Ha Giang, Sapa and The Far North

Plunging valleys cut by sparkling rivers, tiny Hmong villages, towering craggy mountains; terraces of stepped rice fields: it’s all about the stunning landscapes in the far north of Vietnam. There are two main regions to visit – Ha Giang and Sapa. The former is famous for the ‘Ha Giang Loop’ a winding highway that cuts through some of the most spectacular inland views in Southeast Asia. This can be experience over a few days in an old Vietnam war era Jeep, or by riding tandem on a motorbike. The latter is famous for its hikes, which lead through wonderful mountains and rice fields scenery. Hotels in both locations are very simple and most visitors are backpackers.