Vietnam is a captivating country in Southeast Asia, where breathtaking natural landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture and warm hospitality come together to create an unforgettable travel experience. From the emerald waters and dramatic limestone islands of Halong Bay and Cat Ba, to the charming streets and historic landmarks of Hanoi, and the spectacular rivers, caves and karst mountains of Ninh Binh, Vietnam offers an incredible variety of experiences for travellers. With its delicious cuisine, fascinating traditions, beautiful beaches and rapidly developing cities, Vietnam seamlessly blends its ancient heritage with modern life, making it a destination that appeals to adventurers, culture lovers, food enthusiasts and those simply looking to relax and explore.

In this article I shall share my personal experience of my Vietnam trip which is from Hanoi To Ninh Binh To Ha Long and finally to Cat Ba then back to Hanoi .

Quick Facts

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Language

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. English is widely understood in major tourist areas, hotels and restaurants.

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Religion

Vietnam has a diverse spiritual tradition, including Buddhism, folk beliefs, ancestor worship and Christianity.

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Currency

The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND / ₫) . Cash is useful for markets, street food and smaller businesses.

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Capital

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, known for its Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, temples, historic buildings and vibrant street life.

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Power Plugs

Vietnam commonly uses Type A, Type C and Type F plugs. Electricity is approximately 220–240V / 50Hz. A universal travel adaptor is recommended.

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Airport

Major international gateways include Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Da Nang International Airport.

Steps for Getting a Tourist Visa for Vietnam

For most travellers who need a visa, the simplest route is Vietnam’s official e-Visa. Vietnam currently allows citizens of all countries and territories to apply for an e-Visa, which can be valid for up to 90 days and for single or multiple entry. However, some nationalities are visa-exempt, so it is worth checking your passport status first.

1. Check whether you need a visa

Before applying, check whether your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry. Vietnam has visa-exemption arrangements for a number of nationalities, with permitted stays varying by nationality.

If you are not visa-exempt, you can generally apply for a Vietnam e-Visa online.

2. Prepare your documents

For the e-Visa application, you will generally need:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months
• A digital passport photograph, front-facing, with a white background and without glasses
• A digital image/scan of the passport information page
• Your intended date of entry
• Your intended entry point
• Your accommodation or address in Vietnam
• A valid email address for receiving application information

The official Vietnam Tourism guidance specifically lists a 4 × 6 cm digital photo and a passport information-page scan among the application documents.

3. Apply through the official e-Visa website

Use the official Vietnam Immigration Department e-Visa portal, rather than an unofficial visa-agent website:

Vietnam E-Visa Official Website

The application is completed online. Enter your personal and passport information carefully and upload the required photograph and passport page. The Immigration Department warns that dishonest or inaccurate information can result in the e-Visa application being denied.

4. Select your visa type

For tourism, select the appropriate e-Visa option and choose whether you require:

• Single entry, or
• Multiple entry

The current official e-Visa system states that the e-Visa can be valid for a maximum of 90 days.

5. Enter your intended entry point

You will need to specify where you intend to enter Vietnam.

For example, tourists arriving in northern Vietnam may use Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Other permitted international airports include Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cat Bi, Cam Ranh and several others.

Make sure your actual entry point is one of the approved e-Visa entry points.

6. Pay the visa fee

The fee is non-refundable if the visa is not granted.

7. Save your application code

After submitting the application, keep your application/document code safely.

You will need this information to check the status of your application and retrieve the result.

8. Check your e-Visa status

The official system allows you to check your application and receive the result online. The official tourism guidance advises applicants to use their document code to check the result and then print the e-Visa.

Check Vietnam e-Visa / Application Status

9. Download and print your e-Visa

Once your e-Visa is approved, download it and print a copy.

It is also sensible to keep a digital copy on your phone, but carrying a printed copy is recommended for your journey.

10. Enter Vietnam

Important Tip

Apply directly through the official Vietnamese Immigration Department website. There are many commercial websites that look like official visa portals and charge additional service fees. Using the official portal helps you avoid unnecessary charges.

Also check your visa carefully before travelling—particularly your name, passport number, date of birth, validity dates, number of entries and intended entry point. Errors in the application can cause problems at the border.

Flights

For tourists visiting Hanoi + Ninh Binh + Ha Long Bay/Cat Ba, I’d recommend flying into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi.

TRAVEL TIPS

Etiquette Tips for Vietnam

Understanding a few local customs can help you travel respectfully and enjoy warmer, more meaningful interactions with people in Vietnam.

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Stay Calm & Respectful

Vietnamese culture places importance on harmony and preserving dignity. If a problem occurs, remain calm and polite rather than raising your voice, arguing publicly or embarrassing someone.

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Respect Temples & Homes

Remove your shoes when entering a Vietnamese home and dress modestly when visiting temples or pagodas. Follow local customs around family altars and avoid stepping over or directly in front of them.

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Ask Before Taking Photos

Vietnam provides countless photographic opportunities, but always be considerate of people’s privacy. Ask permission before photographing local people, particularly in homes and rural areas.

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Dress Appropriately

Clothing expectations can be more conservative outside major cities. Avoid revealing clothing at cultural and religious sites. Swimwear is best kept to beaches, pools and suitable resort areas.

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Eat with Good Manners

Vietnamese meals are often shared around the table. When passing dishes, use your right hand or both hands. Accepting food offered by a host is generally a sign of hospitality and friendliness.

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Use Respectful Gestures

Avoid pointing at people or touching someone’s head, especially older people. When giving or receiving something, using your right hand or both hands is considered a courteous gesture.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Don’t Turn Over Your Fish!

Vietnamese believe it is bad luck to turn over a fish while eating. Instead, once you have finished one side, carefully remove the bones and continue eating the other side. This traditional belief is particularly associated with the idea that turning the fish over could symbolically “turn over” a boat or bring bad luck to fishermen.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Destination	Typical Temperature	Weather Conditions	Best Time to Visit	Why
Hanoi 🇻🇳	15–30°C generally; can exceed 35°C in summer	Dec–Mar: cool, cloudy and sometimes misty. Apr–Jun: warm to hot. Jun–Aug: hot, humid and rainy. Sep–Nov: cooler and clearer. (Vietnam Tourism)	Apr–Jun & Sep–Nov	Excellent for sightseeing, walking the Old Quarter and exploring cultural attractions. Sep–Oct are particularly pleasant.
Ninh Binh 🌾	16–32°C generally; summer can reach 35°C+	Mar–May: mild and pleasant. Jun–Aug: hot, humid and prone to showers/storms. Sep–Nov: cooler and comfortable. (Vietnam Tourism)	Mar–May & Sep–Nov	Ideal for Trang An/Tam Coc boat trips, cycling and Hang Mua. October is especially attractive during the rice harvest.
Cat Ba 🏝️	17–32°C generally; May–Jul can be very hot	Dec–Mar: cool and sometimes misty. Apr–Jun: warm and increasingly sunny. Jul–Aug: hot, humid and stormier. Sep–Nov: comfortable, with some storm risk. (Vietnam Tourism)	Apr–Jun & Sep–Nov	Good for cruises, kayaking, beaches and Cat Ba National Park. Sep–Nov is particularly comfortable for outdoor activities.

⭐ Best overall period for your itinerary

For the complete Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long → Cat Ba trip, I would rank the periods:

🥇 September–October — Best overall
Approximately 20–30°C, generally more comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Ninh Binh is especially attractive around October, while Hanoi’s autumn weather is excellent.

🥈 April–May — Excellent alternative
Approximately 20–32°C. Warm and generally good for sightseeing, boat trips and outdoor activities, although May can become quite hot.

🥉 November — Very good
Generally cooler and comfortable, particularly for Hanoi and Ninh Binh. Cat Ba is also pleasant for outdoor activities.

June–August — Less recommended
Expect hot, humid conditions, heavy showers and occasional storms. This can affect outdoor activities and cruises around Ha Long Bay/Cat Ba.

My recommendation: 👉 late September to October. It offers one of the best combinations of comfortable temperatures, sightseeing conditions and Ninh Binh scenery.

🗺️ Suggested route For Tourists To explore Hanoi,Ninh Binh and Cat Ba

NORTHERN VIETNAM TOURIST ROUTE

✈️ HAN
Noi Bai Airport
│
│ 🚗 ROAD
▼
🏙️ HANOI
│
│ 🚗 ROAD
▼
🌾 NINH BINH
│
│ 🚗 ROAD
▼
🌊 HA LONG
│
│ 🚗 ROAD
▼
⛴️ FERRY
│
│ ⛴️ WATER
▼
🏝️ CAT BA
│
│ ⛴️ FERRY + 🚗 ROAD
└──────────────────────────► ✈️ HAN
Noi Bai Airport

Here is a Google Maps route showing the road connectivity:

Open the route in Google Maps — HAN → Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long → Cat Ba

Important: Google Maps may not display the Cat Ba section as a continuous road because Cat Ba is an island. The journey necessarily includes a ferry/boat crossing. The Ninh Binh → Cat Ba journey can use the coastal highway to Dong Bai, then the Dong Bai → Cai Vieng ferry, followed by the road to Cat Ba Town.

🚗 Approximate road journey

Leg	Approx. travel time
Noi Bai Airport → Hanoi	~45–60 min
Hanoi → Ninh Binh	~2 hours
Ninh Binh → Dong Bai ferry terminal	~3 hours
Ferry → Cat Ba	~20 min
Cai Vieng → Cat Ba Town	~45 min
Total Ninh Binh → Cat Ba	~4–4.5 hours

The direct Ninh Binh → Cat Ba route is particularly useful because it avoids going back north to Hanoi.

One other consideration: if your trip is specifically a Ha Long Bay cruise followed by Cat Ba, the sequence can be Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Ha Long → Cat Ba, with the Ha Long-to-Cat Ba ferry/boat connection. That can make a very nice north-to-east progression rather than backtracking.

Attractions

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN HANOI

If you have two full days to spend .I would recommend the below sight seeing.

Day 1 – Historic Hanoi

1. Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem Lake is the cultural heart of Hanoi and a popular gathering place for locals. Located on a small island in the lake, Ngoc Son Temple is reached via the iconic red Huc Bridge. Together, they offer a beautiful introduction to Hanoi’s history, legends and traditional culture.

2. Hanoi Old Quarter

The Old Quarter is the lively historic centre of Hanoi, famous for its narrow streets, traditional shop houses, cafés and street-food stalls. Visitors can wander through the bustling streets, experience local life and sample Vietnamese favourites such as pho and bun cha.

3. Hanoi Street Food Experience

Food is an essential part of the Hanoi experience. A walking food tour allows visitors to discover local specialties, from pho and bun cha to banh mi and Vietnamese desserts, while experiencing the atmosphere of the Old Quarter.

4. Hanoi Train Street

Train Street is one of Hanoi’s most unusual and photogenic attractions, where an active railway passes remarkably close to residential buildings and cafés. Visitors can experience the unique atmosphere from designated safe areas while learning about everyday life along the railway.

5. Traditional Water Puppet Show

A water puppet performance is an entertaining way to experience traditional Vietnamese culture. Colourful wooden puppets perform on a water stage, accompanied by Vietnamese music and storytelling based on village life, folklore and legends.

Day 2 – Culture & History

1. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of Hanoi’s most important historical landmarks and the resting place of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s revolutionary leader. The surrounding Ba Dinh Square and government district provide visitors with an insight into Vietnam’s modern history.

2. One Pillar Pagoda

The One Pillar Pagoda is one of Hanoi’s most distinctive architectural landmarks. Built in the 11th century and designed to resemble a lotus emerging from the water, it is an important symbol of Vietnamese Buddhist culture.

3. Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reflects more than a thousand years of Vietnamese history. Visitors can explore ancient gates, archaeological remains and historic buildings that once formed the political centre of the country.

4. Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is one of Hanoi’s most beautiful historic sites and was Vietnam’s first national university. Its peaceful courtyards, traditional architecture and stone steles provide a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s long tradition of education and Confucian scholarship.

5. French Quarter & Hanoi Opera House

The French Quarter offers a contrast to the Old Quarter, with elegant colonial buildings, broad tree-lined streets and the magnificent Hanoi Opera House. A leisurely walk through this area showcases the French influence on Hanoi’s architecture and urban character.

LOCATION OF THE ATTRACTIONS

Day	Attraction	Google Maps
Day 1	Hoan Kiem Lake	Map
	Ngoc Son Temple	Map
	Hanoi Old Quarter	Map
	Street Food / Ta Hien	Map
	Hanoi Train Street	Map
	Water Puppet Theatre	Map
Day 2	Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum	Map
	One Pillar Pagoda	Map
	Imperial Citadel	Map
	Temple of Literature	Map
	Hanoi Opera House / French Quarter	Map

ACCOMODATION

Accommodation in Hanoi

Hanoi offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and travel styles, from comfortable 3–5 star hotels to boutique hotels and charming guesthouses. For tourists, staying around the Old Quarter or Hoan Kiem Lake is highly recommended, as it provides convenient access to major attractions, restaurants, cafés, shopping and Hanoi’s vibrant nightlife. These central areas also make it easier to arrange transportation for day trips to Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba.

Getting Around

🚗 Getting Around

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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN NINH BINH

🌾 Ready to Discover Ninh Binh?

Our journey through Northern Vietnam continues with Ninh Binh, a destination where dramatic limestone mountains, peaceful rivers, ancient temples and beautiful countryside come together.

From the spectacular Trang An and Tam Coc boat rides to the historic temples and panoramic views from Hang Mua, Ninh Binh offers a wonderful mix of nature, history and adventure.

If you would like to explore this fascinating destination in greater detail, I invite you to continue your journey with my dedicated guide:

👉 NINH BINH: Where History, Nature, and Adventure Meet

Discover the places to visit, things to do and experiences that can make your Ninh Binh adventure truly memorable. 🐉🌿

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN HALONG BAY

🌊 Next Stop: Ha Long Bay

After exploring the historic streets and cultural treasures of Hanoi, it’s time to head towards one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural destinations — Ha Long Bay.

Famous for its emerald-green waters, towering limestone karsts and fascinating caves, Ha Long Bay offers a completely different experience from the bustling cities of Vietnam. Whether you are exploring the bay by boat, discovering hidden caves or simply taking in the incredible scenery, this is a destination that deserves a place on your Vietnam itinerary.

Want to discover more about what you can see and do here?

👉 Lost Among the Limestone Giants: My Ha Long Bay Adventure

Continue your journey and explore my detailed guide to Ha Long Bay, including the attractions, experiences and adventures that await among its magnificent limestone islands. 🛶⛰️

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CATBA

🏝️ Continue Your Journey to Cat Ba

And now, it’s time to leave the magnificent limestone landscapes of Ha Long Bay behind and head towards Cat Ba Island — a beautiful destination where rugged mountains, turquoise waters, beaches and lush greenery come together.

Cat Ba offers much more than a stopover. From exploring Cat Ba National Park and relaxing on its beaches to discovering caves, viewpoints and the surrounding waters, the island provides plenty of opportunities for nature, adventure and relaxation.

Curious to discover what makes Cat Ba so special?

👉 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CATBA

Continue to my dedicated Cat Ba guide and discover the places to visit, things to do and experiences to enjoy on this fascinating island paradise. 🌊🏝️