With its spectacular panoramas and cultural richness, North Vietnam exerts an irresistible attraction for a growing number of visitors and investors each year. To help you plan your trip and explore this fascinating region, discover my selection of 10 Best Must-See Attractions in North Vietnam.
These iconic destinations will offer you an unforgettable experience, combining the natural beauty with the vibrant history and culture of this region. Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for adventure, these gems of North Vietnam deserve a special place in your itinerary.
Prepare to be amazed by the diversity and splendor of this captivating region.
1. Halong Bay – Amazing Natural Wonder
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a very popular travel destination in Quang Ninh province. Ha Long Bay is the center of a very large area which includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the north and Lan Ha Bay to the south.
The bay contains thousands of limestone islets of various shapes and sizes, the most popular of which are “Fighting cocks”, “The frogs”, etc. Ha Long is a priceless gem of Vietnam and the whole world.
Most visitors to Halong will book a one or two day cruise ship tour to experience at least one spectacular sunset over the bay. You can stay close to the crystal clear water and limestone islets, soak up the sun on the terrace and take part in many exciting activities on board such as kayaking, tai chi, squid fishing, cooking classes , etc.
A Halong Bay cruise would be perfect for any visitor planning to visit here.
As I just mentioned, Ha Long Bay is just the center of a very large bay. If you want to explore the calm waters with fewer tourists, you can also book a cruise to Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay, which is next to Ha Long Bay.
2. Tam Coc – Beautiful attraction in Ninh Binh
Before Hanoi, Ninh Binh was the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties (968 – 1010 BC). For this reason, there are many historic buildings and ancient complexes that you can explore.
Ninh Binh is a fascinating and peaceful place with inspiring landscapes. Visitors have easy access to almost all destinations here. With many limestone mountains, Ninh Binh is well-known for its nickname as “Ha Long Bay on earth”, so if you have already visited Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh can offer you a whole new experience that you ‘ve never had before.
The best place not to be missed during your visit to Ninh Binh is Tam Coc (three Caves). May to June And September to October are the busiest rice harvest months in Tam Coc.
It’s amazing to set off on a rowboat that takes you between striking limestone cliffs and lush green rice fields. You can also float through three caves running through mountains that have been carved out by the river itself over time.
3. Ha Giang – Breathtaking mountains
Ha Giang province is located in the northernmost region of Vietnam, approximately 400 km northwest of Hanoi.
Like Sapa, Ha Giang’s most popular destination is the magnificent mountains. This enigmatic province is a showcase with incredible landscapes, limestone cliffs, winding rivers, etc.
Ha Giang is also home to many ethnic minority groups, such as the Hmong, Tay, Dao and Nung, in addition to its breathtaking scenery. This is why Ha Giang is a fascinating place where tourists have convenient access to the most rural and real aspects of Vietnam in addition to an exciting landscape.
4. Bac Ha Market – The largest ethnic market
In the highlands, where many distinct ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, Phu La, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities meet to buy and sell local products rarely seen elsewhere, Bac Ha Market is considered the most big.
The market fair is also an opportunity for local ethnic groups to gather in traditional clothes, for families to reunite after a long absence, for women to present beautiful traditional homemade outfits and for young people to find lovers .
Bac Ha Market occupies a larger area than any other Vietnamese minority market and is divided into several regions, focusing on the sale of different products. It is fun to wander around looking at exotic displays of local products, see local ethnic groups in their traditional colorful clothing or buy local products from the regions.
5. Cat Ba Island – Nature’s Wonderland
Cat Ba Island is rich in a number of natural aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Limestone forests, mangroves, seagrass beds, caves, swamp forests, beaches and lagoons make up the island’s biodiversity.
This is why Vietnamese authorities have designated it as a national park. The southern part of the island is the most populated and is known as a commercial location. In addition, there are many accommodations, restaurants and bars on this land. With a large number of nature-oriented events, Cat Ba Island has become the hub of tourism in Vietnam.
Good opportunities for trekking and climbing in Cat Ba National Park, rent a kayak or book half-day or full-day kayaking and diving tours, watch the sunset directly overlooking the neighboring islands and Lan Ha Bay at Fort Canon.
6. Bai Tu Long Bay – Inspiring Ecosystem Attraction
Bai Tu Long Bay is almost overlooked by tourists due to its geographical location, located in the east of Halong Bay, very far from Cat Ba Island and adjacent to the China Territorial Sea.
It is also so unpolluted and pristine, a “must-see” place for travelers who prefer wilderness.
According to a survey conducted by ecotourism company Gecko Travel, Bai Tu Long Bay was among the top 5 global tourist destinations in Southeast Asia in 2006 (UK). With two ecosystems, the bay has a diverse biodiversity: an evergreen rainforest biome; and an aquatic and coastal ecosystem.
7. Lac Village – Land of Charm in Mai Chau
Lac Village seems like a dream land not too far from Hanoi (about 100km). The village is a lush valley with rice fields dotted with clusters of stilt houses of a quiet town upon arrival. It is also home to White Thai people, with 5 clans, namely Ha, Lo, Vi, Mac and Loc.
Lake Village, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mai Chau. The integrity and authenticity of the ethnic mountains are fundamentally not lost by floods of money, amidst many years of tourism services.
Therefore, visitors truly enjoy memorable encounters by participating in a Mai Chau tour to the lake village, the fusion of gentle and honest ethnic people and diverse ethnic and cultural background. Lac Village deserves a tourist highlight of Mai Chau tourism due to the attractive travel environments and special characteristics of traditional Thai culture.
8. Hanoi Old Quarter – Historic Center of Vietnam
Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City. This city has been the capital of Vietnam for over a thousand years since the Ly Dynasty and through most of the Vietnamese Dynasty.
With this time span, Hanoi still maintains its unique charm and culture until now. If it’s your first time in Vietnam, Hanoi is a must-visit destination that you’ll never want to miss.
You can find a lot of things here to see and learn. The Old Quarter of Hanoi is one of the oldest capitals in the world, where tourists can see many well-preserved French buildings from the colonial period, ancient pagodas and museums in the city center.
It’s a great place to explore on foot. Hanoi is also well known for its delicious cuisine, nightlife, skills and crafts as well as its multicultural community.
In Hanoi, you can definitely find the right type of trip for you. If you are a curious person who loves outdoor activities, you can just walk around with a map in hand, a Hanoi walking tour is also available if you need a guide.
If you want to experience Vietnam traffic like a local and try Vietnamese cuisines, you can book a motorbike tour that will take you from one place to another by motorbike. And if you just want to relax, take a look at the city, you can buy a double-decker bus ticket and enjoy the ride.
9. Mua Cave – Best Instagrammable Place
Ninh Binh is 5 km from Mua Cave and is a popular stop on Tam Coc tours. This cave (the name means “dance cave”) is terribly spectacular.
Sleeping between the rice fields, there are panoramic views from the peak above. A stone staircase zigzags through the karst next to the cave entrance (watch out for goat droppings) and there are almost 500 steps up to a simple altar to Quan Am (goddess of mercy).
10. Fansipan Peak – The summit of Indochina
There are 4 main destinations in northern Vietnam and Sapa is a very important destination. Sapa is a small, quiet mountain village in Lao Cai province. Here you can find the highest peak of Indochina – Fan Si Pan. Sapa is home to many Vietnamese ethnic groups.
Now, Sapa is becoming a famous tourist destination because of its high altitude, fresh air and cool weather. You can find spectacular mountains and deep valleys everywhere on the way from Lao Cai province to Sapa. This small town has more than scenery.
There are five main ethnic groups here: Hmong, Dao, Giay and Xa Pho, which creates a multicultural community, you can find almost all kinds of cultures in Vietnam inside Sapa.
For many climbers, adventurers and many travelers passionate about conquering nature, the peak of Fansipan has always been a meeting place. There is nothing better than trying our best to climb a majestic peak.
But, the cable car route has today welcomed thousands of tourists to Sapa to fulfill their fantasy of conquering the highest peak of Indochina in 15 minutes.
