Northern Vietnam Travel: Best Places for the Wanderlust

By Trinh Tran on Mar 31, 2020

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Northern Vietnam travel is an amazing journey into local way of life, breathtaking natural landscapes and unforgettable experiences. From the well-known Hanoi to off-the-beaten-track Moc Chau, best destinations in the North of Vietnam has something to feed your wanderlust. 

The nature, history and culture are just some of the extremely fun things that Northern Vietnam has for travelers. Whether you want to take on a challenge or go with the flow, to learn something old or meet someone new, you will have a time to remember. To help you who are missing out on the splendor of this region, here are some places for your next vacation in Northern Vietnam.

Hanoi – Capital of Thousands Years of Civilization

Hanoi leaves a good impression on travelers for rich history, authentic cuisine and kind locals. You can’t help but admire the ancient architecture blending perfectly with soaring skyscrapers to make an interesting contrast between tradition and modernity. History is vividly told through the splendor of historic sites, from Temple of Literature, Thang Long Imperial Citadel to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Enjoying a Hanoi day tour of wandering around, taking in the breath of the old and the new. The picture of Hanoi is even more poetic thanks to the four-season theme that makes you totally relaxed. Besides the must-see attractions, few things define Hanoi like the food. To visit the capital of Vietnam and tell the world that you really did that, you should sit down for a bowl of ‘Pho’ or ‘Bun cha’. If you are into coffee, don’t leave Hanoi without digging into the coffee culture with ‘Ca phe trung’ (egg coffee) that boasts unique flavors to be found nowhere else in the country.

» Find out more on Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour

Ninh Binh – Tranquil Heaven for Soul Searching

Ninh Binh has Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam during the Dinh Dynasty and early Le Dynasty. The feudalism is over now but you still feel the imperial atmosphere and solemnity when strolling around the Hoa Lu Citadel. Hoa Lu is a part of the Trang An Landscape Complex that is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, along with Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest.

A trip to Tam Coc will allow you to see the scenic Ngo Dong River. Sitting peacefully on a boat, you can take a panoramic view of the mighty mountain and yellow rice paddy fields. Bich Dong consists of a dry cave located in the middle of the mountain and a water cave through the mountain. Tam Coc – Bich Dong is also known as ‘Halong Bay on land’.

» You may want to explore Full Day Ninh Binh Experience

Sa Pa – Trek in Misty Mountains in Northern Vietnam

Picturesque mountains, miracle mist, fantastic flower seasons, Fansipan, vibrant ethnic communities – Don’t you look for all wonderful experiences in Sa Pa?  When winter comes during December and February, Sa Pa, at the height of over 1,600m above sea level, is like a little kingdom filled with romantic snow. Magical snow flowers welcome travelers to Sa Pa in winter days while prunus fully blooms in spring, pansy follows the summer and yellow rice terraces complete the colorful drawing of Sa Pa all year round.

Dubbed the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula, Fansipan makes itself a good reason to draw millions of tourists to Sa Pa each year. You don’t have to trek hard to reach its top as the cable cars will save your energy and offer you a great opportunity to glide through clouds and ascend towards the heavens.

It’s not only the natural magnificence that captures your heart and your soul, but you will also be blown away by nice and kind ethnic people here. In resonance with the forests and mountains, local people pass down their customs from generations to generations with their own cuisine, weaving and fairgrounds.

Halong Bay – Spectacular Gardens of Islands

As one of the best UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam, Halong Bay has never failed to make you raise your eyebrows. Magnificent words cannot describe the beauty of Halong Bay fully, you have to get there and see the wonder showcasing its halo right in front of your eyes. The bay is dotted with over 1,900 islands, each of which is a different story of karst formation millions years ago.

As cruising on the emerald blue water to the heart of the bay, you can see Sung Sot Cave with its stunning beauty sculpted by the hands of Mother Nature. Inside this natural heritage, you feel cool and completely relaxed, let your soul freely wander around stalactites of different sizes and shapes.

Wait, Halong is not just for spelunkers. This is also a paradise for romance and beach lovers. Don’t miss out a chance to contemplate at the sunrise and sunset in the bay or lazily lie on beaches in Tuan Chau, Ti Top or Ngoc Vung.

» Are you to disembark from Cai Lan or Hai Phong Port? Book Halong Bay Cruise – Shore Excursion

Mu Cang Chai – Picturesque Terraced Fields at Dawn

Mu Cang Chai is a place for those who admire the tranquillity of countryside, live green and love simplicity in life. Mu Cang Chai rice terraces represent the best part of nature’s magnificence. If you visit Mu Cang Chai between September and October, this is the best time to see the miraculous transformation of the green rice terraced fields into the yellow ones.

As an off-the-beaten-track destination in Northern Vietnam, Mu Cang Chai still preserves its untouched scenery and peaceful way of life. You can see the plainest part of Vietnam’s beauty, just exactly like depicted in postcards: Local people on the rice terraces, harvesting ripe rice, getting the grains in bags and shouldering them. Everything is such simple yet alluring!

Ha Giang – Karst Plateau Geopark in Northern Vietnam

About 300km from Hanoi, Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang Province has become a must-see destination for Northern Vietnam travel. This site is believed to link with the development of the Earth’s crust over a million years. The karst characteristics here are just another excellent example of similar structures like Halong Bay or Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Dong Van Plateau is also rich in mountainous geo-ecosystem that is home to forests with more than 40 species of orchids and 50 species of rare animals. And as much likely as other mountainous areas in the North, Dong Van Plateau embraces a variety of ethnic groups and their long-established traditions and customs.

Cao Bang – Listen to the Call of the Wild

Cao Bang Travel is best known for the Ban Gioc Waterfall. You may not see the waterfall but you will know that you’ve come to the right place thanks to the sound that can be heard from afar. Waters fall down from the height of 30m and split into three blocks like white silk ribbons. Just a few kilometres before reaching Ban Gioc Waterfall is Nguom Ngao Cave where stalactites stun you with magnificence.

Travelers who visit Cao Bang also find way to Pac Bo, the place where Ho Chi Minh worked and planned for revolutionary campaigns. This is a good site for history lovers to learn more about Vietnamese history and Ho Chi Minh’s life.

Moc Chau – Spring to Charming Flower Seasons

Moc Chau is no doubt an Instagram worthy spot. Travelers are easily blown away with heart-shaped green tea hills that become a perfect backdrop for wedding photography. When you look for extreme tranquillity, Moc Chau is a good bet to stay away from the hustle and bustle.

Moc Chau highland is located at the height of 1,050m above sea level and blessed with cool weather all year round. That is more than perfect for colorful flowers to grow: Prunus and peach blossoms from January to February, mountain ebony flowers from March to April, winter cress from October to December.

Tam Dao – Da Lat in Northern Vietnam

Tam Dao is dubbed ‘Da Lat in the North’ thanks to its cool climate and romantic scenery. Tam Dao was discovered by the French at the end of the 19th century. With top-notch hotels, villas, restaurants, Tam Dao is ideal for relaxation.

The weather in Tam Dao is much akin to Sa Pa and Da Lat. Within just a day in Tam Dao, you have an opportunity to adore the spring breeze in the early morning, the quite hot summer in the afternoon, the gentle wind of the fall in the evening and cold winter when night comes. The picturesque landscape in Tam Dao offers you an unforgettable trip that indulges all your senses.

If you look for trending places to visit in Vietnam, provinces in Northern Vietnam should be on your bucket list. Maika Tours offers some of the best tours to Northern Vietnam. Contact us for details on 7-Day Tours of Northern Vietnam, 11-Day Tour Best of North, South and Central Vietnam or 15 Day Best of Vietnam Tour. Tell us your wish and we will make the best travel plan for you.

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Trinh Tran written for Maika Tours

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