Northern Vietnam Overview

Smooth-riding tourist buses go as far as Hà Nÿi; to the surprise of many backpackers, Vietnam keeps on going. Even in Vietnam, it has become increasingly difficult to find places untouched by foreign tourists, but those willing to step onto cramped rigs, brave local “roads,” and head north will soon discover that the journey is worthwhile. The provinces east of the famous Northwest Highlands are the least-touristed in Vietnam, and travel there is at its least directed—a curse to those seeking an effortless travel experience, but a blessing to travelers with the time and energy to explore uncharted territory and meet its inhabitants. Indeed, the people of Northern Vietnam are probably its best feature; they are remarkable for their cheerful, hard-working perseverance in the face of poverty and adversity.

Signs throughout the country read: “A Destination for the New Millennium.” Nowhere do the Vietnamese believe that more than in the North. It has all the necessary ingredients—natural attractions, historical relics, and an ethnic diversity that lends the region its distinct flavor. Perhaps the tourist cafes will extend their coverage here one day, but for now it remains a destination for those in search of anything but a traditional vacation.

Delight In The Smorgasbord that is Cao B}ng province ; the city itself is quiet and charming, but the real attractions are the area’s lakes , waterfalls , caves , and ethnic minority markets .
Sleep On Stilts, or more accurately, in stilt houses in dramatic Ba B€ National Park ; when you wake up, take a boat ride across the calm, crystal waters of Ba B€ Lake, visit Montagnard villages , and go on any number of hikes. If you go on a weekday, the park will be yours and yours alone.

Lång S£n

Over the last 2000 years, the pass at Lång S£n has seen many uninvited, heavily armed Chinese guests. Most recently, Chinese troops razed Lång S£n in 1979 as part of Deng Xiaoping’s effort to “teach ...more

Cao B}Ng

Cao B}ng is magical. Financially poor but culturally rich, the region remains the archetypal undiscovered gem for travelers, with genuinely kind inhabitants, decent food, and scenery so spectacular that ...more

Ba B€ National Park

Located in the B c Kån province, Ba B€ National Park was established in 1992 to preserve some of Vietnam’s most thrilling natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Covering over 200 sq. km of water ...more

Thái Nguyên

The people in Thái Nguyˆn constantly poke fun at their own city, ironically calling their markets “large” and their sights “famous..for Thái Nguyˆn.” The source of this inferiority complex ...more