Share your travel experience in North Vietnam in February: the coldness and warmth of Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Sapa
#2月好去处2025
**[Winter foggy wonderland] February North Vietnam self-guided tour sharing: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa cold and warm**
In February, the temperature in North Vietnam is slightly cool (about 15-20°C), and in mountainous areas such as Sapa, it may even drop below 10°C. Occasionally there is drizzle and morning fog, which also makes this journey more poetic and adventurous. To avoid the peak season crowds, I took a light windproof jacket and warm clothes and embarked on an 8-day journey that combined natural wonders, cultural customs and street food.
**📍Hanoi: The hustle and bustle of the ancient capital**
**🏨Accommodation recommendation:** The Old Quarter (around Hoàn Kiếm Lake), where you can walk to major attractions and experience the lively beer street at night.
**✨Must experience:**
1. **Wandering in the old city**: Wandering through the Sanshiliuhang Street, from the hardware street to the funeral supplies street, each street is a microcosm of local life.
2. **Thang Long Imperial Citadel** (UNESCO World Heritage): A thousand-year-old relic with red brick walls and a tranquil garden in stark contrast.
3. Street Food: Have a bowl of hot Phở Bò (beef rice noodle) at a roadside stall in the morning, a Bánh Mì baguette sandwich in the afternoon, and a Bún Chả grilled rice noodle dish at night.
**💡Tips:** February is around the Vietnamese New Year (the date varies every year), some stores may be closed, so it is recommended to confirm in advance.
**📍Halong Bay: Magical Morning Mist of the Karst Sea**
**🚢Itinerary Options:** 2-day 1-night cruise (about 200-300 USD/person), recommended package including "Surprise Cave" adventure and canoeing activities.
**🌄Spectacular moment:** The morning mist shrouds the limestone peaks, and the sunlight breaks through the clouds like an ink painting. The boat passed by "Cockfighting Rock" and "Paradise Island". A breeze blew on the deck, and the aroma of hand-brewed Vietnamese coffee accompanied the scenery in front of us, making us forget the cold in an instant.
**⚠️Note:** It may rain occasionally in February, and the sea is cold and wet, so it is recommended to bring a waterproof jacket; choose a reputable cruise company and confirm the safety equipment and sanitary conditions.
**📍Sapa: Cloudy terraces and the warmth of ethnic minorities**
**🚞Transportation:** Take a sleeper train (or bus) from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then take a minibus up the mountain.
**🌾Must-visit attractions:**
1. **Cat Cat Village**: A Black Miao village that can be reached by foot in 30 minutes. Although the terraced fields were not irrigated in February, the scenery surrounded by mountain mist is like a fairyland.
2. **Fansipan**: Take the cable car directly to the "Roof of Indochina". On a clear day, the sea of clouds and the mountains will take your breath away.
**👩🌾Cultural experience: ** Local Red Yao women will take the initiative to serve as hiking guides (about US$20/day), sharing traditional embroidery techniques and mountain village stories along the way. Remember to support their handmade textile market.
**🍲Warm recommendation: ** The vendors at Sapa Night Market, hot "Lẩu Cá" (fish hot pot) and ginger tea to dispel the cold.
**📝Practical suggestions and precautions**
1. **Dressing**: The temperature difference between day and night is large in the mountains, so the onion-style dressing (heat-absorbing clothing + sweater + windproof jacket) is the most practical, paired with non-slip shoes.
2. **Transportation**: The sleeper bus from Hanoi to Sapa is cheap but bumpy. If you want comfort, you can choose a soft sleeper train.
3. **Cash is king**: There are few ATMs in the rural areas of Sapa and Halong Bay. It is recommended to exchange enough Vietnamese Dong in advance in Hanoi.
4. **Bargaining skills**: When shopping in the market, remember to bargain with a smile (about 50%-70% off the asking price), but do not lower the price too much.
🌿Conclusion: Warmth of humanity in the cold
North Vietnam in February may not be as bright as midsummer, but the morning mist of Halong Bay, the simple smiles of the mountain people in Sapa, and the aroma of coffee wafting from the old town of Hanoi add a layer of tranquility to the journey. If you want to avoid the crowds and experience local life, North Vietnam at this season is worth putting on your list!