Sa Pa

Covered by clouds all year round, Sa Pa is a magical town that possesses hidden beauty to make it a major tourist attraction.

Located 350 km northwest of Hanoi, the town enjoys cool weather throughout the year. Indeed, temperatures rarely go above 25 degrees Celsius and it never drops below 17 degrees Celsius, even during the “hottest” periods between June and August.

The beautiful place not only attracts visitors due to its beautiful and majestic natural landscape, but is also popular due to its the unique culture of indigenous people.

Renowned tourism website Thetravel.com recently named Sa Pa among the top 10 most attractive snowy destinations throughout Asia. Previously, it was named as the top cool weather holiday destination in Southeast Asia by Channel News Asia, a Singaporean English language Asian cable television news agency. 

Ba Vi National Park

Ba Vi National Park is the nearest "green world" that is located close to the capital, with it being a place where nature-lovers can find an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in all four seasons.

Located in the middle of the northern plain, Ba Vi (Three Peaks) is mentioned in the ancient legend of the Mountain God Tan Vien and is said to be his final resting place.

The highest peak is known as King Peak and stands at 1,296 metres, followed by Tan Vien Peak (Mountain God) at 1,227 metres, and Ngoc Hoa Peak at 1,131 metres. There is a temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh on King Peak, as well as another to worship the Mountain God on Tan Vien Peak.

Moc Chau

Blessed with a majestic natural landscape, a year-round cool climate and abundant natural tourist attractions, Moc Chau district in the northern mountainous province of Son La has been dubbed as the "green pearl" of the northwest region.

The district is about 200km from central Hanoi and sits at an altitude of over 1,000m. It is a must-visit destination for those who love nature and seek inner peace among the vast mountains and forests.

Recently, the natural beauty of Moc Chau became a star of the global tourism map as the locality was crowned as 'Asia's Leading Regional Nature Destination' at the 2022 World Travel Awards.

Ninh Binh

Situated 90 km southeast of Hanoi, Ninh Binh has rich potential in cultural and spiritual tourism. It also boasts a charming natural landscape and many unique and amazing caves, with the locality being home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu during the reign of the Dinh Dynasty from 968 to 980.

With unique artistic, geological, geomorphic, and landscape values and traces of pre-historic life, the Trang An Landscape Complex of Ninh Binh was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site back in June, 2014, thereby becoming the first mixed natural and cultural property in Vietnam. It is also home to a number of attractions which have been recognised as special national relic sites.

Tam Dao

Tam Dao is 80 km from Hanoi and is located at an altitude of 900 metres above sea level, with the atmosphere in Tam Dao being fresh and cool all year round. 

Travelers will not only be impressed by the landscapes, but also "clouds of butterflies” in Tam Dao. The destination is home to more than 150 species of butterflies, with the best time to see these butterflies being either March, April, or October.

Thung Nai

Located in Cao Phong district of Hoa Binh province just 110km northeast of Hanoi, Thung Nai is a popular destination for a weekend retreat where people can travel on the romantic green Da river through winding currents and wonderful views. 

Thung Nai is especially suitable for tourists seeking a peaceful time with family or friends, thereby forgetting all about the stresses of busy life and enjoying stunning natural wonder. Thung Nai is regarded as “Ha Long Bay on land”.

The site is said to be most beautiful in the autumn when the water level reaches the highest and the valley is filled with the romantic lake water. Try visiting Thung Nai during this time to best enjoy the landscape.

Dong Van Stone Plateau

Located over 1,000 metres above sea level, Dong Van Stone Plateau is formed by narrow valleys alternating with rocky mountain ranges in the north of the nation. 

The plateau is a must-see destination for tourists in the northeastern province of Ha Giang. It was recognised by UNESCO in October, 2010, as one of just 77 geological parks in the world, as well as being the second in Southeast Asia after the Langkawi Geological Park in Malaysia.

Over 80% of the surface is covered with limestone and it has a high concentration of rocky peaks sitting over 2,000 metres above sea level. The rock of Dong Van is said to contain fossils from 400 million to 600 million years ago.

Mai Chau

Mai Chau, located in northern Hoa Binh province, is a destination where visitors can admire nature’s majestic beauty, its unique and wild ecosystems, and enoy the hospitality of local ethnic minority people.

The place currently boasts 12 relics and landscapes, of which five are recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

There are also many places in the district that have great potential for tourism development, such as Sang Tam Lake, Noong Luong, Hang Kia, Pa Co, and primeval forests. 

Mai Chau is a treasure trove of rich cultures and folklore, with festivals such as a rain praying festival and the Gau Tao festival of the Mong people.

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