Best Things to do in North Vietnam
The North Vietnam is full of diversity. It has amazing seascapes, fascinating Red River Delta and stunning mountains. There is also the charm coming from the ethnic cultures. To uncover the best of the north Vietnam, these characterful destinations should be in your travel bucket list:
Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay
Undoubtedly, the Unesco Heritage Site of Halong bay is the highlight of any travel to north Vietnam. This archipelago consists of some 800 islets and islands which forms picturesque landscapes that no other site can rival.
For first time visitor to Vietnam, it is advisory to book at least a day trip to explore this magical bay. If you have more time, 2 days cruising or 3 days journey to the further areas of Bai Tu Long Bay will be a great treat !
Hanoi
The Capital of Vietnam is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. It does not mean it is lack of charm. Ha Noi can be very nice to make your weekend interesting with its cultural events varying from impressive puppet show to the amazing A-O show. It is not to mention, there is a wide range of museums and art galleries to catch.
Any Vietnam Travel Itinerary should include Hanoi for certain reasons. For culinary adventure, there is nothing more celebrated than sampling the tasty local street foods. A family holiday will be successful in Hanoi with a visit to timeless pagodas, French architect and artistic activities.
Ban Gioc Waterfall
The main reason that people flock into the remote Cao Bang province is to witness the cascading Ban Gioc Fall. It is located by the border of Vietnam and China, hence it has 2 names : De Tien – in Chinese and Ban Gioc – in Vietnamese.
Beside the fact that it is spectacular, Ban Gioc also has its own story to tell.
Hoa Binh Lake
This trendy destination is an ideal choice to capture the mountain-lake images. Hoa Binh Lake stretches over 100km with lots of bamboo forest, hidden waterfalls and enchanting hill tribe villages.
The arrival of luxury resorts allows us to not only soak up the photogenic spots but also enjoy some beautiful moments for sunsets. The best way to see Hoa Binh lake is to combine a boat trip with a short trek to visit Muong people.
Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces
For intrepid travelers, it would be incomplete for a north Vietnam trip without visiting Mu Cang Chai. This off beaten track area is recognized as National Heritage. During the summer period from April to September, it attracts millions of photographer who expect to photograph the unlike rice terraces in different sizes.
Trekking tours in Mu Cang Chai is now one of the most rewarding experiences you should not miss.
Ninh Binh
When it comes to the idea of experiencing the true Red River Life, Ninh Binh is simply the premier choice. The province offers the most famous National Park – the Cuc Phuong which is home to various wildlife.
Ninh Binh also houses the postcard-perfect Hoa Lu area which showcases many historic sites and traditional workshops. Active travelers often choose Ninh Binh for a short biking day where they can marvel the rice paddies and meet the friendly locals.
Amongst the Best things to do in Ninh Binh, Tam Coc is a beautiful spot for instagram photos as well soaking up the extra ordinary landscapes which is defined as ” Halong Bay on land “.
Ba Be National Park
Nested in the secluded part of Bac Kan province, Ba Be lake has lake, river, cave and jungles await your exploration. For a leisure trip, cruising out to the lake and relax in a traditional stilt house of Tay people could be an appealing choice.
For those who love to know about the ethnic life, scan its weekend market, hike through the small jungle path, doing homestay could be a true delight.