North Vietnam is home to a diverse range of famous attractions with majestic landscapes and delectable cuisine. From the pristine beaches, vast rice fields, and splendid mountains to rivers, lakes, and primeval tropical forests, this region never fails to amaze you. If you are planning a North Vietnam tour but are not sure where to go, this article you help you choose the finest spots to visit!
Best Time for Your North Vietnam Tour
The climate in Northern Vietnam experiences variances with four seasons, including spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The best time to visit this region is during the spring and autumn months. The weather is not too hot and perfect for intriguing activities.
Spring (February - April): The weather is milder and relatively constant.
Summer (May - October): This is the warmest period. Expect more sun and blistering heat, with humidity reaching 40 degrees. Rainy season often begins in July and lasts until September.
Fall (October - November): The sky was clear, with cool temperatures throughout the region during the fall months.
Winter (December - January): The weather is unseasonably cold, particularly in the northern alpine regions. Although Northern Vietnam does not receive snow, tourists can still see snow-capped on the peak of Mount Fansipan.
Top Sights and Must Sees in Northern Vietnam
A North Vietnam trip offers a captivating journey filled with a multitude of sights and must-see attractions. Let’s delve into it!
Hanoi - The Capital City of Vietnam
As the capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi is always on the list of must-visit destinations for both domestic and foreign travelers. With a long history and traditional culture steeped with national identity, Hanoi is home to many famous attractions that you should not miss:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The final resting place of Uncle Ho, Vietnam’s beloved leader.
Hanoi Old Quarter: Where you can admire old Hanoi through its narrow streets, navigate the bustling streets, savor delicate local cuisine, and witness vibrant street life.
Hoan Kiem Lake: A serene oasis in the heart of the city with the iconic Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge.
Hoa Lo Prison Museum: Where you can learn about Vietnam's history through this former prison.
Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first national university.
Pagodas, temples, and cathedrals: Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Su Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda, Ngoc Son Temple, Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral, etc.
Furthermore, Hanoi is also known for its diverse local cuisine with delicious taste, sophisticated processing, and the perfect combination of ingredients. Pho, Bun Cha and Banh Mi are among the signature dishes you should not miss when visiting Hanoi.
Sapa - Lao Cai
With magnificent natural landscapes, Sapa should be on your bucket list. This alluring town is situated at the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The Hmong, Dao, Tay, and other ethnic minority tribes may be found here, welcoming guests with beautiful traditional clothing and friendly hospitality. Here are amazing tourist spots that you should visit on your North Vietnam trip:
Mount Fansipan: Considered “the Roof of Indochina”, this peak offers spectacular panoramic views.
Cat Cat Village: This village is home to the H’Mong people. You can come here to admire the terrace fields and buy traditional handicrafts.
Ham Rong Mountain: The ancient symbol of Sapa
Muong Hoa Valley: This valley gained its reputation for stunning nature and a diverse culture of different ethnic minorities. Visit this spot to snap some fantastic photos.
Bac Ha Market: This is an ideal place to soak up the bustling atmosphere of locals trading their goods.
When visiting Sa Pa, you will get the opportunity to sample numerous traditional Northern Vietnamese foods such as seven-color sticky rice, bamboo-tube sticky rice, grilled chicken, grilled pork, grilled duck, dried buffalo meat, etc.
Halong Bay
Designated by UNESCO as a world’s natural wonder, Ha Long Bay is a tourism paradise in the North region of Vietnam. With its majestic scenery and around 1,600 limestone islands and islets, travelers can cruise on junk boats to admire hidden caves, towering cliffs, and peaceful lagoons. To maximize your experience here, make sure to experience these activities:
Cruise: Embark on a cruise through the stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters.
Cave Exploration: Discover unique caves such as Sung Sot Cave, Dau Go Cave, and Thien Cung Cave.
Kayaking: Explore the bay's hidden corners by kayaking in calm waters in Bai Tu Long Bay, Ti Top Island, Tuan Chau Island, etc.
Local cuisine: Don’t miss out on local specialties of Halong Bay, including Banh Gat Gu (Nodding Cake), Chao Ha (Acorn Barncale Porridge), Grilled Chopped Squid, etc.
Ninh Binh
Your North Vietnam trip would be incomplete if you missed out on the alluring Ninh Binh. Ninh Binh attracts both domestic and international tourists with breathtaking limestone karsts, tranquil waterways, lush rice paddies, and intricate temples and pagodas. Some of the most famous tourist attractions in Ninh Binh include:
Tam Coc - Bich Dong, with stunning limestone formations, is where you can enjoy a delightful boat ride.
Trang An Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its majestic towering limestone cliffs and crystal waters.
The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is where you can delve into the history of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the largest Buddhist complexes in Southeast Asia,
Cuc Phuong National Park gives you a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty.
Ninh Binh is also a haven for food lovers with mouth-watering dishes such as roasted goat, goat hotpot, steamed goat meat, baked rice crust, mountain snails, T Nhu vermicelli noodles, and Nho Quan wine.
Final Words
Please plan for each destination at least between three and four days. In Hanoi and Sapa, you for sure can also stay much longer because of the huge amount of activites there.
These must-see attractions offer travelers a glimpse into the wonderful beauty and tradition of the S-shaped country. The North Vietnam tour will be a great chance for you to experience awe-inspiring landscapes, rich heritage, and sophisticated cuisine.
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