Northern Vietnam is one of the most visually extraordinary places on earth. Ancient rice terraces carved into mountainsides, limestone karst peaks rising from emerald water, remote ethnic minority villages where life moves at a different pace entirely. Most visitors scratch the surface. We run it end to end.
Beginning in the vibrant chaos of Hanoi, we head northwest into the highlands of Mai Chau and Pu Luong — running through valley floors and along ridge trails past working rice paddies, bamboo forests and traditional wooden homestays where White Thai and H'Mong communities have lived for generations. We then journey to Ninh Binh, the so-called inland Ha Long Bay, before the grand finale: an overnight luxury cruise through the dramatic karst seascape of Ha Long Bay itself.
This is a trail running holiday unlike anything else in the Pure Trails portfolio. Distances are shorter than our mountain trips — the terrain here is about immersion, not altitude. Every run delivers you somewhere extraordinary. Every stop is a genuine cultural encounter. And the Ha Long Bay overnight cruise is simply one of the most spectacular ways to end a running trip anywhere in the world.
Our Hanoi base for the start and end of the trip — a well-located four-star hotel in the heart of the city, perfectly positioned for the morning lake run and the Minsk motorcycle adventure on the final evening.
Set in the valley floor surrounded by rice paddies and limestone peaks, the Mai Chau Ecolodge is one of the most beautiful places we stay across the entire Pure Trails portfolio. Junior Deluxe rooms, traditional architecture and a restaurant serving highland specialities.
Perched at the edge of a spectacular valley in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Simple, beautiful and completely immersed in the landscape. Wake up to mist over the rice terraces and the sound of nothing but nature.
A superior hotel set among the karst peaks of Ninh Binh — the perfect base for the Van Long rowboat and the Mua Cave sunrise run. Beautifully designed with views over the surrounding landscape.
A night aboard a luxury junk among the 1,900 limestone islands of UNESCO World Heritage Ha Long Bay. Deluxe cabin, all meals included, English-speaking crew on board. The crown jewel of the trip — and one of the most extraordinary places to spend a night anywhere in the world.
Chat directly with Charlie & the team — no pressure, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation about whether Vietnam is the right trip for you.
Book Your Free Call →February is one of the best months to visit Northern Vietnam. It falls in the dry season — warm, clear days with plenty of sunshine and very little rainfall. Daytime temperatures in the highlands and valleys typically range from 18–25°C, making for excellent running conditions. Early mornings can be cool (10–14°C), particularly at altitude in Mai Chau and Pu Luong, so a lightweight layer for the dawn starts is worth packing.
Hanoi in February is dry and mild — pleasantly warm without the summer heat and humidity. Ha Long Bay is at its most dramatic in this period, with clear skies allowing full visibility across the karst peaks.
Some highland trails can be slippery after overnight dew or light rain — trail shoes with good grip are essential throughout. We send a thorough kit list well in advance of departure.
Most nationalities including UK, EU and US citizens require a visa to enter Vietnam. The simplest and most recommended option is the e-Visa, which can be applied for online via the official Vietnam Immigration Department website (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). The e-Visa is valid for up to 90 days and covers single or multiple entries.
Processing time is typically 3 business days, and the fee is approximately $25 USD. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of departure from Vietnam.
We strongly recommend applying for your e-Visa at least four weeks before departure to allow time for any processing issues. If you have any questions about the visa process, just get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
Comprehensive travel insurance is required for this trip. Your policy must cover trail running activity, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and trip cancellation. Please check your policy wording carefully — many standard travel insurance policies exclude adventure sports or trail running.
Unlike our Himalayan trips, Vietnam does not require helicopter evacuation cover — but medical emergency cover and repatriation are still essential. The trails in Mai Chau and Pu Luong are remote enough that evacuation by vehicle may be required in the event of a serious injury.
Providers such as Battleface, True Traveller, SportsCover Direct and World Nomads offer suitable adventure travel policies. We will ask you to confirm your insurance details — including your policy number and 24-hour emergency helpline — before departure.
International flights to and from Hanoi (HAN — Noi Bai International Airport) are not included in the trip price and are booked independently. We recommend arriving on the morning of Day 1 where possible — the trip briefing and welcome walk begin at 16:30, so aim to land by early afternoon at the latest.
Most guests fly via a Middle Eastern hub (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad) or with carriers such as Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines or Finnair — typical flying times from the UK are 11–14 hours including connection. Qatar Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Hanoi and is a popular choice.
For your return on Day 10, checkout is at 12:00 — please book a flight departing in the afternoon or evening to avoid an early checkout rush. Once you have booked your flights, please share your arrival and departure details with us so we can coordinate group transfers where possible.
Vietnamese cuisine is one of the great surprises of the trip. Fresh, light and intensely flavourful — from pho and bun cha in Hanoi to grilled meats and highland specialities in Mai Chau — the food is consistently excellent and varied throughout.
Most dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice. Vegetarian food is widely available across Vietnam, and our ground team will brief all restaurants and homestays on your requirements before arrival. Please make sure your dietary needs are noted on your booking form.
Strict vegan requirements and severe food allergies may be more challenging in remote highland areas where kitchen facilities are simpler — please contact us to discuss in advance and we will do everything we can to ensure you are well fed throughout.
The trails on this trip are unlike any other in the Pure Trails portfolio. This is not a mountain endurance trip — it's an immersive cultural running experience across varied and beautiful terrain. Distances range from 7 to 15km per day, with the focus on experiencing places and communities rather than clocking miles.
In Mai Chau the running is predominantly on concrete village roads and off-road field paths — flat to gently rolling, with excellent views across the valley. The bamboo forest run on Day 4 involves more technical off-road terrain with some uphill climbing. In Pu Luong the trails become steeper and more forested, with some slippery sections after rain. Trail shoes with good grip are essential throughout.
The Hanoi morning run (Day 2) is entirely on flat asphalt — a city run through early-morning streets, which is an experience in itself. The Mua Cave sunrise run (Day 8) involves a steep stone staircase rather than a trail — challenging underfoot but spectacular at the top.
Most running days begin with an early breakfast at 07:00 before heading to the trailhead. Running typically takes between 1.5 and 4 hours depending on the day, at a social, comfortable pace with plenty of stops for views, photographs and cultural encounters along the way.
Lunch is usually served at a local house, village restaurant or on the trail itself — often one of the highlights of the day. Afternoons vary considerably: some days involve cultural workshops or bike rides, others are free time to relax, swim or explore. Evenings are for dinner, stories and early nights.
The Day 2 Hanoi run starts exceptionally early — 05:30 departure to catch the city at its most peaceful. This is the only pre-dawn start on the trip, and it is absolutely worth it.
This trip is graded Adventurous — suitable for a wide range of running abilities. You do not need to be a serious runner or have trail running experience to enjoy this trip. What matters is that you are comfortable being active for 2–4 hours at a time and are curious and open to the cultural experiences along the way.
Distances are 7–15km per running day on mostly low-altitude terrain. The biggest physical demands are the bamboo forest run on Day 4 (15km / 171m+), the Chieng Yen mountain trails on Day 5 (7km / 376m+) and the Pu Luong forest run on Day 6 (8.5km / 423m+). All are manageable at a hiking pace if needed.
In the 6–8 weeks before the trip, we recommend running 3 times per week including one longer run of 10–15km. Getting some hill work in your legs will make the steeper days more enjoyable. If you're unsure whether this trip is right for you, book a free 10-minute call — we'll give you an honest answer.
Almost everything is included in your trip cost — accommodation, meals as listed in the itinerary, all private transportation, entrance fees and the cultural experiences. Your main additional expenses will be drinks beyond what's provided, personal snacks, any shopping, and tips for local guides and drivers.
Vietnam is very affordable by Western standards. Budget roughly £15–25 per day for additional drinks, snacks and incidentals. The recommended tipping guideline from the ground operator is $3–5 per person per day for local guides and $1.5–2 per person per day for drivers — bringing roughly $60–80 USD in cash for tipping across the trip is a reasonable guide.
Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the local currency. USD is widely accepted in tourist areas but local markets and village shops will prefer Dong. ATMs are available in Hanoi and larger towns — we recommend withdrawing cash before leaving the city, as ATM access becomes limited in the highlands.
Nearly 90% of our guests travel solo — and almost all of them say it was the best decision they made. Pure Trails trips are genuinely built for solo travellers, and Vietnam in particular is a trip that feels richer when shared with a group of like-minded people discovering it together for the first time.
Twin share accommodation is included as standard throughout. If you would prefer your own room, a single room supplement of £395pp is available — this applies to all nights including the Ha Long Bay cruise cabin. Please note that availability of single rooms cannot always be guaranteed in smaller highland properties, but we will always do our best.
If you have any questions about travelling solo to Vietnam or to the trip in general, just get in touch. We're always happy to chat.
The Ha Long Bay overnight cruise is the undisputed highlight of the trip for most guests — a complete change of pace and scenery after the mountain running days. We board the Luxury Calypso Cruise junk in the early afternoon and spend approximately 24 hours on the water among the UNESCO World Heritage karst islands.
Your deluxe cabin is private with an en-suite bathroom. All meals are included on board — lunch, dinner and breakfast — and the food is excellent. An English-speaking guide is available throughout. The cruise includes a visit to a cave and kayaking, depending on conditions and the itinerary.
The Ha Long cruise is a shared experience with other cruise passengers — it is not a private charter for our group. This adds to the atmosphere and gives everyone a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery without it feeling like an exclusive tour bubble. Most guests love this aspect of it.
We understand that life is unpredictable. Our full cancellation terms are outlined in our Terms and Conditions, but in summary:
141+ days before departure: Full refund less the non-refundable deposit.
85–140 days before departure: 50% refund of sums paid, less the deposit.
84 days or fewer before departure: No refund — all sums paid are forfeited.
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that includes trip cancellation cover at the time of booking. Unexpected circumstances can arise at any point, and good cancellation cover in your policy will protect your investment.
Adventurous
Challenging