Northern Vietnam Holidays

Northern Vietnam

Widely considered to be the cradle of Vietnamese civilisation, northern Vietnam is the location of the nation’s capital city and home to a whole host of important historical and cultural attractions.

The north of Vietnam is an incredibly diverse region of enchanting coastal karst scenery and towering mountain peaks, remote minority villages and bustling modern cities, emerald-green rice terraces and serpentine rivers. This beguiling blend of the old and new is best experienced in stylish Hanoi with its tree-lined boulevards and aging colonial homes. Hanoi is ideally combined with iconic Ha Long Bay or, lesser visited but equally as beautiful, Lan Ha Bay to experience the spectacular karst landscapes. It is also now possible to link Hanoi and Ha Long Bay with an extended cruise on the Red River.

In contrast, the sparsely populated mountainous regions to the north of Hanoi offer a fascinating contrast to the lowland plains. This remote region is home to numerous minority groups and illustrates Vietnam’s great cultural diversity. Travel by train to Sapa and drive via the historic battlefield of Dien Bien Phu to Mai Chau or see the rice terraces at Hoang Su Phi and wonderful Sunday markets in the villages surrounding Ha Giang. Pettitts Travel specialises in providing bespoke tailor-made holidays to Vietnam and tours to northern Vietnam.

Holiday Ideas for Northern Vietnam

14 DAYS

Classic Vietnam - Land of the Ascending Dragon

from £4300 - £5300
per person

17 DAYS

Central Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail

from £4200 - £5800
per person

Hmong woman in Mu Cang Chai Yen Bai, Vietnam

16 DAYS

Discover North Vietnam

from £3900 - £4500
per person

Local Hmong girl in Laos, hilltribe trekking

14 DAYS

Exploring the Hills of Northern Laos and Vietnam

from £4400 - £5000
per person

16 DAYS

Essential Vietnam and Cambodia

from £4700 - £6900
per person

Hmong hilltribe woman in colourful traditional dress, Northern Vietnam

14 DAYS

Ha Giang and the Rural North East of Vietnam

from £3600 - £4600
per person

21 DAYS

The Best of Indochina

from £6300 - £7400
per person

River Cruise on Red River in Vietnam in sunset

14 DAYS

Cruising Ha Long Bay and Vietnam's Red River

from £4800
per person

Hoi An fruit and vegetable market, Vietnam

13 DAYS

A Culinary Journey through Vietnam

from £3800 - £5400
per person

15 DAYS

An Indochina Family Adventure

from £4200 - £5200
per person

Start Planning Your Holiday

When to visit Northern Vietnam

The weather in northern Vietnam follows a diverse and distinct weather pattern that is influenced by the region's geographical features and monsoon climate. The weather can be broadly divided into two main seasons – the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season in runs from October to April and this period, with a few considerations is generally the best time to visit the region. Temperatures on the whole are cooler and average 17°C to 22°C, humidity is low, days are sunny and there is little chance of rainfall. However, it is worth noting that from December to February there can be very cold days – particularly in the mountains – which is why, if possible, March to April or September to November are the ideal times to visit. The rainy season, on the other hand, runs from May to September and peaks in July and August. Heavy rainfall and occasional tropical storms are common during this time and humidity can quite oppressive although landscapes will be lush and green as a result. Temperatures will also be considerably higher than during the dry season.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

BEST TIME

GOOD TIME

LOW SEASON

OFF SEASON

This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

What to do in Northern Vietnam

The cultural, economic and cultural hub of northern Vietnam, the national capital Hanoi is sandwiched between the high mountains that border neighbouring China and Laos and the lush, low-lying areas to the east characterised by rich agricultural land and dramatic karst scenery. Lining the western bank of the Red River, Hanoi is a charming, though largely traditional, city of low-rise homes, tree-lined streets and ancient temples. The bustling old quarter of the city retains its Gallic flair and, along with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the former Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda and the Confucian Temple of Literature are key places to visit. From Hanoi most travellers head to the coast and board a boat for a one or two night exploration of the islets, caves and floating villages of Ha Long Bay or neighbouring Lan Ha Bay. For those wishing to see similar scenery but in an area less-visited, Ninh Binh is also an excellent option. The mountains to the north of Hanoi offer a completely different environment to the rest of Vietnam. Discover remote hill tribe villages and small farming communities, the battlefield of Dien Bien Phu, colonial Sapa, spectacular rice terrace scenery and colourful weekend markets.