Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations to go in 2025

Northern Vietnam destinations in 2025 continues to offer a captivating blend of cultural heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, and authentic local experiences. From bustling cities to serene mountains and stunning bays, here are 10 top Northern Vietnam destinations to consider for your trip:

Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations to go in 2025

1. Hanoi – Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations

• Location: Capital city of Vietnam, located in the Red River Delta.
• Highlights:
  • Old Quarter: A maze of narrow streets with ancient houses, street food stalls, traditional crafts, and bustling local life.
  • Hoan Kiem Lake: Iconic lake with Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge.
  • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex: Includes Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda.
  • Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first national university.
  • Museums: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Vietnam National Museum of History, Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
  • Street Food: World-renowned for its diverse and delicious street food (pho, bun cha, egg coffee).
• Lowlights: Very busy and chaotic traffic, air pollution can be a concern, tourist scams can occur (be vigilant).
• Suitable for: Culture enthusiasts, history buffs, foodies, urban explorers, budget travelers.
• Price Range: Generally affordable for food, accommodation (mid-range hotels ~30-70 USD/night), and transportation. Museum entries are typically ~30,000-50,000 VND.
• Customer Review: Highly praised for its vibrant atmosphere, rich history, and incredible food scene. Some find the traffic overwhelming, but most embrace the organized chaos.

2. Ha Long Bay – Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations

• Location: Quang Ninh Province, northeast Vietnam. Ha Long City is the main gateway. Lan Ha Bay is south of Ha Long Bay, often accessed via Cat Ba Island.
• Highlights:
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Thousands of limestone karsts and islets rising from emerald waters.
  • Cruising: Overnight cruises are the most popular way to experience the bay, offering kayaking, caving (Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Cave), swimming, and fresh seafood.
  • Lan Ha Bay: A less crowded alternative with similar stunning scenery, often accessed from Cat Ba Island. Good for kayaking and rock climbing.
  • Bai Tu Long Bay: Even more off-the-beaten-path than Lan Ha, offering pristine beauty and tranquility.
  • Ti Top Island: Offers panoramic views from its peak and a small beach.
• Lowlights: Can be very crowded, especially in peak season. Weather can be unpredictable (fog or rain can obscure views). The cruises can vary in quality.
• Suitable for: Nature lovers, romantic getaways, families, adventure seekers (kayaking, climbing).
• Price Range: Day trips from 50-100 USD. Overnight cruises from 100-500+ USD per person depending on boat luxury and duration.
• Customer Review: Almost universally praised as breathtaking and a “must-do” in Vietnam. The beauty often outweighs the crowds for most visitors.

3. Sapa – Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations

• Location: Lao Cai Province, high in the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, northwest Vietnam.
• Highlights:
  • Terraced Rice Fields: Iconic landscapes, especially vibrant green (May-July) or golden (Sept-Oct).
  • Ethnic Minorities: Home to various ethnic groups like Hmong, Dao, Tay, with opportunities for cultural exchange, homestays, and market visits (Bac Ha Market on Sundays).
  • Trekking: Numerous trails ranging from easy walks to challenging multi-day treks, through villages and rice paddies.
  • Fansipan Peak: “Roof of Indochina,” accessible by cable car for stunning panoramic views.
  • Waterfalls: Silver Waterfall (Thac Bac) and Love Waterfall.
• Lowlights: Can be very touristy, especially Sapa town. Weather can be cold and misty/foggy, obscuring views. Trekking can be challenging in the rainy season (May-September).
• Suitable for: Trekkers, cultural explorers, photographers, adventure travelers.
• Price Range: Accommodation varies widely from budget hostels/homestays (10-30 USD) to luxury resorts (100+ USD). Trekking tours from 20-100 USD/day. Fansipan cable car ~750,000 VND round trip.
• Customer Review: Generally positive for the stunning scenery and cultural interactions. Some feel Sapa town is overdeveloped, but the surrounding villages and treks are highly recommended.

See also: What to explore in District 1 Ho Chi Minh City?

4. Ninh Binh (Tam Coc, Trang An, Hoa Lu)

• Location: Ninh Binh Province, 2-3 hours south of Hanoi by car/train.
• Highlights:
  • “Ha Long Bay on Land”: Stunning limestone karsts rising from rice paddies and rivers.
  • Boat Tours: Iconic hand-rowed sampan tours through grottoes and alongside rice fields (Tam Coc, Trang An, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve). Trang An is a UNESCO World Heritage site and generally considered more pristine.
  • Mua Cave (Hang Mua): Offers panoramic “dragon mountain” views after a challenging climb of ~500 steps.
  • Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Historical site of Vietnam’s former capital, with temples dedicated to ancient kings.
  • Bai Dinh Pagoda: Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple complex.
  • Cuc Phuong National Park: Vietnam’s oldest national park (detailed in previous response).
• Lowlights: Can get crowded, especially at peak times and on weekends. Some boat tour operators can be pushy for tips.
• Suitable for: Nature lovers, photographers, history buffs, families, romantic getaways.
• Price Range: Boat tours ~150,000-250,000 VND per person. Mua Cave entrance ~100,000 VND. Bike rentals ~50,000 VND/day. Accommodation varies from budget to luxury.
• Customer Review: Overwhelmingly positive. Travelers are enchanted by the unique landscape and peaceful boat rides.

5. Ha Giang (The Ha Giang Loop)

• Location: Vietnam’s northernmost province, bordering China.
• Highlights:
  • Ma Pi Leng Pass: One of Vietnam’s most epic and challenging mountain passes, offering breathtaking views of the Nho Que River gorge.
  • Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark: A UNESCO Global Geopark with stunning geological formations, ethnic villages, and vibrant markets.
  • Ethnic Diversity: Home to numerous ethnic minority groups (Hmong, Dao, Tay, Lo Lo), offering rich cultural experiences, homestays, and insights into traditional life.
  • Motorbike Loop: The “Ha Giang Loop” (typically 3-5 days) is renowned as one of the best motorbike adventures in Southeast Asia.
  • Lung Cu Flag Tower: Marks Vietnam’s northernmost point, with panoramic views.
• Lowlights: Roads can be dangerous and challenging, especially in wet weather. Requires confidence and experience on a motorbike if self-driving. Remote area with basic tourist infrastructure.
• Suitable for: Adventurous travelers, experienced motorbike riders, cultural immersion, photographers seeking dramatic landscapes.
• Price Range: Motorbike rental ~150,000-250,000 VND/day. Homestays ~100,000-200,000 VND/night. Guided tours (with driver or self-ride) from 150-400 USD for multi-day trips.
• Customer Review: Enthusiastically positive from those who undertake the loop, calling it “unforgettable,” “epic,” and “the real Vietnam.” Not for the faint of heart, but incredibly rewarding.

6. Mai Chau – Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations

• Location: Hoa Binh Province, a valley about 3-4 hours drive southwest of Hanoi.
• Highlights:
  • Tranquil Valley: A peaceful escape from the city bustle, surrounded by lush rice paddies and limestone mountains.
  • White Thai Ethnic Villages: Known for their traditional stilt houses (many offering homestays) and rich cultural traditions.
  • Cycling: Flat terrain makes it perfect for leisurely bike rides through rice fields and between villages (Lac Village, Pom Coong Village).
  • Traditional Dance & Music: Cultural performances often offered in homestays.
  • Local Markets: Opportunities to buy handmade textiles and crafts.
• Lowlights: Can feel a bit “set up” for tourists in the main villages. Limited nightlife/entertainment if you’re seeking that.
• Suitable for: Relaxed travelers, families, cultural immersion, cyclists, those seeking a peaceful rural experience.
• Price Range: Homestays ~150,000-300,000 VND/night (often including dinner). Bike rentals ~30,000-50,000 VND/day. Tour packages from Hanoi are common.
• Customer Review: Highly praised for its serenity, beautiful scenery, and warm hospitality of the White Thai people. A great choice for a short, relaxing break from Hanoi.

7. Cao Bang (Ban Gioc Waterfall)

• Location: Cao Bang Province, far northern Vietnam, bordering China.
• Highlights:
  • Ban Gioc Waterfall: One of Vietnam’s most magnificent waterfalls, shared with China, offering spectacular multi-tiered cascades. You can take a bamboo raft near the falls.
  • Nguom Ngao Cave: A vast and impressive limestone cave system near Ban Gioc.
  • Pac Bo Cave: A historical site where Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam in 1941 after 30 years abroad.
  • Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark (lower parts): Shares geological features with Ha Giang.
  • Remote & Authentic: Less touristy than other northern destinations, offering a glimpse into untouched rural life.
• Lowlights: Very remote, long travel time from Hanoi (8-10 hours by bus). Infrastructure is more basic. Weather can be cold in winter.
• Suitable for: Adventurous travelers, nature photographers, those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences, history buffs.
• Price Range: Bus from Hanoi ~200,000-300,000 VND. Ban Gioc Waterfall entrance ~40,000 VND. Nguom Ngao Cave ~40,000 VND. Accommodation is generally budget-friendly.
• Customer Review: Highly recommended for its stunning natural beauty, especially Ban Gioc Waterfall. Praised for its authenticity and peacefulness away from the crowds.

8. Mu Cang Chai

• Location: Yen Bai Province, northwest Vietnam.
• Highlights:
  • Terraced Rice Fields: Even more dramatic and extensive than Sapa’s, renowned for their scale and beauty. Often considered the most picturesque terraced fields in Vietnam.
  • Golden Season (Sept-Oct): The rice fields turn a stunning golden yellow just before harvest, drawing photographers worldwide.
  • Trekking & Motorbiking: Excellent for exploring the landscapes and interacting with local Hmong communities.
  • Less Touristy: Still relatively untouched by mass tourism, offering a more authentic experience than Sapa.
• Lowlights: Difficult to reach (long bus/sleeper train journey from Hanoi, then local transport). Accommodation options are mostly basic homestays. Weather can be unpredictable.
• Suitable for: Photographers, serious trekkers, cultural immersion, those seeking truly off-the-beaten-path experiences.
• Price Range: Transport from Hanoi (~200,000-300,000 VND). Homestays ~100,000-200,000 VND/night.
• Customer Review: Enthusiastic reviews, especially from photographers and trekkers who visit during the golden season. Praised for its breathtaking scenery and authentic local interactions.

9. Cat Ba Island (and Lan Ha Bay)

• Location: Hai Phong Province, at the southeastern edge of Ha Long Bay.
• Highlights:
  • Cat Ba National Park: UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering hiking, caving, and diverse flora and fauna.
  • Lan Ha Bay Access: A great base for exploring the less crowded Lan Ha Bay by kayak or boat tour.
  • Beaches: Several sandy beaches (Cat Co 1, 2, 3) are popular for swimming and relaxing.
  • Rock Climbing: A popular destination for rock climbing on the limestone karsts.
  • Hospital Cave: A fascinating former wartime hospital and hideout built into a cave.
• Lowlights: Cat Ba Town itself can be quite busy and developed. The main beaches can get crowded.
• Suitable for: Adventurous travelers, rock climbers, hikers, beach lovers, those looking for a more active alternative to a pure Ha Long Bay cruise.
• Price Range: Ferry/hydrofoil from Hai Phong or Ha Long (~150,000-250,000 VND). National Park entrance ~40,000 VND. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels (10 USD) to mid-range hotels (50-100 USD).
• Customer Review: Positive for its combination of island life, natural beauty, and access to Lan Ha Bay. Many prefer its more relaxed vibe compared to Ha Long City.

10. Ba Be Lake & National Park – Top 10 Northern Vietnam destinations

• Location: Bac Kan Province, about 250 km north of Hanoi.
• Highlights:
  • Largest Natural Freshwater Lake: Ba Be is Vietnam’s largest natural lake, surrounded by limestone mountains and lush forests.
  • Boat Tours: Explore the tranquil lake, visit small islands, Dau Dang Waterfall, and the stunning Puong Cave (with thousands of bats).
  • Tay Ethnic Culture: Stay in traditional stilt house homestays in villages like Pac Ngoi, and experience the warm hospitality of the Tay people.
  • Kayaking & Trekking: Opportunities to paddle on the lake or trek through the surrounding national park.
  • Off-the-Beaten-Path: A peaceful and less touristy destination compared to major spots.
• Lowlights: Remote location requires a long bus journey from Hanoi (5-6 hours). Basic infrastructure and limited luxurious options. Mosquitoes can be an issue.
• Suitable for: Nature lovers, those seeking tranquility, cultural immersion, adventurers, birdwatchers.
• Price Range: Bus from Hanoi ~150,000-200,000 VND. Homestays ~100,000-200,000 VND/night (often including meals). Boat tours arranged locally.
• Customer Review: Highly praised for its serene beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and authentic homestay experiences. Visitors appreciate the escape from crowds and the genuine local interactions.

This list offers a diverse range of experiences in Northern Vietnam destinations, catering to different interests and travel styles in 2025. Enjoy your planning!