Top Reasons to Go

Conquer Vietnam’s highest peak: Scaling Mt. Fansipan is no small feat—it stands proud at 10,308 feet. The two-day hike to the summit can be wet and arduous, but if you get lucky with the weather you’ll have the best vista in the country.

Tackle the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike: Vietnam has its fair share of classic road trips, but none are more epic than the so-called Ha Giang Loop, which starts in Ha Giang and entails a 500-mile loop around the province. The most common route goes clockwise and stops in Dong Van, Bao Lac, Be Be Lake, and Cho Ra. You can also attempt the Northwest Loop, which goes from Hanoi to Sapa and back via Dien Bien Phu, although this route has lost popularity in recent years. Soak up the scenery and enjoy meeting all types of people.

Travel your taste buds in Sapa: Beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, few destinations in Vietnam can claim as much culinary variety as Sapa. Sample contemporary takes on hill-tribe cuisine, decadent French cakes, and even pizza.

Bike around Mai Chau Valley: Hard-core exploration it is not, but the flat floor of the Mai Chau valley is ideal territory for using pedal power to propel yourself between traditional White Thai villages, buying expertly woven garments and souvenirs along the way.

Brush up on some history in Dien Bien Phu: Scene of one of the greatest victories in Vietnamese military history, the otherwise sleepy Muong Thanh Valley abounds with significant sights. Bone up at Dien Bien Phu Museum before visiting evocative remnants of conflict in the area.