The Unmissable Destinations To Enjoy The Beauty Of The Fall in North Vietnam

Vietnam is a sought-after place in the fall for travelers with a range of chilling and poetic moments. Though this is hurricane season in the center of Vietnam, the Northern shows off its charm with gentle sunlight, crisp air, and harvested rice fields. 

We would like to recommend to you some unmissable destinations in the fall that we are proud of and that our tour can give you the most unique and authentic experiences.

Hanoi

Let’s spend time rambling old quarters of Hanoi, enjoy the crisp air of autumn, inhale the scent of milkwood flowers (Hoa sữa), and catch some moments of this city full of yellow leaves. 

At this time, you also have an opportunity to immerse into the jovial atmosphere of the Mid-autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu) – one of the most interesting festivals in Vietnam. It happens on the August 15th Lunar Month with bright lanterns, various mooncakes, and spectacular lion dancing which creates colorful corners. Let’s seize the occasion to deeply explore some traditional craft villages specialized in making items unique to the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as Thuong Cung Village – making traditional moon cake mold or Ong Hao Village – making traditional masks, lanterns and other toys for children in this festival.
Moreover, one of the most elegant pleasures of Hanoians every autumn is “Cốm” (young sticky rice). It is wrapped in lotus leaves and savored with a few slices of banana to fully experience the fragrant taste of this autumnal gift. In modern life, young people still eagerly await the arrival of “cốm” vendors in the fall to indulge in this refined pleasure with a cup of coffee. We believe that the culture presented in normal life is a bridge to connect you and the land you come to.

Mu Cang Chai

Autumn is an ideal time for you to take an adventure to the Northwest mountainous areas of Vietnam, especially Mu Cang Chai with its majestic and poetic beauty. In the autumn, the rice plants turn a bewitching golden yellow and are ready for the harvest. Trekking through trails is a wonderful experience to absorb the picturesque scenery here with layers of rice terraces, tropical rainforest, bamboo forest, and fresh streams.

While you go trekking, you also can ramble into peaceful villages to meet hospitality people and feel the slow pace of life. This land is also famous for its rich culture as a home to diverse minority ethnic groups, especially Thai and H’Mong. We believe that your phone will be full of signature and enchanting photos of rice terraces here, as well as unique photos of Vietnamese ethnic groups.

Each season, Mu Cang Chai unveils its enchanting beauty, making it an unmissable land for travelers all year with full potential to become the next prominent tourist destination.

Mai Chau valley & Pu Luong nature reserve

Just about a 3-hour drive from Hanoi, you can step into a region described as a miniature version of the Northwest, Vietnam – Mai Chau. Northwest is renowned for its majestic yet rugged natural landscapes with inconvenient transport. Therefore, Mai Chau presents an ideal choice for those with limited time. This land is particularly enchanting during the autumn days with its lush rice fields, cool air, and the slow pace of rural life.

In particular, you will have a chance to explore Vân Hồ – a hidden gem just 30 km from Mai Chau. This is a pristine area where you’ll witness the most authentic and rustic life of local farmers. We are fully convinced that you will fall in love with its golden terraced fields, the gentle scent of ripe rice, waterfalls, and mineral hot springs.

Moreover, going a bit further is a hidden paradise – Pu Luong Nature Reserve where you can find yourself immersed in high biodiversity. Here you will find the harmonious combination of impressive limestone mountains covered with pristine jungle and stunning rice terraces in the harvest season.

This is also a rich cultural land where you will have a chance to experience the dying and weaving of the fabric of the White Thai people, as well as explore the importance of making traditional clothing for locals, especially women.

Let’s spend your weekend trekking and feel these picturesque places!

Van Long – Ninh Binh

Van Long is considered a hidden gem of Ninh Binh though it may not be a familiar destination to tourists. This is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Red River Delta region with an incredibly diverse ecosystem.

This is home to numerous species of animals and plants, many of which are in Vietnam’s Red Book such as white rump langur – a monkey listed in the category of the 25 most endangered primate species in the world. In particular, you will have a chance to enjoy a colorful picture of a variety of birds rarely seen elsewhere. In the afternoon, flocks of birds fly towards the lagoon and the rice fields making a vivid scene. 

Moreover, you will be immersed in the peaceful life of this pristine land when sitting in a rustic boat, taking a leisurely ride through the dike or the village, or trying an ox-cart with friendly locals. 

Van Long is more enchanting in the autumn with crisp air, glorious water lilies, and the surface as a giant mirror reflecting the image of sky, clouds, and majestic mountains.

Cat Ba – Lan Ha Bay

With Vietnamese tourists, Cat Ba is a highlight of summer vacation, however, life in Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay witness a slow pace in the fall with the peaceful nature and daily fishing routines of locals here.

Therefore, visiting Cat Ba and Lan Ha in the autumn is a chance for you to completely observe the normal lives of the locals, and explore fish markets, floating harbors, and fishing villages in the bay. You’ll get the tranquil and generous sense which is presented in both people and nature here.

Let’s try a kayak journey in the bay with a local guide who will bring you to discover the untapped beaches, and hidden lagoons nestled among the thousands of mountains and seafood farms away from the tourist routes. Pause at a fishing family’s home on a small boat, take a cup of tea, or enjoy a meal with them to gain a deeper understanding of the beauty of both the people and nature in this area.