Tiếng Việt
Not only possessing a wild, natural beauty with many magnificent landscapes, the Northwest is also famous for its heroic and poignant historical imprints. Tourist destinations such as Sapa, Moc Chau, Ha Giang, … always hold a strange attraction for visitors. Let’s follow in the footsteps of Tieu Dao Tu to return and explore the pristine beauty of the Northwest!
Khám phá ngay: Ngỡ ngàng trước 6 địa điểm săn mây ở Tây Bắc đẹp như thiên đường
Getting to the Northwest in Viet Nam
There are many ways to set foot in the Northwest. The first time I came here was on my cross-Vietnam journey, and I chose to travel by motorbike. The advantage of this method is that you can observe the beautiful scenery on both sides of the road and freely go to the places you want. However, the downside is that it can be quite tiring and time-consuming for those who are not familiar with the roads.
This time, as I was traveling with a group, buying a plane ticket was the mandatory and most convenient option. You can consider low-cost airlines that have many promotional programs, such as Bamboo Airways or Vietjet Air. My flight from Saigon to Dien Bien Phu Airport took about 2 hours.
Additionally, you can also choose other means of transport such as trains or buses to travel to the Northwest. Some train companies you can choose from are: Orient Express, Vivi Trans, Fansipan, Sapaly… The price for a hard-seat train ticket from Saigon to the Northwest is about 130,000 VND and 450,000 VND for a sleeper berth ticket.
Experiencing fascinating destinations
According to Tieu Dao Tu’s experience, to experience the most unique beauties of the Northwest, you should spend at least 5 – 6 days on your trip.
Bach Long Glass Bridge, Moc Chau, Son La
Bach Long Glass Bridge is known as the world’s longest pedestrian glass bridge, with a length of over 600m. This is the most prominent attraction for tourists in the Moc Chau Island tourist area. It is the third glass bridge in Vietnam, following the Rong May (Cloud Dragon) Bridge in Lai Chau and the Love Bridge, which is also in Moc Chau. The experience ticket price is 550,000 VND for adults and 350,000 VND for children between 1m and 1.4m tall.
Walking on the world’s longest glass bridge is not an easy challenge for those with a fear of heights, as it hangs precariously amidst the majestic mountains and forests. Personally, I really enjoyed the feeling of conquering it. The Bach Long Bridge is also equipped with a lighting and sound system to enhance the challenge as visitors step onto the glass surface.
Fansipan Peak
Located on the border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces, Fansipan is the highest mountain in the Hoang Lien Son range. From Sapa town in Lao Cai, it’s about a 10km journey to the southwest to reach it. As the highest peak in Vietnam and the “Roof of Indochina,” this 3,143-meter-high mountain attracts those passionate about exploration and conquest, and of course, that includes me.
Nowadays, the path to the top of Fansipan has become much easier with the installation of a cable car system, which has made the dream of conquest a reality for millions of tourists. The cable car ticket price for adults and children over 1.4m tall is 750,000 VND per person, and for children from 1m to 1.4m, it is 550,000 VND.
A note for those visiting the peak is to dress very warmly; the altitude of Fansipan combined with the cold climate of the Northwest is not pleasant at all. But reaching the top gives a very satisfying feeling, with clouds drifting by, enveloping everything and making the view very ethereal. Just by looking at the pictures, you can see how cloudy it is!
Dai Yem Waterfall – Son La
This place is also called “Thác Nàng” (Lady Waterfall) or “Thác Bản Vặt” (Ban Vat Waterfall) by the locals. The waterfall is located in the Moc Chau Plateau – an area considered to have some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Northwest. Dai Yem Waterfall is over 100m high and is divided into two parts. The upper waterfall has 9 tiers, and the lower waterfall has 5 tiers, located 200m away. Dai Yem Waterfall possesses an incredibly poetic beauty with its large, ancient trees and overlapping mountains and forests.
General Vo Nguyen Giap Memorial Site
This was a location I was very much looking forward to on this trip to the Northwest. Here, you can visit and take pictures at the former residence and workplace of the late General Vo Nguyen Giáp. I never imagined that a small, thatched house nestled amidst the majestic mountain scenery was the command post of one of Vietnam’s most talented and famous generals. The site also features many paintings and models recreating our people’s proud Dien Bien Phu victory.
How interesting is the cuisine of the Northwest?
Thắng cố
This dish has existed for over 200 years, originating from Yunnan province, China. It is made from the main ingredient of horse offal combined with the distinctive spices of the Northwest, creating a very special flavor that is rarely found elsewhere. Thắng cố is sold at many eateries in the Northwest and is best enjoyed while it’s still hot.
“Gác bếp” Meat (Smoked Meat)
The Northwest’s “thịt trâu gác bếp” (smoked buffalo meat) is probably already very famous. When you come here, you will see it sold in many places, but remember to choose carefully to avoid buying low-quality products. This dish is mainly made from the muscle and tenderloin of buffalo, which is marinated with spices then hung over a fire to be smoked until it turns from a bright red to a deep reddish-brown.
The current price for Northwestern smoked buffalo meat ranges from about 800,000 to 1,000,000 VND per kg and it can be easily found in stores.
Nậm pịa
This is a traditional dish of the Thai ethnic people and also the most unique specialty of the Northwest. The dish combines the offal and the intestinal fluid of an animal, which is then stewed until tender and seasoned to taste. Nậm pịa is a significant challenge for tourists due to its unusual ingredients and preparation method.
Pa pỉnh tộp
Pa pỉnh tộp is essentially the grilled fish dish of the Northwestern people. The difference lies in the way the fish here is marinated with traditional spices like mắc khén (a type of local pepper), ginger, lemongrass, and cardamom shoots before being grilled. The flavor of the fish after grilling is both aromatic and sweet, attracting many diners. To enjoy this dish, you can find it at restaurants and eateries in the Northwest with prices ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per portion.
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