Kim Noi is one of my favorite rice area in Mu Cang Chai. It gets far fewer visitors than La Pan Tan and some of the other areas, though it is very popular with Vietnamese tourists. It’s a bit off of the main route 32 on the left hand side just as you’re leaving downtown Mu Cang Chai. For off-road motorcycle riders you can keep…
La Pan Tan is one of the most popular destinations in Mu Cang Chai. In the hills above Rt.32 there are m any great photo locations and homestays. This area is home to many Hmong families who tend to the terraced rice fields. Many of the Hmong families have created homestays where you can immerse yourself in their culture while visiting the rice terraces. The…
Moc Chau is a highland district in Lang Son that is well worth a visit. It is particularly popular during the plum tree blossom time in February to March. It is sometimes referred to as the Da Lat of the north for it’s rolling hills and cool climate. It is best known for the hills of tea fields much like Lang Coc closer to Hanoi.…
Thac Ba is a man-made lake from a hydroelectric project in Yen Bai. It is the ideal place to stop when heading to either Ha Giang or Sapa. It keeps either destination under 250km in distance. The water level varies quite a bit between the rainy and dry seasons with the homestay village of Vu Linh either waterfront or requiring a 200m easy walk to…
Long Coc is well positioned as a stopping point when heading to or from Mu Cang Chai to Hanoi. The ride from Mu Cang Chai to Hanoi is just a bit too far to be comfortable at near 300km. In a pinch you can do it and the roads are good but I try to stay under 250km per day. At ~00 km from Hanoi…
Without a doubt, Nam Cang, and the nearby areas are my favorite photography locations in the Sapa area. There is something quite magical about the area. You reach it from the far southern end of the main road in Sapa, DT152. It is around 1.5 hours from downtown SaPa. There are homestays in the first town you get to off of DT-132, Muong Bo. I…
Mai Chau is a great location for photography and is very popular during late winter and early spring (December to February) when the hills are full of plum blossoms. In addition to the plum trees people come to visit the many waterfalls. Waterfalls In the heart of Mai Chau, you’ll discover a collection of scenic waterfalls. Among them: Waterfall Name Best Time to Visit Mu…
When you are doing the Ha Giang Loop there are two weekend markets to consider Dong Van and Meo Vac — both worth getting up early for. All kinds of goods are for sale and the brightly colored ethnic minority women make for colorful photographs. The Dong Van market is a bit more concentrated and may have more colorfully attired attendees. But what makes the…
St Josephs Cathedral was built in the late 19th century during the French occupation of Vietnam. It is a neo-gothic styled church in the style of Notre Dame de Paris. A very impressive architectural building it nows serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi. Mass is every Sunday and can be very crowded with parishioners spilling out into the courtyard. You…
Ninh Binh is a great alternative to Ha Long Bay if you are visiting Hanoi but pressed for time. Ha Long bay usually takes 3-4 days if you are taking a short cruise. At under 2 hours from Hanoi, Ninh Binh can be done as an overnight trip or even a day trip though there is so much to see I’d spend a night. There…