The Northwest is not only Sa Pa and Moc Chau.

The Northwest is an attractive tourist destination. Photo: Hai Tran/Unsplash

The Northwest or Northwest is the mountainous region in the West of the North, with an area of ​​50,576 km2. This area includes the territory of 6 provinces including Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai.

According to research by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of tourists coming to the Northwest tends to increase, however, the distribution is uneven among localities, highly seasonal, and the average length of stay is very short.

This shows that the tourism potential of this area has not been exploited and utilized, especially when the Northwest converges many factors to develop tourism with a temperate climate, unique natural scenery, rich traditional culture with many ethnic minorities living, along with the preservation of sacred historical values ​​associated with the process of building and defending the country.

Besides the famous and familiar form of community tourism, visitors can consider one of the following forms to experience a completely new Northwest.

Adventure travel

With its mountainous terrain and diverse forest ecosystems, the Northwest is an emerging destination for those who love adventure travel. The forms of adventure tourism here are very diverse, suitable for the needs and interests of tourists.

One of the most notable experiences is the paragliding experience in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai - starting from Khau Pha Pass - one of the "four great mountain passes" of Vietnam, flying over the typical terraced fields of the Northwest, and landing in Lim Mong Valley. With the paragliding experience in Si Thau Chai, Lai Chau, visitors will experience the panoramic view of Lai Chau's nature starting at Putaleng Peak - one of the three highest peaks in Vietnam.

Tourists experience the feeling of paragliding and enjoying the view from above. Photo: Hong Quang

In the Northwest, visitors can also experience the 1.2 km long zipline connecting Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai districts of Yen Bai province.

The zipline is fully equipped with safety equipment, so visitors can comfortably admire the wild, majestic and magnificent natural scenery.

Tourists experience the zipline route in Yen Bai. Photo: Luxury Travel

With its diverse mountainous terrain, the Northwest has many trekking routes for cloud hunting/view hunting so that travel enthusiasts can explore and challenge themselves. Famous trekking routes include Lao Than in Lao Cai, Nam Kang Ho Tao in Lai Chau, Ta Chi Nhu in Yen Bai or Ta Xua in Son La,...

Surreal cloud hunting view while trekking in Lao Than, Y Ty, Bat Xat, Lao Cai. Photo: Nguyen Anh Chiem

Cultural and historical tourism

Besides the cultural characteristics of each ethnic group, the Northwest region also inherits the country's traditional and historical heritage, especially the heritage of the long resistance war that Vietnam experienced.

Experiencing educational tourism combined with introducing the historical culture of the resistance lands is a unique experience when visiting the Northwest.

Tourists can visit Son La Prison, built by the French in 1908 - a place where soldiers were trained and nurtured, contributing to the victory of the August 1945 General Uprising.

Son La Prison Relic. Photo: Tay Bac Sense Travel

Along with that, the Dien Bien Phu Battlefield relic complex, including prominent relics such as A1 hill, Doc Lap hill, Hong Cum stronghold, Him Lam, Muong Thanh bridge, Dien Bien Phu stronghold's command bunker (or De Castries bunker), Victory Monument, Artillery Pulling Monument, Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command Headquarters... will also be a destination imbued with national spirit that tourists can visit, to feel the value of the historical feats that previous generations have built.

Command bunker of Dien Bien Phu stronghold (De Castries bunker). Photo: Tuan Mark, Manh Thang

Travel in new forms

Dubbed as the “miniature Ha Long Bay of the Northwest”, Song Da Lake in Quynh Nhai is becoming an emerging destination attracting the attention of tourists across the country. Here, visitors can experience a cruise on the emerald waters, overlooking the rocky mountains and large and small islands surrounding Song Da Lake.

Admiring the scenery of Song Da Lake, Quynh Nhai, Son La. Photo: Kien Trung/Son La Province Tourism Association

For those who want to experience a more innovative and eye-catching form of sightseeing, taking a helicopter to see the terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai will be a choice worth considering.

From above, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Mu Cang Chai with winding terraced fields tinged with the golden color of ripe rice.

Like a rough diamond being polished, Northwest tourism will certainly develop even more strongly in the future when the region's existing potential is focused on and exploited.