Vietnam 2-Week Itinerary – Autumn 2026

Autumn is North Vietnam's finest season — golden rice terraces, clear skies, and comfortable temperatures. This 14-day route digs deep into the north, from Hanoi's ancient streets to Ha Giang's dramatic mountain passes. Central Vietnam is off-limits (typhoon season), but the north offers more than enough to fill two weeks.

Quick Facts

• →Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
• →Best Months: September through November
• →Regions Covered: North Vietnam (in depth)
• →Internal Flights: 0
• →Pace: Moderate (some long drives)
• →Budget Range: $45-90 per day

Why Autumn Works

September-November brings the north's best weather: clear skies, low humidity, and 20-28°C temperatures. It's harvest season — rice terraces turn gold before being cut, creating Vietnam's most photogenic landscapes. Ha Long Bay has calm seas and excellent visibility.

Critical: Avoid Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) in autumn. Typhoon season brings flooding, cancelled flights, and dangerous conditions. This route keeps you safely in the north.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

▸Hanoi (2 nights)

Autumn Hanoi is walking weather — 24°C, low humidity, blue skies. The Old Quarter feels peaceful rather than oppressive. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, and the Vietnamese Women's Museum.

Use day two to prepare for Ha Giang — rent a motorbike or arrange a driver, stock up on supplies, and rest before the long journey north.

Highlights: Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, trip preparation

▸Ha Giang (4 nights)

Take the bus or drive north to Ha Giang (6-7 hours). This remote province has Vietnam's most dramatic scenery — the famous Ha Giang Loop winds through karst mountains, terraced valleys, and minority villages.

Spend 3-4 days riding (or being driven) the loop: Dong Van, Meo Vac, the Ma Pi Leng Pass, and villages where tourists are still rare. Autumn brings golden rice at lower elevations and buckwheat flowers on the peaks.

This is challenging travel but unforgettable — Vietnam's last frontier.

Travel from Hanoi: 6-7 hours by bus or car, $15-50.

Highlights: Ha Giang Loop, Ma Pi Leng Pass, ethnic minority villages, golden terraces

▸Sapa (2 nights)

Drive west to Sapa (5-6 hours from Ha Giang). After Ha Giang's adventure, Sapa feels almost developed — comfortable hotels, established treks, tourist infrastructure.

Autumn Sapa has golden terraces if you're here in September, or harvested brown fields by November. Either way, the mountain views are clear and the trekking is excellent. Visit Cat Cat Village and trek to Ta Van.

Travel from Ha Giang: 5-6 hours by car (no direct public transport).

Highlights: Rice terraces, trekking, Fansipan views

▸Hanoi (1 night)

Return to Hanoi (5-6 hours from Sapa) for a night of city comforts. Rest, do laundry, and prepare for the second half of your trip.

▸Ninh Binh (2 nights)

Head south to Ninh Binh (2 hours) — "Ha Long Bay on land." The limestone karsts rising from rice paddies are iconic Vietnam, and autumn's golden harvest makes them unforgettable.

Row through Tam Coc's caves with golden rice on both sides. Climb Mua Cave for the panorama. Cycle the quiet roads around Trang An.

Travel from Hanoi: 2 hours by bus or car, $8-15.

Highlights: Golden rice harvest, Tam Coc, Mua Cave

▸Ha Long Bay (2 nights)

Finish at Ha Long Bay (3-4 hours from Ninh Binh). Autumn brings the bay's clearest weather — blue skies, calm seas, perfect for kayaking and swimming.

A 2-night cruise reaches the quieter Bai Tu Long area. Return to Hanoi on day 14 for your flight home.

Travel from Ninh Binh: 3-4 hours by car (cruise pickup often included).

Highlights: Clear autumn skies, calm seas, uncrowded caves

Why This Itinerary Works

Avoiding typhoons: Central Vietnam is dangerous September-November. This route stays entirely in the safe north.

Golden harvest: Time your trip for late September-early October to catch the rice harvest at Ninh Binh and lower Ha Giang.

Depth over breadth: Two weeks in one region lets you reach Ha Giang — something most visitors miss.

Adjustments

Skip Ha Giang: Replace with more time in Sapa (4 nights) and Cat Ba Island (2 nights) for an easier trip.

Shorter Ha Giang: The loop can be done in 3 days instead of 4 if you're comfortable with long riding days.

Harvest timing: Late September = golden rice. November = harvested fields. Both are beautiful but different.

FAQ

Why can't I visit Central Vietnam in autumn?

Typhoon season. September-November brings severe storms, flooding, and dangerous conditions to Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An. Flights cancel, roads flood, and beaches close. It's not worth the risk.

Is Ha Giang difficult?

The roads are winding and remote. If you ride yourself, you need experience. Most travelers hire a local driver ($30-50/day) and ride as passenger — all the views, none of the stress.

When exactly is rice harvest?

Late September through mid-October. Ha Giang's higher terraces harvest earlier; Ninh Binh is later. By November, most rice is cut.

Can I add the south to this trip?

Not recommended for 2 weeks. Flying south would rush both regions. Save the south for a separate trip or extend to 3 weeks.