It is our thoughts that many tourists to Hanoi miss out on the natural world afforded to them. Because all the drama and fuss they've heard about, resonates out of Ha Long and its magnificent bay area.
Yes, Ha Long Bay is amazing and beautiful and worth spending a few days ― okay, three days ― exploring but there's more to the north.
We are hopeful this guide will bring to your attention the incredible rural countryside landscapes and nature available to amaze you and your family when you step outside Hanoi. Risk a few days getting lost in Lao Cai and find nature all over again in Sa Pa.
Because province after province in the north, there are outdoor adventures waiting for you. Even if you've only got a week in Hanoi, please squeeze a day or two into one of our favorite provinces. You'll be glad you did.
Home to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, the north east of Vietnam has natural beauty as far as the eye can see. Quang Ninh Province has some of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring mountains in Vietnam, carpeted in abundant forests with the purest of water.
Ha Long, the capital city of the province, is your gateway to Ha Long Bay ― comprising of almost 2000 Islands ― and many beaches, caves and water activities.
There are many Islands and a fair share of them are uninhabited, or no bigger than a family sized car. One Island that we recommend you visit is Co To Island. Beautiful beaches offer the opportunity for romantic couples to enjoy quality time alone.
The Island has gorgeous white sand with blue hued waters. Majestic mountains covered in lush green forests with unknown beauty and natural wildlife.
It's our recommendation you must stay at least one night on this Island: quality accommodation and restaurants will only boost your amazement and joy.
Any tour you have booked for Ha Long Bay, or cruise, your guide will no doubt take you to Bo Hon Island, where this cave is. It's an entirely alien world to our own once you enter. There are two chambers and both are extremely open, great expanses.
Many stalagmites and stalactites welcome you into the first chamber. Artificial lighting adds an eeriest sense to the atmosphere inside as your imagination takes over.
The first chamber has beautiful rock structures that are so unreal to believe they are natural and part of the earth's crust. Making your way through a narrow passageway leads you into the second chamber.
It's as large as the first one, it's massive. Your senses are heightened by now, and you are positive the eyes deceive you. Looking around and up at the ceiling, you make out shapes in the rock.
Your guide will swear blind to you there is a horse carved out by nature. We couldn't make out the shape of a horse ourselves but there are noticeable patterns that are quite unique and amazing to think they're natural.
At this point by the way, you have completely forgotten about the world outside. On leaving, you may be lucky enough to see the monkeys. Often, they can be seen climbing down from the trees grubbing around for fallen fruits.
More or less 50km from Ha Long is this magical mountain, profoundly important to Vietnam, steeped in centuries of Buddhism. Were you ever spiritual in nature you would eventually find your way to this mountain, anyway, but our guide is about the natural beauty that draws you to it.
Reaching the summit, appearing down below you are blessed with incredible panoramic views of thick forested jungle.
Looking further out you see peaks and troughs, mountains cascading down into deep valleys. Stay overnight and wake really early to catch the mist rising, before evaporation. Some of the best photo opportunities you'll have.
From Ha Long, take a shuttle bus and ask the driver to drop you off at Trinh Temple. Then, from there you can either hike the trail or jump in a taxi for the 15km distance to reach the cable cars that'll take you up the mountain.
If you have time and are relatively fit, then hiking would afford you more beautiful sights through the bamboo and pine forests. Numerous temples and Pagodas, a garden and waterfall also supplement your feast for nature.
The grand finale ― for us ― was the sunset seen from the Buddhist Monastery. There are few things bigger, or as important in Vietnam than this mountain with its 700 years of Buddhist symbolism. An interesting piece of history that is as beautiful as the mountain's nature.
Where can you find the perfect three-day backpacker adventure in north Vietnam?
If you are planning on visiting Hanoi, then extend your visit to include Cao Bang City which is to the north. An 8-hour bus ride takes you through absolute gorgeous scenery. Now, has your interest has been piqued? Without delay let's delve deeper into why Cao Bang is such a lush holiday for backpackers.
The "big ticket" item of this province is the Bach Long Bridge. The world's longest glass bottom bridge spans across a gorge, at a death defying 150m off the jungle floor below.
This amazing bridge has become a tourist magnet found in Moc Chau district, attracting visitors from all over the world. It's indescribable how you feel walking across whilst looking down. Even for the brave who crave adventure, the heart pounds against your chest urging you on.
The natural beauty surrounding you with panoramic views, of course, is unquestionable. Rugged mountains carefully groomed with layers of rice terraces greet you as far as the eye can see. The lack of urbanization respects those living in many of the ethnic villages scattered throughout the valleys.
Sadly, most travelers only get a passing glimpse on their way to Hanoi. But we will swear blind, there's far more to be discovered:
Towering mountain peaks followed by deep valleys. It's a stunning landscape with rivers and waterfalls ― perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts for trekking. And there are never dull moments, your days are filled with:
About 80km from the provincial capital you journey northwest through steep mountains and deep, wide valleys. Falling in love with the traditionally built ethnic Po Mu houses while being spellbound by their customs and way of life.
The friendliest of people you come across in the Ngoc Chien Commune. It's all about community involvements with eco tourism firmly implanted in their hospitality. The hot springs have remarkable healing abilities for those who bathe in the streams, at Luot Village.
The locals use the water daily, to cleanse and cook with, for everything and miraculously they've aged little ― and that's the honest truth.
When you come, you are coming to more than simply the hot springs. You are coming to be welcomed into the life of these people for a "hands-on" experience that's going to stay with you for life. We would even venture to say the commune offers you a soul-searching, life-changing experience.
The indigenous ethnic tribes have lived here for centuries, and you feel that: the world outside their valleys is immaterial to them. Strangely the longer you stay, the more it grows on you. Few places make you feel that way.
There are many scenic routes to enjoy long days of countryside bicycle riding through small rural villages. Widely popular and renowned, the province attracts thousands of foreign tourists out of Hanoi, eager for fresh air and cycling tours.
The province is also well known for its many beaches found close to the capital Nam Dinh. Here are our favorites:
Most of the beaches are left untouched by mass mainstream tourism, which plays in your favor as you have more of the beach to yourself. Quy Nhon is by far the most popular of the three, being within a short distance from the city center.
Bai Xep is a small fishing village found south of the city. The town is made up of a maze of small alleyways and the feeling of authentic Vietnam is strong. Overpowering, but certainly pleasant nonetheless.
The beach is strewn with traditional Vietnamese basket boats but there are still plenty of spots to sit and watch life go by. The beach is within a sheltered bay, making it ideal for swimming. The town with its beach makes for an idyllic day trip escape from Quy Nhon.
A stunning piece of natural wetlands that has been recognized internationally and awarded a UNESCO site for the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserves. Many rare fauna and flora can be found on the reserve along with migrating birds. The national park has become an ecological tourist magnet for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.
Xuan Thuy Park is such an unforgettable experience. People from all over the world come to enjoy the beauty of migrating birds, with the best time to plan your visit between October and March. So many bird species arriving into the park there is a lot of excitement and drama. The birds prepare for breeding later, from April onwards, the noise is known to be deafening.
And yet silence falls on the park early evening. Take a rowing boat onto the waters for the glamorous sunset ― which is very romantic by the way ― followed afterwards by a meal in the park's classy restaurant.
Away from the wetland birds, you can clamber through the mangroves in search of different bird species including the Pelican and Stork. What's more the rich biodiversity of the national park is home to hundreds of marine species.
Once back home, what you will remember the most about Xuan Thuy is when thousands of storks took flight all at once, on a whim. Magnificent birds of some size, showing off their commanding presence.
One more thing we learnt about Nam Dinh. Vietnam's much loved and most popular soup, Pho, originates from here, in Nam Dinh province. We cannot state enough in words to justify the importance of this one dish in Vietnam life ― millions enjoy it as their breakfast, daily. When you come to Vietnam you must try it.
Related Reading: The Best Guide to Vietnam's Authentic Street Food
The Hoang Lien Son Mountain range is the backbone of Yen Bai. Like Son La Province elsewhere in our guide, there are rugged mountainous sceneries with rice terracing as far as the eye cares to look. In our opinion it is breathtaking views like these that brings home to you the real Vietnam.
In fact, if anything this guide will demonstrate to you the wild nature of Vietnam's mountainous regions and how people have adapted to rural living in harmony with nature.
For a few weeks each year, between mid-September to early October, nature lovers and photographers flock from all over the world. They have traveled to capture the best of the stunning Mu Cang Chai rice terraced landscapes.
Beauty is all around, not only in nature but the super friendly locals who welcome eco-tourism with open arms.
The surrounding area of the lake has beautiful scenery and is home to ethnic tribal villages. Perfect for those adventurous to explore off the beaten track and not miss the modern amenities found in larger towns and cities.
One of the largest manmade lakes in Vietnam there are over 1000 Islands, each covered in thick forest. The Islands were created when the Chay River was dammed and the water levels rose, submerging most of the land bar the highest points.
It is possible to take a boat trip on the lake and go ashore on some of the larger Islands to explore the natural forest for its wildlife. Your tour operator will take you to some of the best sites on the lake including a cave and Huong Lu in Yen Binh Village.
Once you get to Thuy Tien Cave the view out onto the lake far below is an amazing sight. The location of the cave is on an Island of its own. Enquire before setting off if the tour guides can take you to the other caves nearby, other than just this one alone. Not all tour operators do so.
There are also local guides you can tip off, to take you further up the lake's mountainside to other villages. If you are lucky, you'll find a guide with enough experience to take you on a trek to the top of Cao Bien Mountain. From there you have jaw dropping panoramic views below.
Elsewhere, perhaps Ba Be Lake interests you? The Ba Be National Park can be found in Bac Kan Province. We covered that lake briefly in our guide to the best kayaking in Vietnam:
On the border with China, the bulk of the interest in this province is it offers some of the best hiking in north Vietnam. Neighboring provinces also are excellent hiking destinations, but serious hikers crave Lao Cai. That's our impression at least.
The provincial city of Lao Cai also acts as an important economic conduit between Hanoi and Kunming, over the border in China.
The Lao Cai Province commands many attractions for cultural and nature lovers. There are 20 odd ethnic groups spread all over the province living out their indigenous life.
There are some 2000 different types of fauna and flora ― a few are unique to Sa Pa, not found anywhere else in the world. In addition, you can gain a sight of over 400 or more bird and animal species.
What's the great fascination for this village a few kilometers out of Sa Pa?
The relatively small, peaceful village is brought alive by a regular stream of tourists in search of beautiful surroundings and cultural treats. It's an amazing part of the world for friendly village accommodation ― homestays ― found in the mountains of Lao Cai.
The village is home to the ethnic H’mong people, and they greet you in their traditional tribal attire, which is an introduction that will long be remembered. All around the village, and the length of the valley are rice terraces covering the valley sides.
There are a lot of beautiful sights from many viewpoints, and activities to try throughout the village. A superb place for families too:
You can stay overnight if you want ― certainly, there is adequate accommodation available. But it is just as nice for a day trip. Arrive early, and leave late, you get to explore a lot all the same.
For romantic couples staying in Sa Pa, there is a local legend about Ham Rong Mountain. Within the boundaries of the city is a truly attractive mountain landscape. Equally natural and maintained beautifully there are wandering paths leading to gardens and seating areas ― perfect for a picnic with views overlooking Sa Pa from above.
Thousands of orchid plants litter the edges of paths and walkways but much more than that. There are many indigenous and exotic flowers that can be identified:
Visit Sa Pa in the spring for the best time to experience the flowers and aroma. It is said once at the peak, you are lost to a world of love and grace. Certainly, it does feel surreal for the romantic.
Related Reading: Your Holiday Guide to Fansipan, Vietnam's Sa Pa Trekking Adventure
Our guide features 5 of our best most beautiful places to travel to in north Vietnam. However, because there is so much incredible beauty to be found we've included an additional bonus. Ha Giang Province complements this guide wonderfully, with many tours that span multiple provinces we couldn't not include it.
So far north of Hanoi and with no rail network, getting to Ha Giang is a motor biker's dream come true. Eight hard hours in the saddle and you're hungry for what is known as the "Ha Giang Loop" whereby you take in a number of small towns before coming back on yourself.
When touring Vietnam's mountainous regions on motorbike consider two things:
When touring any part of Vietnam your estimated time of arrival to your destination will not be what you'd think. Because a lot of the time you will stop to take many impromptu photos of landscapes, events, and people.
Still remain unconvinced of Vietnam's great beauty?
Northern Vietnam has some of the most beautiful, spectacular natural beauty in Asia. No argument there. And then you throw in the traditions and culture of Lang Son Province. You have one life changing experience.
Life changing because Bac Son Valley takes your breath away. Quite literally your bottom jaw drops, traveling from Lang Son Town a few hours distant.
Yes. Of course, Phuket is worth traveling halfway around the world for.
North Vietnam has its modern cities bustling with quality hotels and restaurants and shops. Hidden cultural gems, such as the Old Quarter in Hanoi. But inescapably it is difficult to appreciate what is on the doorstep of such a major metropolis.
We are not sure why so many fail to venture into Vietnam's wilderness to discover:
The quietness of it all. Perhaps now you may brave yourself to leave Hanoi behind for some days to find another world you hadn't realized existed. Hopefully, this guide has convinced you.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.