Northern Vietnam is renowned for its stunning landscapes, delectable cuisine, and a wealth of popular tourist, historical, and cultural attractions. The most popular destinations such as Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa… are also among the most visited places in Vietnam. Selecting the best places to visit in your travel itinerary might be challenging, but this following list will assist you make your decision
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam – A historical city over 1000 years old
Honored by the World Travel Awards as “Asia’s Leading Destination in 2022”, Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam boasts a plethora of things to discover. As a result, it is always on the list of destinations not to be missed in Northern Vietnam.
Begin your journey to learn about the history and culture of Vietnam by seeing some of the main attractions, such as Long Bien Bridge, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
Hanoi is also home to a large number of temples, pagodas, and cathedrals, such as the Quan Su Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Bach Ma Temple, Ngoc Son Temple, and Tran Quoc Pagoda. Additionally, St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, has an amazing Gothic architectural design that draws a lot of people who come here to snap pictures.
Then stroll around Hanoi Old Quarter, which boasts numerous ancient streets with French colonial-style architecture. Here, you can have a great chance to buy souvenirs and indulge in rich, distinctive street cuisine. Bun Cha, Banh Cuon, Banh mi, and particularly Pho Hanoi are outstanding examples of the local cuisine. Then, you can take a leisurely stroll around one of 20 lakes in Hanoi to observe how the locals enjoy their free time. If you are interested in traditional handicrafts, you should visit the neighboring artisan villages to learn about their long-standing craft traditions.
Lang Son a Northeast province of Vietnam
The province of Lang Son in northeastern Vietnam is a popular tourist destination due to its abundance of cultural and historical relics as well as its stunning natural surroundings. Coming here, you can visit To Thi Mountain, which is connected to the legend of To Thi, a local woman; Mau Son Mountain – the highest peak in Northeast Vietnam; and Lang Son Wind Cave, which is renowned for the beauty of naturally occurring stalactites of diverse shapes and silvery iridescent rocks.
Chi Lang Pass is a well-known historical relic, preserving traces of many heroic victories of the nation against invaders in 981, 1076, 1285 and 1427. Mac Dynasty citadel, a military architectural relic, was built during the Le-Trinh conflict from the 16th and 17th centuries. The renowned Tam Thanh Pagoda, a sacred location for Buddhists to pray, is also located in Lang Son.
For gourmets, Lang Son is the ideal culinary heaven. Coming here, you can try “Khau Nhuc”, a traditional dish of the Tay and Nung ethnic people made from pork belly, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, minced lean meat and five-spice powder. There are further specialties including egg rice paper rolls, sour noodles, and Mau Son wine.
On your journey to Northern Vietnam, you will encounter the mysteries of history, breathtaking natural scenery, and unique cuisine. The tourist destinations in Northern Vietnam mentioned above are great destinations for you to explore the beauty of this region. Let’s enjoy your journey, have memorable memories and gain a deeper understanding of Northern culture and nature. Hopefully, this post will assist you in selecting worth-visiting travel places and getting ready for your journey!
Dinh Lap Town, hidden in Lang Son, is a place for true explorers looking to escape the tourist trail. Here, you can dive into authentic local life, surrounded by wild nature and peaceful landscapes. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, recharge, and experience a different side of Vietnam after visiting the busy, famous destinations. Mien Ecohouse is your ideal base for this unique adventure.
Ha Long Bay – Natural Wonder of the World
Ha Long Bay is a well-known destination in Northern Vietnam. This destination attracts a large number of tourists to explore the poetic beauty of natural landscapes such as Ti Top island, Tuan Chau island, Bai Tu Long Bay.
Tuan Chau Island
Located northwest of Ha Long Bay, Tuan Chau Island with crystal-clear water and breathtaking underwater scenery offers visitors the opportunity to dive and snorkel to see the diverse ecosystem there. With a gentler vibe, Bai Tu Long Bay is a more relaxing alternative to a crowded Ha Long Bay. There are numerous fascinating places to visit in this area, including the Thien Canh Son cave, Cua Van floating village, Vung Vieng village, Ban Chan island, Cap La island, and the Cong Dam area.
Ti Top island
It is a small island in Halong Bay, famous for its beautiful Ti Top Beach. Though not as large as some other beaches, the beach features crystal-clear, blue water year-round.
Coming to Ha Long Bay, you should not miss Ha Long culinary delights which are a combination of fresh seafood and skillful processing techniques. Ha Long squid patties “Cha muc” are a type of food made from fresh squid with minced pork and then fried, giving it a very unique and different flavor. Acorn barnacles, a type of shellfish related to crabs and lobster, are used to make “Chao Ha”, a visually appealing porridge with a delightfully sweet flavor. The porridge has a very fragrant smell and is rich in nutrients.
To make the most of your time in Ha Long Bay, you can choose one from a plenty of cruise tours offered – whether you’re on a budget or willing to splurge on luxury cruise experiences. You also can spend a night or two on board to fully take in the stunning scenery, explore caves, visit floating fishing villages or kayak to small pristine beaches for swimming.
For aerial views, book a trip on a seaplane which will give you a panoramic view of Ha Long’s network of numerous islands, fishing villages, and forest-covered mountain peaks. When returning back to the land, Ha Long City is also worthwhile for a brief visit. You can savor the fresh seafood there, swim at a beach, or ride the ferris wheel or cable car at Sun World Ha Long Complex.
Ninh Binh: Immerse yourself in tranquil beauty
Ninh Binh, known as the “Land of the Ancient Capital,” is gradually becoming a tourist destination not to be missed when coming to northern Vietnam. Located in Northern Vietnam, only about a two-hour drive from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is particularly well-known for its stunning natural beauty, which will make your travel plans there truly unforgettable.
Many famous attractions can be found in Ninh Binh, including Tam Coc – Bich Dong pagoda, the picturesque Trang An complex, Bai Dinh pagoda and the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, pagodas and historical relics in Hoa Lu, the country’s first capital. Visitors can stroll through picturesque riverside paths as well as admire golden fields, winding rivers, and the majestic beauty of stone caves.
While some prefer to visit Ninh Binh in a single day from Hanoi, it’s best to take your time and appreciate the scenery. You can ride a bike or motorbike, but make sure to go on a boat excursion, ascend Mua Cave mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view to the surroundings, explore caves and visit pagodas.
Remember to savor the unique specialties that are only found in this region of Vietnam. Scorched rice is one of many people’s favorite dishes because it is crunchy and fragrant. Goat meat dishes including steamed, roasted, and hot pot are also well-liked by a large number of people. In addition, there are other specialties like grilled pork patties and boiling mountain snails.
Ha Giang – A should-not-miss destination with its pristine beauty
Ha Giang, the northernmost province of Vietnam, offers visitors a variety of breathtaking scenery, including limestone mountains, unusual rock formations, tree-filled valleys, and terraced fields. Most importantly, there are numerous great opportunities to explore this stunning beauty in Ha Giang because of the routes that wind across the region and pass through beautiful mountain passes.
Driving around Ha Giang is regarded as the best way to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of Vietnam’s mountainous region. With the twisting roads and rugged terrain, it’s advisable to go on a 3- to 5-day motorbike trip with experienced drivers who will take you to notable spots in Ha Giang.
The breathtaking vistas from the viewpoints and rest stops along the way are what visitors love most on the Ha Giang excursion. The Quan Ba Twin Mountains and Heaven Gate, Lung Khuy Cave, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Tu San Gorge, and Lung Cu Flagpole are among the regional highlights. You can consider visiting the Sunday market Meo Vac for a distinctive market experience. This is a real rural market, with its abundance of cattles and agricultural goods.