What You Need to Know About Northern Vietnam

Vietnam is an ancient country with several rich cultural treasures. It was one of the first countries to embrace Buddhism. Vietnam also has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Halong Bay, and Tam Coc which my husband and I visited

Almost everyone coming to visit Vietnam needs a visa. Visa can be applied online. There are so many online agencies including your favorite travel agent can provide that for you.

We landed in Hanoi and were picked up by our booked driver and a tour guide from a travel agency.

As our Tourguide and Driver picked us up from Hanoi Airport, the 5 exotic nature and one of the best trips has begun. I will start from Hanoi and all the way to the Vietnam border of Laos and China.

1. Hanoi

Thousands of visitors flock to Hanoi every year to experience the bustling city.

However, there is more to Vietnam’s capital than just noise and commerce. From narrow alleys to architectural marvels, Hanoi has a lot waiting for travelers to explore.

Our hotel was located near the lake. We did a lot of walking around the city.

Hanoi city center after 5 pm is closed for people local and international to walk around and seems to mingle.

I was so impressed that the children want to learn from others. In the image below, my husband was asked by students about how he felt coming to Vietnam.

Hanoi is a fascinating destination that is full of things to see. The city has an extraordinary history that dates back to the 10th century when it was established by Emperor Ly Thai To.

Many remnants from its past can be seen in today’s version of the city such as Hoa Lo Prison, the Temple of Literature, and the Mausoleum.

In the Mausoleum — our tour guide told us that inside still the body of the Great Ho Chi Minh still lay. It is why the military was barricading around and photography is forbidden.

2. Mai Chau

It took us about 150 kilometers to drive from Hanoi to Mai Chau with a break and lots of eating along the way.

Mai Chau is a great destination for trekking tours. The area is home to the largest concentration of minority ethnic groups in Vietnam, with over 16 different ethnic groups including the Red Dao people, the White Thai people, and the Black 're people.

This diverse culture has led to an interesting mixture of homes constructed from both bricks and bamboo, as well as small but bustling markets that sell everything from medicinal herbs to donkeys.

On the images above, at the very left my husband and I mingling with the local in Mai Chau, in the middle, is our lodge and on the very right is my husband as we cycle around the villages.

3. Pu Loung

Pu Long is well known for its rice production, mulberry trees, and the nearby national park. Located at the foot of Mount Lang Biang, Pu Luong has an altitude of 1,800 meters. The village was established in the late-19th century by tin miners who left to find their fortune in neighboring provinces.

We arrived in the afternoon in Pu Luong. Our lodge was just next to the river.

Without wasting time, we went for a bamboo boat ride in the river called Cham.

The Cham river was pretty long and shallow. It has about 3,500 kilometers long.

We stayed at the small hut in a nearby village and the following morning our tour guide brought us to a more secluded village with small nipa huts and wooden houses.

The way how the people were cooking here is still very much traditional.

Cooking from the ground floor with firewood creates a lot of smoke. I saw laundry on top of the fire too.

I was just paying attention to the surroundings. My heart tells me how hard this life if I would have to live in this situation.

You guess it right, we had lunch in the area. The villagers were cooking Vietnamese food, the very Mong recipe. (too bad I got so hungry and I forget to take some images).

4. Tam Coc

Tam Coc is a small town that is located in Northern Vietnam near the borders of Laos and China. The people of this town are very proud of their heritage. One way they capture this pride is through their many dragon statues throughout the city. Many residents believe that the dragon statue on top of the mountain gives them the strength to overcome any obstacles for their community.

On the very left images above is the Tamcoc River with many caves we passes as we were on the roaring boat. The boat rides were paddled by mostly women using their feet.

In the middle image lies the Mother Dragon, which you can easily walk up. It has about 600 steps. It has a temple on the very top where the mother dragon statue lies. Tourists including me love to be on the very top because you are able to see the Tamcoc river (image at the very right), and the town of Nhim Binh.

As we head back from Tamcoc, we stop by and spend 2 nights in Halong Bay

5. Halong Bay

Halong Bay is the highlight of our trip. The super romantic setup in the boat which you will see in the video below.

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans 34,000 km of coastline in Vietnam.

The bay is popular with tourists who come to explore the stunning limestone karsts and caves.

One of the most popular tours is the Cat Ba Islands, which has some of the most diverse coral reef systems in Asia.

These areas are home to over 500 various fish species, 500 plant species, and 500 animal species that are new to science.

There are 29 small and large islands that makeup Halong Bay.

The bay was once a thriving trading port and is now a popular tourist destination for those seeking to explore the many hidden coves and caves that dot the coast.

One of the most popular activities at Halong Bay is kayaking. Visitors can choose from one-day excursions or multi-day expeditions to explore the picturesque landscape.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, this article has shown you five places in Northern Vietnam you can’t miss when visiting.

From Hanoi to Mai Chau, Pu Loung, and Tam Coc. From Tam Coc to Halong Bay, these 5 spots are sure to give you an unforgettable experience.

It was one of the best trips we ever did.

If you’re looking for a fun, exciting, and unique trip then head over to Northern Vietnam!

Thank you for reading.

PS. Thank you Yana Bostongirl for being so kind to show me Coffee Times Publication. Yana is one of my favorite writers on medium as she writes personal stories and social media which you can look at one of her articles to bring your writing strategies to the next level.

Consider UPGRADING your membership in Medium to support me and many others. It will give you unlimited access to all articles you love to read, just like the one below.