North West Vietnam

The Northwest of Vietnam is still relatively untouched by the outside world. With possibly some of the most beautiful scenery in Vietnam, those who visit see this region will be greatly rewarded. 
Rich in history, visit such places as the former French hill station of Sapa and Dien Bien Phu with its famous battlefields.

Travel along roads snaking through high passes, journey through fertile valleys, see incredible rice terraces and visit colourful ethnic-minority markets 
Old French Prison tells the part of the story. The different minority groups, which fought on the colonial side during the France-Viet Minh war were afterward treated as traitors.
Hot Springs: strolling through some Thai villages south of town, you can get there to enjoy Hot Springs.
Son La’s market: Small items of woven such as bag, scarves, clothing and other local crafts are sold here.

Dien Bien Phu is a small town ringed round by high mountains and populated by Thai and H’Mong minorities. Dien Bien Phu was the site of that rarest of military events, a battle that can be called truly decisive. It was here in 1954 that Viet Minh forces overran the beleaguered French garrison after a 57-day siege, forcing the French government to abandon its attempts to re-establish colonial control of Indochina.
The site of the battle is marked by a small museum, which eloquently tells the story of Vietnamese determination to be rid of the colonial forces. You can fly to Dien Bien Phu from Hanoi, it takes one hour.

Sapa
Sapa is one of the most beautiful and appealing destinations in Vietnam. Home to many deferent ethnic hill tribes, each one colourful, distinct, and it’s own language and cultural values.

Sapa boasting the highest mountain of Fansipan (3,143m) in Indochina, visitors to the region will understand why the area was a favourite with French colonialists as far back as 1920. 

Fansipan Mountain is 9 km from Sapa and can only be reached on foot. The terrain is rough and adverse weather is frequent. There are no mountain huts or other facilities along the way. You should contact to a experience tourist company for know-how and advice on technical climbing.

Trekking around the area, you can visit some villages of the Dzao and H’Mong people such as Cat Cat village, Tavan, Ta Phin, Lao Chai, Giang Ta Chai... Some other villages, especially the more remote ones, are still largely untouched by modern way of life such as Ban Ho village, Than Phu village, Sin Chai village, Hau Thao village-one of the few Christian villages in the area.

Bac Ha
Bac Ha is a little town located 60 km from Lao Cai, often combined with tour to Sapa.
Ban Pho village is a real tribal village, located 7 km from Bac Ha. You can see how simple life of the H’Mong villagers is.
Bac Ha market mainly operates on Sunday. H’Mong people with difference colours from their costumes make the Bac Ha market lively and interesting.

Can Cau market is one of the most exotic tribal markets in Vietnam. It is 20 km north of Bac Ha, and just 9 km south of the Chinese border. The market only runs on Saturday.
Lung Phin market is between Can Cau market and Bac Ha town, about 12 km from the town. It is only runs on Sunday.

Hoa Binh
Some 74km south-west of Hanoi, set in the foothills of spectacular limestone mountains lies Hoa Binh. The area has a colourful mixture of ethnic minorities, ancient pagodas and diverse landscapes. Visit the villages of the Muong and Dzao people and see how their lives are unchanged by time, see the extraordinary structure of the Russian built Hoa Binh dam (620m wide) and journey down the Black River.
A 30-km drive from Hoa Binh will lead to Kim Boi Hot Spring, which is at a constant temperature of 36⁰C, continuously spouting out. The scientific tests have shown that the mineral water at Kim Boi can use in the treatment of many diseases. 

Mai Chau
Mai Chau is located approximately 135km from Hanoi and 60km from Hoa Binh. It is a beautiful area surrounded by green valley and stilt houses. Most people here are ethnic Thai. Staying in one Thai-style stilt house and trekking to minority’s villages such as Lac village of the Thai group, Xa Linh of the H’Mong group... are interesting things.