It can be said that tourists have never stopped admiring the beautiful natural treasures and unique traditional beauty in the provinces and cities located in the Northwest of Vietnam. The Northwest is not only a majestic, dangerous and poetic country with vast forests, terraced fields but also a folklore depository formed, preserved and developed for thousands of generations.

Vietnam’s Northwest: Location

The geographical space of the Northwest is not yet fully unified. Some argue that this is the area South of the Red River. Some say that this is the southern region of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Administratively, the Northwest consists of 6 provinces: Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Son La, and Hoa Binh. The total area of ​​the Northwest region is about 5,645 million hectares, accounting for 10.5% of the total area of ​​the country. Due to the mostly mountainous terrain, the population in the Northwest is only about 4.5 million people. 

Northwest area’s map

The Northwest has the famous Hoang Lien Son range with a length of up to 180 km, a width of 30 km, with some high peaks from 2800 to 3000 m. In addition, there is a 500 km long Song Ma mountain range, with peaks above 1800 m. Between these two mountain ranges is the low hilly area of ​​the Da river basin (also known as the Da river trough). In addition to the Da River, which is a large river, the Northwest region has only small rivers and streams, including the upper Ma River. In the Da river trough, there is also a range of limestone plateaus running from Phong Tho to Thanh Hoa, and can be subdivided into Ta Phinh, Moc Chau, and Na San plateaus. There are also basins such as Dien Bien, Nghia Lo, and Muong Thanh.

Vietnam’s Northwest: Climate

The climate of the Northwest is the factor that makes the Northwest tourism popular with many tourists. The Hoang Lien Son range is a very decisive factor to the weather and climate conditions of the Northwest region. The Hoang Lien Son high mountain range runs in the direction of Northwest - Southeast, playing the role of a wall to prevent the winter wind from passing to enter the Northwest territory without much weakening. Therefore, unless there is an influence of altitude, the climate in the Northwest is generally warmer than in the Northeast. Interestingly, the tourist destinations in the Northwest are usually cool all year round, even with snowfall like in Sapa in the winter because the terrain is much higher than in other areas of the Northwest. The cool climate is a favorable condition for tourism in the Northwest, winning the hearts of many tourists who come here to enjoy a great vacation and avoid the sweltering heat in the city.

Vietnam’s Northwest: Beauty

In addition to the dreamy and majestic natural scenery with high mountains, terraced fields winding around the mountainside or winding passes, the Northwest also makes visitors flutter by the diverse cultural beauty and good opportunity to learn about the human culture of the ethnic groups.

Ethnic people in Northwest Vietnam

Most of the Northwest is the cultural space of the Thai ethnic group, famous for the Xoe dance, typically the very famous and well-known spread of the flower dance. The Muong are the ethnic group with the largest population in the region. In addition, there are about 20 other ethnic groups such as H'Mong, Dao, Tay, Kinh, Nung, etc. Anyone who has been to the Northwest cannot forget the image of Thai girls with very special and brilliant dresses. represents the Northwest. Tourists coming here often come to visit villages to have new experiences in their Northwest trip. The mountainside region is home to ethnic groups belonging to the Mon - Khmer language group, whose main production activities are upland rice cultivation, cattle raising and some handicrafts. In the valley, the foothill area is home to ethnic groups belonging to the Vietnamese - Muong and Thai - Kadai language groups, where natural conditions are more favorable for the development of agriculture and other industries. Each region has its own unique culture, so you can feel it clearly when you set foot in different areas in the Northwest.

Destinations in Vietnam’s Northwest

Northwest tourism is receiving more and more attention from tourists in all parts of the country because of the impressive natural beauty of the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. In addition, the weather conditions and local culture also make visitors want to come here. If you have not had any destinations on your list, have a look at some of the beautiful places below.

Mu Cang Chai - Yen Bai

Mu Cang Chai is an attractive destination for those who love the beauty of the Northwest with terraced fields such as "stairway to heaven" and villages with unmistakable traditional beauty. 

The attractive destinations in Yen Bai that are frequently visited by tourists is Khau Pha Pass. Khau Pha pass or Cao Pha pass is a pass on Highway 32 in the land of Cao Pha commune, Mu Cang Chai district, on the border with Van Chan district, Yen Bai province. Khau Pha Pass is the longest and one of the most dangerous passes with a length of over 30 km. For anyone who loves adventure and discovering new and impressive destinations, Khau Pha Pass will definitely be the ideal place.

Moc Chau - Son La 

Moc Chau - Son La is also a tourist destination in the Northwest region that receives a lot of attention and love from tourists. It has many attractive tourist destinations and nature that pleases people. The road to Moc Chau is not too difficult like some other destinations in the Northwest. One of the most interesting attractions in Moc Chau is Dai Yem waterfall. The waterfall is formed from the confluence of Vat and Bo Sap streams falling into the limestone mountains. 

Dai Yem Waterfall in Moc Chau

The right time to visit Dai Yem waterfall is from April to October every year, when the amount of water poured in creates a majestic scene. In the summer, the strong flow of the waterfall makes the surrounding space cool by wind and dust. Arriving at Dai Yem Waterfall makes visitors' souls extremely comfortable because the steam cools a whole space. In addition, Moc Chau tea hill is also a destination not to be missed when visiting this place. Moc Chau tea hill is a wonderful place consisting of green tea hills, with a simple rustic space in the countryside, cool fresh air, the enthusiasm and simplicity of the people here will give you a sense of peace.

Dien Bien Phu - Dien Bien

If you are a fan of Historical events, especially Vietnam’s historical events, Dien Bien is a destination for you. Dien Bien - the name associated with historical battles and resounding and heroic victories of the nation. Coming to Dien Bien Phu, you can not only see nature but also have a journey to discover historical destinations, learn about the bloody and tearful defense of the fatherland. Victory Museum is a place you should not miss when visiting this province. 

Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum

As the largest, most monumental and modern work in Dien Bien province, Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum has extremely important significance in terms of history, culture as well as architecture. display of more than 1,000 artifacts and pictures detailing the progress of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 56 days and nights of digging mountains, sleeping in tunnels until the last day of the attack on Dien Bien Phu fortress. The museum deserves the victory "Splendid in five continents, shaking the world".

The Northwest, which possesses majestic mountains, cloud-covered passes, wonderful terraced fields, forests of banyan flowers - apricots - plums - peaches, bright smiles of ethnic children... all blend together to create a very charming Northwest, inviting those who love to explore the beauty of the highlands here.

Tags: Vietnamese history, Vietnamese cultures, Vietnamese destination, Vietnam’s Northwest area, travel Vietnam,  learn Vietnamese, Vietnamese nature, Vietnamese