North Vietnam 5-Day Trip: Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Ha Long
The north's three landscapes: Hanoi's Old Quarter, Ninh Binh's rice-field karsts and Ha Long Bay's sea towers.
Days
5 days
Budget
250 USD
Style
Cultural
Destination
Hanoi
Multi-CityNatureCulture
Trip overview
- Two karst landscapes by boat
- Mua Cave's 500 steps
- The egg-coffee origin
Best time to visit
October–December is the clear, cool window for all three.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Hanoi — the Old Quarter
- 🍜07:30Pho at dawn; the 36 streets & egg coffee
- 🍜
Day 2 · Ninh Binh — the karsts
- 🛶08:30Tam Coc's rowboat rice-field karsts
- 🌄16:00Mua Cave's 500 steps
- 🛶
Day 3 · Ninh Binh — temples
- 🛕09:00Bai Dinh's pagoda & Hoa Lu's ancient capital
- 🛕
Day 4 · Ha Long Bay
- 🛥️08:00The day cruise through the sea towers
- 🛥️
Day 5 · Departure
- ✈️09:00Train Street coffee & HAN
- ✈️
Budget
Estimated total cost: 250 USD for 5 days.
Includes accommodation, local transport, food, and activities. International flights not included.
Travel tips
- October–December is the clear, cool window for all three.
- Carry local currency for small eateries and street food; cards are widely accepted in cities.
- Book popular restaurants in advance during peak season.
- Use public transit where possible — most stops in Hanoi are tourist-friendly.
Recommended restaurants
🍜
Pho Bat Dan
Hanoi · $
☕
Cafe Giang
Egg coffee · $
🐐
Ninh Binh goat restaurants
The local specialty · $$
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