Cuc Phuong National Park: Established in 1962, it is one of the Vietnam’s most important nature preserves.  The park’s 222 sq.km of prime tropical forest remain home to an amazing variety of wildlife: 1,967 species of flora, 1,800 species of insects, 137 species of birds, 64 species of animals, and 33 species of reptiles.  It is really an ideal place for visiting whether you’re a botanist or a nature lover.

Do Son Beach: Palm-shaded Do Son beach, 21 km south-east of Hai Phong is the most populated seaside resort in the north and a favorite of Hanoi’s expatriate community.  The hilly 4 km long promontory that tails a long string of islets is a photographer’s .  The peninsula’s nine hills are known as Cuu Long Son (The Nine-dragon Mountain).   If you missed Nha trang, you can make up for it here.

Hai Phong City: Area 1400 km; estimated population 1,500,000; average temperature 23 C(73 F).  A maritime city situated 102 km east of Hanoi.  It’s a major commercial port in Vietnam and favored by many due to the close vicinity of Do Son beach with it’s blue waters stretching 21 km from Hai Phong, hemmed by rigid mountains under the brilliant sunlight.  If you want to watch a nice sunrise this is the place to be.

Ha Long Bay: The magnificent Ha Long Bay with its 3000 islands rising from the emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural marvels of Vietnam.  Like hands calling on you to visit its greatest creation.  The vegetation-covered islands which are spread out over an area of 1,500 km, are dotted by innumerable beaches and grottoes carved by the winds and waves.  Among the grottoes in Ha Long Bay, the best-known ones are Hang Dan Go (the grotto of Wooden stakes), Cave of Marvel, the grotto of Bo Nam, Hang Hanh Cave, Hang Trinh Nu(Grotto of virgin).  This is a must see, if you miss this you’ve missed a very special part of Vietnam.  This is a minimum 2 day /1 night trip.

Cat Ba Island: The island, 8,800 hectares in area, is 80 km from Hai Phong on which lies a national preserve covering 570 hectares, a primitive forest with different kinds of precious woods, tropical butterflies, diverse fauna, unique caves, grottoes and beaches.  Stay overnight in the guesthouse on the island in which you can appreciate the real tranquil and peaceful experience of the Far East.  

Hoa Bình: Hoa Bình Town, which is the capital of Ha Son Binh Province, is 14 km south of Ha Noi.  This area is home to many hill-tribes including Mong and Thai.  If you don’t like to travel far to find the unique hill tribes of Vietnam, then Hoa Binh is where you should go.

Mai Chau: About 4 hours drive (200 Km NW) from Ha Noi where the breathtaking scenery offers you respite from the noise of city life.  At Mai Chau you can have the opportunity experience living with the White Thai minorities for one night in their clean and well-kept house on stilts. Your adventure has just begun.

Lang Son: The capital of mountainous Lang Son Province has long served as an important trading post and crossing point into China.  Also this is where the trains of both countries cross.   Much of the area’s population is made up of ethnic minorities (Tho, Nung, Man, and Dao), many of whom continue their traditional way of life as they have many years ago.  There are also caves 3.5 km from Lang Son, near the village of Ky Lua.

Cao Bang: Cao Bang city is the capital of Cao Bang Province, many of whose inhabitants of the Tho, Nung, Dao and H’Mong (Meo) national minorities.  Principal products of the region include beef, pork, goats, zinc and limber.  This area is well known for its waterfalls and grottoes.

Ba Be Lake: A place to take an exotic tour.  The lake lies in the north of Ha Noi in a locality between Bac Thai province and Cao Bang province.  It is immensely large and protected by rolling mountains and dense forests full of exotic birds and animals.  Skim across the lake by dugout canoe called “piragua” which will deliver you to the mystical grotto of Pong or Dau Dang waterfall at an altitude of 1,500m.  The scenery is incredible which words cannot describe.  If you are up to roughing it, you will have a rare picture to take back home.

Dien Bien Phu: 500 km from Ha Noi, DBP is a vast panhandle valley in Lai Chau province where after 55 days and nights (from March 15 to July 7/1954) of hard fierce fight between the Vietnamese people’s army.   The Vietnamese army seized victory from the French Expeditionary Forces (part of the renowned French Foreign Legion).  Besides visiting the Dien Bien Phu museum, Him Lim hill, the underground shelter of the French commanding General De Castre., you can also visit the Thai minority people in the nearby villages.

Son La: Son La, the capital of a province of the same name, is 308 km west of Ha Noi.  The area is populated mainly by hill-tribes, including the Black Thai, (Thai or Tay People), Meo, Mong and White Thai.  Son La was once the site of a French penal colony where anti-colonialist revolutionaries were held.

Sapa: Not to mention Sapa is to not mention the northwest.  Located 400km from Hanoi, it is a mountainous town located 1,650 km above sea level and boasts the highest peak in Vietnam, Fansipan Mountain (3,142 m).  It is well known for its love market on Saturday, meaning where minority tribes come to court each other one day out of the week.  This is where they sing their tribal songs and dress up in colorful tribal dress.  The Sunday market is also as exciting where many tribal people sell and trade their goods.  It is best suggested to go on Thursday or Friday and return on Sunday.  It is approximately 11 hours drive to Sapa from Hanoi.  But you can do it in comfort by taking the sleeping coach train.