1. Hanoi

Coming to Hanoi in September and October, visitors will be amazed by the beauty of Hanoi's autumn sky.

The sunlight is radiant without the intense heat, making it suitable for travelers to explore the streets all day.

This is also a perfect time to indulge in the typical delicacies that are only available in Hanoi's autumn, such as green sticky rice (com), steamed green sticky rice (xoi com), and ripe dracontomelon (sau chin)...

CNN has honored Vietnam's capital as one of the 12 top fall destinations in the world.

To fully enjoy Hanoi autumn, travelers can look for hotels right in the city center.

Capella Hanoi on Le Phung Hieu Street is one of the most luxurious and prestigious choices, with three restaurants honored by Michelin Guide, among which Koki restaurant has achieved one Michelin star for two consecutive years.

Thanks to its location in the city center, just a few steps away from Trang Tien Street and the Hanoi Opera House, visitors can walk around and enjoy an abundance of the street treats, such as heather chrysanthemum or daisies.

Visitors can take a walk through the Old Quarter to visit French colonial buildings, serene lakes, and bustling markets. All of them create a unique autumn scene of Hanoi.

2. Ha Long Bay

Located about a 1.5-hour drive from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is one of the unmissable destinations when traveling to northern Vietnam.

Being recognized as the "World Natural Heritage" by UNESCO, Ha Long Bay is not only home to thousands of rock islands and caverns, but it also preserves precious cultural and historical values.

The seasonal change from summer to autumn is the ideal time to visit the bay, when the cool weather and fresh air make it more comfortable to travel.

Travelers can choose to go on a cruise to admire the beauty of the bay and visit famous destinations such as the Sung Sot Cave, Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace), Fighting Cocks Islet, and Titop Beach.

Another option to admire Ha Long Bay is the Queen Cable Car at Sun World Ha Long, which brings panoramic view to Ba Deo Hill.

At Sun World Ha Long, visitors can experience the thrilling feeling of the Alpine Coaster, or explore the Buddhist culture at Bao Hai Linh Thong pagoda, full of tranquility.

When coming to Ha Long, an ideal option for accommodation should be Oakwood Ha Long, nestled in Bai Chay Beach, where you can easily approach the beach and take a sightseeing tour of the bay's scenery.

Autumn is also an ideal time for hot spring bathing.

Travelers can visit Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh, an authentic Japanese onsen resort about a 15-minute drive from Ha Long.

The hot mineral water source here not only helps relaxing but also has many health benefits, with a higher content of bromine than the onsens in Japan.

3. Kim Boi

Kim Boi in Hoa Binh Province is where tourists can enjoy pristine nature and Muong ethnic group's traditional dishes.

Autumn is considered one of the most beautiful seasons in Kim Boi, allowing visitors to enjoy the gentle sunlight, the cool breeze, and the fresh air.

Serena Resort Kim Boi is considered an ideal choice for travelers visiting Kim Boi.

Here visitors can immerse in hot mineral springs, famous for skin care effects and supporting the treatment of arthritis, blood pressure, stomach pain, kidney stones.

The resort, designed as a giant cranberry hat made of bamboo, serves the culinary essence of Hoa Binh in dishes prepared with boar meat, roasted fish, chicken, and rice.

4. Sa Pa

For those who love adventure and cultural exploration, Sa Pa in Lao Cai Province, about 5-hours drive from Hanoi, is not to miss.

"Golden season," "rice ripening season," and "cloud season" are endearing names for Sa Pa's autumn.

When you arrive in Sa Pa during this season, you can experience the Fansipan cable car, fully admire the Muong Hoa valley, gaze at the shimmering golden terraced rice fields stretching all the way to the horizon, and witness the vibrant four-season flower fields.

At the end of autumn and beginning of winter, Sa Pa is commonly immersed in the cloud sea, creating a surreal and otherworldly scene on the peak of Fansipan.

The cloud-hunting season in Sa Pa is a popular activity among photographers and nature enthusiasts, starting from around November.

Nestled at the foothills of Fansipan Mountain in the cable car station area, Ban May is a small village where seven ethnic groups live together.

Visitors coming on local weekend holidays will have chances to witness the reenactment of unique traditional customs and beliefs, such as the wedding ceremony of Red Dao, the "stealing wife" custom of H'Mong people, and the peace-praising festival of Giay ethnic people.

The "Ban May Golden Season" Festival is organized from Aug. 17 to Sept. 1 to celebrate the harvest by the H'Mong Sa Pa, H'Mong Dien Bien, Xa Pho, Tay, Giay, Dao Do, Thai, and Ha Nhi ethnic groups.

Other festivals such as Kho Gia Gia, Then Kin Pang, and New Com Tet are held every weekend, allowing tourists to experience northwest folk activities such as pounding rice cakes, making green rice, and tasting delicious mountainous specialties.

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