Ninh Bình day trip: Tràng An, Hoa Lư and Múa Cave
Row through limestone caves at Tràng An, visit the 10th-century capital at Hoa Lư and climb to the Múa Cave viewpoint.
From US$79 per person
Book nowNorthern Vietnam
Limestone passes, terraced valleys and the bay. Cool winters, warm summers.
Why go north
The north is where SGO started, and where our own guides and drivers know the roads best. In a week you can eat your way through Hanoi, sleep on a boat in Hạ Long Bay and wake up above the clouds in Hà Giang.
Mountain provinces are home to Hmong, Dao, Tày and Thai communities. Many of our homestay hosts live here, so a night with a family is easy to add to any route.
See 17 tours and experiences- Best months
- March to May, September to November
- Fly into
- Hanoi (HAN)
- Time needed
- 5 to 10 days
- Do not miss
- The Mã Pí Lèng pass at sunrise
Places in the north
Hanoi
Street food, lakes and the 36 streets of the Old Quarter.
Hà Giang
The Mã Pí Lèng pass and Hmong market towns near the border.
Cao Bằng
Bản Giốc waterfall and quiet valleys few tours reach.
Hạ Long Bay
Day cruises and overnight boats between limestone islets.
Ninh Bình
Rowing boats through Tràng An's caves and rice fields.
Sa Pa
Valley treks and homestays with Hmong and Dao families.
Mù Cang Chải
The most photographed terraces in Vietnam, gold in September.
Mai Châu
Thai stilt-house villages three hours from Hanoi.
Tours in the north
Hanoi street food walk
Eight stops in the Old Quarter: bún chả, egg coffee, bánh cuốn and the stalls locals queue for.
From US$39 per person
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Hạ Long Bay day cruise and kayaking
Cruise between limestone islets, kayak under the cliffs at Luồn Cave and walk through Sửng Sốt cave.
From US$95 per person
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Hanoi in a day: Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter
The Temple of Literature, the One Pillar Pagoda and a cyclo ride through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter.
From US$49 per person
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Sa Pa valley walk to Lao Chải and Tả Van
An easy trail down the Mường Hoa valley, with tea at a Hmong home and a stop at the Indigo Hands dye vats.
From US$45 per person
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Vietnam Highlights
Hanoi, Hạ Long Bay, Huế, Hội An, Saigon and the Mekong Delta
From US$1,690 per person
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Hà Giang and Cao Bằng Loop
Hanoi, Hà Giang, Đồng Văn, Mã Pí Lèng, Bản Giốc
From US$890 per person
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Hanoi, Ninh Bình and Hạ Long
Old Quarter food walk, Tràng An by boat, one night on the bay
From US$620 per person
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Vietnam with Kids
Hanoi, Hạ Long Bay, Hội An cooking class, Phú Quốc beach days
From US$1,390 per person
Book nowTerraces of Sa Pa and Mù Cang Chải
Village treks, two homestay nights, the Khau Phạ pass
From US$740 per person
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Mai Châu with Mai's Stilt House
Two nights with a Thai family, village cycling, the weaving looms of Bản Lác
From US$290 per person
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Hạ Long Bay overnight cruise
Lan Hạ Bay by junk, kayaking at dusk, sunrise tai chi on deck
From US$240 per person
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Hosted by Indigo Hands Workshop
Indigo dyeing with Hmong women in Sa Pa
Spend a morning at the dye vats with Indigo Hands Workshop and take home a piece you made.
From US$35 per person
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Hosted by Mai's Stilt House
A night in a Mai Châu stilt house
Cycle between Thai villages, watch the looms at work and share dinner with the family.
From US$48 per person
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Hosted by Tràng An Riverside Homestay
Farm lunch and bikes in Tràng An
Cycle the back lanes to Múa Cave, then lunch from the garden at Tràng An Riverside.
From US$32 per person
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Hosted by Pà Vi Stone House
Sunday market and Hmong dinner in Mèo Vạc
Walk the Sunday market with the family, then share a Hmong dinner and a night in the stone house.
From US$52 per person
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A café family in the Old Quarter
Egg coffee and Old Quarter stories
Whisk your own egg coffee, then walk three streets with a host who grew up above a shop.
From US$22 per person
Book nowWeather in the north, month by month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Best
- Good
- Rainy
- Typical weather. Every year is a little different.
Our guide in Hà Giang changed the route when fog closed the pass, and we still made the Sunday market. Nothing felt rushed.
Tailor-made
Plan a trip in the north
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. A planner in Hanoi replies within one working day.