Northern Vietnam in 6 Days: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau & Halong Bay Adventure

Hanoi•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

6 days

Fitness Level

Suitable for travelers in average physical condition who can manage several short hikes, stair climbs, and boat transfers.

Overview

Six days that compress Northern Vietnam’s highlights—Hanoi’s streets, Ninh Binh’s karsts, Mai Chau’s valleys and an overnight Halong cruise—into an accessible loop. Expect easy hikes, village visits, boat trips and plenty of local flavor.

Northern Vietnam in 6 Days: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau & Halong Bay Adventure

bus-tour

city-tour

other

private-car-transfer

sightseeing-tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

The motorbike horns of Hanoi fade as the bus threads out of the city and the landscape changes from concrete to the slow, measured geometry of rice paddies and limestone karsts. On day two you step into Tam Coc’s small sampan and let a local oarsman steer you under a low, cool cave; the river seems to measure time differently here, patient and deliberate. By midweek, Mai Chau’s quiet valley unfurls—a patchwork of stilt houses and terraces—and the trip ends with the slick, ocean-carved towers of Ha Long Bay, where a twilight cruise turns limestone columns into shadowed sentinels on the water.

Adventure Photos

Northern Vietnam in 6 Days: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau & Halong Bay Adventure photo 1

Adventure Tips

Pack a light waterproof

Weather in Northern Vietnam can change quickly—bring a compact rain jacket for sudden storms, especially on the bay and during summer.

Carry local currency

Small markets and boat vendors may not accept cards—keep Vietnamese dong for tips, snacks and village purchases.

Start early for photos and cooler temps

Morning light on Tam Coc and Ha Long Bay is best; schedule early departures to avoid crowds and heat.

Respect village customs

Ask before photographing people, remove shoes when entering traditional stilt houses, and buy local handicrafts directly from makers when possible.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Kingfishers and egrets along river channels
Small monitor lizards and bats in limestone caves

History

Hoa Lu was Vietnam’s 10th-century capital; the temples and surrounding karsts record strategic settlements that controlled river routes between north and south.

Conservation

Tour operators in Ninh Binh and Ha Long are increasingly enforcing no-litter rules and limiting single-use plastics; choose providers that support local communities and protected-area fees.