Northern Vietnam

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… 

La Pan Tan is a great place to base yourself for a Mu Cang Chai trip and is one of the first areas you reach after coming over the Khau Pha Pass from Tu Le. There are two main entrances… 

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… 

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… 

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… 

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,… 

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… 

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…