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Map of Northern Vietnam (Back Story)
We planned our Northern Vietnam trip using nothing but Google Maps and various blogs.
The blogs helped us discover the top attractions, while the maps showed us exactly how to reach them. Once we gathered all the details, we connected the dots to create a route that flows exactly the way we like.
Our trip was short and did not turn out perfect, but it became one of the most memorable for me. I cherish the moments of laughter and wonder we made during our visit to Hanoi, Ninh Ninh, and Sapa.
Wait, not perfect? Why?
For the most part, the weather in Sapa was the reason. But I look back now with a better sense of all the amazing attractions across Northern Vietnam. I realize we could have planned a better itinerary.
If I had known there was so much more to explore in the north, we would have stayed longer to make the journey worth it.
Now, I want to make sure nobody misses the best parts of Northern Vietnam like we did. So I created this map to help with that. It is the same one I will carry when I head back to have the experience we should have had from the start.
Heading to Northern Vietnam soon? You can download this map and send it to whoever is coming along. It is a great way to find out what everyone wants to do 🙂
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
Northern Vietnam Google Maps Links
| 1 to 10 | 11 to 20 | 21 to 30 | 31 to 39 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hanoi 2. Old Quarter 3. French Quarter 4. Ba Dinh District 5. Dong Da District 6. Tam Dao 7. Perfume Pagoda 8. Duong Lam Ancient Village 9. Cuc Phuong National Park 10. Halong Bay | 11. Halong Bay Cruise 12. Cat Ba Island 13. Ninh Binh 14. Pho Co Hoa Lu 15. Trang An 16. Tam Coc 17. Bai Dinh Pagoda 18. Van Long Nature Reserve 19. Phat Diem Cathedral 20. Moc Chau | 21. Tea Plantation 22. Bach Long Bridge 23. Mai Chau 24. Pu Luong Rerserve 25. Thai Ethnic Minority Village 26. Sapa 27. Fansipan 28. Cat Cat Village 29. Muong Hoa Valley 30. Ha Giang | 31. Don Van Karst Geopark 32. Lung Cu Flag Point 33. Dinh Vua Meo 34. Quan Ba Heaven Gate 35. Tu San Canyon 36. Cao Bang 37. Ban Gioc Waterfalls 38. The Tiger Cave 39. God’s Eye Mountain |
Northern Vietnam Trip Recommendations
Looking at the map, you can see there are more attractions than you can count on your fingers. If you feel overwhelmed trying to choose which spots to add to your plans, I have some suggestions for you.
Starting with the arrival:
If you’re heading to Northern Vietnam, I’m sure you’ll be touching down at Noi Bai International Airport. From there, it is actually pretty easy to head straight to spots like Sapa or Halong Bay. They’re two of the biggest highlights in the region.
While you can do that, I recommend making time for Hanoi first. This is especially true if you land on a weekend because the city comes alive then.
Hanoi Walking Street happens on weekend evenings and is a must see. I enjoyed the free cultural performances and games so much. The Hanoi Night Market runs at the same time too, so it is a double win.
If you haven’t heard of the Walking Street before, take a look at my post about my experience that night.
Like most people traveling through Northern Vietnam, we used Hanoi as our home base. Why? If you look at a map, you’ll notice the best spots are pretty close to the capital, which makes day trips a breeze.
If that’ll be your plan, you should definitely think about adding Ninh Binh to your list. It is a quick two-hour drive from Hanoi and offers a mix of adventure, culture, and nature all in one go.
You get to see stunning temples and the same kind of karst mountains found in Halong Bay while you are out on a boat. Take a look at my post about our Ninh Binh day trip to see what it was like.
Can I tell you the truth?
I chose Northern Vietnam over the South because I wanted real nature and adventure. You can see on the map that this region holds the true highlands and the most unique landscapes in the country.
If you happen to be a traveler who loves beautiful scenery as much as I do, you will find this area is absolute paradise.
The thing is, Ninh Binh is only the start of this breathtaking scenery in Northern Vietnam! I invite you to check out my bucket list for the region’s mountain destinations to see exactly what I mean.
Final Words
After finishing the map and researching the attractions, I realized one thing. That is exploring Northern Vietnam looks like a two-week trip.
This fourteen-day journey covers everything from cities and towns to mountain tops. Also, coastal regions, along with scenic valleys, rivers, and traditional ethnic villages. Think about how many incredible new experiences we can create!
Are you ready to start mapping out your adventure?
I’ve gathered some helpful travel tools and recommendations to simplify your planning. Feel free to take a look.
Planning to Visit Northern Vietnam?
Don’t forget to grab all my Northern Vietnam maps to make planning easier. Just click any map below to see the details. Also, check out my travel planning resource page (button also at the end). It has everything you need, from flights and hotels to transfers, tours, and more.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
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