Off The Beaten Path in Northeast Vietnam

Perched on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is Vietnam's capital and one of the world's most ancient cities. Its beauty lies in its liveliness of bustling streets where workshops and cafes spill out onto the streets and roadsides. As the intersection point where east meets west, Hanoi is a fascinating mix of old and new, Asian and European. With Chinese and French influences, an ancient culture, colonial architecture, broad tree-lined boulevards and beautiful lakes, the iconic architectural appearance of the Old Quarter and the elegance of the French Quarter, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, etc... gives Vietnam’s capital city a unique charm of the ancient and modern. Hanoi is also home to one of Asia’s strong indigenous culinary traditions, with bustling wet markets and a rowdy street-food culture, as well as some five star international dining options. It is also very affordable by urban Asian standards, with the majority of hotels and restaurants offering plenty of value.

Lang Son is subdivided into 11 district-level sub-divisions: 10 districts: Bac Son, Binh Gia, Cao Loc, Chi Lang, Dinh Lap, Huu Lung, Loc Binh, rang Dinh, Van Lang, Van Quan. 1 provincial city: Lang Sơn (capital). They are further subdivided into 14 commune-level towns (or townlets), 207 communes, and 5 wards.

Located in the northeastern part of Vietnam, about 170 km away from Hanoi, Bac Kan is a city rich in tourism potential. This feature is all credited to Bac Kan's abundance in natural resources (including land, forest and mineral resources) as well as its charm in cultural identity (with 7 ethnic minority groups).

Trung Khanh District, located in Cao Bang Province near Vietnam’s northern border with China, is a charming destination famous for its breathtaking natural scenery. At its heart is the iconic Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Vietnam’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls which attracts visitors from all over the world. The area is characterized by majestic limestone formations, lush green valleys, and a vibrant cultural mosaic woven by the ethnic minority communities that live here. As a key access point to the waterfall and nearby attractions, Trung Khanh offers visitors a gateway to explore the wild beauty and cultural richness of northeastern Vietnam.

Bao Lac is a rural district of Cao Bang Province in the northeast region of Vietnam. As of 2003 the district had a population of 47,019. The district covers an area of 919 km². The district capital lies at Bao Lac.

Meo Vac is a small but charming district capital hemmed in by steep karst mountains and, like many towns in the northwest, it is steadily being settled by Vietnamese from elsewhere.

Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang province was recognized in 2010 by UNESCO as a world geological park. The plateau is a true masterpiece of nature where man is small against the vastness of the sky, mountains and clouds.

Yen Minh is a little town 100km east of the province’s capital Ha Giang Town. This is usually the first stop of the Ha Giang Loop.

Ha Giang Province is a mountainous region in far northern Vietnam that borders China. Nestled on the heights of the rocky mountain, it is still considered an off the beaten track destination, and a good alternative to busy Sapa. This extraordinary province has some truly awe-inspiring scenery from colossal rugged mountains and lush rice paddies to majestic rivers and mountain villages which create a mesmerizing landscape. The best way to explore is on a three or four-day trek passing through ethnic minority villages, wandering along rocky mountainsides and through terraced rice fields. It’s also the venue of a spectacular motorbike loop, a great and adventurous way to see the area at your own pace.

Hoang Su Phi is one of the two mountainous districts in the western border of Ha Giang province. This is a long-term residence area of more than 12,000 households with over 64,500 people belonging Dao, Tày, Nùng, Mông, Cờ Lao, La Chí minority.