Vietnam Northern

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political center of Vietnam. It was eclipsed by Hue, the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945), but Hanoi served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1954. From 1954 to 1976, it was the capital of North Vietnam, and it became the capital of a reunified Vietnam in 1976, after the North's victory in the Vietnam War. The city lies on the right bank of the Red River. On your visit, be sure to see Hanoi's markets, museums, temples, and historic landmarks.

Ha Long is the capital city of Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Ha Long city was created when the old capital, Hon Gai, was merged with Bai Chay – the main tourist area. The city mainly lies on Hạ Long Bay. The city's economy has recently switched from coal mining to tourism, due to the large number of visitors drawn by the Hạ Long Islets every year. At present, Hạ Long is experiencing rapid growth not only in tourism sphere, but as a place upon the main road to southern China. Its main attractions include the breathtaking Ha Long Bay, as well as the local vibrant night market.

Sa Pa, or Sapa, is a frontier township and capital of Sa Pa District in Lao Cai Province in north-west Vietnam. It is one of the main market towns in the area, where several ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Dao (Yao), Giay, Pho Lu, and Tay live. Before the 1990s, the town's economy was mainly based on small size agriculture. Tourist arrival between 1995 and 2003 grew from a total of 4,860 to 138,622. On average, 79% of the visitors are Vietnamese and 21% are foreigners. Certainly visit the local market before you head out to explore the terraced rice fields in the region.

Haiphong is the third largest city of Vietnam beside Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City with population of over 2 million people. The city's name means "coastal defense" and it is nicknamed the Flamboyant City because of the many flame trees planted throughout it. Haiphong is Northern Vietnam's most important seaport and has many industrial parks invested by multinational corporations. Feel free to visit the local temple and the small history museum.

Ninh Binh is a city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam; it is the capital of Ninh Bình Province.

Bac Ha is located in a rural district of Lao Cai Province in the Northeast region of Vietnam. It is the capital of the region of the Flower Hmong, one of the 54 minorities of Vietnam and of the six groups of Hmong people. It is famous for its Sunday morning market, where thousands of locals gathered, the women dressed in their very intricate handmade costumes (it takes three to five months to embroider one by hand), as well as for the Saturday morning smaller market of Can Cau, 18km north of Bac Ha. The town is enjoying an economic boom thanks to tourism, centered on the markets and, more and more, excellent trekking in the mountains north of the town.

Ha Giang is a city located on the banks of the Lo River in the north-east region of Vietnam. It is the capital of Ha Giang Province. The city has a population of 71,689 inhabitants, that is composed of 22 different ethnicities, of which 55.7% are Kinh and Tay people.

Tuan Chau is a schist island on the southwest side of Hạ Long City in Vietnam. Covered by pine forests, Tuan Chau island has an area of 2.2sqkm and to the east and south are two man-made beaches endowed with very white, fine sand. Nowadays, Tuan Chau Island is one of the most touristic destinations in Hạ Long. If in the area, you simply must visit the beach and spend your time basking in the tropical sunshine.