Even though Northern Vietnam doesn’t get as many tourists as Ho Chi Minh City or the coastal cities in the south, it’s still a great place to visit. This area has Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, beautiful bays, rice terraces, and scenery that can’t be beaten.
The cultural attractions in northern Vietnam are just as varied, from the chaotic highland markets to the hill tribes in the very north. It can be hard to select from the many options to fit your schedule, but this list can help you locate the best places to visit in the area.
Mai Chau
Mai Chau is a district in the middle of Ha Binh Province. It has lots of trees, beautiful mountains, and lively culture. Mai Chau is a great place to visit if you want to get a real look at the different cultures that have made Northern Vietnam their home.
Mai Chau is home to people from seven different ethnic groups: the Hmong, the Zao, the Muong, the Hoa, the Viet, the White Thai, and the Tay. Mai Chau is known for both its green valleys and its houses on stilts. These houses are built 3 meters (10 feet) above the ground, and animals often hide in them when bad weather comes.
Bai Tu Long Bay
Halong Bay is the most visited location in Northern Vietnam. But it’s not the only beautiful bay in the area worth seeing. Bai Tu Long Bay is near Halong. It has a sinking limestone plateau, beautiful blue water, and a lot of small islands.
Many people like Bai Tu Long Bay better than its more popular neighbor to the south because it is much less crowded. The best road to see Bai Tu Long Bay is by boat; many cruises can take you to all the best spots.
Detian Falls
The beautiful Detian Waterfall is right on the border between Vietnam and China (also known as Ban Gioc). The whole area is called the Detian Scenic Zone, but the waterfalls are the best to see there. Detian has three stages, which make the scene more dramatic and interesting. Along the way, there are small pools and small waterfalls.
One of the more special ways to see the Detian Waterfall is to rent a raft and a guide and get close to the river. At the 53rd merestone, you can legally cross the border between China and Vietnam. You might want to do this to see the falls from a different point of view.
Bac Ha
The town of Bac Ha is only a few miles from the border with China. The best way to get to know Bac Ha during the week is to go to the town square. Some spots to eat serve tasty, cheap food, and many vendors sell hand-made goods. The Sunday Market is what makes Bac Ha worth a trip, though.
On Sunday mornings, people from around the area gather in Bac Ha, making it a cacophony of color, sound, and life. People from the nearby hill tribes come to shop and sell, so it’s a great chance to see people from many different cultures in one beautiful place.
Tam Coc
On paper, Tam Coc looks like a bunch of rice paddies surrounded by cliffs and rocks made of limestone. In reality, Tam Coc is one of the most beautiful places in the whole region. The best method to get around is by boat, and you can start on a rowboat that takes you up along the lush green paddy fields and between striking limestone cliffs.
You’ll even float through three tunnels in the mountains made by the river over time. From your boat, people may try to sell souvenirs and handicrafts made in the area.
Sapa
People from various cultures live in the mountain town of Sapa, which is also close to beautiful scenery. People from many hill tribes live in Sapa, such as the Hmong, the Dao, the Muong, and the Tay. The town looks out over the beautiful Muong Hoa Valley and its breathtaking terraced rice fields.
If you require to learn more about the people and cultures of the area, go to Sapa for a homestay or an overnight trek. You can hike to the more remote villages and spend the night there, eating with the hill tribe people and getting to know them.
Hanoi
If you only go to one place in Northern Vietnam, it’s likely to be Hanoi. Hanoi, the country’s capital, is an exciting mix of eastern and western cultures. French colonialism can be seen in the food and the buildings, especially in the French Quarter in the Hoàn Kim District.
Hanoi is full of beautiful temples, and the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century, is a must-see. The Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum, which are right next to each other, are also very popular places to visit in Hanoi.
Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay is the most well-known place in the whole country. It has a good reputation because it is really beautiful. Halong means “descending dragons,” which describes the shape of the limestone cliffs sticking out of the water. Day cruises or nighttime boat trips are a great way to see Halong Bay’s beauty and as many archipelagos as possible.
Along with Cat Ba, Quan Lan is a popular destination that is starting to build infrastructure for tourists to stay longer. While cruising through Halong Bay, you can go swimming, look for caves to explore, or find more remote islands that no one lives on.