Visiting the Northwest, you will experience an unforgettable trip on wild paths and discover many tourism treasures.
You will be tempted by the splendid beauty of majestic Fansipan Mountain and Y Ty Jungle in Lao Cai province and Ha Giang nature reserve in Ha Giang province and catch sight of spectacular scenery of the “Big Four Passes” of the Northwest, namely O Quy Ho Pass (Lao Cai province), Khau Pha Pass (Yen Bai province), Pha Din Pass (Dien Bien province) and Ma Pi Leng (Ha Giang province).
You can also contemplate waterfalls pouring from hundreds of metres high with water sprays jetting into the air like Bac Waterfall and Tinh Yeu Waterfall (Lao Cai province), Dai Yem Waterfall (Son La) and Tac Tinh Waterfall (Lai Chau) or simply live with the bustling atmosphere of unique Northwest markets like Dong Van Market (Ha Giang province), Bac Ha Market (Lao Cai) and Sa Pa Central Market. The most famous market in the Northwest is Khau Vai Love Market in Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province. This special market opens only once a year from the night of the 26th day and the daytime of the 27th day of the third lunar month for couples in love who are unable to marry.
The Northwest is also the land of traditional festivals. You can join Hung Temple Festival in Phu Tho province commemorating the anniversary of the father and mother of Vietnamese peoples, or join traditional festivals of hill-tribe ethnic groups like Gau Tau Festival (Mong people), Dancing with Flames Festival (Dao people in Pa Then, Ha Giang province), Mountain Ebony Festival (Thai people in Son La province), Boat Racing Festival (Quynh Nhai district, Son La province), Horse Racing Festival (Bac Ha district) and Upper Temple Festival (Lao Cai province).
You can also get a view of colourful costumes of mountain peoples made from unique traditional brocade. You can also join community-based tourism activities in Mai Chau, Sa Pa, Moc Chau and Dong Van – Meo Vac areas, including preparing family meals, doing farming and picking medicinal herbs, and sense the warm love of indigenous peoples in the night illuminated by flickering flames.
Northwest is also an ideal land for those who want to explore the history of Vietnam, since it records glorious victories of the nation, evidenced by Son La Prison, Dien Bien Phu Battlefield (Muong Phang – Dien Bien), Hoang A Tuong Mansion, Trung Do Temple, Upper Temple (Lao Cai), and Lung Cu flag tower (Ha Giang).
Spring is coming in the Northwest, where nature is filled with vitality and the atmosphere is joyful and boisterous. Being soaked in warm flowering spring and discovering unique festivals, the Northwest is getting closer to those who love this land.