Tourist destinations in Vietnam are very rich and diverse, especially in the North. There are many tourist attractions here that we should visit once in a lifetime. Today, we will explore  the 15 best places to visit in Northern Vietnam.

1. Sapa in Lao Cai

Sapa is one of the highland towns of Lao Cai province and is located in the north of Vietnam. Sapa town is located at an altitude of 1600m above sea level, about 30 km from Lao Cai city.

Sapa has a combination of indigenous people, mountains and hills along with the green color of nature. Coming to this place, visitors will feel the fresh air of nature along with the harmony of the atmosphere.

Sapa has about 5 different ethnic groups such as H'Mong, Red Dao, Tay, Xa Pho and Giay. Coming to Sapa, visitors also have the opportunity to explore the terraced fields, the majestic scenery of the mountains and the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

Sapa has many famous tourist destinations that attract many foreign tourists to visit often. Fansipan is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Sapa, known as the roof of Indochina. Visitors can come here to visit as well as explore and conquer the peak of 3143m high mountain. Besides, visitors can visit Ham Rong Mountain to enjoy the panoramic view of Sapa, the majestic Silver Waterfall, Sapa heaven gate and so on.

2. Bac Ha in Lao Cai

Bac Ha is a highland district of Northern Vietnam, 71.1km northeast of Lao Cai city center. Bac Ha is the residence of the majority of the Tay, Hmong, Dao, Nung...Each ethnic group in Bac Ha has many unique and interesting cultures and customs, visitors can easily see through the costumes as well as the typical cuisine when traveling to Bac Ha.

Bac Ha is a land imprinted with many glorious victories in the history of the Vietnamese nation. Bac Ha Temple was built at the end of the 19th century to commemorate the merits of two brothers Vu Van Uyen and Vu Van Mat, natives of Gia Loc (Hai Duong) who had merit in fighting the enemy and stabilizing the Northwest border region.

Bac Ha Temple Festival is usually held on the 7th of July of the lunar month every year, attracting a large number of people and tourists with a variety of activities such as Xoe dancing, cock fighting, tug of war, and art... In 2003, Bac Ha temple has been recognized as a national historical and cultural relic.

In addition, when coming to Bac Ha town, visitors can also attend the Bac Ha market, which meets from early Sunday morning every week. This is one of the largest markets in the border highlands. On the way to the market, visitors will see the magnificent scenery that nature has bestowed on this land with terraced fields stretching, majestic mountains beside deep blue abysses.

Each ethnic group of Mong, Tay, Dao ... often wears colorful brocade costumes, laughs and talks, and carries horses carrying all kinds of goods to the market. People sell at the market all kinds of highland products such as vegetables, fruits, honey ... or necessary agricultural tools such as plows, hoes, shovels, knives ..., but the most attractive is still jewelry and Bac Ha brocade dresses. Going to the market, visitors do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the specialty of Thang Co with bowls of corn wine of the Mong people in Pho village.

Bac Ha is also a land rich in national cultural identity with festivals and customs of 14 ethnic groups, typically the Long Tong festival or the festival to go down to the field, a religious activity to pray for favorable weather, lush trees, bountiful crops, the prosperous life of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups...

The following is the best time to travel to Bac Ha:

• Spring, before and after the Lunar New Year is the season of plum blossoms

• Bac Ha Horse Racing Festival is traditionally held in early June every year after plums are ripe

• The Land Procession Festival takes place on January 15 every year

• Bac Ha market takes place every Sunday

• Bac Ha Temple Festival on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month

​3. Y Ty in Lao Cai

Y Ty is a poor commune in the mountainous border area of commune 135 in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province which is in the North of Vietnam, located at an altitude of 2000m above sea level. The whole commune has a total of nearly 800 households living in 16 villages with 4 ethnic groups (Mong, Ha Nhi, Dao, Kinh). This is the only living place of the Ha Nhi ethnic group in Vietnam.

This is one of the destinations that many backpackers love because of the pleasant and temperate highland atmosphere. The natural scenery here also makes many people captivated by its very own idyllic and rustic features.

The most beautiful check-in points in Y Ty:

• A Lu commune: retains the wild beauty of green forests, simple villages, houses nestled in valleys and majestic high mountains.

• Ngai Thau: You will be overwhelmed and sobbing at the scenery of the sea of white clouds floating like "fairy" in Ngai Thau.

• The Pa Valley: Standing on the high pass, looking down at the Tha Pa valley, you will see a "golden sea", running endlessly.

• Lao Than peak is located in Phin Ho village and is considered the roof of Y Ty. "Lao" means “two” - "Than" is a mountain, that is, two layers of mountains. On the top of Lao Than, visitors can hunt clouds, watch the scenery of the sea of ​​clouds along with the wind.

• Muong Hum Market: Every Sunday, Muong Hum town, Bat Xat district holds a Muong Hum market. On these fair days, people from the villages of Den Sang, Y Ty, Muong Vi, etc. go down to the market like a festival. They dress up in the traditional clothes of their people, walk or ride horses to bring goods to the market to exchange. Especially, you can buy some Nam Pung wine to enjoy specialties not to be missed when coming to Y Ty.

4. Dong Van ancient town in Ha Giang

Dong Van ancient town in Dong Van district is located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,600 meters above sea level. Amidst the four sides of rolling mountains and forests, Dong Van old town is hidden in impressive silence and antiquity. It is no exaggeration to say that the beauty of this area is the highlight of the arid rocky plateau. Traveling to Northern Vietnam but missing the opportunity to discover the nostalgia of Dong Van old town is a pity.

Dong Van Old Town has only 40 households living next to each other, forming a neighborhood hidden under the rocky cliffs. The whole picture of Ha Giang old town has the yellow color of the sun, the green color of the mountains and the nostalgic color of the faded houses over time.

Dong Van ancient town during four seasons is always crowded with domestic and foreign tourists in Ha Giang. However, the quiet old town suddenly becomes more vibrant than ever during the festive season, especially the Ha Giang buckwheat flower season, which takes place from October to early December.

Coming here, you can explore the "Old Quarter Coffee" - one of the few old houses that still retains the ancient beauty in the old town of Dong Van, which is falling into disrepair; immerse yourself in the bustling life of Dong Van ancient market; enjoy Ha Giang cuisine with dishes such as buffalo meat, Bac Me Com Lam, five-color sticky rice, Thang Co, egg rolls and so on.

5. Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang

Hoang Su Phi is a sprawling land consisting of 6 communes namely Ban Luoc, Ho Thau, San Sa Ho, Ban Phung, Thong Nguyen and Nam Ty belonging to Ha Giang province in the North of Vietnam. Possessing a special geographical position located in the northernmost part of Vietnam, Hoang Su Phi is remembered for its terraced fields.

Unlike the terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai or Y Ty, Hoang Su Phi in the fall season has its own charm and uniqueness that can fascinate anyone. When summer comes, Ha Giang people joyfully enter a new crop. People will take advantage of water from above to pour into the field for cultivation. The image of the water rolling back, flowing down each step, spreading throughout the valley made Hoang Su Phi suddenly turn into a giant mirror, illuminating the entire Northeastern mountains and forests.

Unlike the time of sowing in the water season, Hoang Su Phi in the ripe rice season looks much more gentle and peaceful. The ripe rice season in Hoang Su Phi takes place around September-October of the year. The fields and terraced fields are golden, swaying with each wind and somewhere there is still the sweet scent of ripe rice.

Especially, if traveling to Ha Giang around this time, visitors will feel the characteristic cold of the highland winter. In the morning, the mist covered Hoang Su Phi's path, mixed with the scent of ripe rice full of love and poetry. Visitors to Ha Giang can also experience farm work, try specialties made from newly harvested young rice or participate in special festivals of the highland ethnic minorities in this ripe rice season.

6. Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Northern part of Vietnam and it is rated as one of the 7 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Every year, Ban Gioc welcomes a lot of domestic and foreign tourists to admire and record the magnificence of this waterfall.

Ban Gioc waterfall is divided into 2 parts: the main waterfall (high waterfall) and the secondary waterfall. If going from the outside, the left side is called the secondary waterfall and the right side is called the main waterfall. The secondary waterfall is completely under the sovereignty of Vietnam, the main waterfall is half of China.

The attractive and unique thing about Ban Gioc Waterfall is that in the main waterfall, the waterfall does not flow straight from the top down, but winds through the mounds, dividing floors like stairs, making the water of the Quay Son river wind into many white strips.

It has two distinct seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season starts from June to September every year, so at this time, the waterfall flows faster and stronger. Many people think that this is the most ideal time to see the beauty and feel the majestic power of nature.

7. Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan

Ba Be Lake - is a famous eco-tourism area of Northern Vietnam with interesting nature along with biological diversity. This place is about 70km from the center of Bac Kan province to the northwest, in the area of Ba Be national park, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan. Ba Be Lake was listed in the top 20 freshwater lakes with unspoiled beauty that need to be preserved by the World Freshwater Lakes Conference held in the US.

In four seasons, the lake water is always clear and cool. Visitors can travel to Ba Be Lake by taking a tour in all seasons of the year. Ba Be Lake is suitable for outdoor activities in the summer, and to enjoy and learn about the local culture and people, you can go in the winter.

You should visit some of the following famous tourist attractions when you come to Ba Be:

Fairy Cave: This is a national cultural heritage associated with the legend of seven beautiful fairies. One fine day, all seven girls decided to visit the lower world and were so absorbed in bathing that they forgot the hour to return to heaven. At that time, the gate of heaven was locked, forcing the fairies to take refuge in the world. God has created a cave for the girls to spend the night. Since then, people called the cave Fairy Cave. Around the cave, there are also many restaurants serving attractive Bac Kan specialties of Bac Kan nature such as Bac Kan roast pig, Con Minh vermicelli,...

Dau Dang Waterfall is a waterfall located on the gentle Nang River up to 2km long, located in the Ba Be National Park complex. Located between two large rocky mountains and blocked by large and small rocks, the water in the waterfall pours from a height of up to 500m straight down to the river, forming a beautiful white dust rain.

Another unique tourist destination not to be missed is Puong Cave - a small cave about 5 km from Cho Ra town. Cave next to Nang river. Occasionally, there is a section of water entering the ravine, forming small hollow caves with flowing water - as unique as the relic of Bat Pagoda in Soc Trang.

8. Mai Chau in Hoa Binh

Mai Chau is located in the north of Vietnam, the west of Hanoi, located at the end of Hoa Binh province and is adjacent to Moc Chau, Son La, and Pu Luong of Thanh Hoa.

Although it is a highland district, Mai Chau is a valley surrounded by massive limestone ranges. This place has peaceful natural beauty of green forests, rice fields full of grain, and many small streams quietly flowing.

The ideal time to travel to Mai Chau is in March - April. At this time, Mai Chau will not be too sunny, and it is also the time when the flowers bloom. Ethnic festivals also take place in a variety of ways. So this is the ideal time for you to have the best experience.

Coming to Mai Chau, visitors cannot ignore Thung Khe Pass with majestic beauty, covering the space from above; Mai Chau flagpole with fresh, fresh air and images of mountains and vast plains catch the eye; Go Lao waterfall is like white silk sheets stretching on the rocks; Lac village with its rustic appearance from ancient times,...

9. Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa

Pu Luong borders Mai Chau in the North. Possessing high mountainous terrain, Pu Luong is a nature reserve with an area of ​​about 17,600ha with thick vegetation.

You should arrange to come here at the following times:

• Late May - early June: This is the time when the fields in Pu Luong enter the new crop, so everywhere will be covered with a gentle and fresh green color of new rice.

• September or October: This is the most ideal time because at this time, all the fields and terraced fields are dressed in iridescent gold. Coming here, you will admire the rich natural picture of Pu Luong.

Popular check-in locations in Pu Luong:

• Kho Muong village is home to 60 Thai ethnic households and 230 households, so visitors can explore the cultural identity of the highland ethnic group. Standing from the Kho Muong village and looking down, you can see the rice fields and corn fields located at the foot of the hill.

• Hieu Waterfall: is a year-round stream that never dries up. In particular, the water from Hieu Waterfall is very clear. When it rains heavily,  Hieu Waterfall puts on a white color with limestone powder. Therefore, the trees and objects in  Hieu Waterfall were petrified.

• Pu Luong Heaven Gate: In Thai language, Pu Luong means the highest mountain in the region. Standing on the top of a 1700 m high mountain, you will see the towering Pu Luong peak with immense green.

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10. Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai

In recent years, around the end of September and the beginning of October, tourists from all over the country flock to Mu Cang Chai to admire the wonderful scenery of this highland land. Coming to this place in Northern Vietnam, visitors not only enjoy the beauty of terraced fields, the sea of white clouds on the top of Cao Pha pass but also immerse themselves in the unique cultural festivals of the Mong people.

Coming to Mu Cang Chai even once, visitors also feel the richness of nature, the uniqueness of culture, the warmth of humanity. Although the road to Mu Cang Chai is far and difficult, it is very interesting. The landscape changes constantly on the road, visitors have not had time to see all the Thai stilt houses in the vast Muong Lo field with thousands of white banyan flowers, they have come to the winding and meandering roads on the steep hillsides. 

Geological movements have created high peaks for Mu Cang Chai such as: Pung Luong (2,985m), Phu Ba (2,512m), Mo De (2,100m)… Khau Pha pass (2,100m high), the highest peak of the "four great mountain passes" in the Northwest, is covered in a sea of floating clouds. 

The climate here is cool all year round. Cao Pha pass is also the 4th most beautiful place in the world for pilots to fly paragliding, for those who love thrills, adventure games to conquer the sky and enjoy. From one pass to another or from one mountain to another, visitors will clearly feel the change of altitude, the two sides of the road are ravishing terraced fields that make each of us feel overwhelmed.

11. Ha Long Bay

Ha Long city in Quang Ninh province, 180km from Hanoi, has long been famous for its beautiful Ha Long Bay landscape. Ha Long certainly cannot escape the title of "Northern tourist paradise" of Vietnam. With the possession of many famous landscapes, each year, this place attracts tens of millions of tourists from both domestic and international to visit.

Ha Long Bay is a famous place with majestic nature including thousands of large and small floating islands, mysterious caves with unique shapes. When coming here, we can take a boat to visit many other interesting places such as: Ngoc Vung Island, Dragon Eye Island, Con Coc Islet, Sung Sot Cave, …

Ha Long Bay has an area of 1,553km2 with the number of up to 1,900 large and small limestone islands with diverse shapes. It has been voted by UNESCO as one of the natural wonders of the world. Ha Long Bay is definitely the first name to visit when coming to the North of Vietnam. 

12. Hanoi Old Quarter

Located in the north and west of Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi Old Quarter is the gathering place of 36 streets as the ancients call them such as Hang Ngang, Hang Dao, Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Hang Chieu, Hang Duong,...

Visiting the old town, you will partly imagine the culture, economy, society and people of old Thang Long Hanoi.

The most characteristic feature of the Old Quarter is the craft streets. From the craft villages around the ancient Thang Long citadel, Hanoi's famous craftsmen gather here by area to work together to create traditional craft quarters. The famous trade streets of Hanoi 36 old streets include:

• Hang Bong Street specializes in selling quilts, blankets and cushions

• Hang Bac Street specializes in processing and trading gold and silver jewelry

• Hang Dao Street specializes in selling fabrics of all kinds

• Hang Ma Street specializes in trading votive goods, worshiping items, decorations, toys for the Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas.

• Hang Quat Street specializes in selling worship items

• Hang Buom Street sells sweets and jams for Tet

• Ma May Street specializes in travel and tourism services

Coming to the old town, you can visit Hoan Kiem Lake - the heart of Hanoi capital, Dong Xuan market - the oldest and most famous market in Hanoi, Hang Ma Street - the crowded street and the most brilliant of the 36 ancient streets in Hanoi, O Quan Chuong - 1 of the 5 remaining doorways to this day, Ma May ancient house - the living space and features of an old Hanoi townhouse.

Traveling to Hanoi's Old Quarter, you cannot miss enjoying the delicious cuisine here such as Bun Cha, Bun Dau Mam Tom, Pho, Beer, Bread, and especially Old Quarter coffee.

13. Long Bien Bridge

Over a period of more than 100 years of history with many ups and downs along with many historical events, Long Bien Bridge is still standing in the North of Vietnam between heaven, earth and has become a very meaningful symbol for the people of the Capital.

At a glance, you might think that Long Bien Bridge is no different from other bridges, even seems old and dilapidated. However, few people know that Long Bien Bridge is the first steel bridge to cross the Red River. It is known that this bridge was built by the French in 1898 - 1902 with the name Doumer bridge.

Long Bien Bridge was designed and built in the famous French architectural style by Daydé & Pillé company (Paris, France). This historic bridge was designed and constructed by leading French companies whose technical advancements in construction science ensure both technical and artistic elements of modern bridge construction. The entire bridge body is made of steel with a tightly layered steel structure, the design is very harmonious and impressive. Looking from afar, Long Bien Bridge looks like a giant dragon, standing proudly in the middle of the vast Red River.

Long Bien Bridge is an important historical witness that witnessed heroic historical milestones through the two resistance wars against the French colonialists and then the American empire of our nation.

14. Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam

Tam Chuc Pagoda - Ha Nam is located in Ba Sao town, Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province, about 70km from Hanoi city, 30km from Bai Dinh pagoda (Ninh Binh), 4km from Huong pagoda (Hanoi). It is considered the largest temple in the world up to now, located in the complex of romantic and lyrical Tam Chuc tourist area in the North.

Tam Chuc Pagoda worships the monks Dat Ma, Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong, Zen Master Khuong Viet, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Zen Master Do Phap Thuan, etc. They are national monks who have contributed to the development of Buddhism in Vietnam.

Traveling to Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam has many interesting experiences, diverse and unique landscapes. The Tam Chuc Pagoda tourist complex in Ha Nam has the following typical attractions:

• Thuy Dinh Guest House: where visitors can visit the interior and pictures of the temple

• The three-door gate was built extremely massively, solidly and with unique patterns.

• Magnificent Tam Chuc Pagoda: Looking at the map of Tam Chuc Pagoda, you will see that there are 3 main halls: Tam The Palace, Phap Chu Temple and Quan Am Palace. In the area, each shrine will worship a Buddha with its own sacred meaning. In common, the 3 shrines have 4 reliefs hand-carved with stone collected from the crater in Indonesia.

• Tam Chuc communal house: The communal house is located in the middle of a large lake, worshiping Queen Dinh Duong Thi Nguyet, and preserving ancient vestiges from the reign of King Dinh.

The ideal time to visit Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam is in the spring, specifically the first months of the year, the time of the festival season, from January 10 to the end of March of the lunar calendar, the climate is cool, more In there, visitors can participate in worshiping Buddha, praying for money and blessings.

15. Bai Dinh Temple Complex in Ninh Binh

Bai Dinh Pagoda is located at the western gateway of Hoa Lu ancient capital, in the Northern area of Vietnam, more than 95km south of Hanoi. Bai Dinh pagoda complex is a spiritual tourist attraction attracting many domestic and international tourists. This is also the temple complex that has been confirmed by many Vietnamese and regional records.

The complex of Bai Dinh pagoda includes the ancient Bai Dinh area and the new Bai Dinh pagoda. In the name Bai Dinh, "Bai" means worship, and "Dinh" means peak, Bai Dinh means worshiping heaven, earth, and holy Buddha.

Located in the famous tourist route of Ninh Binh province: Hoa Lu ancient capital historical site, Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area, Cuc Phuong national park... Bai Dinh pagoda complex is a historical place, cultural and spiritual attraction. In the midst of the majestic mountains and the sacred land of Buddha, each person seems to be able to calm down after the hustle and bustle of life, and sincerely turn to the Buddha, towards the idyllic beauties of life.

To discover more details about one of these best destinations in the North, pls read :

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