📍 Vietnam

NORTHERN VIETNAM HIGHLANDS: RICE TERRACES AND MOUNTAIN PASSES

Admire Sapa's terraced rice paddies, take dizzying mountain roads and meet ethnic minorities in their traditional villages. Northern Vietnam must be earned.

≈ 11
Days
0
Km
10
Stops
📖 7 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Set off for adventure Vietnam: Ninh Binh on water, Pu Luong on foot, then Sapa in mist. Photograph Mu Cang Chai and its golden terraces, loop Ha Giang on spectacular roads, continue to Cao Bang and its waterfalls, then end at Ba Be Lake, calm and deep.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Hanoi

hoan kiem lake egg coffee departure point

Hanoi - Photo 1Hanoi - Photo 2Hanoi - Photo 3Hanoi - Photo 4Hanoi - Photo 5Hanoi - Photo 6Hanoi - Photo 7Hanoi - Photo 8Hanoi - Photo 9Hanoi - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Hanoi Old Quarter, vibrant chaotic historic heart perfect for wandering
2
Hoan Kiem Lake, iconic central lake for people-watching
3
Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam's first university from 1070
4
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, preserved body of national hero
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Navigate Old Quarter by cyclo tour at 150-200k VND per hour
→
Experience authentic street food scene with pho, bun cha, banh mi on plastic stools
→
Watch sunset at Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake islet
+5 Optional activities
2
Day

Ninh Binh

bai dinh pagoda karst boat rides caves

Ninh Binh - Photo 1Ninh Binh - Photo 2Ninh Binh - Photo 3Ninh Binh - Photo 4Ninh Binh - Photo 5Ninh Binh - Photo 6Ninh Binh - Photo 7Ninh Binh - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Ha Long Bay on land with limestone caves and rice paddies
2
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, UNESCO World Heritage boat labyrinth
3
Mua Cave (Hang Mua), 500 steps to iconic dragon statue viewpoint
4
Thung Nham Bird Park, natural sanctuary with thousands of birds at sunset
🎯

Activities

→
Experience longer Trang An boat tour at $50 per person for 12 hours
→
Climb Mua Cave for sunrise or sunset panoramic views at 100k VND entry
→
Visit Thung Nham between 4:30-5:30 PM for prime bird-watching at 100k VND entry
+2 Optional activities
3
Day

Pu Luong

terraced valleys white thai stilt villages

Pu Luong - Photo 1Pu Luong - Photo 2Pu Luong - Photo 3Pu Luong - Photo 4Pu Luong - Photo 5Pu Luong - Photo 6Pu Luong - Photo 7Pu Luong - Photo 8Pu Luong - Photo 9Pu Luong - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Pu Luong Nature Reserve with magnificent terraced rice fields
2
Thai ethnic minority villages with authentic homestay experience
3
Pu Luong waterfalls and lush forest trekking trails
🎯

Activities

→
Experience homestay with local Thai ethnic minority families
→
Swim in natural pools beneath cascading waterfalls
→
Enjoy less crowded alternative to Sapa on 2-day tours from Hanoi at $150-300
+2 Optional activities
4
Day

Moc Chau

tea plantations dairy farms plateau blooms

Moc Chau - Photo 1Moc Chau - Photo 2Moc Chau - Photo 3Moc Chau - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Moc Chau highland plateau with expansive green tea plantations
2
Dairy farms producing fresh milk and cheese products
3
Seasonal flower fields with white plum blossoms and mustard flowers
🎯

Activities

→
Visit white plum flower fields in late January to February
→
See mustard flower blooms during winter months
→
Enjoy cooler highland climate and scenic mountain drives
+2 Optional activities
5
Day

Sapa

fansipan peak hmong markets valley treks

Sapa - Photo 1Sapa - Photo 2Sapa - Photo 3Sapa - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Sapa terraced rice fields with guided trekking to ethnic minority villages
2
Fansipan Peak, Roof of Indochina at 3,143m accessible by cable car
3
O Quy Ho Pass, Heaven's Gate with panoramic Hoang Lien Son views
4
Cat Cat Village with H'Mong culture and traditional crafts
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Stay in ethnic minority homestay at 150-300k VND per night
→
Take cable car to Fansipan summit at 750k VND return ticket
→
Drive O Quy Ho Pass 45 minutes from Sapa on clear day
+4 Optional activities
6
Day

Mu Cang Chai

golden rice sculptures photographer paradise terraces

Mu Cang Chai - Photo 1Mu Cang Chai - Photo 2Mu Cang Chai - Photo 3Mu Cang Chai - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields, Vietnam's most spectacular and sprawling terraces
2
La Pan Tan village viewpoints over endless rice paddy layers
3
Che Cu Nha terraced fields stretching across mountain slopes
🎯

Activities

→
Visit during reflective planting season May to June for water-filled paddies
→
Explore remote mountain roads by sturdy motorbike
→
Experience authentic Hmong village life in remote highlands
+2 Optional activities
7
Day

Ha Giang

ma pi leng pass dong van plateau

Ha Giang - Photo 1Ha Giang - Photo 2Ha Giang - Photo 3Ha Giang - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Ha Giang Loop, 3-5 day motorbike adventure through rugged northernmost province
2
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, UNESCO-recognized dramatic limestone formations
3
Ma Pi Leng Pass with epic canyon views and hairpin turns
4
Dong Van Old Quarter with ancient Hmong houses
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Hire easy rider local driver at 700k-1M VND per day including food and lodging
→
Stop at Ma Pi Leng Pass for breathtaking canyon photography
→
Experience remote ethnic minority cultures in traditional villages
+3 Optional activities
8
Day

Cao Bang

ban gioc waterfall limestone peaks frontier

Cao Bang - Photo 1Cao Bang - Photo 2Cao Bang - Photo 3Cao Bang - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Ban Gioc Waterfall (Thac Ban Gioc), colossal multi-tiered falls on Vietnam-China border
2
Nguom Ngao Cave, impressive stalactite cave near Ban Gioc
🎯

Activities

→
Pay 45k VND entrance fee to waterfall area
→
Photograph stunning multi-tiered cascades straddling international border
→
Explore Nguom Ngao Cave system near the falls
+2 Optional activities
9
Day

Ba Be

emerald lake forested shores peaceful retreat

Ba Be - Photo 1Ba Be - Photo 2Ba Be - Photo 3Ba Be - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Ba Be Lake, vast serene freshwater lake in national park
2
Puong Cave with thousands of bats
3
Dau Dang Waterfall cascading through jungle
4
Tay ethnic stilt house villages around the lake
🎯

Activities

→
Visit caves and waterfalls accessible only by boat
→
Experience Tay ethnic culture in traditional stilt house homestays
→
Enjoy peaceful escape 5-6 hours from Hanoi
+2 Optional activities
10
Day

Ha Long

world wonder karst bays fishing villages

Ha Long - Photo 1Ha Long - Photo 2Ha Long - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Ha Long Bay, quintessential North Vietnam experience with limestone karsts
2
Lan Ha Bay, less crowded alternative with cleaner water for swimming
3
Cat Ba Island, largest island in bay with beaches and national park
4
Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), one of largest grottoes in Ha Long Bay
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Kayak through emerald waters among towering karsts
→
Swim in cleaner Lan Ha Bay waters
→
Explore Cat Ba National Park hiking trails
+4 Optional activities
11
Day

Hanoi

hoan kiem lake egg coffee departure point

Hanoi - Photo 1Hanoi - Photo 2Hanoi - Photo 3Hanoi - Photo 4Hanoi - Photo 5Hanoi - Photo 6Hanoi - Photo 7Hanoi - Photo 8Hanoi - Photo 9Hanoi - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Return to Hanoi for departure or continuation
🎯

Activities

→
Last street food experience before departure
→
Complete North Vietnam circuit back to starting point
→
Terminer le circuit du Nord Vietnam en revenant au point de départ

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Vietnam

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (February-April): Perfect weather with comfortable temperatures (18-25°C), minimal rainfall, and ideal conditions for exploring diverse regions. Excellent balance of pleasant weather throughout country, blooming landscapes, moderate tourist numbers.

Autumn (September-November): Comfortable temperatures (20-28°C) with clear skies, perfect outdoor conditions, and harvest season beauty. Second-best season with excellent weather nationwide, reasonable prices, cultural festivals.

Winter (December-January): Cool temperatures in north (10-20°C), warm in south (25-30°C), dry season with regional variations. Northern mountains cold, central coast pleasant, southern regions ideal, diverse regional experiences.

Summer (May-August): Hot, humid weather (28-35°C) with rainy season affecting travel plans but lush landscapes. Monsoon rains, flooding possible, but fewer crowds, lower prices, and authentic local experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Vietnam?

Southeast Asian authenticity with incredible history, delicious cuisine, and stunning landscapes. Experience Ho Chi Minh City energy, Halong Bay beauty, and traditional Vietnamese culture. The country offers cultural immersion with natural wonders and culinary excellence. Vietnam provides transformative Southeast Asian experiences with historical depth and natural beauty.