There are numerous places to visit when you are in Northern Vietnam, so you need some advice on which one is worth making a trip first since you do not have much time for traveling. Then, the blog can help now!
Halong Bay
As for Vietnam travel, Halong Bay is estimated to be the most popular destination through this S-shaped country. What can get you excited is that there are plenty of tiny islands, spreading over the bay and having mighty caves and imposing beaches. Especially, many of them look like primeval sentinels emerging from the water. Halong Bay runs along the Tonkin Gulf, and you just take a 3.5 hour bus drive to this destination from Hanoi. Although there is more than one way to perceive the magnificence of the bay, the most recommended one is a one or two night leisurely cruise which entitles you to peer into the spectacular scenery.
Sapa
Sapa – a mountainous area of Vietnam has been appealing to plenty of visitors for over one century. As an emerging land, the town is fringed by 10,312-foot Mount Fansipan, depicted as the highest mountain in Vietnam. Are you wondering what make it special as such? In fact, its beauty is found in yellow or green terraced rice paddies spreading everywhere, colorful dresses people of ethnic communities wearing, their traditional festivals, and their wonderful cuisines. Regarding a trip to explore Sapa, most travel guides recommend trekking through remote minority villages because it is the best way not only to witness breathtaking natural landscapes, but also to gain insights into the local life.
Dong Van Plateau Vietnam
Dong Van Plateau is located in Ha Giang Province, and it will take you about six hours by bus to get this destination. The plateau is seen as a striking mountainous area of Vietnam; coming here, you will take a chance to gaze into fantastic terraced rice paddies stretching to the summits of many surrounding mountains and appearing beyond the horizon. What are considered as treasures of the region comprise pristine lakes, minority tribes, stone forests, deep canyons, pine forests, caves with unique rock formations, and mighty waterfalls.
Ninh Binh
If you are wondering where to go in Northern Vietnam since you do not have much time there, Ninh Binh may be a good choice. This province is just 58 miles away from Hanoi, and you can visit it through a Hanoi day trip. For certain, everything on the way will amaze you at any cost, especially rugged karst terrain, lush foliage, mountain goats, and river waterway. Some highlights of an itinerary to Ninh Binh are Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An eco-tourism complex, Bich Dong Pagoda, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Phat Diem Cathedral, and Cuc Phuong National Park.
Mai Chau
Mai Chau is a small town in Northern Vietnam and nestled in a peaceful valley; therefore, it is totally away from the bustle of the urban life. To be honest, Mai Chau itself is not an attraction, but its true beauty is found in the patchwork of terraced rice fields sometimes dotted by adorable Thai houses and unique features in culture of Thai people. Although most Thai women nowadays do not wear traditional costumes anymore, they are still considered as masterful weavers making beautiful traditional-style textiles.
Perfume Pagoda
Just take several hours from Hanoi, you will hit Perfume Pagoda. Interestingly, no road is found to take you to the pagoda; therefore, the only way is to get onto small rowboats and past Buddhist temples. It sounds stimulating, right? Not only do you see the unique architectural style of this place for worship, but you also understand more the spiritual life of the locals. For Vietnamese people, it is a sacred place where they can pray for happiness, health, luck in life.
Hanoi
Why is Hanoi worth visiting in Northern Vietnam? It is believed that the Vietnam’s capital brings “a traditional taste” which cannot be found anywhere else. While staying in this city, you can roam around Hoan Kiem Lake to get a sense of the calm atmosphere and hear about a legend revolving around it, explore the Old Quarter as well gain insights into its exciting culture, or learn about a chapter of the Vietnamese history by a trip to Ho Chi Minh Complex and Temple of Literature. Not only that, it is also fascinating to soak up the nightlife and see how this experience is different from it in Ho Chi Minh City – the other large metropolis of Vietnam.
