Thursday 6 February 2020

The most romantic destinations in Vietnam for Valentine’s Day

The most romantic destinations in Vietnam for Valentine’s Day
This year, Valentine’s Day falls on weekend – perfect for a romantic weekend getaway! Why don't you explore Vietnam’s romantic destinations?

Da Lat – The City of Love

Da Lat – The City of Love
Da Lat is one of the most romantic destinations in Vietnam for visiting with your partner. Located in the Central Highlands, this city is the capital of Lam Dong Province. The valley is built around a lake and is surrounded by mountains that are carpeted with pine forests. Thanks to its gorgeous temperate climate, Da Lat is also known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring. Explore the beautiful cascades in or take a swan-shaped boat ride in the enchanting Xuan Huong Lake or simply walk through the flower garden with your companion.

Phu Quoc - The Island of Beauty

Phu Quoc - The Island of Beauty
Interested in untouched beaches, sand, and nice resorts? Phu Quoc has a wide choice of things for you and your partner to enjoy. Named as one of the most wanted honeymoon destinations in Vietnam, the vibes of the island, the beauty of its crystal clear blue water and the smoothness of golden sand beach of Phu Quoc will take your breath away as they did to mine.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An is one of the most peaceful places in Vietnam tours that any couple should visit. It has a lot of old houses and quiet streets, which can help you completely relax without thinking of any anxious thing. As for the cuisine, it serves a plenty of delicious specialties characterizing for the taste of Quang’s land.

In addition, you can also immerse yourself in the blue waters of Cua Dai or An Bang Beach. If traveling to Hoi An with the couple on the full moon day, you will be able to light the lanterns and watch the whole scenery shimmering at night.

Ha Long Bay - The Vulnerable Sunset

Ha Long Bay - The Vulnerable Sunset
Ha Long Bay is one of the most incredibly romantic places in Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone islands dotting the azure water. The islands are densely covered with rainforest. Ha Long Bay is one among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites too. Cruise around the limestone islands for a romantic experience on your holiday and catch a closer view of these towering rock formations. You can also fly over them on a seaplane or through parasailing. Visiting this offbeat honeymoon destination in Vietnam will gift you memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Sapa - Way to Heaven Gate

Sapa - Way to Heaven Gate
The majestic Sapa is, undoubtedly, among the best romantic places in Vietnam. There are many things for you to explore and enjoy, from the amazing views of the special culture of ethnic groups. In Sapa, you will feel the time is broken and there are only you and your lover.

Mui Ne - Desert by the Sea

Mui Ne - Desert by the Sea
Mui Ne which is a large and beautiful beach seems far 22km north-east from the central Phan Thiet. This place has become an attractive tourist destination with vast white sand hills and coconut trees soaring around the coast. Moreover, Mui Ne possesses one of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia with blue waters and wide sand dunes. That is the reason why it is called top best places in Vietnam for couples.

See more: The most famous caves you should visit in Ha Long Bay
Source Internet

Thursday 31 October 2019

The ideal places to hunt snow for winter lovers in Asia

If you are not looking to escape the chill of winter, but instead want to take in wondrous snow-covered views while exploring some of Asia’s best destinations, you will find that and more by heading to one of these spectacular places.
The ideal places to hunt snow for winter lovers in Asia
Photo @fswildvet

Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo, Japan
There are many places in Japan to experience snow, but one of the most popular is Sapporo. This city has a lot of ski resorts only 20 to 60 minutes ride away by car, so, adding that to your day trip itinerary would be bearable.

If you are a beginner, you could try sledding or snow-tubing, on the other hand, if you are not interested in snow games, you may want to time your visit during Snow Festival which usually takes place in February. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, more than 2 million people go to the Hokkaido capital to witness the snow come alive annually and Japan is well-known as one of the snow countries in Asia.

Mongolia

Mongolia
Looking for a snowy place that is unique and far the flocks of tourists? Why not pack your bags, and head to Mongolia in winter? With its majestic landscapes and countryside covered in white, snow seekers will absolutely find their bliss in this pristine and untouched land. For bona fide adventurers, Mongolia can help you unleash your wild side with its mishmash of outdoor thrills, such as canoeing, horseback riding, mountain climbing and skiing.

Harbin, China

Harbin, China
The “Ice City,” as Harbin is known, hosts one of the world’s largest snow and ice festivals, the Harbin International Ice Festival. Held throughout much of January and into February, it features some 1,500 larger-than-life ice structures that shimmer with multi-colored lights. Every year there is a different theme, varying from mythical beasts to famous landmarks from across the globe. Harbin and the surrounding area also offers some of the best winter sports opportunities on the planet, including skiing and snow boarding.

Lhasa, Tibet

Lhasa, Tibet
If you do not mind, or perhaps even revel in, extreme winters, by heading to Lhasa you will enjoy the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most jaw-dropping snowy wonderlands with fewer crowds and cheaper hotel accommodation. While it will be cold, it will not be nearly as chilly as you might think, particularly as December and January are dry months and the high-altitude sun is almost always in abundance, making it feel warmer than the temperature would have you believe.

You can also enjoy festivals, like the Monlam, or Great Prayer Festival, in which monks and artisans create colorful butter sculptures for burning during the Butter Oil Lantern Festival. If you are here for the Tibetan New Year, Losar, you can celebrate with the locals by watching dance performances at Potala Palace and even hanging up prayer flags on the temples and mountain tops.

Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa, Vietnam
Being surrounded by many top summer destinations like Bali, Phuket, and Boracay, it may come as a surprise to you that Vietnam also experiences snow! Even though snowboards and toboggans are not commonplace to Vietnam, you will surely fall in love when what used to be green fields of rice in summer turn to white during the winter.

Beijing, China

Beijing, China
Traveling to China during winter? China’s capital gets pretty cold in December, with the average temperature sitting around negative 2 degrees Celsius. Besides being a low-tourist month (you can enjoy super affordable fights and hotels in December in Beijing), you likely find snowfall in this city during Yuletide getaway.

Most of the city’s ski resorts open their doors, when December sets in, meaning you can try your hand at tobogganing, snowboarding and skiing. If you are lucky to catch some snow during your visit, make your way to The Summer Palace, for breathtaking snow views. And do not forget to check out the world renowned Great Wall of China, to enjoy elevated view of its snowy surrounding landscapes.

Shimla, India

Shimla, India
Fabulous for a nature retreat, Shimla is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, while monkeys roam freely along the overhead cables, casually watching the shoppers below. It enjoys snowy winters thanks to its northern latitude, making it an ideal place to escape the intense heat that so many other cities in India endure.

Nearby at Wildflower Hall, you will find a haven for ski enthusiasts seeking refuge from crowded, overly commercialized resorts. This premiere mountaintop resort will make you feel as if you are stepping into the pages of a fairy-tale with its gorgeous vistas of endless forest and snow-capped mountain peaks. Spend your days taking part in whatever winter sport suits your fancy, and indulging in holistic spa treatments, complemented by more extraordinary views.

Read more: 7 Asian dishes you will love during winter

Source Internet

Friday 27 September 2019

Souvenirs to bring home after your Sapa trip

Souvenirs to bring home after your Sapa trip
While Sapa is the ultimate trekking destination in Vietnam with sublime landscapes all around, the markets scattered across the region are also beautiful in their own ways and offer a lot of cultural insight. Here are some souvenirs you can grab for your friends and family back home that are meaningful.

Brocade and handicrafts

Brocade and handicrafts
Wherever you walk in Sapa town, it is likely you will bump into a female from the age of five and up trying to sell you some handcrafted good. A bracelet will only cost you VND$10,000 which is just about USD$0.50. A small purse can cost around VND$100,000 (USD$5.00), but you can barter it down. We do not recommend that you do so, because a lot of effort is put into these items and lowering the price by a dollar could mean a whole day’s meals for them.

Brocade such as scarves, bags, quilts, embroidered jackets and woven skirts similar to those seen on local women are all meticulously hand-made with skills passed down through generations. It may take a person days or even months to finish a single item.

The Sapa market is a fabulous display of colors and warm smiles. You will find plenty of the aforementioned items spread out in front of each vendor who have created makeshift stalls for themselves on blankets. These H’Mong, Dzao and other ethnic minority ladies are lovely, hospitable, always smiling and completely enticing. Members of different tribes mingle together, and even though their outfits may look similar to the untrained eye, they have significant differences identifying each tribe, usually on the headpiece or other accessories. Most of these ladies even speak decent English, so you can talk to them and understand what it is all about.

Hemp is commonly grown around as the strong fibers are used to make clothes. Cotton and linen are also collected from the forest and silkworms are raised to make the beautiful silk thread used for embroidery. The colors, too, are made with natural ingredients. Yellow is made from turmeric, black from a local leaf, red and brown from the rind of local trees and blue from indigo leaves. With these, the locals get creative about patterns and styles. They really are a unique kind of beautiful.

Herbs and packaged foods

Herbs and packaged foods
Dried and packaged medicinal herbs are also available, and they confer a lot of health benefits to the user. You can use these as you please – as tea, mixed into food, added into a herbal bath or even used with a nice, aromatic massage. Raw honey is a Sapa favorite, as is ta meo fruit, a local apple. Dried produce is also popular, such as horse meat and buffalo.

Fruits and veggies

Fruits and veggies
Local fruits and vegetables are also sold in large colorful piles. The two most popular fruits one can find in Sapa are peach and pear. Vegetables such as radish, carrot, ginger, potatoes, eggplants are abundant, and often found in northern cuisine.

Bamboo sticky rice 

Bamboo sticky rice
Bamboo sticky rice is a popular snack in Sapa and it is cooked in cut and carved up bamboo sections. The bamboo keeps the rice fresh for the long walks of the tribes people, makes it easy to transport, and also adds a little bit of flavor.

Silver jewelry

Silver jewelry
Silver is also made by numerous ethnic groups. The H’Mong and Dzao are known for their necklaces made of several silver circles put together. The weight of the bracelet is often an indicator of the person’s status. The shapes of these jewelry pieces are also a way of telling the tribes apart. These silver bangles can be quite expensive.

See more: A day to visit Sapa, Vietnam
Source: Internet

Wednesday 8 May 2019

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
If you have a plan to travel to Vietnam in summer but not know where to go. Just check some attractive places that are well worth taking a visit. It will be the best choice for tourists when coming to Vietnam in the hot wet season.

Nha Trang

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
Nha Trang is renowned for its crescent-shaped coastline, pristine beaches, and turquoise bay. The bay is dotted with small islands and is surrounded by an array of hills. Those visiting this part of Vietnam in summer can also enjoy windsurfing, parasailing, undersea walking, and fly-boarding.

Mui Ne

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
This tourist attraction of Phan Thiet has been famous for its long white sandy coastal line, crystal-like water and endless lines of green coconut trees. There are plenty of best places that you must visit in June whilst in Mui Ne, such as Hon Rom beach, Fairy Spring, Cham Temple – Poshanu, fish market.
Not only will you have the opportunity to contemplate the beautiful scenery, but also to try many different water activities such as kite surfing or scuba diving. And do not forget to taste various delicious seafood dishes which as well are the pride of the residents here.

Da Lat

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
Da Lat is not too hot in comparison to other cities in Vietnam in June. It offers travelers the best weather, fun shopping, great food and a surprising number of wonderful places to visit. In this city of thousands of flowers, you may find the French colonial buildings, deeper island, pagoda and temples interesting and also many waterfalls and hill-tribe villages amazing. The best places to visit include Love Valley, Mong Mo Hill, Than Tho Lake, Da Lat Cathedral, Bao Dai Palace and Elephant Falls.

You will never run out of activities to amuse yourself in Da Lat. There are plenty of activities to choose such as biking, hiking, cruising, or simply enjoying the fresh and cool air. Da Lat offers a lot more interesting outdoor and indoor activities, especially in the summer.

Phu Quoc

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
Phu Quoc is yet another beach destination for a summer in Vietnam. The largest island in Vietnam can be accessed by ship or plane. Khem Beach, Sao Beach, Ham Ninh fishing village, splendid corals, and unique seafood dishes make it a perfect summer getaway.

Ha Long Bay

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
The UNESCO-listed world heritage site of Ha Long Bay needs to be on the itinerary of every traveler, especially if one is visiting Vietnam in summer or spring. The destination is most famous for the cruise tours past the towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. However, those visiting in summers can discover the bay in an entirely different way. Tourists can relax on the shores, visit the cool caves, swim in the glittering waters, or take a seaplane ride.

Read more: Top 10 activities in Ha Long Bay

Sapa

The ideal destinations for summer in Vietnam
Sapa is rated as one of the most dramatic nature mountain sites in the northeast of Vietnam. It lies at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level, the annual temperature in Sapa town is 15.4°C with a maximum of 29.4°C. Therefore, it is highly seasonal with a subtropical climate and an ideal place to visit in the summer. Sapa is the home to many minority traditional tribal villages, primary the Black Hmong and Dao tribespeople and you can trek through their villages to understand more about the unique local customs.

Visiting Sapa in the summer, you will have a chance to admire the breathtaking view of terraced rice fields. They will turn green to yellow for harvesting season. To get the amazing view, immerse into the pleasant atmosphere or record the images of Sapa town, tourists can go to Tram Ton Pass or Heaven’s Gate, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam.

Source Internet

Friday 26 April 2019

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
Visit Sapa, no matter what your goal is, your needs and expectations will be met as it is such an amazing place that offers you a chance to experience all the sights, sounds and tastes of northwest mountains of Vietnam. Sapa cuisine is also one of the most outstanding features that appeal to visitors. For those who are keen on local dishes of this mountainous area, paying a visit to best restaurants in Sapa to indulge in mouth-watering dishes is an ultimate experience.

Hill Station Signature Restaurant

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
A showcase of Hmong cuisine with cool Zen decor and superb views. Dishes include flash-cooked pork with lime, ash-baked trout in banana leaves, and traditional Hmong-style black pudding. Tasting sets of local rice and corn wine are also of interest to curious travelling foodies. Do not miss to try the delicate rainbow-trout rice-paper rolls, think of them as 'Sapa sushi'.

Address: 37 Fansipan Street, Sapa

Paradise View Restaurant

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
Located in the center of Sapa town, Paradise View Restaurant is a perfect spot for awesome meals with great ambience and beautiful view. Here, tourists can have a chance to enjoy a number of scrumptious dishes including bean soup seasoned with mountain herbs, banana flower salad, crème brulee as well as salmon hot pot. Moreover, staff of the restaurant is lovely, hospital and friendly who offers outstanding customers services.

Address: 018 Pham Xuan Huan, Sapa

Nature View

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
Another location in which you can dine with a fantastic view of the hilly surroundings, Nature View, stays true to its name. On the menu are a mix of delicious Vietnamese and Western food items, and the dining experience is only further enhanced by the lovely service. It is also a great place to take some time to yourself, sit outside, above the clouds, and sip some local Lao Cai coffee as you enjoy a great book. The chicken sautéed in lemongrass and basil, grilled salmon, and the yoghurt sautéed chicken are worth a special mention. It is opened 24 hours.

Address: 61 Fansipan, Sapa

Good Morning Vietnam

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
Good Morning Vietnam is has attractive wooden furniture and you can observe the beautiful landscape from the window. The menu includes vegetarian food, Vietnamese food, and a little bit of Western food. The recommended dishes in this restaurant are coconut chicken curry and honey duck. The amazing views are also complemented by the professional and friendly staff of the restaurant.

Address: 63B Fansipan, Sapa

Anise Sapa Restaurant

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
As a mid-range restaurant, Anise Sapa has a varied menu of Vietnamese food, Western food, and vegetarian food. The restaurant has a brick fireplace and is decorated with ethnic items and pictures of Sapa on the wall. Chicken schnitzel and smoked sausage are the most recommended dishes. The chef and staff are friendly, professional, and they even speak good English.

Address: 21 Xuan Vien, Sapa

Read more: What to do when you are in Sapa

Le Gecko

The best restaurants in Sapa, Vietnam
With Le Gecko, you can identify the integration of French classic option and Vietnamese ingredients. Being renowned for awesome French cuisine, Le Gecko is always proud to offer best aromatic food with best drink at a reasonable price. Here, you can also have a lot of choices for your meal ranging from burgers, breakfasts, steaks, salads, pork, seafood, chicken, beef and so on.

Address: 04 Ham Rong, Sapa

Source Internet

Thursday 3 January 2019

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam


The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa is a magical place. The landscape itself is reason enough to make the 7-hour trek from Ha Noi, but this place is much more than just a beautiful landscape. This mountainous town is home to five ethnic minority hill tribes who still dress in traditional garb and speak in their own dialects. Come to Sapa, defeating Fansipan, seeing countless pieces of clouds and green fields. There are many interesting experiences waiting for you in this foggy town.

Observing the world’s most wonderful grained fields

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
Terrace fields located in Sapa are said to be one of the greatest terraced fields all over the world. Nature’s mother not only gave the locals this significant landscape and perfect weather, but also provided them dexterity in hands. During the period of many years passing, they created masterpieces which are just like stairs heading towards the sky. Wheat harvest in September, when the green fields turned yellow. This is an appropriate time to come to Sapa.

Climbing the highest mountain in Vietnam, Fansipan

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
The highlight of Sapa has to be the Fansipan Mountain. With an elevation of 3,143m, it is the highest mountain in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and a triumphant embodiment of the ‘Roof of Indochina’. If you are up for a challenge, the climb is doable in a day, approximately within 10 to 12 hours. Most guide treks, however, suggest a two or three-day climb to pace the trek and minimise exertion especially for those who are less physically fit. Trekkers who stay overnight have the opportunity to mingle with other trekkers which makes the experience more uplifting as you share your struggles. The breathtaking view of Fansipan Mountain is one that you should not miss.

Spending a night at a local house

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
Homestay at a local house, having traditional dishes, getting up in a remote village would be a wonderful experience you cannot forget whenever arriving in Sapa. Homestay services in Sapa are modern, you can absolutely assure about sanitary and food.

Walking and living slowly in the land of Sapa

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
Wandering in Sapa will gives you unforgettable memories. Sapa is a tourist destination having the longest walking street all over the world. If you come to Sapa, you may walk a dozen of kilometers, from morning to the afternoon, passing over the town and the villages, paddy fields, bridges and small streams. Walking in order to live your life slower, watching and learning more about the life and the local culture of people living here. Some attractive destinations have to be mentioned are Sapa Ancient Town, Village of Cat Cat, valley of Muong Hoa, Ta Van.

Read more: 8 must-see places in Sa Pa in the morning

Taking a leisure stroll near Sapa Lake

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
Tired of shopping or walking around? Take a breather at the Sapa Lake which emanates a blend of tranquility and marvellous grandeur. You can walk along the stretch of the lake or alternatively enjoy your food at the benches provided and wallow in the repose of your mind.

Exploring the non-touristy side of Sapa

The unique experiences in Sapa, Vietnam
If conquering Fansipan, wandering around the center of the town and villages does not makes you feel fresh, then, there is one corner in Sapa that has no tourist, un-noisy, un-dusty, un-trading, such as villages located in the region of Thanh Kim or Nam Sai. There will be only be you with the peaceful forest, the green fields and magnificent Lien Son ranges of mountains. A normal Sapa which is 2 - 3 km away from the center through ancient road and valley of Muong Hoa.

Source Eastasy

Wednesday 2 January 2019

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations

Although Northern Vietnam gets fewer visitors than other popular destinations like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh city, this is a region of the country that you should visit once when traveling to Vietnam. It is home of many breathtaking bays, stunning rice terraces and unlimited scenery.

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations

Mai Chau

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations
Mai Chau is a wonderful place to explore if you’re looking to get an authentic view of the many cultures that have found a home in Northern Vietnam. In the heart of the Hoa Binh Province, Mai Chau is a district with lush greenery, beautiful mountains and vibrant culture. In addition to the verdant valleys, Mai Chau is noteworthy for its stilt houses. These houses are constructed 3 meters off the ground, and they often provide shelter to animals escaping inclement weather.

Ha Long Bay

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay is the most visited destination in all of Vietnam. Hundreds of tiny islands - many of them inhabited only by monkeys - feature dozens of caves and innumerable deserted beaches. Magnificent limestone towers rise above the waters of the bay like brooding primeval sentinels. Ha Long Bay stretches out along the Tonkin Gulf, just a three-and-a-half-hour drive north of Ha Noi. For an unforgettable experience, 

Cat Ba Island

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations
Known as the largest mainland island of Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island is a great option for sightseeing. The central hub of Cat Ba Town is now framed by a chain of low-rise concrete hotels along its once-lovely bay, but the rest of the island is largely untouched and as wild as ever.

Sapa

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations
The mountainous town of Sapa is known for its culturally diverse population as well as its proximity to incredible scenery. Sapa itself is home to the members of many hill tribes, including the Hmong, the Dao, the Muong and the Tay. The town also overlooks the magnificent Muong Hoa Valley and its terraced rice fields, which are staggering to behold. If you want to get an inside look at the local residents and their cultures, then head to Sapa for an overnight trek or a homestay. You can hike out to the more remote villages and then spend the night, dining and learning from the hill tribe residents.

Ninh Binh

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations
Several tranquil rivers meander near the city of Ninh Binh, just 58 miles south of Ha Noi. Take a ride on an aluminum rowboat paddled by local village women and marvel at the rugged karst terrain, mountain goats, and lush foliage as you glide along peaceful river waterways through a series of dark grottoes. In addition, you can easily visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi, though if you want to stay longer, check out Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s oldest national park.

Dong Van Plateau

Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations
Dong Van Plateau starts just north of the city of Ha Giang, about a six-hour drive from Ha Noi. It is a spectacular part of the remote, mountainous region of Vietnam’s far northeast. Spectacularly terraced rice paddies climb to the summits of the surrounding mountains, extending beyond the horizon. Further exploration uncovers more gems: Southeast Asia’s deepest canyon, 22 ethnic minority tribes, pristine lakes, pine forests, stone forests, caves bristling with undisturbed formations, and incredible waterfalls are just a few of the many treats that await the intrepid explorer.

Source Internet

Friday 28 December 2018

5 cities to visit in Northern Vietnam

5 cities to visit in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam are mostly famous for its wild beauty and breathtaking scenes. Below are cities that can be considered the most beautiful and worth-visiting in this particular region of Vietnam.

1. Hanoi

Hanoi
The seat of government and the cultural and historical capital of Vietnam, Hanoi hides remnants of the past down every boulevard and alleyway. The city is perhaps the largest and best preserved piece of history Vietnam has to offer. Those visiting will most likely be centered around the winding narrow streets of the Old Quarter. It’s a district made up of ancient shops and storefronts dating back more than 1000 years.

Whole days can be spent exploring the streets of the city and effort should be made to visit as many treasures of the past as possible. These include Hoan Kiem Lake and its tortoise tower, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the colonial era Sofitel Metropole Hotel, the opera house, the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. The city is renowned for water puppetry and a night should be spent on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.

2. Lao Cai

Lao Cai
Located in the distant and mountainous northwest, Lao Cai sits on the intersection of the Red and Nanxi Rivers just across from the Chinese border. Those spending any time in the city will be based either around the banks of the Red River or by the backpacker-heavy neighborhood near the train station. A night should be spent exploring the bars and restaurants in the glow of neon lights reflecting on the river. Like many other Vietnamese cities, Karaoke is wildly popular in Lao Cai and there are dozens of clubs running late into the night located near the backpacker area.

The majority of travelers who find themselves in Lao Cai are stopping through on their way to see nature. The city is less than an hour away on a motorbike from the rice terraces of Sapa, the Tam Tron Pass which is Vietnam’s loftiest road, and the towering peak of Mount Fansipan which is Vietnam’s tallest mountain.

3. Sapa

Sapa
Near to Lao Cai, yet wholly dominated by the tourist industry, the mountain town of Sapa is a nice option for those seeking western comforts in the midst of their Vietnamese adventure. The city has a number of western bars and restaurants and is a mainstay of the northern backpacker trail. Hundreds of affordable hostels, guesthouses and hotels line the winding streets.

The city is also a jumping off point for countless treks and hikes that traverse along peaked ridges, through mountainside rice terraces and into minority villages. The region is home to a number of ethnic minorities, including the Hmong, Dao, Pho Lu and Tay, and the hillsides are dotted in the vibrant mix of their colorful clothing.

4. Cao Bang

Cao Bang
Cao Bang is the capital of the similarly named province, located in the northeast of Vietnam. It’s a common stopping point for those riding east from Ha Giang or north from Hanoi. The city of little more than 100,000 climbs from the banks of the Bang Giang River and most of the shops, restaurants and bars are located on the main streets nearby. A number of great food stalls line the back end of the city’s central market, Cho Xanh. The sprawling, fun shopping center should be visited by any travelers passing through.

Most individuals traveling to the region will use Cao Bang to visit any number of nearby natural attractions. The stunning Ban Gioc Falls break through jungled walls just two hours to the north and mythical Hai Giang lies several hours west.

5. Ha Giang

Ha Giang
Ha Giang is the capital of what is arguably the most beautiful province in all of Vietnam. This was an area once left alone, that has since seen a recent spike in visitors. The city is bordered by picturesque limestone juts framing the horizon in all directions. A number of great hotels sit on either side of the Lo River. Seafood restaurants can be found nearby as well. For those looking to rent a motorbike to explore the nearby Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang is the place to do it. Most hostels and hotels will be able to set this up and the cost should never be more than seven or eight USD per day.

Source: theculturetrip