The best places to visit in North Vietnam
Vietnam is an amazing mix of majestic landscapes and cultural diversity. Between rice fields, lakes, bay, caves, beaches, mountains, temples, pagodas and minority ethnic groups, there is something for everyone. The northern region is rich in it! We have made a list of the 10 best places to discover in the North of Vietnam.
1. Hanoi
The capital city of Hanoi should be at the top of your list during your stay in Vietnam. It is the cultural, historical and political center of the country. You can see vestiges of different eras with Chinese and French influences. To discover on the spot: the old district, the Hoan Kiem lake, the temple of the Literature, the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the museum of ethnography, the museum of the Vietnamese Woman, the Tran Quoc pagoda and innumerable delicious local restaurants…
2. Lan Ha Bay
Located south of Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay is a natural treasure with thousands of sugar loaves emerging in the sea. Away from the hordes of tourists, this bay is a natural and seaside escape during a trip to Vietnam. Spend a few days on the water to discover its splendid landscapes. On the program: cruising, kayaking, swimming, caves, cycling, seafood tasting or even lazing around.
3. Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh, nicknamed “the land-based Halong Bay”, attracts both Vietnamese and foreigners. The province is located two hours drive south of the capital Hanoi. Its picturesque landscapes always amaze us. There are thousands of karst peaks surrounded by rice fields and small villages. You will find many wonderful sites: Tam Coc, Trang An, the Mua cave, the Cuc Phuong forest, the Bai Dinh pagoda, the ancient capital Hoa Lu…
4. Mai Chau
Located in Hoa Binh province, more than 140 km from Hanoi, Mai Chau is a peaceful valley of rice fields surrounded by mountains. Coming here, you can go for a walk or a bike ride to discover the villages in a picturesque setting, explore the art of weaving, attend the traditional dance performance as well as taste local specialties.
5. Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai, the capital of Vietnam’s rice terraces, is located in Yen Bai province, 300 km from Hanoi. To get there, you will pass through the Khau Pha Pass, one of the four major passes in the northwest of the country. By visiting this region, you will have the opportunity to recharge your batteries while admiring the landscapes depicted by the rice terraces as far as the eye can see.
6. Sapa
Located in the far north of Vietnam, 320 km from Hanoi, Sapa is a high altitude resort built by the French in the 1920s. The region attracts visitors not only for its breathtaking rice terraces but also for the cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities. Hiking in the mountains, taking pictures of the rice fields or staying with local people are the favorite activities of visitors during a trip to Sapa.
7. Bac Ha
Not far from Sa Pa, Bac Ha is a peaceful destination that is still not very popular. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the majestic mountains and explore the ethnic markets. In addition to its many natural landscapes, this region is rich in the cultural identity of ethnic minorities. It is also an ideal place for nature lovers to go off the beaten track.
8. Ha Giang
Ha Giang is a province located in the northwest of Vietnam, on the border with China. This province has grandiose landscapes of mountains and is home to ethnic minorities with colorful costumes. You can make an excursion of 3 to 4 days to discover all the beauty of this region.
9. Ba Be
About 250 km from Hanoi, Ba Be is home to the lake of the same name which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. The lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs, which in turn are covered by primary forests. Here you can take a leisurely boat or kayak trip on the lake or explore the caves in the area. For the more athletic, you can also hike and trek through the jungle and meet the ethnic minorities in their mountain villages.
10. Cao Bang
Cao Bang is a mountainous province in the northern highlands that shares its borders with China. This province is endowed with majestic landscapes: mountains, waterfalls, caves, forests, rivers, … In particular, the Ban Gioc waterfall and the Nguom Ngao cave are the sites not to be missed.
You will be seduced by this majestic north !
