3 Weeks Northern Vietnam: The Big Loop

Arrive in Hanoi where your driver will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, take time to relax before heading out for a guided evening street food tour. You’ll stroll through the Old Quarter, tasting famous local dishes like pho, bun cha, and Hanoi’s signature egg coffee. This tour is the perfect introduction to Vietnamese cuisine and daily life.

Spend the day exploring Hanoi at your own pace, visit attractions around the city, or enjoy more street food. You’ll have access to your hotel room until 5 PM for extra comfort. In the evening, your guide will transfer you to the train station, where you’ll board a sleeper train to Lao Cai. The night train offers a unique and comfortable journey to the mountains of northern Vietnam.

Arriving early in Lao Cai, you’ll head to Sapa for breakfast and start your guided trek. Hike through lush rice terraces, bamboo forests, and small ethnic minority villages like Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai. After lunch in a local home, continue to Ta Van village, where you’ll stay overnight in a warm and welcoming homestay. Experience rural life and, if you like, join a fun cooking session with your host family.

Begin the day with tea and a walk through Ta Van’s rice fields before trekking to Giang Ta Chai, home of the Red Dao people. Cross suspension bridges and enjoy views of waterfalls and forested hills. Visit a Red Dao household to learn about their traditions before stopping for lunch. After the trek, return to Sapa town by bus and check in at your hotel.

Catch an early morning bus from Sapa to Ha Giang, passing through scenic mountain landscapes. After lunch in Ha Giang city, continue to Thon Tha Village, a peaceful Tay minority village surrounded by rice fields. Spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring, or even swimming at a local waterfall in summer. In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked dinner with your host family.

Embark on a full-day journey through the majestic Ha Giang mountains, with stops to admire the Heaven’s Gate viewpoint and the unique Twin Mountains. Learn about local life in ethnic minority communities and stop for lunch in Yen Minh. In the afternoon, visit the historic Hmong King’s Palace before arriving in Dong Van, a quiet highland town. Take an evening stroll through the charming old quarter.

Start your day with a visit to Lung Cu Flag Tower near the Chinese border, the northernmost point of Vietnam. Continue through the UNESCO-listed Dong Van Karst Plateau, with breathtaking scenery along the way. Drive the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most stunning mountain roads in the country. Finish your day in Meo Vac, where you’ll stay in a peaceful hotel surrounded by dramatic landscapes.

Today’s scenic journey covers 200 km from Meo Vac to Ban Gioc, passing through dramatic landscapes of rivers, rice fields, and remote Tay villages. You’ll drive along the striking Ma Pia Pass, a winding 2.5 km road known for its 14 sharp switchbacks and mountain views. A highlight is Angel Eye Mountain, a striking limestone peak with a natural circular hole 50 meters in diameter. Nestled in a lush valley near Thang Hen Lake, it offers a picture-perfect stop. The day ends with a cozy stay at a local homestay near Ban Gioc.

Visit the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Vietnam’s largest and most iconic falls, flowing partly into China. After admiring its power and beauty, explore Nguom Ngao Cave, a vast underground network filled with otherworldly rock formations. In the afternoon, continue your journey to Ba Be National Park, known for its serene lake and dense forests. Arrive at your homestay and prepare for more nature adventures.

Spend the day trekking through Ba Be National Park, venturing along forest paths and terraced rice fields. You’ll pass through remote villages, meet friendly locals, and take in the untouched natural beauty. This experience offers both adventure and insight into the lives of ethnic minority communities in the region. Return to your homestay for a relaxing evening.

Enjoy a peaceful morning boat ride across Ba Be Lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush greenery. Around noon, have lunch before starting the return trip to Hanoi. You’ll arrive in the city by the early evening, where you’ll check back into your hotel and have the rest of the evening to relax. This marks the end of your northern Vietnam adventure.

Depart Hanoi in the morning for Lan Ha Bay, where you’ll board a boutique cruise boat at Cai Beo Port. Enjoy lunch while cruising past limestone karsts, then spend the afternoon kayaking or swimming by secluded beaches. In the evening, unwind on the sundeck and take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration before dinner. Sleep onboard in a comfortable cabin with sea views.

Start the day with tai chi on deck and breakfast as the boat cruises toward Viet Hai Village. Explore the island’s peaceful countryside by bicycle or electric cart, visiting a quiet fishing community. After checking out of your cabin and enjoying lunch, disembark and head to Cat Ba Island. Settle into your hotel for a restful evening.

Enjoy a free morning in Cat Ba before taking a shuttle bus back to Hanoi around midday. You’ll arrive in the capital by late afternoon, where your tour concludes. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your final evening at leisure in the city.

Leave Hanoi early for a scenic drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, take the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere of lush valleys and traditional villages. Spend the night at a charming eco-lodge surrounded by nature.

Start the day with a visit to Hieu Waterfall, where you can walk along its cascading levels and swim if the weather allows. Continue to Cham River for a peaceful bamboo rafting experience guided by a local fisherman. After lunch, embark on a gentle trek through rice terraces, small paths, and villages like Uoi and Leo, where you may glimpse traditional brocade weaving. The day offers plenty of photo opportunities and insight into rural life.

Enjoy your morning at leisure in Pu Luong’s tranquil surroundings. In the afternoon, take a private transfer to Ninh Binh, where you’ll settle into a relaxing riverside resort.

Spend the day exploring Ninh Binh at your own pace using free bicycles provided by your homestay. Many of the area’s top sights like limestone mountains, rice paddies, and hidden temples which are within easy cycling distance.

You can continue exploring independently or join an optional group tour to Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, and Mua Cave. Discover Vietnam’s ancient capital, enjoy a bamboo boat ride through rice fields and caves, and cycle through peaceful villages. End the tour with a hike up Mua Cave for a breathtaking panoramic view over Tam Coc’s landscape. Return to your homestay by evening.

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Ninh Binh before catching a limousine bus back to Hanoi around 11:00. Arrive in the capital in the afternoon and check back into your hotel.

A driver will transfer you from your hotel to Hanoi Airport based on your flight schedule. Be ready at the terminal 1 hour in advance for domestic flights or 2 hours for international departures. This marks the end of your journey.