North Vietnam Itinerary: 10 to 14 Days by Private Car

This is the route we would drive if friends came to visit for two weeks: the classic highlights of North Vietnam, in a logical order, without backtracking. One driver handles every leg, so you never think about transport again.

The route

Days 1-2: Hanoi. Land at Noi Bai, recover from the flight, see the Old Quarter and the lakes.

Days 3-5: Ninh Binh. A drive of about 2 hours south. Boat through Trang An or Tam Coc, climb Mua Cave viewpoint, cycle between the rice fields. Add a clase de cocina or the Silk Hoa Lu workshop on the quiet day.

Days 6-7: Pu Luong. A drive of about 3.5 hours into the mountains. Rice terraces, water wheels, and a night in a stilt house.

Day 8: Mai Chau. About 2 hours over the pass. Cycle through the valley in the afternoon.

Day 9: Mu Cang Chai. Mai Chau to Sa Pa is too far for one day, so you break the trip here. About 7 hours on mountain roads, with photo stops on the way. Mu Cang Chai is famous for its rice terraces.

Days 10-11: Sa Pa. About 4 hours from Mu Cang Chai. Walk the Muong Hoa valley, sleep in Ta Van village rather than the town.

Days 12-13: Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Cross the country in one long day, about 8 hours with a lunch stop, and board a boat the next morning. We time the drive to your cruise, see why we like Lan Ha.

Day 14: back to Hanoi airport. About 3 hours, planned with a safe margin for your flight.

What the transport costs

All legs above in a private 4-seat car add up to roughly 22,000,000 to 24,000,000 VND total (around 850 to 920 USD), for the whole two weeks, per car, all costs included. Split between 2 or 3 people, that is comparable to what busy travellers spend on buses, taxis and lost time. See the lista de precios completa.

Two weeks too long?

With 10 days, drop Pu Luong, Mai Chau and Mu Cang Chai and drive from Ninh Binh to Sa Pa in one day, or drop Sa Pa. We will tell you honestly what fits your dates and what does not.

Los precios que se muestran en esta página eran correctos cuando se escribieron. Pueden cambiar ligeramente con el tiempo, por ejemplo cuando cambian los precios del combustible. Hacemos todo lo posible para mantener esta página actualizada y siempre confirmamos el precio exacto antes de reservar.

Make this trip yours

• This is an example, not a fixed package. We adjust every route to your dates, pace and budget.
• Send us your travel dates and group size. We reply the same day with a plan and one clear price per transfer.
• No prepayment. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before each pickup. You pay per ride, in VND, USD or euro.

Send us your dates, or read how un conductor para todo el viaje works.