Northern Vietnam: Food, Caves, and Ha Long Bay — A 5-Day 5-Night Itinerary

Welcome to Northern Vietnam, one of the most underrated yet breathtaking travel destinations in Southeast Asia. From the chaotic charm of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the jaw-dropping karst landscapes of Ha Long Bay, this region will hit you with culture, food, and scenery all at once. Over 5 days and 5 nights, we explored Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Ha Long Bay with 7 people — and honestly, it exceeded every expectation. Here’s your ultimate guide so you can do the same.

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Where We Stayed

Hanoi (Days 1 & 5): Toycan House
Located right in the heart of Hoan Kiem at 20 Phố Lương Văn Can, Toycan House puts you within walking distance of basically everything — the lake, Train Street, restaurants, you name it. Ideal base for exploring the Old Quarter.

Ninh Binh (Days 2 & 3): Tam Coc Forest Banana Retreat & Spa
Tucked away in the lush greenery of Tam Coc, this place is a vibe. After a day of temples and rice paddy boat rides, coming back to this retreat felt like the definition of “recharge.” Highly recommended.

Ha Long Bay (Day 4): The Watson Premium HaLong Hotel
A solid hotel in Ha Long city, clean rooms and great value. Since we were doing a day cruise, it was a perfect place to sleep and wind down after the boat.

Getting Around

Shuttles between cities: We booked all of our intercity transfers directly through our Booking.com reservations. After booking a hotel, just message them on WhatsApp — they all pretty much speak English and can sort out a private shuttle for you. Prices were standard and we never felt like we were getting ripped off.

Here’s a breakdown of what we paid for a 16-seater car for 7 people:

Hanoi airport transfer (via Booking.com reservation): 700,000 VND
Hanoi → Ninh Binh: 2,450,000 VND
Ninh Binh → Ha Long Bay: 2,450,000 VND
Ha Long Bay → Hanoi: 2,900,000 VND

Within each city: Grab (Southeast Asia’s version of Uber) is readily available. If Grab isn’t working, just ask your hotel to call a taxi. Easy.

Day 1: Hanoi

We flew from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 12:00 PM and landed at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport (HAN) at 2:05 PM. Important heads-up: the airport is about 45 minutes from the city center, so factor that into your plans. Our hotel sorted the shuttle, and we were checked in and ready to vinture by mid-afternoon.

Lunch: Cha Ca Thang Long
First meal in Hanoi and it was already sending. Cha Ca is a Hanoi classic — turmeric-marinated fish grilled tableside with dill and green onion, served with rice noodles, peanuts, and shrimp paste. It’s interactive, flavorful, and totally worth it. Don’t skip this one.

Coffee: Trung Nguyễn Coffee
Vietnam is a coffee country, and Trung Nguyễn is one of the most iconic café chains you’ll find here. Strong, bold Vietnamese coffee either served hot or iced with condensed milk. Grab a cup and people-watch.

Sightseeing: St. Joseph’s Cathedral
A stunning French Gothic-style cathedral right in the middle of the Old Quarter. Even if you’re not religious, the architecture is incredible and the square in front is a great spot to sit and take it all in.

Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake
One of the most peaceful spots in the city. The lake sits right in the heart of Hanoi and you can walk the entire perimeter in about 30–40 minutes. The Turtle Tower in the middle and the red Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple are iconic photo moments.

Train Street
A narrow alley with active train tracks running right through it. When the train passes, vendors and locals squeeze back against the walls of the cafés lining the street. It’s a uniquely Hanoi experience — touristy, yes, but absolutely worth it. Just be mindful and move when you need to!

Dinner: Pho Khoi Hoi
After a full day of exploring, pho hit different. Rich broth, fresh herbs, tender beef — classic. This spot nailed it.

Dessert: Che 4 Mua
End the night with che, a Vietnamese sweet dessert soup. Che 4 Mua (Four Seasons Dessert) offers a mix of beans, jellies, coconut milk, and tapioca. It sounds unusual but it’s refreshing and addictive.

Day 2: Ninh Binh

Breakfast: Bun Rieu Co Hoan Hang Luoc
Before leaving Hanoi, we stopped at this local gem for a bowl of bun rieu — a tomato-based crab noodle soup. Don’t overthink it, just slurp. The broth is tangy and delicious.

We then hopped in our shuttle and headed to Ninh Binh (~2 hours from Hanoi).

Bich Dong Pagoda
This three-tiered pagoda is built into a mountainside and connected by cave passages. The hike up gives you gorgeous views over the rice paddies and karst mountains. It’s free to enter and genuinely stunning. Go before noon to beat the crowds and heat.

Lunch: De Chinh Thu 2
Ninh Binh is famous for de nuong — grilled goat. And De Chinh Thu 2 does it right. The goat is marinated, charcoal-grilled, and served with rice paper, fresh herbs, and a tangy dipping sauce. One of the highlights of the whole trip.

Tam Coc Boat Ride
The iconic Ninh Binh experience. You hop in a small rowboat and drift through rice paddies and into cave tunnels, all framed by towering limestone cliffs. Your boat captain rows entirely with their feet, which is both impressive and hilarious. Book early in the morning or afternoon to avoid the midday rush.

Haircut: The Cool Hair Salon
Random but — we got haircuts here and they were fantastic. Affordable and quality. If you need a trim, this is your spot.

Dinner: Chicken Place – Pig Family Restaurant
A no-frills local spot with solid, homestyle Vietnamese food. The grilled chicken and pork were the stars of the show. Exactly what you want after a full day of sightseeing.

Night walk: Pho Co Hoa Lu
We strolled through this quiet, scenic strip in the evening — old temple architecture lit up against the night sky. Very peaceful and worth a walk after dinner.

Bar: Ume
Great spot to end the night. Chill vibes, decent drinks, and a good mix of travelers and locals. Perfect way to wind down after day two.

Day 3: Ninh Binh

Morning: Bai Dinh Pagoda
The largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The scale of this place is hard to comprehend until you’re there — thousands of Buddha statues, incense smoke everywhere, and monks going about their morning rituals. Take an electric cart if you don’t want to walk the whole complex (it’s huge). Go early to avoid tour bus crowds.

Lunch: Family Restaurant
A low-key local lunch spot near the pagoda area. Straightforward Vietnamese dishes done well — perfect for fueling up before the afternoon.

Mua Caves at Sunset
Save Mua Caves for golden hour — trust me. You hike up about 500 steps to reach the summit and the view over the rice fields and winding river below is jaw-dropping, especially with the warm sunset light. It’s a workout but 100% worth it. Bring water.

Dinner: Nha Hang Pho Xua Ninh Binh
A beautiful restaurant with great ambiance and solid Vietnamese classics. The setting alone makes it worth a visit — traditional wooden decor, warm lighting, and a menu that hits all the right notes.

Other spots in Ninh Binh if you have more time: Trang An (similar to Tam Coc but arguably more scenic and a UNESCO World Heritage site), Van Long lagoon (great for wildlife spotting), and Hoa Lu Ancient Town (the former Vietnamese capital with ancient temples).

Day 4: Ha Long Bay

We took our shuttle from Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay (about 3 hours). We arrived at Tuan Chau Marina and booked a last-minute cruise with Halong Sonata — 50 USD/person (about 1,300,000 VND) which included a full day on the water. Super reasonable and the boat was great.

The Cruise Highlights:

Buffet Lunch on board — Fresh seafood, Vietnamese classics, lots of food. Don’t be shy about going back for seconds.
Titop Island — You can either chill on the beach (small but beautiful) or hike up to the summit for a panoramic view of the bay. We did both. The view from the top is stunning.
Bo Hon Archipelago (Luon Cave) — We kayaked through a cave and emerged into a hidden lagoon surrounded by cliffs. One of those moments that genuinely takes your breath away. You can also do a bamboo boat if you want a more relaxed ride.
Surprising Cave — Aptly named. This massive cave is covered in stalactites and stalagmites illuminated in coloured light. Way bigger than expected on the inside.
Rooftop Party with Live Music — As the sun went down, we headed to the rooftop for a traditional Vietnamese music performance and drinks. Perfect way to close out the cruise.

Dinner: Dai Duong Vang 9999
Fresh seafood restaurant in Ha Long city. You pick your catch, they cook it. The grilled crab and steamed clams were the moves. This was my favourite meal of the trip!

Night: Karaoke
Vietnam takes karaoke seriously, and Ha Long is no exception. We found a private room, grabbed some beers, and sang our hearts out. Don’t judge it until you’ve tried it.

Day 5: Back to Hanoi

We took our shuttle back from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi (~3 hours).

Lunch: Bun Dau Goc Da
Bun dau mam tom is the dish — rice vermicelli noodles with fried tofu and fermented shrimp paste. It sounds polarizing and it kind of is (that shrimp paste smell is intense), but the flavor combo works. Try it at least once.

Souvenir Shopping
Hanoi’s Old Quarter is full of souvenir shops — lacquerware, silk scarves, Vietnamese coffee, conical hats, fridge magnets, you name it. Wander around Hang Gai Street for some of the better quality options. Bargaining is expected and part of the fun.

Beer Street (Ta Hien Street)
The famous backpacker strip of Hanoi. Grab a plastic stool, a cold Bia Hoi (fresh draft beer for about 10,000 VND — yes, less than $1), and watch the chaos unfold. It’s loud, lively, and a quintessential Hanoi experience.

Dinner: Cau Go
A rooftop restaurant overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. The views are stunning, the food is solid Vietnamese cuisine, and the vibe is great for a final dinner. Book ahead if you can, especially for a good table by the railing.

Bonus Day 6 Notes

Breakfast: Cafe Giang (Egg Coffee)
Egg coffee is Hanoi’s specialty and Cafe Giang is where it was invented. A thick, velvety beaten egg yolk foam sits on top of your Vietnamese coffee. It’s sweet, rich, and unlike anything you’ve had. A must before leaving Hanoi.

Skip: Bun Cha Ta
We tried this because our original choice was closed and this was on the Michelin guide and honestly — not recommended. Save your hunger for somewhere else.

Other Things to Explore in the North

If you have more time, Sapa is an incredible add-on — mountain trekking, rice terraces, and hill tribe culture. It’s about 5–6 hours from Hanoi by overnight train or bus. The Ha Giang Loop is also a bucket list experience for motorbike lovers — raw, mountainous, and absolutely spectacular. Both deserve their own dedicated trips.

Final Thoughts

Northern Vietnam completely won us over. Between the crazy good food, the insane natural scenery at Ha Long and Ninh Binh, and the layered history of Hanoi, this is a destination that delivers on every front without wrecking your budget. The logistics are easy, the locals are friendly, and Booking.com makes sorting shuttles and accommodation between cities seamless. Whether you’re a first-timer to Vietnam or coming back for another lap, the North is non-negotiable. Start planning your vinture — you won’t regret it.

VINTURE WITH ME