This is a trip encapsulates the magic of Vietnam: the conservative north with spectacular limestone wonders, majestic terraced fields, coastal scenery and the vibrant life of Saigon and the Mekong Delta. We come face to face with an outgoing culture, where so much goes on in the streets: eating, washing, socialising, buying and selling or impromptu games. This intoxicating parade of Vietnamese daily life may leave us with our strongest memories, as much as the superb landscapes and amazing cuisine.
1. Sapa
This Vietnam’s destination is too famous such an extent that it is always present in Vietnam tourism brochure. Starting from Hanoi to Sapa after one night train, it's like you living in a completely different world. However, if just wandering around Sapa town, travelers will miss a chance to have a memorable trip. Sapa town just likes a miniature Hanoi, accompanying colorful minority groups. Thus, let’s carry a rucksack and to be ready for a trekking expedition to remote villages. Scenery, people, culture and everything will be much more fascinating.
Trekking trails will lead through jungles, mountains, fields, streams, hidden soil-trails only used by locals, and rest at ethnic minority villages. Along paths, adventurers will encounter “real” minor people, who are doing life activities, or working to earn their living. Specially, contemplating firsthand Sapa rice terrace (which was estimated as one of the 30 most beautiful places in the world by Mother Nature Network), and other stunning scenes is completely different to seeing from an automobile or a hotel at a far distance. Let’s leave cozy hotel-rooms and stay overnight at a homestay to experience a distinctive life with locals: arduous, but funny and valuable.
2. Ha Giang
Travel to the mountainous north Vietnam brings exciting experiences. #Hagiang is famous for magnificent sceneries and majestic landscapes, endless winding roads over mountain passes. Coming to this area visitors will immerse yourself in the diversified culture of ethnic minority groups, lush rice terraces, hill tribe villages and colourful weekend markets...
Try traditional local foods such as corn wine, Thang Co hot pot, Men Men dish beside a big fire with Tay, H’mong ethnic in Meo Vac. Let’s enjoy a simple and warm feeling inside the local people and nature here.
3. Mai Chau
Escape from busy cities, let’s experience an extremely peaceful life in Mai Chau. This area is the home of Thai, Muong and H’mong people, which are Vietnamese ethnic minorities. Just only 135 km from Hanoi, it is so easy to reach here. Naturally, it has spectacular scenes and also the original cultural identity like descriptions on websites. But peace is the most impressive. Peace in just landscape: rice terraces, tea plantations, streams. Peace in just the life of locals. Residents here work hard on fields, on forests, on weaving looms…
Mai Chau’s culture is gentle and lyrical. The rhythm of life is also slow and tranquil. By trek or bike around villages, travelers will feel these. If opt homestay, travelers will stay at traditional stilt houses and do housework with locals. Yummy cuisines are always ready for guests. At night, the space becomes throbbing by blithe melodies and rhythmical dances. The trip ends with a good sleep in this peaceful heaven.
4. Halong Bay
Being recognized 3 times as the Natural Wonder of the world for it values by UNESCO, Halong Bay is a worth-visiting landscape that you should not miss when traveling on Vietnam tours. Visiting this natural wonder, you will have opportunities to not only witness the breathtaking scenes of nature but also enjoy numerous interesting things to do in Halong Bay.
5. Mekong delta
Vietnamese people usually say “thang canh co bay”, meaning that land is too large that stocks can fly straightly to endless. This is just one of images of Mekong delta. Located in northwestern Vietnam, this land is the country’s greatest rice basket. The region is covered by an interlaced canal system. So the residents were familiar with waterway-life long ago. Locals are gentle and rustic. Scenery is tranquil. Travel to Mekong, travelers will refresh your mind.
The richness and vastness make this plain region have an abundant culture. Taking part in various activities, travelers will understand relatively about this culture. Cycling around fields and villages is a nice way to see the everyday life of locals. On the roads, travelers can talk to them and try experiencing some of their jobs. Many other places can be visited along biking trail, namely temples, orchards, local primary schools, or local households. Particularly, travelers can visit and discover traditional trade-villages of coconut-candy, rice-paper, rice-wine, snake-wine, pop-rice, pop-corn, etc.
Adventurers also should not skip a boat trip to floating markets, the special places with a boom of colors, sounds and scents. These market have a lot of beautiful agricultural products, especially fruits.
