Ha Long Bay
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| A Ha Long Bay cruise | Thousands of limestone islands in emerald water, with day cruises or a night on board; on the World Heritage list. | About 2.5 hours from Hanoi |
| Sung Sot cave | The bay's largest cave, with vast chambers and hanging rocks. | On bay tours; daily visitor numbers are capped |
| Ti Top island | Steps to a summit with a view over the whole bay, and a small beach. | On bay tours |
| Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba island | Quieter bays with green islands and small beaches, for kayaking. | South of Ha Long |
Ninh Binh
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Trang An | Boats rowed by locals between the mountains and through caves, on the World Heritage list. | About 2 hours from Hanoi |
| Mua Cave viewpoint | About 500 steps up to a summit with a dragon statue and views over the rice fields and river. | 100,000 dong, 6 am to 7 pm |
| Tam Coc | A calm river between fields and limestone peaks, by boat. | Near Mua Cave |
Hanoi
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake | Narrow streets of markets and cafés, and a lake in the heart of the city with a temple on an island and a red bridge. | Central Hanoi |
| The Temple of Literature | Vietnam's first university, with quiet courtyards and gardens. | West of the Old Quarter |
| The water puppet theatre | A traditional show of puppets on water that families love. | Near Hoan Kiem Lake |
The mountains
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Sapa and its rice terraces | Mountain villages with green rice terraces and walking trails. | About 5 to 6 hours from Hanoi |
| Fansipan by cable car | The highest peak in Indochina, reached by a cable car over the valleys. | Near Sapa |
Tips before you go
- The best months are March to May and September to November.
- In Ha Long, choose a night on board to enjoy sunset and sunrise among the islands.
- Saudis need an e-visa for Vietnam.
More places nearby
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in northern Vietnam?
Ha Long Bay and Sung Sot cave, Lan Ha Bay, Trang An and Mua Cave in Ninh Binh, Hanoi's Old Quarter, Sapa and Fansipan.
How far is Ha Long from Hanoi?
About two and a half hours by expressway.
What is the difference between Ha Long and Ninh Binh?
Ha Long is islands in the sea that you visit by boat; Ninh Binh is mountains, rivers and caves that you visit by small rowing boat, often called “Ha Long Bay on land”.
Planning your trip to Vietnam? Read Travel to Vietnam from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.