Ban Gioc falls in Cao Bang

Northern Vietnam is the cradle of the Vietnamese civilization and hence, home to more historical and cultural attractions than other regions. Its shoreline and mountains also offer impressive landscapes. Its most popular destinations, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sa Pa, are among the most visited in Vietnam.

Cities

• 1 Hanoi – The capital of Vietnam
• 2 Bac Ha – With hilltribe markets near the Chinese border
• 3 Cam Pha
• 4 Cao Bang
• 5 Co Loa
• 6 Dien Bien Phu – The site of the French defeat in 1954
• 7 Dong Dang – On the border with China
• 8 Haiphong – A major port and the third largest city in Vietnam
• 9 Ha Giang – The gateway to the dramatic motorcycle route
• 10 Lao Cai
• Ninh Binh – karst scenery along the river, as well as the ancient capital Hoa Lu
• 11 Sa Pa – A popular site for visiting indigenous tribes
• 12 Tam Dao – A resort mountainous town in Vinh Phuc province
• 13 Thái Nguyên

Other destinations

• 1 Ba Be National Park – Scenic mountains and the beautiful Ba Bể Lake
• 2 Bai Tu Long Bay
• 3 Co To Island
• 4 Cuc Phuong National Park
• 5 Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark – Steep and rugged limestone mountains shared by a number of ethnic groups
• 6 Ha Long Bay (including Cat Ba, Cua Ong, and Quan Lạn and Van Don islands) – Boating destination where there the karst meets the ocean
• 7 Hoang Su Phi – Its terraced rice fields are recognized as a National Heritage
• 8 Tuan Chau Island

Understand

The lowland and delta areas were traditionally farming areas. Since ancient times, the region alternated between local control and domination by China. The French took control in the mid-1800s, and developed Hanoi into the capital of French Indochina. Hanoi became the center of communist resistance to the colonists, and was made the capital of an independent Vietnam as the French were pushed out. The provinces around Hanoi (Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, and Hai Duong) are now largely industrialized.

Toward the South China Sea is Ha Long Bay and numerous surrounding islands, with hundreds of limestone karsts and caves. The mountainous provinces bordering China have dramatic landscapes, such as pristine subtropical forests, rice terraces and tea plantations. These provinces are less developed, with fewer industries and more ethnic groups.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Noi Bai International Airport (HAN ^IATA) near Hanoi is the largest airport in the region, with international connections all over the world.

Regional airports include:

• 2 Cat Bi International Airport (HPH ^IATA) near Hai Phong — has a few international connections
• 3 Điện Biên Phủ Airport (DIN ^IATA) near Dien Bien Phu
• 4 Van Don International Airport (VDO ^IATA) near Cai Rong

Get around

There are of course lots of buses available in the region.

Many travellers prefer to explore the mountain regions (such as Ha Giang and Dong Van) by motorbike.

See

Tam Coc landscape in Ninh Binh

Karst landscapes are scattered throughout the region. In the far north, the Ha Giang Loop is a popular motorcycle route, starting in Ha Giang and winding through the Dong Van Plateau. Further south, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh allow you to explore these fascinating limestone formations by boat.

Do

Cycling is a niche but growing activity in Northern Vietnam, progressively getting more challenging the farther you venture out of Hanoi. During your ride, you will be distracted by dense jungle, misty hills and mountains and gorgeous rice terraces. But to explore the region to its fullest, you ought to be an experienced peddler. If you are skilled and brave enough, ride along the jaw-dropping Mã Pí Lèng Pass between the towns of Dong Van and Meo Vac.

The northern mountains offer trekking opportunities, most notably around Sa Pa and Ba Be National Park.

At the end of a busy day, try an herbal bath (tắm lá thuốc), an ancient tradition of some ethnic minorities, particularly the Red Dao people. Many massage parlours in towns across the region have these baths. Some appear to be appropriating this cultural practice, but some are very traditional, with families or groups having their own recipes of dozens (or up to hundreds) of herbal ingredients than are dried, then boiled until the water is fragrant, and a deep red or green colour. A 30 minute dip in one of these baths will have you feeling very relaxed.

Buy

Most local markets in the north of Vietnam take place on a particular day each week. For example, Dong Van Market and Can Cau Markets take place on Saturday or Sunday. The markets open at 05:00 and close at 15:00-16:00. Ethnic peoples, such as the Hmong, Dzao, Tay, Lo Lo and Tu Di, go to the market from the early morning on by foot, horse and motorbike. They travel in families and groups of young girls and boys in their most colorful clothes. Even if they don't sell all of their products, they still meet their old friends and have a chance to drink, chat or share their life stories. Some other markets are exceptional: They are “backward markets”! They take place every 6 days, calculated by the Lunar Calendar.

Go next

• Vietnam's Central Coast, to the south.
• China's neighboring Guangxi and Yunnan provinces.