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Northern Vietnam Tours, Private and Tailor-Made

Private northern Vietnam tours with your own guide and driver: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, a Ha Long Bay cruise, Sapa or Ha Giang. 5 days from US$700 pp (2 guests, 4★).

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  • 4–8 days7 private routes
  • from US$560per person, 4 days
  • Oct – Decand Mar – May
  • Bay cruisecabin on board
  • Privateguide & driver
  • ★★★★★4.9 on Tripadvisor
  • 2,000+ trips booked
  • 10,100+ travellers
  • 869 hand-picked partners
  • Licensed international tour operator 01-1167/2023

Cover photo: Metta Voyage guests at Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi

At a glance

Northern Vietnam private tour in short

A private northern Vietnam tour combines Hanoi, Ninh Binh and a night on Ha Long Bay, with Sapa or Ha Giang if you have more time. Five days covers the essentials, from US$700 per person for two travellers at Comfort 4★; eight days with the mountains from US$1,120.

  • Our head office is in Hanoi: the north is home ground
  • Cruise chosen for its route and cabins, not its price
  • Free day-by-day itinerary within 24 hours
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Metta Voyage guests at Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi
Photo: Metta Voyage guests
Sample itinerary

Northern Vietnam in 5 days, day by day

Hanoi as your base, one night on the bay. Add the mountains with three more days.

CHINALAOSHanoiNinh BinhHa LongSapaHa Giang
By roadBy boat
  1. Hanoi

    Day 1

    Hanoi

    Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, a cyclo ride in the Old Quarter.

    Photo: Jorge Láscar from Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Ninh Binh

    Day 2

    Ninh Binh

    Hoa Lu, Bich Dong Pagoda and Tam Coc by sampan.

    Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
  3. Ha Long Bay

    Days 3–4

    Ha Long Bay

    Lunch on board, a fishing village, sunset and sunrise on deck.

    Photo: lumoplank / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
  4. Hanoi

    Day 5

    Hanoi

    Free time for shopping, then the airport.

    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Sapa or Ha Giang

    +3 days

    Sapa or Ha Giang

    Rice terraces, village walks, high mountain passes.

    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Closest published version: Explore the Northern Vietnam Tour, 6 days, from US$766.

Choose your route

Northern Vietnam private tours and prices

Prices per person for two travellers sharing, as on each tour page. Every route can be shortened, lengthened or upgraded.

Discover Hanoi and Surroundings in Style5 daysfrom US$700Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Discover Hanoi and Surroundings in Style

Hanoi · Ha Long Bay day cruise · Hanoi street food

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Hanoi – Halong Bay Classical4 daysfrom US$560Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hanoi – Halong Bay Classical

Hanoi · Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

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Explore the Northern Vietnam Tour6 daysfrom US$766Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Explore the Northern Vietnam Tour

Hanoi · Ninh Binh (Mua Cave, Trang An) · Ha Long Bay

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Best Vietnam Cruise Tour6 daysfrom US$840Photo: aschaf / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Best Vietnam Cruise Tour

Hanoi · Ha Long Bay · Hoa Lu · Van Long

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Vietnam Adventure Tour: Sapa Trekking4 daysfrom US$560Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vietnam Adventure Tour: Sapa Trekking

Hanoi · Sapa · Lao Chai · Ta Van · Ta Phin

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Northern Vietnam “Golden Season” Luxury Adventure8 daysfrom US$1,120Photo: Phi Phi Hoang / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Northern Vietnam “Golden Season” Luxury Adventure

Hanoi · Sapa · Bac Ha · Hoang Su Phi · Lan Ha Bay

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Northern Vietnam Off the Beaten Track8 daysfrom US$1,120Photo: Khánh Hmoong / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Northern Vietnam Off the Beaten Track

Sapa · Ha Giang · Dong Van · Cao Bang · Ban Gioc · Ba Be Lake

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Where you stay

Cruises and hotels we book

In the bay the cruise is your hotel: cabin, meals and kayaks on board.

Hotel level is your choice: Comfort 4★, Superior, Deluxe 5★ or Luxury. Named in your written quote.

Heritage Line Ylang with three dark sails among the limestone islands of Lan Ha BayLuxuryPhoto: Heritage Line

Heritage Line Ylang

Lan Ha Bay

Capella Cruise, a white four-deck ship with rooftop pool, among the islands of Lan Ha BayLuxuryPhoto: Capella Cruise

Capella Cruise

Lan Ha Bay, all suites

Paradise Grand cruise ship with its large sundeck in front of Lan Ha Bay limestone cliffsLuxuryPhoto: Paradise Vietnam

Paradise Grand

Lan Ha Bay

  • Also booked at 4★ and 5★
  • Hotel du Parc Hanoi5★
  • Pan Pacific Hanoi5★
  • The Q Hotel4★ Hanoi
  • Paradise Elegance5★ cruise
  • Ambassador Cruise5★ cruise
  • Peony Cruise4★ cruise
In numbers

Rated 4.9 by our travellers

All Tripadvisor reviews

  • 4.9/5Tripadvisor rating
  • 2,000+trips booked
  • 10,100+travellers looked after
  • 24/7WhatsApp support on tour
★★★★Tripadvisor
It was a wonderful trip and well arranged by Metta Voyage team in coordination with Raintree in Nepal. Specially we enjoyed Halong Bay and cruise and Hanoi tour.
Tripadvisor traveller · Aug 2026 · read on Tripadvisor
★★★★★Tripadvisor
From the excellent hotel 🏨 selection to the thoughtfully planned itinerary and flawless execution, everything was handled with great care and professionalism.
Prathamesh S. · Mar 2026 · read on Tripadvisor
★★★★★Tripadvisor
Metta team lead by Mia was so much attentive that I had only one hiccups and just sent Mia a WhatsApp message and within less then 5 minutes the team resolved it.
Bhupendra J. · Oct 2025 · read on Tripadvisor
Along the way

Limestone, rice and old Hanoi

Lan Ha Bay
Lan Ha BayPhoto: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake, HanoiPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trang An, Ninh Binh
Trang An, Ninh BinhPhoto: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Rice terraces near Sapa
Rice terraces near SapaPhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha Giang
Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha GiangPhoto: Khánh Hmoong / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Mai Chau valley
Mai Chau valleyPhoto: Franzfoto / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cat Cat village, Sapa
Cat Cat village, SapaPhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prices

What a private northern Vietnam tour costs

Where no published tour fits, we price your trip per person per day, for two travellers sharing a room.

Your exact price comes in a written quote, usually within 24 hours. No payment before you accept it.

Comfort4★ hotels

US$140 /person/day

2 travellers
US$140
4 travellers (−5%)
US$133
6 travellers (−8%)
US$129

5 days for two: US$700 pp

Superiorbetween 4★ and 5★

US$180 /person/day

2 travellers
US$180
4 travellers (−5%)
US$171
6 travellers (−8%)
US$166

5 days for two: US$900 pp

Deluxe5★ hotels

US$250 /person/day

2 travellers
US$250
4 travellers (−5%)
US$238
6 travellers (−8%)
US$230

5 days for two: US$1,250 pp

Luxuryluxury resorts

US$350 /person/day

2 travellers
US$350
4 travellers (−5%)
US$333
6 travellers (−8%)
US$322

5 days for two: US$1,750 pp

Included

  • Hotels at your level, daily breakfast
  • Private guide on touring days
  • Private car or van with driver, airport transfers
  • Entrance fees, boat trips, meals in the programme
  • Cruise cabin where the route includes the bay
  • 24/7 support from our Hanoi team

Not included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights (quoted at live fares)
  • Visas and travel insurance
  • Other meals, about US$12–15 per person
  • Drinks, tips, personal expenses
When to go

Weather in northern Vietnam

October to December and March to May are the most comfortable months.

RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Hanoi & Ninh BinhGoodGoodBestBestGoodMixedMixedMixedGoodBestBestGood
Ha Long Bay cruiseGoodGoodGoodBestBestGoodGoodMixedMixedBestBestGood
Sapa & Ha GiangMixedGoodBestBestBestGoodGoodGoodBestBestBestGood
Best: dry, clear, comfortableGoodMixed: heat, rain or storms possible

General climate pattern; cruises can be rescheduled in summer storms. We check the forecast for your dates.

Free itinerary in 24 hours

Your route, your pace

Tell us your dates and pace. A planner in Hanoi replies within one working day with a route and one price.

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Payment and cancellation

Clear terms before you pay

How to pay

30% deposit

Confirms your trip once you accept the written quote. Balance due 45 days before arrival. Bank transfer has no fee from us; cards add 3.5%.

US$100 per traveller

A non-refundable booking fee, separate from the deposit. It covers reserving your hotels, cruise, flights and guides.

Cancellation

45+ days before arrival: deposit refunded minus US$100 per traveller and non-refundable supplier fees. 44–31 days 30%, 30–15 days 50%, 14–7 days 70%, under 7 days 100%.

FAQ

Questions travellers ask us

Free day-by-day itinerary within 24 hours. No payment before a written quote.

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What is the best northern Vietnam itinerary for 5 days?

Two days in Hanoi, a day trip to Ninh Binh for Tam Coc or Trang An, and one night on a cruise in Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay. With seven or eight days, add two nights in Sapa or the Ha Giang loop.

How much does a private northern Vietnam tour cost?

From US$700 per person for 5 days (Hanoi and a Ha Long Bay cruise) for two travellers at Comfort 4★. Published tours run from US$560 for 4 days to US$1,120 for 8 days in the mountains. Your exact price is confirmed in your quote.

When is the best time to visit northern Vietnam?

October to December and March to May: clear skies, mild temperatures and calm seas in Ha Long Bay. September and early October bring golden rice terraces in the mountains. January and February are cool and can be misty; June to August is hot with summer storms.

Is Sapa or Ha Giang better?

Sapa is easier to reach and suits gentle walks between villages and rice terraces. Ha Giang is wilder, with high passes and long drives, and suits travellers who enjoy road journeys. Both work on a private tour with a driver.

Is northern Vietnam suitable for older travellers?

Yes. With a private car, a guide who sets the pace and a cruise cabin instead of long day trips, Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long are comfortable for most travellers. In the mountains we choose short walks and good hotels.

Updated November 2026 for travel in 2026–2027. Prices in US dollars, per person. The Metta Voyage team.

Free itinerary in 24 hours

Plan your journey with us

Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A travel designer replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and one price for the whole trip.

  • No payment before a written quote
  • 30% deposit to confirm, balance 45 days before arrival
  • Private guide in your language (outside Vietnam subject to availability)

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