This area is full of culture and is poorer than the southern part of the country. The largest city in the area is Hanoi, but there are other sites and cities to visit such as Ha Long Bay, Dien Bien Phu, and Sapa.
Places to visit:
Cuc Phuong National Park --- This national park is the largest in Vietnam. It is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals and can be visited for day trips or longer with temperatures averaging 70 F in the summer and 48F in the winter. There are a lot of things to see and do in this park such as visiting many of Cuc Phuong’s limestone caves, a Botanical Garden, The Endangered Primate Rescue Center, The Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center, and the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Center. You can hike dozens of trails for the beginning to the advanced hiker as well as guided tours that can be arranged by headquarters.
Ha Long Bay --- Translated to mean Bay of Descending Dragons, this bay is east of Hanoi and is famous for its scenic rock formations you can tour around the many limestone islands by boat affordably with food and other activities such as visiting grottos or caves depending on your choice of tour. You can also go kayaking and backpacking if you are the adventurous sort and you will not be disappointed with the scenery.
Sapa --- This is a remote mountainous town along the Chinese border that is famous for its scenery and diverse ethnic minorities such as the Hmong and Dao people who make and sell homemade goods to tourists such as clothes and blankets. The weather can be damp and cold but also miserable if the traveler ends up stuck in a fog, so its best to be prepared, even if you can’t enjoy the towns beautiful scenery. The highest peak of Vietnam, Fansipan is located here and is becoming a tourist hotspot.
Hanoi – This is the capital of Vietnam blending both Eastern and Western influences. It is generally hot in the summer and cold and humid in the wintertime. There are a lot of historical sites to see in this bustling city including the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Ho Chi Min Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution. It has a very active nightlife and there are plenty of places to get good eats and drinks. (More details of the city are found on the link for Hanoi).
Cao Bang --- Cao Bang is located in the province of the same name. It is an area of lakes, karst peaks, cave, and waterfalls all on the Chinese border. You can easily get there by foot and visit the many marketplaces in the town. You can also visit sites such as Thang Hen Lake, the Bang Gioc Waterfall, and the Nguom Nagao or Pac Bo Caves. Your best way to reach there is by bus or on a tour.
Dien Bien Phu --- This small town in northwestern Vietnam is the site of end of French rule when they were defeated in the War of Independence in 1954. For those who interested in military history, you can find various aspects of the French defeat as well as a Vietnam Military History Museum which is located south of the central markets that can be found in the area.
Bac Ha --- This is a town near the border of China that is famous for its Sunday Market as well as other markets offering local produce and other hand-made gifts.
