The mountains are my sanctuary.
It’s where I sense true adventure. It’s where I find peace. And the spectacular views they offer? Ah! Nothing else in nature can fill me with awe like them.
This is why I chose to explore Northern Vietnam on my trip to Vietnam.
Top 5 Destinations from Hanoi for Breathtaking Mountain Views
I’m telling you, you would not believe how marvelous this region is.
The landscape here is stunning, far beyond scenic. From the limestone pillars that rise from the sea to the roof of Indochina, there is plenty to see. But, as I plan my trip, five stood out the most to me: Ha Long. Sapa. Ninh Binh. Ha Giang. Mai Chau. They made up my Northern Vietnam travel bucket list.
Since my trip had limited time, choosing which ones to visit turned out to be a real challenge for me. That’s true, particularly since they’re all only a few hours away from Hanoi by bus or car. Let me tell you more about each of them.
Ha Long
Sapa
Ninh Binh
Ha Giang
Mai Chau
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.
Our Pick: Best Destinations for Unwinding
Out of these five, can you guess what I picked? I went with Sapa and Ninh Binh. Hanoi was my base for both trips. I took a day trip to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, and then I headed to Sapa for a two-day adventure.
Actually, it should be “we” instead of “I,” since I wasn’t alone on these trips in Northern Vietnam. My grade and high school friend joined me, and she even helped pick Sapa and Ninh Binh for our itinerary.
So, did we make the right choice? Did we enjoy Sapa and Ninh Binh? Were these two mountain destinations worth it?
Even though the trips didn’t turn out exactly as the mountain adventures we had imagined, I’d still say yes. They gave us some amazing memories to treasure. The funny moments on top of Fansipan in Sapa still bring a smile. Our adventures with our Korean friends in Trang An, Ninh Binh do too. I always recall them with fondness.
Anyway, our time at these two spots might have been better if we had done more research.
Keep in mind, these are all natural attractions. The weather determines much of the experience. We didn’t check the season or the forecast, and as a result, we didn’t get the most out of our trip.
You can see our reality versus expectation at Mount Fansipan for a clear picture. In short, clouds shrouded the peak, and all we saw was fog.
In hindsight, we would have had a more pleasant trip if we’d chosen Ha Long instead of Sapa. I mean, seeing a wall of clouds from the sea is just impossible!
But there were a few reasons we went with Sapa and Ninh Binh. Looking back, our main goal for the trip was to unwind in peace, away from the crowds. Work had us completely drained, and a quiet vacation felt perfect. Sapa and Ninh Binh gave us exactly that.
If our goals line up, I’m sure the hotels in Sapa have everything you’re looking for. They have facilities that let you relax while taking in some of the most scenic views in Vietnam.
On our trip, we loved the infinity pool at our hotel. We could splash around and enjoy the scenery without having to squeeze in with a crowd. It was amazing. We stayed at Bamboo Sapa Hotel.
In Ninh Binh, which is a newer destination, the karst landscapes felt like they were almost all ours. Other tourists were around, but there were no long lines, no delays, and no hassles. It was almost the complete opposite of what people say about Halong Bay online.
Yes, the crowds there are exactly why we decided to skip the ultra-famous Halong Bay.
Read the complete details why we chose Ninh Binh over Halong Bay.
How about Ha Giang and Mai Chau?
They are strong contenders to Sapa when it comes to nature and cultural experiences. Each has its own rice terraces, indigenous communities, and adventures.
But Sapa has Fansipan. Not only is it the tallest mountain in Indochina. But, also, visiting it offers so much to enjoy. There’s scenic cable cars, a photogenic train station, temples above the clouds and more.
For our short trip to the mountains in Northern Vietnam, that turned out to be an ideal choice for us. It was a great chance to make the most of our time.
Before you go, make sure to check out my story about how Hanoi changed the way I see travel. It’s all about the day I spent exploring the city and includes tips to help make your trip special.
You can also take a look at my Hanoi Travel Map and the Old Quarter walking route map below. They’ll help you make sure you don’t miss any of the most interesting spots in Hanoi.
Planning to Explore Hanoi?
Take a look at these maps and travel planning resources that can help you organize your trip.
Plan your visit with my Hanoi map, grouping the city’s must-see spots into a simple 2- or 3-day travel itinerary.
Dont skip any highlights by using my map and the walking route designed for an easy visit through Hanoi Old Quarter.
Find the best hotel deals, top experiences, and breathtaking day trips from Hanoi using trusted travel companies with my travel planning resources. Everything you need for your trip is there including SIM cards, car rentals, flights, and more.
Let’s Go Explore Northern Vietnam!
Hanoi makes it easy to explore Northern Vietnam without having to hurry. We managed a day trip to Ninh Binh and a two-day stay in Sapa during our visit. Have a look at our four-day itinerary by clicking the button below.
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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