read More»
Hoi An Riverside

From the16th to the 18th centuries, Hoi An attracted international traders because of its location on the banks of Thu Read More»
Quan Dau Bac

Quan Dau Bac is a family-owned eatery that’s famous for its authentic yet affordable Vietnamese offerings. Just a Read More»

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Multi-day North Vietnam Travel Guide