Northern Vietnam

Ban Gioc falls in Cao Bang

Tam Coc landscape in Ninh Binh

Northern Vietnam is the cradle of the Vietnamese civilization and hence, home to more historical and cultural attractions than other regions. Its shoreline and mountains also offer impressive landscapes. Its most popular destinations, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sa Pa, are also among the most visited in Vietnam.

Cities

• 1 Hanoi
• 2 Cao Bang
• 3 Co Loa
• 4 Haiphong
• 5 Ha Giang
• 6 Lao Cai
• 7 Ninh Binh – With Tam Coc and Trang An, famous for Ha Long Bay-like karst scenery along the river, as well as Hoa Lu the ancient capital before Hanoi
• 8 Tam Dao – A resort mountainous town in Vinh Phuc province
• 9 Thái Nguyên

Other destinations

• 1 Ha Long Bay – Popular with the islands of Van Don, Cat Ba, Quan Lạn
• 2 Ba Be National Park – Scenic mountains and lakes
• 3 Bac Ha – With hilltribe markets near the Chinese border
• 4 Bắc Kạn – A place of the beautiful Ba Bể Lake, meaning three combined lakes.
• 5 Co To Island
• 6 Cuc Phuong National Park
• 7 Dien Bien Phu – The site of the French defeat in 1954
• 8 Dong Dang – On the border with China
• Dong Van – Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
• 9 Bai Tu Long Bay
• 10 Sa Pa – A popular site for visiting indigenous tribes
• 11 Tuan Chau Island

Understand

There are quite considerable differences between the mountainous and delta areas in Northern Vietnam. The mountainous provinces bordering China have dramatic landscape, such as pristine subtropical forests, rice terraces and tea plantations. These provinces are less developed, with fewer industries and more ethnic groups. Notable tourist attractions are Ha Giang and Sa Pa.

The lowland and delta areas were traditionally farming areas, but the pronvinces around Hanoi (Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, and Hai Duong) are now largely industrialized. Toward the South China Sea are Ha Long Bay with hundreds of limestone karsts and caves, and Hai Phong, a major port and the third largest city in Vietnam.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Cat Bi International Airport (HPH ^IATA) near Hai Phong — has a few international connections
• 2 Điện Biên Phủ Airport (DIN ^IATA) near Dien Bien Phu
• 3 Noi Bai International Airport (HAN ^IATA) near Hanoi — has international connections all over the world
• 4 Van Don International Airport (VDO ^IATA) near Cai Rong

Get around

There are of course lots of buses available in the region.

Many travellers prefer to do the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike: 1 Ha Giang – 2 Yen Minh – 3 Dong Van – 4 Du Gia – Ha Giang.

Do

Cycling is a niche but growing activity in Northern Vietnam, progressively getting more challenging the farther you venture out of Hanoi. During your ride, you will be distracted by dense jungle, misty hills and mountains and gorgeous rice terraces. But to explore the region to its fullest, you ought to be an experienced peddler. If you are skilled and brave enough, make sure to ride along the jaw-dropping Mã Pí Lèng Pass between the towns of Dong Van and Meo Vac.

Buy

Most local markets in the north of Vietnam take place on a particular day each week. For example, Dong Van Market and Can Cau Markets take place on Saturday or Sunday. The markets open at 05:00 and close at 15:00-16:00. Ethnic peoples, such as the Hmong, Dzao, Tay, Lo Lo and Tu Di, go to the market from the early morning on by foot, horse and motorbike. They travel in families and groups of young girls and boys in their most colorful clothes. Even if don't sell all of their products, they still meet their old friends and have a chance to drink, chat or share their life stories. Some other markets are exceptional: They are “backward markets”! They take place every 6 days, calculated by the Lunar Calendar.

Stay safe

In the northern part of Vietnam the dangers are small. Just like every other country there are pickpockets and a few scammers, but this is your biggest worry from the locals.

If you visit the wild nature next to the Chinese border, not many animals are dangerous. But a few wild cats are seen now and then in the nature reserves, like the Asian golden cat.

Go next

• Vietnam's Central Coast to the south