Exploring North Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa) in a week

The world’s second largest coffee producing nation, with banh mi and pho making it to the Oxford dictionary, Vietnam’s cuisine is well-known across the globe. While Ho Chi Minh city’s Ben Tanh market and Cu Chi Tunnels, as well as beach resort destinations like Hoi An and Da Lat in the South are popular tourist spots, the Northern Vietnam region also has a lot to offer, from natural beauty to historical sights and cooler weather.

Step into the bustling streets of Hanoi with its colonial architecture and never-ending motorbike traffic. Retreat to nature and experience the serene sights of  Halong Bay – a UNESCO heritage site and home to Hollywood movie sets. End the trip with a trek along the terraced rice fields of Sapa, the only place in Vietnam that experiences snowfall in winter.

Indulge in Hanoi’s food and catch a glimpse of its culture

Hanoi’s Old Quarter (aka Hoan Kiem District) is a must visit and the best way to explore it is on foot. With a 1,000-year old history, a mishmash of temples, pagodas, cathedrals, art galleries, colonial architecture, every street and turn offers something different. 

Step back in time to one of the oldest houses in Hanoi, the Ancient house on 87 Ma May Street built in the 1890s. Recognised as a national monument, get to understand the ancient way of life through the house’s traditional Vietnamese architecture, ceramic kitchenware, and artefacts.

Shop for t-shirts, bags and souvenirs at the Dong Xuan market, or order a local Vietnamese coffee by a roadside store and watch the world go by. In the evening, take a stroll around Hoan Kiem lake and mingle with the locals as they practice tai chi – a form of martial arts. Cross the wooden bridge to visit the Ngoc Son Temple which sits in the middle of the lake on a small island. Just beside the lake, be entertained by local youths dancing on the street to the latest K-pop beats.

The Turtle Tower, or Thap Rua, which sits in the middle of the lake, was built during the Nguyen dynasty.

Watch the world go by as your coffee brews and drips into the cup.

In the vicinity of the Hoan Kiem lake, peek into the lives of the Vietnamese through a water puppet theatre show, which features scenes of daily living, entertainment or Vietnamese legends. Tickets can be purchased on site, preferably a day in advance to secure seats. For more information, check out the Thang Long Water Puppet website.

Daily performance of Water Puppetry, an artform unique to Vietnam. Photo credit: Thang Long Water Puppet/ thanglongwaterpuppet.com

Hanoi has a host of dining options to offer, and here’s a list to tickle your taste buds.  

Where to dine in Hanoi:

• Vietnamese restaurants (Nhà Hàng Ngon – for their Vietnamese pancakes, Nhà hàng Tầm Vị, Chả Cá Thăng Long – for their signature fish noodles)
  
  
• Banh Mi - Banh Mi Lan Ong, Bánh Mì 25
  
  
• Phở - Quán Bún Thang Bà Đức, Bún riêu cua Hàng Bạc, Nhà Hàng Miến Lươn ĐÔNG THỊNH, Phở Thìn
  
  
• Cafes: Aroi Dessert Café, Coffee Cây, Maison Marou Hanoi, Đinh Café, Cafe Giảng
  
  
• French cuisine: La Terrasse du Metropole (at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel),  Green Tangerine, Duong Restaurant Ma May (for French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine and cooking classes)

Pro-tip: When crossing busy roads with motorcycle traffic, keep walking at a steady pace and do not stop. Motorcyclists know how to skillfully navigate around pedestrians, and abrupt stopping will send a confusing signal. Cross the streets with locals if you need the added courage.

Enjoy the tranquility of Halong Bay

Admire the emerald waters of Halong Bay.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi to the serene waters of Halong Bay. With its towering limestone structures and unique seascape, this natural wonder is set to charm. Many famous movies have been filmed here. They include James Bond: Tomorrow never dies (1997), Pan (2015), and Kong: Skull Island (2017).  

From Hanoi, it is a two to three-hour journey by land (bus or private car) to the Unesco World Heritage site. An overnight stay on a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay is a great way to unwind and get your digital detox amid the peace and calm of the bay. For those who do not have the time for an overnight stay, a day cruise along the bay is a convenient option to take in the sights.

Activities are aplenty in Halong Bay as well. Go island-hopping (recommended: Cat Ba Island and national park, Titop Island, Tuan Chau Island), explore caves, pearl farms, and floating villages. Those up for some water activities can kayak, snorkel or dive. The best way to experience these activities would be to sign up with a tour operator, who will take care of everything from transportation to accommodation and food.  

Pro Tip: Climb to the top of Ti Top island to get a panoramic view of the bay, and plan to watch the sunset there. If you’re an early bird, rise early to catch the glorious sunrise hitting the waters of Halong Bay.

Scale the mountains of Sapa

Revel in the mountainous views of Sapa.

From Halong Bay, head back to Hanoi and continue the journey onward to Sapa – either by a train, bus or private car. Located 300km away, a one night’s stay is recommended to make the journey worthwhile. Located at 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa’s air is fresh and crisp compared to Hanoi’s. 

Trek through the rice field terrains with a good pair of hiking shoes, take in the amazing mountain views and visit ethnic minority group villages (such as the Hmong and the Red Dzao people) along the way. If you’re in luck, you may even enjoy traditional musical performances at the villages. Walk all the way through to Cat Cat Village and indulge in a majestic and glorious waterfall at the end. Don’t be startled to see pigs, buffalos, and goats roaming around, as villagers keep them as pets. Keep your eyes peeled for villagers planting rice and you will be amazed at the amount of hard work required! To experience the village life through and through, opt for a traditional home stay (find them through Airbnb or standalone offerings online) instead of a hotel stay.

For those who have fallen in love with Vietnamese cuisine at this point and would like to hone your cooking skills, take a cooking class in Sapa, which includes going to the local wet market and shopping for ingredients early in the morning – you won’t get produce any fresher than this! 

For the rest who just want to feast, try out the unique cuisines of the ethnic minority groups in Sapa. Don’t be offended if you are offered snake wine – some restaurants visibly display the clear jar of rice wine, with the entire snake still immersed in it! 

Shop for local produce at the market before the cooking class.

The colourful houses in Sapa make for a pretty sight

Pro-tip: While the actual journey to Sapa by bus or private car may be shorter (six to seven hours), compared to the train (eight to nine hours), discover the romance of train travel, and at the same time maximise your time spent and save on one night’s accommodation on the overnight sleeper train. From Lao Cai train station, it takes another hour by bus or car to reach Sapa. A sleeper bus is also an interesting option if you get a good spot on the second level of the bus by the window, to watch Vietnam’s endless motorcycle traffic flow while taking in the views in the comfort of your ‘lie-flat bed’.

The three places can be completed in a week, with two nights in each place, and one in Halong Bay if you’re pressed for time. While the one-week itinerary may seem packed, the Northern Vietnam region is definitely well worth the visit.

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