Northern Vietnam rewards patient travelers. Hanoi carries a millennium of history—from ancient Confucian academies to French boulevards—yet pulses with contemporary café culture and late-night street food. A few hours east, Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts rise from jade water like a myth made real.

Head south to Ninh Binh, sometimes called “Ha Long Bay on land.” Here, sampan boats slip into grottoes, rice paddies glow at golden hour, and the 10th-century capital of Hoa Lu lies hushed beneath karst peaks. It’s a UNESCO-listed landscape where culture and nature entwine.

Practical notes: Most nationalities can apply online for a 90-day e-visa. Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND); cash is still king beyond big cities. Dry, cool weather (November–April) is ideal; late May–June brings spectacular rice harvest colors in Ninh Binh. Dress modestly for temples, carry small bills, and download Grab for rides.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a city of layers: imperial citadels, lakeside legends, colonial villas, and the organized chaos of the Old Quarter. Mornings begin with pho steam and the ring of bicycle bells; nights unwind with bia hoi on tiny stools along Tạ Hiện Street.

• Top sights: Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, West Lake pagodas, and the French Quarter’s museums.
• Why we love it: street-food artistry (bun cha, cha ca, pho), distinctive coffee culture (egg coffee, coconut coffee), and neighborhoods that feel like living museums.
• Cafés worth a detour: Cafe Giang (silky egg coffee), Cong Caphe (coconut coffee, vintage decor), The Note Coffee (lake views, handwritten notes everywhere).

Where to stay (Hanoi): For refined heritage, consider Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Boutique comfort near the Old Quarter: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa. Modern skyline views and top amenities: Lotte Hotel Hanoi. Or browse more stays on Hotels.com (Hanoi) or apartments on VRBO (Hanoi).

How to get to Hanoi: Fly into HAN (Noi Bai). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. The airport is ~45–60 minutes by taxi or shuttle to the Old Quarter.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi, Lakeside Strolls and Street-Food Welcome

Afternoon: Land in Hanoi and check in. Stretch your legs around Hoan Kiem Lake; look for Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) and the scarlet Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple. Duck into Cafe Giang for egg coffee—a wartime invention that’s become an icon.

Evening: Old Quarter street-food crawl. Try pho at Pho Gia Truyen (hangs its reputation on clear, beefy broth), bun cha at Bun Cha Huong Lien (grilled pork, herbs, and noodles—the “Obama” spot), and a Hanoi classic, cha ca (turmeric-dill catfish) at Cha Ca Thang Long. Cap the night with fresh bia hoi on Tạ Hiện and a sweet chè dessert.

Day 2: History, Lakes, and a Jeep Night Out

Morning: Visit the Temple of Literature before crowds, then continue to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area (respect dress code). Coffee stop: Cong Caphe by Truc Bach Lake for coconut coffee and quiet views.

Afternoon: Explore the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum or the Women’s Museum in the French Quarter. Circle West Lake for Tran Quoc Pagoda and lotus ponds. Lunch on bun bo nam bo (stir-fried beef, herbs, and noodles) at a local joint near the cathedral.

Evening: See more of the city with wind-in-your-hair ease on the Hanoi Jeep Tour: Food, Culture and Fun by Vietnam Army Jeep—an engaging way to hit hidden alleys, the Long Bien Bridge area, and small-batch eateries in a few hours. Expect tastings and stories that stitch Hanoi’s past to its present.

Day 3: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise

Full-day excursion. Early pickup (around 7:30–8:30am) from your hotel to Ha Long Bay; the highway transfer is ~2.5 hours. Board a comfortable boat for limestone karsts, a cave visit, kayaking or a bamboo-boat ride, and a generous buffet lunch. Return to Hanoi by evening (around 8–9pm).

Book the BEST SELLER - Halong 5 Star Day Cruise: Buffet, Wine & Jacuzzi for a polished, comfortable day on the bay.

Optional upgrade: Prefer a slower pace? Swap today for an overnight cruise like the Top Tier: Overnight Ha Long Bay Cruise 5-Star, Balcony Cabin-2D1N to catch sunset, dawn, and quieter coves.

Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is Vietnam’s otherworldly countryside: lotus lakes, jagged karsts, and quiet lanes best explored by bicycle. Sampan boats at Tam Coc or Trang An slip through caves where stalactites drip like chandeliers.

• Don’t miss: Mua Cave viewpoint (the “Lying Dragon” ridge), ancient Hoa Lu temples, Trang An grotto boat route, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and Cuc Phuong National Park’s primate rescue center.
• Local flavors: goat (dê núi) grilled or steamed with herbs, com cháy (crispy rice with savory sauce), mountain snails in season, and fragrant goat’s milk yogurt.
• Best base: Tam Coc for restaurants and boat piers; Trang An area for tranquil eco-retreats overlooking water and karsts.

Getting from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (morning departure): Train from Hanoi Station to Ninh Binh takes ~1h45–2h30 and costs about $6–15 in soft seat/berth. Search schedules on Trip.com Trains. Limousine vans run ~2 hours ($10–15), and private cars are ~2–2.5 hours ($70–100).

Where to stay (Ninh Binh): Browse lakeside bungalows, homestays, and boutique retreats on Hotels.com (Ninh Binh) and VRBO (Ninh Binh). Aim for Tam Coc or Trang An to minimize transfers and maximize scenery.

Day 4: Hanoi → Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Boats and Pagoda Caves

Morning: Take the early train or van (~2 hours). Check in around Tam Coc.

Afternoon: Glide on a hand-rowed sampan through Tam Coc’s three grottoes—limestone ceilings so low you’ll instinctively duck. Post-ride, visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a tiered complex tucked into a cave with mountain views.

Evening: Dinner in Tam Coc: sample goat and com cháy. Good, traveler-loved options include Father Cooking Restaurant (savory goat dishes, stir-fried morning glory) and Chookie’s Kitchen (casual, good for groups with Vietnamese plates and cold beers). Nightcap at a quiet riverside bar under lantern light.

Day 5: Mua Cave Sunrise, Hoa Lu History, and Trang An Grottos

Morning: Climb 500 steps up Mua Cave’s Lying Dragon for sunrise—360° of karsts, the snaking Ngo Dong River, and checkerboard paddies below. Breakfast back in town, then cycle country lanes to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s 10th-century capital; visit the Dinh and Le King temples and learn how this valley once guarded a fledgling nation.

Afternoon: Take the Trang An boat route (different from Tam Coc): longer cave passages, emerald corridors, and optional temple stops. Consider Route 2 for varied caves and calm water.

Evening: Dinner near Trang An at a local kitchen (try lemongrass goat skewers, steamed goat with lime and ginger, and crispy rice with pork floss). If you have energy, a gentle bike ride at dusk is magical—fireflies in late spring feel like a secret festival.

Day 6: Cuc Phuong National Park Day Trip + Bai Dinh Afterglow

Morning: Drive ~1 hour to Cuc Phuong, Vietnam’s oldest national park. Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center to meet langurs and gibbons saved from the wildlife trade, then enter the ancient forest for a short trek to the thousand-year-old tree.

Afternoon: Picnic or simple lunch at the park canteen; continue hiking to a prehistoric cave or birdwatch along quiet trails. Return to Ninh Binh.

Evening: Head to Bai Dinh, Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex. Arrive pre-sunset—the golden hour softens the giant bronze Buddha, and as lights come on, the corridors glow. Dress respectfully; shoulders and knees covered.

Day 7: Van Long Wetlands and Departure

Morning: If time allows, take a peaceful boat through Van Long Nature Reserve—less visited than Trang An, with mirror-calm water and a chance to spot Delacour’s langurs on the cliffs.

Afternoon: Transfer back to Hanoi (2–2.5 hours) for your flight. For flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Build in generous buffer time for traffic.

Dining & Coffee Shortlist (Save for Maps)

• Hanoi: Pho Gia Truyen (earthy beef pho), Bun Cha Huong Lien (grilled pork + noodles), Cha Ca Thang Long (turmeric-dill fish), Banh Cuon Thanh Van (steamed rice rolls), Cafe Giang (egg coffee), The Note Coffee (lake-view sips), Tạ Hiện bia hoi corner (fresh draft beer).
• Ninh Binh: Father Cooking Restaurant (goat specialties, Vietnamese homestyle plates), Chookie’s Kitchen/Beer Garden (easy crowd-pleaser near Tam Coc), local countryside kitchens near Trang An for com cháy and goat with lime and ginger.

Getting Around & Tips

• City transfers: Hanoi ↔ Ninh Binh trains via Trip.com Trains (~1h45–2h30, $6–15). Vans and private cars are slightly faster door-to-door.
• Ha Long day trip: Your cruise typically includes round-trip highway shuttle. Pack sunscreen, a light rain jacket, and water shoes or sandals with grip.
• Etiquette: Shoes off when entering some pagodas; keep voices low. Carry small bills for boat tips (20,000–50,000 VND is customary, optional).

Optional Ninh Binh day tour from Hanoi (if you prefer a guided day instead of DIY while based in Hanoi): Ninh Binh Full-Day Tour from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc & Mua Cave Via Boat & Bike.

Across seven days, this Northern Vietnam itinerary balances culture, landscapes, and cuisine: Hanoi’s storied streets, Ha Long’s seascapes, and Ninh Binh’s tranquil waterways. You’ll return home with rice-field sunsets in your eyes—and a new standard for what a “perfect week” looks like.