Part II: Beauty Spots in the Northwest

1. Moc Chau Highland

Staying at the height of 1050 meters, Moc Chau plateau is worth visiting and should not be missed whenever you cross the greenery plateau, about 200 kilometers from Hanoi, on the way to the northwestern region. Considered as the Da Lat of the north, Moc Chau is very appealing to tourists who are escaping the heat of Hanoi, and other parts of Vietnam, in the summer time, as the plateau lies in a temperate climate region, with average summer temperatures of 20C. On the Moc Chau plateau, there is a dairy farm and a state-run factory producing black tea for exports. The Moc Chau farm was established in 1958. It is one of the biggest farms supplying fresh milk and tea of Vietnam. Visiting the plateau, you will watch immense material fields and gardens covered with white-blossom plum-trees. Moc Chau possesses most tourism resources of Son La and the northwest mountainous part of Northern Vietnam. Coming to Moc Chau, you will have chance to visit historic relics, the Son Moc Huong Cave, pine forest, the Chien Vien pagoda, the Dai Yem Waterfall, the Phieng Luong Peak, and cultural mountain villages of the H Mong, Dao people in Van Ho where you will be witnessed Mua Khen, eat ethnic dishes and specialties, and purchase traditional handicrafts of Vietnam.

2. Kim Boi Hot Spring

Kim Boi hot spring is a natural mineral spring located at Mo Da hamlet, Ha Bi commune, Kim Boi suburban district, Hoa Binh province, about 70 kilometers away from Ha Noi on highway 6 and far from Hoa Binh city around 30 kilometers. About

30km drive from Hoa Binh will lead to a rest house named Kim Boi. The house was built near a large mineral water pool. Visitors sitting inside the house can hear the water, which is at a constant temperature of 36C, continuously spouting out. Scientific tests have shown that the mineral water at Kim Boi is suitable to drink, bathe, and use in the treatment of rheumatism, intestinal diseases, stomachache, and high-blood pressure. Kim Boi mineral water is bottled for drinking. It has almost the same composition as certain well-known foreign brands of mineral water The best time for swimming in public pool is the early hours of the day, around 6 a.m to 8 a.m, because the new water is pumped into the pool and there are few people there during that time. Many people love to stand where the hot water runs into the pool as it's hotter. One of the interesting places to visit in Kim Boi is the local market, about 3km from the hot spring. There are many local products sold at the market, for example, mushrooms, dried bamboo, banana flowers, taro, rice wine, sticky rice cooked inside bamboo pipes, etc.

3. Lai Chau- a beautiful mountainous land

As far as 450 kilometers from the capital, there locates a highland in northwest Vietnam, namely Lai Chau. This complex of plateaus is situated at the altitude of 1,500m above sea level, comprising high mountains, pure streams and rivers. Accordingly, the town has a similar weather to Sapa (Lao Cai), being cool and mostly foggy all the year round, making it a visionary land in between mountains. The annual average temperature is from 21oC 23oC, with two seasons: hot-rainy and dry-cold seasons. Lai Chau is said to be the land of Ban and Dao flowers, the unique ones of jungles, which attract and inspire thousands of artists. Most of all, as the nations highest

mountainous region, the beauty of Lai Chau is structured by the high mountain ranges stretching from the Northwest to the southeast. It shares the Fansipan Mount top of the Vietnams highest mountain range (Himalaya) with Sapa. Among others, some plateaus such as Sin Ho, Ta Phinh, Dao San, etc. are even higher than 1,500m, thus being covered in cloud, fog, and purely cool atmosphere all the time. Apart from high mountains, Lai Chau is also rich in narrow valleys, beautiful rivers and springs. The longest and largest river in the province is Da river.

4. Sapa
Sapa is a scenic spot in northwestern Vietnam, 350km from Hanoi by road and 38km from Lao Cai Town. That area of Lao Cai Province is well-populated. It is 1,600 meters above sea level and stands in a valley with cool weather. The highest temperature in summer is 20-21 degrees Celsius. In winter, there is usually cloud and fog, and it is very cold. Not far to the west of Sapa is the 3,143-meter-high Fansipan Mountain, called the roof of Indochina." This mountain is attractive to tourists with a passion for adventure, discoveries and conquests. In the neighborhood of Sapa, there are many historical relics and beauty spots. The Sapa ancient rock expanse is a scattering of rocks in terraced fields. These rocks are inscribed with drawings, such as pictures and floral designs. Sapa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are splendidly beautiful. Markets are crowded and merry, and are especially attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods and products. Market sessions are also a chance for locals to promenade and young men and women in colorful costumes to meet, date or seek sweethearts. Sapas naturally gifted beauty keeps attracting more and more people to spend their vacation there since then. Particularly, the place is the foremost choice for honeymoon couples!

5. Mai Chau Valley

Mai Chau is located in Hoa Binh province, approximately 135 km from Hanoi and 60 km from Hoa Binh. From the top of Cun Mountain, one can admire the superb panorama of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses. Stilt houses border both sides of the roads. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo -slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the cooking as well as the making of the colorful tho cam, the material used by Thai minority to make their clothes, takes place in the kitchen. The windows are large and decorated with patterns. Each house also has a pond to breed fishes. You can get a good run off the top of the dam; hammer it down the road and up the steep runaway truck sidings. With the flood gates in full swing, the torrent of water creates a very damp wind tunnel; as the air is sucked under the thousands of cubic meters of water rushing pass each second. Its inspiring stuff, standing on the viewing platform just beside the wall of water The Sunday market brings a lot of people into town. People from different minorities living in the mountains come to Mai Chau market to sell their specific products: honey, bananas, corn, and tho cam made by skilled Thai women. The Sunday market is also an occasion to enjoy traditional Thai dishes and to participate in traditional dances. Mai Chau is the perfect escape from hectic Hanoi, and really ought to be visited even if you are on a tight tour schedule.