Vietnam is one of the most scenic countries to explored. More than a thousand miles of coastline to the east and rugged mountains to the west provide endless opportunities for photographers and nature lovers, while brilliant green rice paddies stretch throughout the coastal plains, the Red River Delta, and the Mekong Delta regions.

I don’t think you can go wrong visiting any part of Vietnam, but you’ll find the most spectacular sights in the northern part of the country, and Hanoi makes a great base to explore this region’s many wonders.

1.Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and a rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. The ancient city is being invigorated with modern cafes, world-class restaurants, and cool art galleries.

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2. Ninh Binh

Several tranquil rivers meander near the city of Ninh Binh, just 58 miles south of Hanoi. The best way to get a sense of this UNESCO-protected site is by taking a paddleboat tour along its shimmering rivers, and climbing to the top of its fabled peaks.

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3. Ha Long Bay

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay is the most visited destination in all of Vietnam. For many the seascape of Halong Bay is synonymous with Vietnam. Cruises lazily sail emerald green waters among thousand of rugged islands and islets, stopping at some of the most spectacular caves through which visitors can wander, viewing impressive, centuries-old formations.

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4. Sapa

Sa Pa is a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of northwestern Vietnam. A popular trekking base, it overlooks the terraced rice fields that are still worked today as they have been for centuries. Backdrops don’t get much more spectacular. Enticing ribbons of road lead the eye down to the valley floor, white-water rivers rush among rice fields, and lush green mountains stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see. The highest peak in the region, Mount Fansipan, crowns the ragged ridge line high above town.

8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS BEST NORTHERN OF VIETNAM:

8D7N~Hanoi 4*~Halong Bay(Overnight On Cruise 4*) ~Sapa Valley 4 * – Fansipan~ Ninh Binh

Best attraction in Northern of Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

You do not need to travel far to Europe, even in Sapa’s travel journey , you can still enjoy ‘virtual life’ with dreamy purple lavender hills. Join us and take a  Sapa Tour from Hanoi to here!

Lavender (also known as Lavender) is a popular flower grown in Western countries, especially France. Possessing a slender physique like a mop, carrying a gentle purple color, the lavender flowers always know how to conquer hearts. The flower has a warm, gentle and lingering fragrance.

Located within the Sun World Fansipan Legend – a cultural tourism complex has been operating since 2018 – Sapa lavender hill immediately attracted a large number of tourists to explore.

Thanks to the super-magical photos that are rumored to be shared on social networks, this lavender hill has become one of the most popular destinations by young people.

Currently, the largest lavender field in Sapa in the North has an area of ​​up to 15,000m2. Perhaps anyone who comes here for the first time must be stunned, not overwhelmed by the vastness, vastness but also full of dreams of this lavender hill.

Besides the enchanting Sapa lavender hills, don’t forget that Sun World Fansipan Legend also has loads of other super interesting activities waiting for you to explore!

TRAVEL SAPA: CAT CAT VILLAGE AND FANSIPAN MOUTAIN IN 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT

Sapa: Cat Cat – Fansipan Mountain 2 Days 1 Night

Fall in love with the Sapa lavender hills
Nguyen Thanh Van

Vietnam is well into its summer monsoon season by now and most everywhere except the coastal lowlands of Central Vietnam – which remains dry and sunny- you’ll need to account for high rainfall. With rain now and spreading across the northern mountains and Central Highland, this is time to focus on a beach vacation while visitor numbers are the lowest of the year. Meanwhile, the South is now of the midst of wet season with daily downpour to expect, usually in afternoon.

Every June is relative uncrowded time, with the lowest number of international visitors of any month. But by mid-June Vietnamese domestic travel takes flight as school break and families take their vacations, marking the summer high season. If you’re planning to beach vacation, it’s best to do earlier than later, as beach resort Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Ha Long Bay by late of June.

Where to go?

Ha Long Bay 

One of the 7 Wonder of the World, also the first one in the list best to visit Vietnam in June. This famous destination attract millions of domestic and international tourist to come and visit every year.

TRAVEL HA LONG BAY AND LAN HA BAY BY MIMOSA CRUISE:

Mimosa Cruise 01 Day

Sapa

Spending your Vietnam tour in Sapa, you will not only have chance to enjoy the fresh air of region of the northwest but also visit the old French villas, 100 meter high Silver Waterfall, learn the life of H’Mong people in Cat Cat Village. Through June is summer time in Vietnam, but in Sapa it’s still cool and visitors never regret choosing Sapa for their destination.

GET YOUR EXPERIENCE IN SAPA IN 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT:

Sapa: Cat Cat – Fansipan Mountain 2 Days 1 Night

Danang

A place that being considered to be the cleanest and the most livable city in Vietnam, Danang welcome and offers tourists various options of touring around the region.

Hoi An

Just 30 kilometers away from Danang, Hoi An is a little pretty town located in a peaceful land.

TRAVEL TO DANANG CITY, HUE IMPERIAL AND HOI AN TOWN IN 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS:

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Dalat

The city on the plateau is one among the best place to visit Vietnam in June because of its weather and landscape. Being popular about the name of “thousand flowers city”, Dalat is a place where you can find a variety of types flowers, both you know and you do not know.

VISIT AND OVERNIGHT IN DALAT FLOWER CITY:

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Vietnam in June: Weather and Travel Tips
Nguyen Thanh Van

Sapa is a small town and a tourist attraction belonging to Lao Cai prrovince, Vietnam. The most remote villages in Sapa bring a rural beauty to strange people. The beauty is something that attracts tourists to visit ethnic villages after the trip outside nature. Many villages of H’mong and Dao have been built for many decades and still have beautiful traditional features.

 BEYOND SAPA: 5 ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER YOUR NEXT TRIP

A trip to Sapa to discover the beauty of Lao Chai and Ta Van will give you more understanding of ethnic minority people living in the land of Sapa.

SAPA: CAT CAT- LAO CHAI – TA VAN IN 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT

About Lao Chai village and Ta Van village

About 7km from Sapa town, Lao Chai & Ta Van is known as a place of residence of many ethnic people: HMong, Dzao, Giay … If the town of Sapa is busy and crowded with people and traffic, in Lao Chai Ta Van you feel peaceful and surprised tranquility. These villages are usually built on flat land or valleys below the hills. In general there is only one ethnic group living in a village. But there are also some villages with 2-3 ethnic groups. In the majestic scenery of the Northwest mountains and forests, these villages create new vitality for this barren hills.

Lao Chai – Ta Van lies between majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Ham Rong mountain. Two large mountains sheltered so the villagers live here a lot, creating a living space extremely exciting, attractive.

It is hard to believe that under the wild Hoang Lien Mountains can form two large villages, beautiful and crowded ethnic people live so.

Surrounding Lao Chai – Ta Van is a large terraced fields. These fields have been around for decades. H’mong and Dao live in Lao Chai – Ta Van still grows rice on these ancient terraces.

BEST THINGS TO DO & SEE IN TA VAN VILLAGE SAPA

Lao Chai and Ta Van  are not far from Sapa town. So you can come to visit at any time of the day. To go to Lao Chai – Ta Van, tourists will have to go all the streets Cau May, then turn to Muong Hoa.

Continue on this road, visitors will see the wooden stilts of Lao Chai appear, continue to go a few minutes, visitors will come to Ta Van.

From here, you will leave behind the busy streets to the space of the green terraced fields and simple wooden houses rustic.

Notice some new visitors to Lao Chai – Ta Van is a tour to buy tickets. The ticketing station is located on Muong Hoa Street, right at the intersection of Sapa Town and the uninhabited road.

Discover the beauty of Lao Chai & Ta Van village

The villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van are covered by large terraced fields. So the most beautiful time to visit here is the dry season. Around the time the terraced fields in Sapa nine gold fell in early April and late September.

Traveling to Lao Chai – Ta Van on this occasion. You will be watching a space full of gold flooded with great eye. The ripe rice season is also the time when the village is the busiest. Besides, this is also the cool time, suitable for travelling.

The space is full of yellow rice, the sunshine is beautiful sunshine that any visitor to travel to Sapa want to see even once. Many photos of Sapa in the ripe rice crop have become the focus of domestic and international photo exhibitions.

Coming to Lao Chai and Ta Van, guests also enjoy the special dances, deeply national identity, help diversify and bring the attraction for community tourism, not merely the service.

Guests can also choose to stay overnight here. The ethnic people here are very hospitable, they have small rooms upstairs, there are warm blankets for visitors to stay.

In particular, due to the development of tourism, from the elderly to children here are able to communicate in English, even French. So, when listening to ethnic girls in floral embroidered dresses to pronounce fluently foreign languages, international tourists are very delighted. They take conversation on the way; the stories about culture, daily life become interesting topics, attracting tourists.

A trip to Sapa discover the beauty of Lao Chai and Ta Van is very emotional right? The delicious food along the charming landscape of Lao Chai space – Ta Van will do any visitor to visit this place. If tourists have visited Lao Chai village and Ta Van village. Visitors should not miss the interesting travel experience here. The tourist destination Beautiful in Sapa is still waiting for visitors to discover.

Full Experiences Sapa Trip in Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages
Nguyen Thanh Van

Sapa, the wonderful combination of harmonious weather, pristine nature and uniquely ethnic minority groups culture; is definitely one of the most well-known tourist attractions in northern Vietnam. However, that is also the reason why this small town is always packed with tourists both local and foreign all year round. If you are looking for a change, something off the beaten track, in northern Vietnam, there are still many others for consideration for the same time and budget spent.

Tam Dao Hill Station – cool climate and tranquil trekking trails

Only 80km away from Hanoi, Tam Dao Hill Station is a rather popular escape from the heat of the Red River Delta area. Nestling below soaring forest-clad peaks, Tam Dao is a former French hill station in a spectacular setting northwest of Hanoi. Today it’s a popular summer resort – a favoured weekend escape for Hanoians, who come here to revel in the temperate climate and make merry in the extensive selection of restaurants and bars. Founded in 1907 by the French, most of its colonial villas were destroyed during the Franco–Viet Minh War, only to be replaced with brutalist concrete architecture. Tam Dao is a useful base for hiking, but the town itself is an unattractive sprawl of hotel blocks.

In addition to the cool climate, this region provides full opportunity for physical activities such as mountain sight-seeing, serious trekking and even bird-watching that Sapa has to compare. Nature lovers who are fascinated about Sapa’s wild surrounding can also visit Tam Dao National Park with eight kinds of forest types distributed in different topographic and climatic areas, more than 2000 plants and 904 species.

Mai Chau – inhale the ethnic culture

It will be a 135km trip from Hanoi, or 60km trip from Hoa Binh City to reach Mai Chau, the green valley. If you love to discover more about the daily life of ethnic minority groups, especially Thai people, Mai Chau is surely a great choice. Stilt houses with exclusive Thai architecture line up on both sides of the road in the valley. Tourists can visit those houses or even try cooking and making clothes in Thai style. Homestay programs are available, and everybody will have great time watching traditional dancing and music instrument performances, while enjoying local specialties such as rice cooked in bamboo tubes and grilled meat on skewers.

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From Mai Chau, one can also join one of the trekking tours to remote villages. Although Mai Chau’s weather is not as cool as in Sapa, it has otherwise many things else to offer: the landscape, the people, the food, and the air. Currently, there are some agencies providing tours of Hanoi- Mai Chau-Sapa, in which tourists will travel to Hoa Binh and stay at Mai Chau, then passing Son La province and Dien Bien Phu Loop before reaching Sapa.

MUST-TRY DISHES IN MAI CHAU

Lai Chau – panoramic landscape and untouched local culture

Located in the northwest region, Lai Chau is 450km northwestern from Hanoi. To reach this province, you can choose Highway 12 (from Dien Bien Phu Loop) or Road 4D (from Sapa, catching local bus which is available daily in Sapa terminal). Lai Chau has several highland villages such as Sin Ho, Ta Phin, Dao San, most of which are at the altitude of more than 1500m. The high altitude makes the weather here much like Sapa, cool and foggy with the average temperature of nearly 20oC and two seasons: dry and rainy.

Besides the high mountain ranges surrounding the province, Lai Chau is well-known for narrow valleys, waterfalls, and the three large rivers: Da, Nam Na, and Nam Mu; which create the stunningly picturesque sceneries. Visiting Lai Chau, tourists can not only go mountain trekking but also sail along Da River, discover primitive caves or bathe in natural hot springs.

Especially, Lai Chau is home to nearly 20 ethnic minority groups, including H’Mong, Thai, Dao, Ha Nhi, Mang and La Hu. Tourists will have an opportunity to witness the special multi-cultural society through the original local market taken place every Thursday and Sunday morning or minorities’ authentic festival such as Thai’s “Hoa Ban Festival” in the second lunar month or H’Mong’s “Gau Tao Festival” in spring.

There are buses to Sapa departing from Lai Chau terminal every hour, starting from 5 in the morning. It will be a 2-3 hour trip for the route of 175km.

Phia Den- Phia Oac – wild nature

Visiting Phia Den- Phia Oac (or Phia Dac), tourists will be amazed at the gorgeously wild panorama of mighty mountain ranges, rivers, caves and huge areas of original forests. Belong to Nguyen Binh- a remote district of Cao Bang Province, 240km far from Hanoi, Phia Den-Phia Vac is a potential ecotourism spot in Vietnam’s northwest region.

The 1500m average elevation with the highest peak up to 1931m makes Phia Den- Phia Vac covered in mist all the time, which is similar to Sapa’s climate. In the past, the area shared the same historic background with Sapa, as it was controlled by the French colonialists for exploiting aromatic wood and other precious minerals. Consequently, there are several French villas and military posts like Tai Soong, Tatsloom still remained here. For culture discovering purpose, tourists can meet a lot of Dao minority people living scattered throughout the area.

Cao Bang is 272km north of Hanoi following National Highway No.3. There are direct buses departing from Cao Bang terminal to Lao Cai terminal and vice versa, so reaching Sapa from here is pretty convenient.

Mu Cang Chai – unparalleled for photographs

4 THINGS YOU WILL LOVE ABOUT MU CANG CHAI

Lying quietly between two mountain sides in Yen Bai Province, Mu Cang Chai, one of Vietnam’s poorest regions, possesses many terraced fields which have been regarded as a national level heritage and Asia’s most beautiful ones. If you have ever fallen in love with the terraced fields in Sapa, Mu Cang Chai will definitely take your breath away. The little town is 300km far from Hanoi, and can be reached only from Yen Bai City or Lao Cai via rough roads with continuous slopes and passes. Remote as it is, Mu Cang Chai can still reserve the wildly primitive beauty. Everything, both nature and human, is pure and untouched, and perfect for both trekking and sightseeing.

Source: Vietnamonline

Beyond Sapa: 5 Alternatives to consider for your next trip
Nguyen Thanh Van

Are you an adventure seeker? If so, you may love trekking in Vietnam. The country offers excellent trekking with remarkable sceneries.

PREPARE FOR TREKKING AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Sapa (Lao Cai)

Highlights: Located quite far from Hanoi and right next to the neighboring country, China, Sapa is famous for its spectacular mountains, jade hued rice paddies and unique culture as a home of some of the Vietnamese ethnic minorities. It offers diverse and beautiful hiking trails such as Cat Cat village, Y Linh Ho village, Ta Phin village, Muong Hoa Valley, Ham Rong mountain, Sky Gate, etc. Especially, Sapa is the home of the highest peak in Vietnam: Fansipan mount (3143 m).

Best time to trek: from March to May when it is dry and clean; and from September to November if you want to enjoy the terraces

2 DAYS TREKKING TOURS IN SAPA – OVERSTAY AT HOMESTAY TA VAN

Popular treks in Sapa:

There is no specific map if you choose to trek by yourself in Sapa. Most people get lost in the beauty of the land and cannot find the way out. So, there are some recommended trek routes for you if you want to experience quite easy trekking tour level:

• Lao Chai Village (5 km from the town of Sapa)
• Sin Chai Village (5 km from the town of Sapa)
• Ta Van Village (10 km from the town of Sapa)
• Hau Thao Village (11 km from the town of Sapa)
• Ta Phin Village (12 km from the town of Sapa)
• Ban Ho Village (21 km from the town of Sapa)

Things to keep in mind: 

• Before taking photos of local people, ask them. In some cases, you must pay money for them.
• Make copies of all your documents in case you lost the original ones.
• Bargain half prices for anything.

2. Mai Chau (Hoa Binh)

Mai Chau is well known for easy trekking. If you are a beginner, this is a place to go.

Highlights: Only 150 km far away from Hanoi, Mai Chau seems like a totally different world with the idyllic, rural valleys, peaceful atmosphere and laid back ambiance. There are some places to visit: Thac Bo Temple, Thung Khe pass, Mo Luong lake, White Rock pass, Chieu Cave, Go Lao waterfall, Hoa Binh lake, etc.

Best time to trek: from late September to early May

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT CYLING MAI CHAU – MAI CHAU ECOLODGE

Popular treks in Mai Chau:

For experience the slow life of the Thai and H’mong people: Ban Buoc, Cun Pheo, Hang Kia,…

For more challenging trek: Mai Chau valley, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Cuc Phuong National Park

3. Pu Luong Nature Reserve (Thanh Hoa)

Highlights: If you are heading back to Hanoi from the middle of Vietnam, you must add Pu Luong nature reserve to your list. It is the combination of Northern Vietnam’s beauty with beautiful terrace rice fields as Sapa, the magnificent passes as Ha Giang and large fields as Mai Chau. Visiting Pu Luong reserve, you also have the chance to experience the daily life and culture of the Thai and Muong people.

Best time to trek: during rice harvest season, from September to October and from February to May.

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS MAI CHAU VILLAGE AND TREKKING PU LUONG

Popular treks in Pu Luong: A popular trekking adventure will take you to Pu Luong jungle and beautiful small villages like Hang, Kho Muong, Kia villages. Some popular trekking routes: Hieu village – Nua village, Nua village – Son village.

Things to keep in mind: 

Although Pu Luong is a huge national forest, there are still restaurants and accommodation service areas. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about staying overnight there.

4. Ha Giang

Highlights: Ha Giang is also known as the “Final Frontier of Vietnam” for its sweeping views of carpets of flowers, karst mountains and colorful markets of ethnic minority communities. Their highlights include Yen Minh, Meo Vac valley, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Duong Lam village.

Best time to trek: October to December

How to get there: catch a bus in My Dinh bus station, it takes 6 hours to 8 hours

TRAVEL TO HA GIANG WITH RUBICON TOURS VIETNAM’S TRANSFER SERVICE

Popular treks in Sapa:

• Dong Van valley
• Si Phai Mountain Village
• Trung Son – Bo Dot – Hop Nhat
• Tam Son town (Heaven’s gate)
• Sky Path: Col de Ma Pi Len

Things to keep in mind: on the map, there is a road between Niem Son and Yen Minh, which is noted as a big road, but it’s actually a mountain track. The best route would be going from Meo Vac through Lung Phin.

3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS HA GIANG LOOP TOURS

5. Cat Ba National Park (Cat Ba Island) 

Highlights: Located on Cat Ba island, Cat Ba National Park attracts tourists not only thanks to the beautiful sea but also a number of highlights and attractions, which make your trip promisingly enjoyable. Inside the national park, there is also a museum, a rehab center, a small zoo, etc. And, some viewpoints that you can find while hiking would be worth your going.

Best time to trek: from September to October

Popular treks in Cat Ba National Park:

• Kim Giao Forest – Ngu Lam Peak (1.5 km)
• Trung Trang & Uy Ban Grottoes (1.2 km)
• National Park HQ – Ao Ech – Viet Hai (14km trekking and walking)

Things to keep in mind: 

• Fires, tree felling, branch cutting, and hunting are not allowed in the forest
• Watch the time out because the national park closes at 5 pm.

6. Cao Bang

Highlights: Cao Bang is a frontier region of North Vietnam with immense beauty. The landscape here is famous for jagged mountains, thin winding roads, and sporadic rice paddies. Choosing Cao Bang as trekking trails, you should not miss these places: Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Nguom Ngao cave, Thang Hen Lake, Pac Bo cave, and Ky Sam Temple.

Best time to trek: from October to April

How to get there: You can take a bus in My Dinh or Gia Lam bus station in the morning or evening.

Popular treks in Cao Bang

• Ba Be National Park
• Pac Po cave – Trek Nam Nhung
• Tong Cot Village
• Ta Lung border town

Source: Vietnamdiscovery

Top trekking places in Vietnam (Part I)
Nguyen Thanh Van

Are you seeking somewhere in Vietnam for your incoming photo-taking project? Surely Lao Cai is an ideal suggestion. Here are ideal destinations in Lao Cai for the most amazing photos and also for travel freaks like you.
Fansipan Peak

There is no denying the fact that Fansipan Peak is an extremely enchanting point lots of travelers crave for conquering partially because it is supposed to be “Indochina Rooftop”. Not only that, standing on the top of Fansipan is a great way to observe splendid and spectacular landscapes around. Today, it is not hard anymore to reach the “tough goal” as a cable car system has been built and operated here. It just takes you about 25 minutes to complete the trip. It is interesting to know that 5:00PM – 6:00PM is the best time for taking the most impressive photos.