The remote northwest of Vietnam appeals to those wanting to get off the beaten track in one of Vietnam's most beautiful, unaffected and untouristed areas.
The travellers who do venture to Mai Chau, Son La
and Dien Bien Phu often do so by way of a hired jeep and driver or do
it by motorbike, while those striking straight north to Vietnam's
hilltribe capital of Sapa avail themselves of the comfortable and efficient overnight train to Sapa. Whichever way you're headed, prepare yourself for stunning scenery as you pass through spectacular ravines and over breathtaking passes.
Best known for the
burgeoning trekking centre of Sapa, there is a lot more worth investigating in this part of the country. The remote French firebase of Dien Bien Phu
remains a drawcard, but it's as much the attraction of the trip there
as the town itself that is worth visiting. A trip to Dien Bien Phu is
easily combined with an approach to Sapa via "the back way" over the Fansipan pass
(Vietnam's highest), allowing for more stunning scenery and the
opportunity to see some of the less touristed parts of the country.
Another popular destinations is Mai Chau
whose day-trekking and stunning scenery have helped it develop into a
small tourist centre en-route to Dien Bien Phu -- many trips from Hanoi
run out to Mai Chau -- and with good reason. It also forms a comfortable
spot to rest those weary limbs before continuing onwards and up into
the hills.
More and more travellers are now heading up into this part of the country, in part due to the long-awaited opening of the
border crossing into Laos near Dien Bien Phu -- yes, it's true, you really can cross here now!
This is a time consuming part of Vietnam to visit, but if you have the
time, the northwest is well worth adding into your trip plans.