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North OF Vietnam

Hai Phong, Vietnam


For several decades, the word Vietnam has been mentioned with a word "War" added up to. But ever since the beginning of the 90s, when the country embarked on a quest for wealth, it opened up and has been viewed and mentioned differently. Vienam is now no longer a war, but beautiful mountains and peaceful green vallies, colorful hill tribes and rich cultures dating back to thousand of years, pristine and remote beaches. This country is still very much remains undiscovered by tourists. Here are some suggestions that you can add up to your itinerary when travelling to the region.
North of Vietnam. This is the cradle of the Vietnamese culture, orgininated the dawn of Vietnamese history. The region has a variety of natural terrain, distinctive local cultures resides in traditional villages, thousand of ancient temples and pagodas aromantic with burning insence…What North of Vietnam is famous for are: Handicraft villages and villages in general, mountain and plain scenery. Thus, your place of visit should be:
1. Halong bay: Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, this unrivalled bay has thousands of green karst formations jutting out of the sea. This is one of a must-to-visit place in North of Vietnam. Best to take a 2days/1night trip, which offers an overnight stay on a wooden boat. If you like to spend more time here, you can combine with a visit to Cat Ba island, a big one with inhabitants on it. This island is home to resorts, quiet beaches and a national park, which is good for hiking.
2. Tam Coc: This is the name of a site where you can enjoy a ride on a little sampan boat (well, made of iron) for 2 hours rowing in the middle of rice paddies (if you come in the rice season). The highlight of the boat ride is the stunning view of the karst formations around. In summer time, Tam Coc should be toured in the morning than in the afternoon, to reduce the heat that you might have when you’re on the boat ride.
3. Handicraft villages and traditional villages. Hanoi is surrounded by many old villages with distinguished characteristics or hav involved in a handicraft for hundreds of years. These are good for people who love to cycle or keen on cutural lives of the local.
4. Sapa: Located 1.600m above sea-level. This is a small city on the mountain offering cool weather and a good center to visit local hill tribes around it. The scenery is totally sublime. The weather is cool most of the time. The place is good for trekking and sight-seeing to the hill tribes. Sapa is a must for mountain lovers. If you do like climbing, you should not miss mount Phansipan - “the roof of Indochina”
5. North East and North West of Vietnam: In general, these places are good for mountain lovers and cultural seekers. Visit some mountain cities, stay overnight in tribal groups, enjoy the sceneries. This is best for those who love mountain motorbiking. A professional tour operator must be required. Since tours like these are different from classical ones.
6. Of course, North of Vietnam has Hanoi as the capital city. This 1000 years old city has a lot to see, especially to learn that it has lots of French buildings remain from the French colonial time.


permalink written by  nightflower on June 23, 2008 from Hai Phong, Vietnam
from the travel blog: Vietnam - Land of the hidden charm
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