Vietnam Northwest & Northeast Loop

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.

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.

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.

Bac Ha is a rural district of Lao Cai province in the Northeast region of Vietnam. It is the capital of the region of the Flower Hmong, one of the 54 minorities of Vietnam and one of the six groups of Hmong people. It is famous for its Sunday morning market, where thousands of locals gather, with the women dressed in their very intricate handmade costumes (it takes three to five months to embroider one by hand), as well as the Saturday morning smaller market of Can Cau, 18km north of Bac Ha.

Situated atop Hoang Lien Son mountains, Sapa is a colonial-era town in northwest Vietnam overlooking the terraced rice fields of Muong Hoa Valley. At an elevation of 1,500m, this small market town shares its border with China and offers some of Vietnam's best trekking routes. Arguably offering one of the most authentic rural experiences, Sapa is rapidly becoming a mainstream destination. Sapa is also well known for its diverse cultural makeup. Tiny villages dot the hillsides and are home to different ethnic minorities, each with their own customs and culture. While some parts of this area are more remote than others, the region has been able to preserve a rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. As a well-known holiday destination, Sapa has an all year round appeal because of its cool weather and beautiful hilly scenery. In particular, it is the only place to have snow in Vietnam in the winter.

Bordered by Lai Chau and Son La to the east and south, China's Yunnan to the north, and Lao's Phongsaly to the west, in the northwestern part of Vietnam is the province of Dien Bien.

Around 160km far away from Hanoi, set in an idyllic valley surrounded by hills and soaring mountain peaks, Mai Chau is home of peaceful ethnic minority villages among paddy fields and mountains, which is a tempting indigenous community-based tourism destination nowadays. This is a great place for a short hideaway from Hanoi’s hustle which helping you have a closer touch to the NorthWest of Vietnam.