When you are doing the Ha Giang Loop there are two weekend markets to consider Dong Van and Meo Vac -- both worth...
Northern Vietnam
St. Joseph’s Cathedral — Hanoi
St Josephs Cathedral was built in the late 19th century during the French occupation of Vietnam. It is a neo-gothic...
Ninh Binh — Tam Coc
Ninh Binh is a great alternative to Ha Long Bay if you are visiting Hanoi but pressed for time. Ha Long bay usually...
Train Street — Hanoi
Train Street in Hanoi is a very popular tourist destination particularly with the Instagram and TikTok content...
Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam Ancient Village is only about 45km outside of Hanoi proper but feels a world away. A well preserved village...
Temple of Literature — Hanoi
The temple of Literature dates back to 1076 when it was Vietnams first university or Imperial Academy. Lovely grounds...
Opera House — Hanoi
The Hanoi Opera House is a beautiful example of French architecture. It was modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris...
Quanh Thanh Temple — Hanoi
In the heart of West Lake in Hanoi there is a well known lovely temple on an Island. Quanh Thanh Temple cast amazing...
Lenin Park
Lenin Park is near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area and a very popular place to visit. There are little cars for...
Du Gia
Depending on the direction you do the loop this is often the first or last overnight. Quite different from the stops...
Halong Bay
Ha Long Bay is a magical place. Yes there are too many boats and yes the pollution is an issue. But get away from the...
Street Photography — Hanoi
Hanoi has to be the best city in Vietnam for treet photography. The old quarter, Hoa Kiem lake, and the streets around...
Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)
The famous prison where John McCain was kept during the American War (Vietnamese don't call it the Vietnam War). Not...
Bonus Photo Spots Hanoi
Some lesser known photography spots.
Thang Long Citadel
The Thang Long Citadel is a Unesco World Heritage site. Built by the Ly Viet Dynasty to mark the independence of the...
Ban Gioc
The Ban Gioc waterfalls are 1/2 in Vietnam and 1/2 in China. They are the highlight of most peoples visit to Cao Bang....
Bamboo Ferry
There is a bamboo ferry crossing of the Nho Que river between the Meo Vac area and Bao Lac. You will also be moving...
Nho Que River
The Nho Que river snakes its way along the eastern side of the Ha Giang loop in Meo Vac. Certainly one of the more...
French Fort
Route DT176 from Du Gia towards Mau Due is a great ride. Along the way you will come across the ruins of an old French...
Angel Eye
Angel Eye mountain is a really special spot fairly close to Cao Bang city. There are homestays close by and even a...
Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Reservoir
The ride from the Ha Giang or Hoang Su Phi area will take you past some lovely countryside and parts of Tuyen Quang. A...
Tu Le
Tu Le is another rice growing area near Mu Cang Chai. It's a bit closer to Hanoi so you can get there in one day if...
Mu Cang Chai
When you see images of terraced rice fields in Vietnam, most likely it is an image from Mu Cang Chai. Lots of lovely...
Sa Pa
Sa Pa is a very popular tourist destination with trekkers and photographers. It covers quite a large area and for...
Phong Nam
Phong Nam is an amazing valley with a winding river and limestone Karst mountains. Foreigners are required to get a...
Hoang Su Phi
This is the most rugged area in Ha Giang province. The roads are not as well maintained, the grades steeper. But in...
Countryside Cao Bang
An under appreciated mountainous province in the northeast. Some of the most pastoral views can be found in the...
Yen Bai
Yen Bai is both a province and city name. A rural area in the Northwest best known for the rice fields in Mu Cang...
Ba Be Lake
Ba Be lake is the largest natural lake in Vietnam. It is a great halfway point between Hanoi and Ha Giang. Or a...
Y Ty
The northernmost part of Sa Pa, on the border with China. Foreigners need a permit to overnight in this...
Du Gia French Fort
Video -- A derelict French fort from their occupation in the late 19th century.
Ha Giang to Lung Cu
Video -- The first leg of the Ha Giang loop. This is typically a 2-3 journey.