Click the images below to enlarge
Traveling to a new country feels both exciting and daunting. When everything is new, the pile of research and prep work can feel pretty overwhelming. Also, you can’t help but get excited for fresh experiences that really wake up your senses.
Guess what? That is the exact mix of emotions I had before my first trip to Northern Vietnam. I’m sure.
Although, a couple of other things added to those feelings too.
- First, Sapa. This town in the mountains was on our itinerary. Since I love the mountains, my excitement was at 200%!
- Second, it was the first time I ever hopped on a plane and navigated a city all by myself. Ah, I’ll never forget that strange yet incredible sense of wanderlust.
Looking back, I am grateful that the trip not only went well but also became a memorable experience. I came home feeling refreshed, which was the goal of the journey. My friend joined me for the second half, and we had a great time.
Despite that, we have a few things we wish we had done in a different way or time.
In this blog post, I’m going to share everything about them. Our mistakes we made so you can travel smarter. Details we missed that could have perfected our trip. I am also including my recent discoveries. They’ll to ensure your journey becomes even more memorable than ours.
Despite that, there are a few things we wish we had done in a different way or at a better time. In this blog post, I am going to share everything about them.
I’ll cover the mistakes we made and the details we missed that could have perfected our trip. This way, you can travel smarter. I’m also including my recent discoveries about Northern Vietnam. I want to ensure your journey is even more memorable than ours.
We’ll talk about:
- When to Visit Northern Vietnam?
- How Much Time Do You Need for Northern Vietnam?
- Airport Mishaps: My First Travel Hiccup in Vietnam
- My Take on Public Transportation in Vietnam
- Mistakes and Realizations From Hanoi
- Ninh Binh Experience Gaps
- What We Learned From Visiting Sapa
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
When to Visit Northern Vietnam?
If there is one thing that kept our trip from being perfect, it was definitely the weather.
Imagine this. Right when we reached the top of Fansipan in Sapa, the dark clouds and rain rolled in. This was supposed to be the highlight of our whole trip!
We expected to see that “heaven on earth” beauty everyone talks about. But, instead, we were faced with a chilly reality and views of nothing but fog. It sucked.
You can check out my post about our Fansipan expectation vs. reality to see exactly what I mean.
Well, we could have seen that “heaven on earth” scenery if we hadn’t visited in September. That month falls right in the wet season, specifically during the time when it rains the most.
Generally, the rains start in May and last until October or November, with the heaviest downpours happening between June and September. (Yeah, we definitely should have done our homework on the climate before booking the trip.)
Still, we were lucky because the bad weather only hit us during a very small part of our trip. It didn’t rain at all on our second day in Sapa, and Ninh Binh was actually dry and somewhat hot. There was a little drizzle in Hanoi, but that was it.
Anyway, if I ever head back to Northern Vietnam, I’ll make sure it’s during the middle of the dry season. Since the dry season runs from December to April, I am talking about the end of January and the start of February.
Not only is there very little rain during this time, but the winter weather is also a huge plus for travelers. In fact, it is the ideal time to explore.
Why is that? The temperature stays between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. That is about 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. You will be comfortable whether you are trekking through rice terraces or taking a boat ride through the karst mountains.
One interesting thing is that blossoms appear in Northern Vietnam during this season. They show up in some of the most breathtaking places. Like, the rice terraces in Sapa or near the tea plantations in Moc Chau.
How Much Time Do You Need for Northern Vietnam?
On the flight home, I was already craving more because our four-day trip went by way too fast. It felt like I only scratched the surface and left so many incredible experiences behind.
Fast forward to today, and looking at those maps I made of Northern Vietnam, I’m even more sure of it now. I really did leave behind so many adventures.
There are at least 8 cities or towns that are worth a visit; over 30 attractions you won’t want to miss. Take a look at my map of Northern Vietnam to see what I mean.
Because of that, if you have the resources, you should go for a trip that lasts a few weeks. Two weeks is a solid minimum, but four weeks is likely too much.
Why?
Well, in Hanoi alone, you already need three days to see the highlights. That includes the Old Quarter, museums, nightlife, and historical landmarks. Your stay could be even longer when you consider all the different day trips nearby.
Then you have to account for the long road trips through the Ha Giang and Cao Bang highlands. You also want plenty of time to actually meet the indigenous Hmong, Dao, and Thai tribes in places like Sapa, Mai Chau, and Moc Chau. On top of that, you’ll want to fit in a river or sea cruise through those amazing rock formations in Ninh Binh and Halong Bay.
Even if these spots were right next to each other, you truly need time to take it all in.
If I head back to Northern Vietnam, I’m thinking a two-week getaway is the perfect amount of time. I plan to skip anything that feels redundant.
For instance, I will pick one tribe. I will not visit every single indigenous group. Also, I will only trek through rice terraces once. I will not do it at every famous terrace in Ha Giang and Mai Chau and Sapa.
Airport Mishaps: My First Travel Hiccup in Vietnam
As you might already know, I arrived in Vietnam solo. BUT things weren’t as simple as that.
I landed at midnight, and that caused me some problems at the airport. Well, it wasn’t actually a big problem. We can put it as simply as this: it was an adventure that I won’t repeat again.
It is a long story. But to keep it simple, I had to sleep at the airport. Why? No buses were running between the airport and the city. Bus 86 was not available. I had to wait until 7 in the morning for the first trip.
Well, I could have called a taxi or a Grab. That is the Southeast Asian version of Uber. But I refused to pay 8 to 10 times the bus fare to get to my hotel. For perspective, a bus ticket is only about 2 USD.
That said, if I were traveling with someone to split the cost, I would have taken the Grab.
My Take on Public Transportation in Vietnam
I knew Vietnam was famous for its motorbikes. Because of that, the street scene in Hanoi was not a surprise. Motorcycles everywhere!
What’s interesting is that locals are not the only ones on motorcycles. From what I saw, foreigners and tourists use them too. I think it is because getting around on a motorcycles is easier, lot like how things are back home.
Here is the thing. When I was in Hanoi, I did not feel a big need to rent one. Why? Most of the attractions are within walking distance.
If you craft a route like I did on my Old Quarter Map, you will realize a motorcycles is not necessary. You can see many interesting places in a single day.
We saw that motorbikes were also popular once we went outside Hanoi. But this time, we realized how important it is to rent one.
This is especially true if you want to avoid downtime. Motorbikes help you get around fast. They help you make the most of your day.
You see, there isn’t any public transportation linking the different spots. It is pretty impractical to hike between them.
For example, look at Ninh Binh. Getting from Bai Dinh Pagoda to the Trang An Boat Wharf on foot would take you two or three hours. On a motorbike, it only takes a few minutes.
In Sapa, we really felt the need for one. We explored Sapa on our own without any private vehicle. Because of that, we only saw Fansipan and the town.
If we had rented a motorbike after visiting Fansipan, we could have reached another spot. For example, we could have gone to one of the remote coffee shops in Muong Hoa Valley. They offer spectacular views of the rice terraces.
Of course, a motorcycle is not the only option to get around fast. You can rent a car and hire a driver for total convenience. Is the weather bad? That is no problem. Are you uncomfortable driving on mountain roads? That is also not a problem.
My point in saying all this is that you have to be ready to rent a motorcycle or a car in Northern Vietnam. Unless you want to pay more for tours, renting a car or a motorbike is your best bet.
Mistakes and Realizations From Hanoi
I have to say, I underestimated Hanoi and that was actually one of the biggest mistakes of our trip. I expected the city to feel a lot like Manila, our capital, but my experience there proved me wrong.
I had so many realizations that day. If I hadn’t underestimated Hanoi, I would have read more blogs and researched better. I could have made my stay in the city even more memorable.
Actually, my one day in Hanoi was already unforgettable. I joined the Hanoi Walking Street on a weekend night by sheer coincidence. It was epic!
It’s just that I saw so many new things that day. And they opened my eyes to so many more possibilities for fun and exploration. I made a map of Hanoi to show you exactly what I mean.
If I head back to Northern Vietnam, I want to stay in Hanoi for four or five days. I need three days at a minimum. This is so I can spend one day on each of the three attraction groups from my map. The extra time would be for taking day trips.
Actually, there is another reason why I must stay for a couple of nights in Hanoi. Yes, two nights.
First, I have to experience the Hanoi Walking Street and Night Market once more. Another reason is that I want to try the nightlife in the city.
It is not only because the beers are so cheap. There is a unique vibe I noticed the night I passed by the Old Quarter’s Beer Street. There were colorful lanterns. People were drinking and eating on small plastic stools. Asians and westerners mix in the fun chaos. The vibes are electric!
Anyway…
For a guided Hanoi experience so you can be sure you’ll see the highlights, see my Hanoi Travel Planning page. I put guide recommendations and travel tools there. These help you save time organizing your trip.
Ninh Binh Experience Gaps
The day we visited Ninh Binh was the part of our trip that went perfectly with our plan.
Well, it is a no brainer. We joined a group tour. That gave us very little chance of screwing up our day.
As a first time visitor who wanted a stress free experience, I have no regrets about joining the group tour. But I have always wondered what if we did a self-guided trip instead.
We could have explored more attractions in Ninh Binh. We could have seen more than Trang An and Bai Dinh Pagoda. We could have experienced something else.
For example?
Take in the 360-degree panoramic view of the Tam Coc valley and the winding Ngo Dong River from Mua Caves. Experience cycling through rice paddies and the idyllic countryside. Finally, enjoy a romantic walk in Pho Co Hoa Lu at night.
Actually, after finishing my tourist map of Ninh Binh and finding even more places to see, I’ve made a decision. I’m going to stay in Ninh Binh for at least two days on my next trip.
I really need to spend one night there. I want to see the temples lined with golden lights and the colorful lanterns hanging on the boats. I want to have plenty of time to appreciate and photograph the charm of the Pho Co Hoa Lu canal in person at night.
Given all that, if you’re spending a week or less in Northern Vietnam like we did, a day trip from Hanoi should be enough. Check out my recommended tour. It is the same one I took for my trip on my Ninh Binh Travel Planning Page.
What We Learned From Visiting Sapa
While rest and relaxation were the main goals for our Sapa trip, one thought stayed with me the whole time. Adventures.
Adventures?
I mean, not the safe adventures, but the real and thrilling ones. Hiking. Trekking through the rice terraces. Or, riding motorbikes along the winding and scenic mountain passes.
As a mountain lover who has lived on an island my whole life, adventures in the peaks of mainland Asia excite me a lot. Even after our trip, it was still on my mind. It now serves as the reason why I want to return.
Here is some honest advice from my heart. If we share the same passion and you are visiting Northern Vietnam, I say go for it. Go on the adventure because Sapa alone, even without counting Ha Giang, has plenty to try.
I saw some of it in person: the countless places where you can have an adventure. For instance, when I was in the cable car to the roof of Indochina, I took in the view of the Muong Hoa Valley rice terraces.
They were stretching out from both sides of the view, tucked between towering peaks! I could not imagine how many trails and peaks a person can conquer there.
If you decide to go for an adventure in Northern Vietnam like in Sapa, keep the preparation in mind. Physical preparation is one thing.
Another is the gear and things you need to pack. Even though Vietnam is a tropical country, it is not always warm everywhere you visit.
The temperature in the highlands can dip to a single digit in Celsius. That is roughly 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Extra layers to shield you from the cold and rain are a must.
I have to tell you, we learned that from experience when we visited Fansipan. It went from a comfortable 22 or 23 degrees Celsius in town down to 5 degrees when we reached the summit.
Luckily, I brought a sweater. My friend, however, endured the freezing weather in a thin shirt and a cardigan. I could actually hear her teeth chattering. She had a fever after that trip, but thank goodness nothing worse happened.
Speaking of sickness, remember to get insurance if you are into adventure. You would not want to worry about your bank account getting wiped out if you get sick or have an accident.
Of course, I hope nothing bad happens to you. Let’s be practical, though. Think about how those winding mountain roads and trails can get so slippery when it rains.
On the topic of rain, remember to include a backup indoor plan in your itinerary. Spending a whole day in a hotel is the last thing we want when we are traveling for the experience, right?
It is good to know that there is something to do indoors even in the mountains of Northern Vietnam. For example, if you are in Ha Giang, there is Dinh Vua Meo. In Sapa, you have the herbal bath experience. In Cao Bang, the Tiger Cave is the place to go.
By the way, I have more Sapa tips I want to share with you. I put them in a separate blog post because there is a lot to cover. Feel free to take a quick look at it.
And if you’re visiting Sapa, I have more recommendations on my travel planning page. I compiled my trusted partners and services there that made my Sapa trip possible. It includes everything from hotels to tours and travel insurance.
Check it out when you’re ready to organize your trip!
Final Thoughts
Alright! That’s everything I can share from our 4-day Northern Vietnam trip. I hope you found these tips helpful. If you do, you make my trip more meaningful. You make my imperfect trip feel perfect. That’s true.
Enjoy your trip!
Ready to put life to your travel plans?
Planning to Visit Northern Vietnam?
Don’t forget to grab all my Northern Vietnam maps to make planning easier. Just click any map below to see the details. Also, check out my travel planning resource page (button also at the end). It has everything you need, from flights and hotels to transfers, tours, and more.
Discover more than 30 attractions with my tourist map of Northern Vietnam. It includes 8 towns and surrounding sights, from scenic coastlines to spectacular mountain peaks and time transporting historical landmarks.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
Check Out My Newsletter
For new posts and updates on how I am growing this blog, subscribe to my newsletter.
Support Explore to Thrive
If this post brought you value, please help me keep this blog growing by checking out the services I recommend below. They are affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase a ticket or book a service through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support makes a real difference in helping me continue creating helpful content for you.
Hotels & Stays
Guide & Tours
Car Rentals
Public Transport
Flights
SIM & VPNs
Insurance
You must be logged in to post a comment.