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Provinces:
Ha Giang | Cao
Bang | Lao Cai | Bac
Can | Lang Son | Tuyen
Quang | Yen Bai | Thai
Nguyen | Phu Tho | Vinh
Phuc | Bac Giang | Bac
Ninh | Quang Ninh
Attractions:
Sapa | Ha
Long Bay
EASTERN
NORTH AT A GLANCE:
The
Eastern North Zone includes the provinces of Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Bac
Can, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang,
Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh and Ha Long Bay. Click on the map to enlarge.
 Ha
Giang:
Ha
Giang is the province located at the highest latitude in Vietnam. It is
surrounded by Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai. It shares a
border with China in the north. Many ethnic minorities, including the Dao,
H’mong, Tay, and Nung, live in Ha Giang province. The climate is divided
in two distinct seasons (rainy and dry), although it tends to vary depending on
altitude. Ha Giang is the ideal location to organize activities such as
hiking and camping. Famous sites include Quang Ngan Waterfall and Than
Thuy-Thien Bao National Frontier Pass. The Dong Van Highland is
situated 1,025 m above sea level and is inhabited by the Tay and H’Mong ethnic
groups. The temperature is approximately 1oC in winter and reaches 24oC on
the hottest days. The plateau provides famous products such as Hau plums,
peaches, and persimmons without seeds. Dong Van apples are as big as
pears. In Dong Van, numerous valuable plants used for their medicinal
value are found, including ginseng, anise, and cinnamon. Dong Van has a
lot to offer: mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and caves, multi-colored
orchid forests, plum and peach trees and persimmon orchards. Visiting Dong
Van, one can see Pho Bang, also called Pho Bang Street, which was built a
long time ago and features multi-story houses made of clay bricks and tile
roofs. On Sundays, one can shop in a very original mountain market where
all kinds of goods and multicolored clothes can be purchased.
 Cao
Bang:
 Cao
Bang, a province in the northern highlands, shares borders with China (north),
Bac Can and Lang Son (south), and Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang (west). There
are nine ethnic minorities living in Cao Bang, including the Tay, Nung, Dao, and
H’mong. The tropical climate of this mountainous region brings temperate
weather divided in four seasons. The hottest month is May, and the coldest
is January. Famous sites include Ban Gioc Fall where the echo of the
falls can be heard kilometers away from Trung Khanh. Water from Quy
Xuan River falling down on the stone creates water droplets columns that can
be seen from a distance. The temperature near the waterfall is remarkably cool,
due to the water mist in the air. At the foot of the waterfall is a large
river, as calm as glass, surrounded by many precious kinds of flowers. Ban Gioc
Fall is famous for a famous fish named tram huong. Thang Then Lake in Tra
Linh, and Ba Be Lakes in Ba Be are worth seeing. Several sites
where Uncle Ho lived and worked before the August 1945 Revolution include Pac
Bo, Coc Bo Cave, Lenin Stream, and Khuoi Nam Stream. Pac Bo is a small
mountainous village 350 km north of Hanoi and is known nationwide as a
revolutionary resistance base. The famous Coc Bo cave is where Ho Chi Minh
established his residence and worked on Vietnam’s revolutionary course after
returning from 30 years abroad.
Lao
Cai:
 Lao
Cai is one of several provinces situated on the Sino-Vietnamese border in the
northwestern part of the country. Apart from the Kinh people, the province
has several ethnic minority groups, including the H’mong, Tay, Dao, and Thai.
The province is endowed with both tropical and moderate climatic conditions.
The average temperature in the high mountainous area is between 18 and 28oC, and
between 20 and 22oC in the lowlands. It takes six or seven days to reach
the peak of Fansipan, the highest peak of the Indochina Peninsula, at
3,143 m. The topography of Fansipan is varied. Muong Hoa Valley,
at the lowest altitude (950 - 1,000 m), is created by a narrow strip of land at
the base on the east side of the mountain. Approximately 1,680 plant
species divided into 679 families are found on the mountain.
See our seperate webpage
regarding Sapa
 Bac
Can:
Bac
Can is a mountainous region in North Vietnam. It is bordered by Cao Bang
to the north, Tuyen Quang to the west, Thai Nguyen to the south, and Lang Son to
the east. The main ethnic groups found in the province are the Tay, Nung,
Dao, San Diu, Hoa, and H’mong. The climate can be divided into two distinct
seasons: the dry season (from October to February) and the rainy season (from
March to September). Famous sites include Ba Be Lakes and Thach
Long Pagoda. The Ba Be Lakes are actually three smaller lakes joined
together – Pe Lam, Pe Lu and Pe Leng - in the middle of a vast limestone
mountain range 200km north-west of Hanoi – dubbed a "precious jade of
Viet Nam" and one of 500 lakes recognized as worthy of attention. Ba
Be Lakes area has a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys, lakes,
and caves all set amidst picturesque landscapes. Ba Be Lakes, located 145
meters above sea level, are among the largest natural lakes in Vietnam with a
total surface area of 500 hectares. The area was established as a national
preserved forest and tourist center in 1978 and is surrounded by many ancient
trees, from which several varieties of precious wood are obtained. Up to
30 animal species such as wild pigs, bears, panthers, monkeys, and birds inhabit
the area. Visitors will have an unforgettable stay in the mountains by the
lakes, enjoying sightseeing boat trips, hikes, and water sports. Other
neighboring scenic attractions include Dau Dang Fall, Puong Cave, and Tien
Pond. Passing by Puong Cave (30m high, 300m long), cruise past the
villages of Tau, Cam and Hua Tang, you can navigate your way through the
river’s forks and brooks, and reach Dau Dang Falls. The falls
laps over 1,000m on three levels, each bursting with energy from the mountains
that help fuel them. "Silver cataracts" one travel writer said. And he
wasn't wrong.
Lang
Son:
 Lang
Son is located far north specifically at Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship Gate). This
is an important transportation link between Vietnam and China. The main ethnic
groups found in that area include the Kinh, Tay, Nung, Dao, and Ngai. The annual
average temperature is 21.5°C with an annual humidity of 82%. Famous
sites include Tien Pagoda, Tien Pond, Nhat Thanh Cave, Nhi Thanh Cave, Tam
and Thanh Cave. The panorama from Mau Son, the highest peak in
Lang Son region is like a Chinese ink drawing. To the north is Ninh Minh,
China, to the east is Na Duong and to the West is Dong Dang, all merging
beautifully into one spectacular landscape. It is about 30 kilometers from
Lang Son town to Mau Son along a winding narrow mountain path, tucked between 2
steep mountains. The French built a military base there to guard the
border. In January 1936, Dr.O. Pflot, a student of the famous
bacteriologist Dr. Alexandre Yersin, visited Mau Son and then, he petitioned Mr.
Tholace, the governor, for permission to build tourist villas at the site.
If you only explore the pristine Tarn Thanh Cave or shop for woven
fabrics in the ethnic minority market of Ky Lua, but forget Mau Son, then you
have never truly seen Lang Son. Situated near the city of Lang Son in Lang
Son province, Tam Thanh Grottoes include three grottoes: Nhat Thanh, Nhi
Thanh, and Tam Thanh. The most famous is Tam Thanh Grotto, is
approximately 8 m high, opening to a corridor with 30 stone steps carved into
the mountain. Poet Ngo Thi Si (1726–1780) carved one of his texts on the
grotto wall while he was a Mandarin guard in Lang Son. Vong Phu
Mountain, meaning "waiting for a husband," is located nearby.
Here, one can explore a grotto with marvelous stalactites and a statue of
Buddha. The Chi Lang Border consists of a valley surrounded by high
mountains and through which runs the Thuong River. The mountains were
opened in two locations to form two gates. The northern gate was named Quy
Mon Quan, meaning "monster gate," after the Chinese invaders who
entered Vietnam through this gate. The southern gate was called Ngo The,
meaning "swearing gate." Vietnamese ancestors who swore to
sacrifice their lives to protect their motherland and to prevent invaders from
entering Vietnam via this border built the gates. Tan Trao is a
small valley lying between mountains and jungles in Son Duong district and is a
historical area that was used as a resistance base before the August 1945
Revolution. Tan Trao was a temporary capital of the independent section of the
country, where the Vietnamese Communist Party held several meetings, especially
during August 1945.
Tuyen
Quang:
 Tuyen
Quang is located in Viet Bac, in the northern part of the country. It is
characterized by majestic elevated mountains with peaks exceeding 2,000 m
above sea level. More than half of the province’s population consists of the
Kinh ethnic group; there are also Tay, Dao, and Nung ethnic groups. The tropical
climate influenced by north Asian climate is divided in two seasons; dry cold
winter and hot rainy summer. The province has an annual average temperature of
22.4°C and an average rainfall varying between 1,500 and 1,800 mm. Famous
sites include Tan Trao Communal House and Hong Thai Communal House
(accommodation for delegates from different parts of the country who came to
attend National Congress meetings).
 Yen
Bai:
Yen
Bai is located in Tay Bac, the northern part of the country. It is surrounded by
the provinces of Lao Cai (north), Son La (south), Tuyen Quang (northeast), and
Phu Tho (southeast). Several ethnic minorities live in Yen Bai province,
including the H’mong, Dao, Tay, Thai, Nung, San Chay, Phu La, and Kinh. The
tropical monsoon climate is divided into two seasons; the cold season lasts from
November to March and the hot season is from April to October. This province has
less solar radiation than the other surrounding provinces and an annual average
temperature of 22°C. Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant is an interesting
tourist site. Thac Ba Lake is an artificial lake with an area of
23,400 ha and 1,331 islands and hills with diverse ecological environments. The
water in the lake is blue and clear, and thousands of hills and islands feature
caves such as the Hum, Cau Cuoi and Bach Xa. The Thac Ba Temple
always draws visitors. Thac Ba Lake is not only a beautiful landscape, but
it is also a national vestige. In 1285, the Thu Vat Battle took place under the
command of Tran Nhat Duat against Mongolian invaders.
Thai
Nguyen:
 Thai
Nguyen is located in Viet Bac, the northeastern part of the country. It is
bordered by Tuyen Quang, Bac Can, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, and Hanoi. The
main ethnic groups to populate this area are the Kinh, Tay, Nung, Dao, San Diu,
Hoa, and H’mong. The annual average temperature varies between 25 and 27°C.
The main attractions include relics of the resistance war in Dinh Hoa, Dai Tu,
Vo Nhai, Phuong Hoang Cave, Hang Pagoda, and the Museum of the Cultures
of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups. ATK is the abbreviation for An Toan
Khu, meaning "safe zone". This zone was built during the war
against the Americans (1965-1972) and consists of a network of underground
tunnels with strong defense works able to withstand bombs and bullets.
These relics will be restored to become an attractive tourist site. Nui
Coc Lake is located approximately 10 km from Thai Nguyen and lies in a
magnificent landscapes of a mountainous area. The lake comprises 80 islets; some
are covered with trees, some with flocks of birds, and others with mountain
goats. An hour away from Nui Coc Lake is Phoenix Grotto, the most
famous site in Thai Nguyen province. It lies on top of a 300 m high
mountain and is where revolutionary leaders used to meet. The Museum of
the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups is located in downtown Thai Nguyen and
was established in 1960. It contains more than 4,000 documents, exhibits,
and pictures, concerning all aspects of Vietnamese civilization. The
museum also presents an extensive collection of agricultural, handicraft, and
hunting tools. Typical ritual clothes with bright colors and decorative
motifs of different ethnic minorities are also exhibited. The unusual
costumes of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups used for worshipping their sorcerers
are embroidered with lines and designs that supposedly perceive magical sounds.
Phu
Tho:
 Phu
Tho is located in the North Vietnam Plains and Midlands. It is bordered by Yen
Bai and Tuyen Quang to the north, Vinh Phuc and Ha Tay to the east, Hoa Binh to
the south, and Son La to the west. The main ethnic group living in this area is
the Kinh with a small proportion of Mnong, Dao, and San Diu. The annual average
temperature varies between 24 and 25°C and the average relative humidity ranges
between 80 to 90%. The main attractions in this province are the Hung Kings
Temple, Hy Cuong Communal House, and Bang Lai Pagoda. The Hung Kings
Temple is a complex of majestic buildings located on Nghia Linh Mountain, Phong
Chau district, in Phu Tho province. The complex consists of Ha Temple and
Pagoda, Gieng Temple, Trung and Thuong Temples, and Hung Kings Tomb. Two
hundred and twenty five steps lie between Dai Mon Gate and Ha Temple, which was
built in the 15th century. According to the legend, Au Co gave birth to a
pouch containing 100 eggs, which hatched to produce 100 children. Her
husband, Lac Long Quan, led 50 children down to the coastal region to populate
the land and propagate the race. Au Co brought 49 children up to the
mountainous area. The eldest child, Hung Vuong, was left to become King;
he founded the capital in Phong Chau and named the country Van Lang. In
front of the Ha temple, there is a 1,000-year-old tree. It is in this
temple that President Ho Chi Minh had a talk with the soldiers on their way to
Hanoi in 1954. He told them "The Hung Kings had the merit of founding
the country. You and I must stick together to safeguard it."
Over 150 steps must then be climbed to get to Trung Temple.
According to legends, the Hung Kings built this temple as a place to rest and
hold political meetings. It is also where Prince Lang Lieu presented sticky rice
cakes to his father the King on the occasion of Tet Holiday. Continuing up
the hill is Thuong Temple. It was built by the 6th Hung King to
worship Thanh Giong, a legendary hero who defeated the An invaders of the
ancient Chinese dynasty. Later, the 18th Hung King abdicated in favor of Thuc
Phan, who erected two stone pillars and swore to take care of the temple and of
the Hung family's inheritance. At the foot of the hill is the well.
Ngoc Hoa and Tien Dung, the 18th Hung King's daughters, have been worshipped at
this temple. It is said that the two princesses used to comb their hair
and look at themselves in the water of this well. Nowadays, the nearby
public reception house, Cong Quan, houses the Hung Kings Museum,
built to present numerous artifacts from the dawn of the nation when the Hung
Kings founded and ruled the country.
 Vinh
Phuc:
Vinh
Phuc is located in the North Vietnam Plains and Midlands. It is surrounded by
Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen in the north, Hanoi in the east, Ha Tay in the
south, and Phu Tho in the West. The main ethnic group to populate this area is
the Kinh; there is also a small proportion of Muong, Dao, San Chay, and San Diu.
The annual average temperature is 24°C. Famous sites include Tam Dao Resort,
Dai Lai Lake, Ao Cham Pond, and sec bua folk singing of the Muong ethnic
group. The Tam Dao Resort, located 86 km from Hanoi, between Ban Thach,
Thien Nhi, and Phu Nghia Mountains, is the ideal destination for vacations in
the north. The area, 1,000 m above sea level, has been known since the Ly
and Tran dynasties for its wonderful scenic spots. However, it was not
transformed into a resort by the French until the 20th century (1904–1906).
In Tam Dao, there are villas, hotels, restaurants, sports fields, swimming
pools, and dancing halls. The weather is cool all year round with an
average temperature of 20 to 22° C. In summer, tens of thousands of
tourists visit Tam Dao to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Bac
Giang:
Bac
Giang is located in North Vietnam, surrounded by Lang Son and Thai Nguyen to the
north, Hai Duong and Bac Ninh to the south, Hanoi to the west, and Quang Ninh to
the east. The main ethnic groups in this area are the Kinh, Tay, Nung, San Chay,
San Diu, and Hoa. The climate in Bac Giang can be divided into two distinct
seasons: the hot, rainy season lasts from May to September; the cold, dry season
lasts from November to March. The average temperature is 24° C. Famous sites
include Cam Son Lake, Khuon Than, and Suoi Mo. The Duc La pagoda,
also known as Vinh Nghiem Tu is situated in an area of rolling hills. In the
background is the Co Tien mountain range and to the left is the batiks of the
Luc river. Farther away is the Thuong river which converges with the Luc
River to form the Phuong Nhon junction. In front of the pagoda are vast
rice fields dotted with villages and hamlets hidden behind green bamboo groves.
Duc La pagoda, built in the 12th century, was the center of the Truc Lam
trinity: King Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Hoa and Huyen Quang resident monks who opened
a school of Buddhist preaching and established the Truc Lam religious sect. They
were in command of believers across the country. Duc La Pagoda remains a
major training center of Buddhism with wooden shelves for the printing of
Buddhist sutras still conserved as evidence of the important role of Vinh Nghiem
Tu.
Bac
Ninh:
 Bac
Ninh is located in North Vietnam. It is surrounded by Bac Giang to the north,
Hung Yen to the south, Hai Duong to the east, and Hanoi to the west. The main
ethnic groups living in this area are the Kinh, Tay, and Nung. Bac Ninh’s
climate is divided into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The
average temperature is 24° C. Famous sites include Phat Tich Pagoda,
Dau Pagoda, Dinh Bang Communal House, and the Lim Festival. But Thap
Pagoda is situated on the dike of the Duong River, Thuan Thanh district, Bac
Ninh province. The pagoda was built in the 17th century, during. the late
Le dynasty. Its founder was Chinese Buddhist Priest Zhus Zhus, who died in
1644. Queen Mother Trinh Thi Ngoc Truc requested that Lord Trinh Trang enlarge
the pagoda in 1646. The pagoda was built according to "Noi Cong Ngoai
Quoc" architectural style, and includes 10 buildings spread over 100
meters, from the three-entrance gate to the bell-tower and back house. The
Dinh Bang Communal House, located 20 km from Hanoi, is very famous in the
north of the country. Construction started in 1700 and finished in 1736.
The house is a place of worship for three tutelary spirits: Cao Son Dai Vuong,
God of land, Thuy Ba Dai Vuong, God of water, and Bach Le Dai Vuong, God of
harvest. The Dau Pagoda, also known as Dien Ung, was built in the
3rd century and is the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. The Phat Tich Pagoda,
where Buddhist monks were trained in the past, is located on Mount Phat Tich.
The pagoda, also called Van Phuc Pagoda, was built between the 7th and
10th centuries, and underwent several transformations throughout the years.
Situated 30 km from Hanoi, Bac Ninh Town is a hub of the South-North and
East-West transport routes, both on land and the waterways. In particular, the
waterway transport system is favorable for the development of the commercial
economy and culture. Archeological studies show that thousands of years
ago the ancient Viet inhabited this area. They established populous
villages and hamlets on the banks of the Cau, Dau and Duong Rivers. The ancient
Viet lived mainly by growing wet rice. One of the old cities of Bac Ninh
area, which fairly flourished from the 2nd to the 10th century was Luy Lau.
It was a big city and an international-level trading center. Bac Ninh was
the native place of the Ly dynasty (1010-1225), which developed the Dai Viet
civilization. At present the Do Temple in Dinh Bang Village, Tien
Son District worships 8 kings of the Ly dynasty. After the Nhu Nguyet
River victory in 1077, the poem Nam quoc son ha (the mountains and rivers of
Vietnam), which is considered the first independence declaration of the
Vietnamese nation, was read on the bank of the Cau River. Bac Ninh is also
the native place of many great men of culture, history and military of Vietnam,
such as Ly Van Hanh, Ly Cong Uan, Ly Nhan Tong, and Nguyen Phi Y Lan. This
area has a tradition of love for learning and is well known for having had many
doctoral laureates. Bac Ninh is the homeland of temples and pagodas as
well as festivals and folk rituals. It is a renowned center of Buddhism with
many big and ancient temples and pagodas. These temples and pagodas are
architectural and sculptural works reflecting the expertise of the Viet
artisans. Bac Ninh villages and hamlets have been preserved and developed
for thousands of years. Each village has its own fetes and rituals, which are
organized annually with diverse and attractive cultural activities and artistic
performances. In Bac Ninh there are a lot of art villages, such as Dong
Ho Village engaged in making folk paintings, the ceremonial song-singing
village of Thanh Tuong, the water puppetry village of Bui Xa, and
Da Hoi, Dong Ky, Tam Lu and Tam Bao villages which have quite a few classical
opera troupes and renowned artists. Activities in trade, handicrafts,
tourism and agricultural production flourish.
 Quang
Ninh:
 Quang
Ninh is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam. It shares a 170 km border
with China and is surrounded by Lang Son, Bac Giang, Hai Duong, and Hai Phong
provinces. Several ethnic groups live in this province, although the Kinh,
Dao, and Tay are the most numerous. The tropical humid climate has an
average annual temperature of 25°C.
Sapa
was first discovered by the French in late 19th century. It soon became
famous in Indochina for its ideal climate. In colonial times, French
officials from Hanoi the port city of Hai Phong and Hai Duong used to flock to
Sapa in summer to escape the unbearable tropical heat in the low-lying land.
At that time, some 200 detached cottages and villas were built for French
colonialists. The most imposing villas were that of the Sixth Bureau, the
Governor General and the Metropole hotel. Now there remain only dozen or
so villas. Yet even the existence of this small number of villas can
attract keen interest from architecturally minded visitors for their gothic
style of architecture. Situated at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea
level, Sapa is as cool in summer as the low-lying land below in autumn.
The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town of Sapa are
some detached wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside,
behind thick pine forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning. Sapa
is home to various families of flowers of captivating colors, which can be found
nowhere else in the country. When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival, comes,
Sapa is filled with the pink color of peach blossom brought from the vast
forests of peach just outside the town. Sapa is regarded as the kingdom of
orchids. Visitors to Sapa in summer cannot fail to sample some yellow
peach, whose origins go back to Yuannan in China. The sweet taste of Tan Van
plum and pearl is found only in the Sapa forests. From time immemorial
Sapa has been known near and far for its valuable medicinal herbs the vast
preserve of which almost remained untapped. Sapa has many natural sites
such as Thac Bac, Thuy Cung Grotto, Gio Cave, Troi Gate, and Truc Forest.
Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to
reach the top of Fansipan Mountain. On Sundays, Nung, Dao, Tay, Cao Lan,
Paxi, and Xa Phong minorities ride down the mountain in their colorful clothes
to take part in the Sunday market at the foot of Fansipan Mountain.
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