The North

Vietnam has many populations of ethnic minorities that still eke out their living in the mountains. Mountains give way to karst formations near the coast, and the legendary scenery of Halong Bay and Ninh Binh. The North is also where you’ll find Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi.

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Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Northern Vietnam is characterized by towering limestone karsts, impenetrable tropical forests, and verdant rice paddies stretching endlessly toward the horizon and across mountains. See this remote landscape at its most serene in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Home to small ethnic mountain communities who make their living off the land, Pu Luong is a quiet piece of rural paradise.

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Cat Ba National Park

Cat Ba National Park takes up most of Cat Ba Island. Come here to see a bit of the wilderness in northern Vietnam, just to the west of legendary Halong Bay.

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Ban Gioc waterfall

As you approach the Chinese border in the Northeast of Vietnam, you will come across a wall of tumbling waterfalls. They cascade into bright blue pools, framed by towering, jungle-clad mountains. This is Ban Gioc Waterfall, a marvel of nature at the very edge of Vietnam.

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Hanoi

Hanoi is one of those cities with a personality so rich and multi-layered, it seems more like a person than a place. Founded in 1010, Vietnam’s capital city has more than a thousand years of history. Inevitably, it’s the birthplace of heroes, artists, kings, and legends. Travelers will find themselves easily taken in by Hanoi’s treasures, and there’s so much to see.

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Ha Long Bay

The name Ha Long means “descending dragon” – a fitting title for a bay steeped in mystical legends and boasting scenery to match. There are countless tales of how and why the name came about. One of the most well-known tells of a dragon that came down from the sky, spitting thousands of pearls from its fiery mouth, which became the islets and karsts that now dot the bay.

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Sapa

Sapa is a must-see on a trip to northern Vietnam. The hotels and cafes offer incredible views of the mountains and valleys.

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Ninh Binh

Referred to as the “Halong Bay of the Land,” Ninh Binh is known for its striking karst formations. Go on a boat ride here to see a surreal and very lush landscape.

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Mai Chau

A few hours southwest of Hanoi, through picturesque farming towns and over epic mountain passes, is the verdant valley of Mai Chau. Home to the ethnic White and Black Thai people, who arrived in Vietnam from southern China as early as the 13th century, the area is rich in culture and one of the best places to experience Vietnamese hospitality. Book yourself into a homestay in a traditional stilt house, enjoy home-cooked feasts of fresh, local produce and be utterly charmed by this beautiful rural area.

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Ha Giang

Ha Giang province is in the northernmost part of Vietnam and shares a border with China. This is a destination for adventurous travelers who want to see authentic Vietnamese culture, virtually untouched by tourism. It’s a protected area, and guests need to get a special pass to enter its borders. Visitors who make it this far will be rewarded with some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Vietnam.

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Cat Ba Island

White sand beaches, rugged mountains, and rural villages make up the 110 square miles (259 sq km) of Cat Ba Island. The largest among thousands of limestone islands in magnificent Halong Bay, Cat Ba is a popular overnight stop on traditional cruise itineraries. Visitors stay here to experience untouched jungles, star-lit skies, and a laid back atmosphere.

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Thanh Hoa

Thanh Hoa is on the northern coast of Vietnam, bordered by the East Sea. There isn’t much here as far as visitor attractions, but visitors may use this city as a home base while they explore the surrounding countryside and nature reserves.

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Hanoi Airport (HAN)

No Bai International Airport (HAN) serves as the point of arrival for millions of visitors to Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi every year. When you land, you’ll be about 45 minutes north of downtown Hanoi. This is the second-largest airport in Vietnam, and the largest airport in North Vietnam.

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Bac Ha

Bac Ha is nestled deep in the mountains, 62 miles (100 km) from tourist-filled Sapa and over 99 miles (160 km) from bustling Ha Giang. The town is a quiet backwater Monday to Friday, but by Saturday crowds of locals from thousands of surrounding villages descend on the town for the colourful Sunday market. For people watching and a chance to meet some of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups, there is no better place to be.

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Vietnam

A little more about The North

Travelers typically spend a few days in Hanoi before continuing on to tours of popular attractions like Sapa and Halong Bay. Life in Hanoi centers around two lakes — Hoan Kiem Lake and Ho Tay (West Lake). Ho Tay’s shores have some of the city’s ritziest neighborhoods. Hoan Kiem is closer to the historic district and is surrounded by a busy commercial district, with busy shops as well as a bustling night market. Hanoi had several of its most impressive monuments destroyed in conflicts with France and the U.S., but they’ve been rebuilt and still attract many visitors — sites like the One Pillar Pagoda and Tran Quoc Pagoda have ancient histories. Hanoi’s Temple of Literature still has some of the very old stone turtles that carry the names of long-ago graduates. Go here to learn more about Hanoi’s history as a center for learning.

Travelers who want to take community tours usually base themselves in Sapa. This is a popular area and many of the locals rely on tourism for their livelihood, while residents of more off-the-beaten-path villages in Mai Chau and Ha Giang maintain a more authentically traditional way of life. Sapa is also the setting-off point for treks up Vietnam's tallest mountain, Mount Fansipan. You'll arrive in Sapa after driving through the rice terraces of Vietnam’s highlands, on an eye-popping drive that hugs the mountain’s steep curves.

Halong Bay is known for its popular cruises and karst formations. Cruises stop at the most well-known formations so that your guide can tell you some of the stories inspired by the strangely shaped karsts. Other stops on your cruise will bring you to some of the local caves. Thien Cung Cave is a popular attraction, with striking formations that are lit up by bright, colorful lights.
Farther off the coast, visit the Cat Ba National Park for the chance to hike and see wildlife near Halong Bay. There are beaches for swimming and kayaking, and plenty of guest accommodations. Take hikes to see a fishing village and hike to the top of a lookout tower.

Ninh Binh is not as popular as Halong, but still worth a visit. Farmland surrounds both sides of the waterways that lead to the karst formations and limestone caves, making it a lovely spot for a boating trip. You can choose from two different routes — Tam Coc and Trang An. Ninh Binh is also home to Hoa Lu, one of Vietnam’s oldest capitals. Take a walk around Hoa Lu’s atmospheric temples to get a sense of the area’s long, fabled history.

Trips to inspire

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Return home as an expert of Vietnam after taking your family on this incredible journey, exploring all of the nation’s highlights. Don't worry, you'll still have time to relax!

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