Holiday season
Update: Dec 24, 2014
In Viet Nam, the end of year is a holiday season.  Below are the suggested locations for tourists who intend to go on a tour on this occasion.

Sa Pa Stone Church (Lao Cai Province)

Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province has been known for its great natural landscape. Lucky tourists can even see snow there in winter. Besides a cool climate all year round, Sa Pa attracts travelers by its unique cultural identity of ethnic groups living in nearby areas such as Ta Van and Cat Cat. Visitors can discover the villages by staying and working with local families, or visit popular destinations like Sa Pa Stone Church, Ham Rong Mountain or Silver Fall.

A walk into Sa Pa Market may give you an interesting experience with many stalls selling brocade and fine art items of Dao and H’Mong peoples and other ethnic minority groups, as well as special fruits from the forest. Dishes grilled over simmering coal stoves are served in cold weather. Don’t forget to visit the famous Love Market on weekend where young local men and women gather for singing, chatting and hanging out in colorful outfits.

Love Market can also be seen in Ha Giang Province whose staggering beauty will surprise visitors travelling on the snaking roads alongside the hills. Villages appear vaguely amid valleys, immersing in imposing nature. Travelling hundreds of kilometers to the border area of the country, visitors can come to Quan Ba Mountain, conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass and discover Cong Troi (The Gate of Heaven), Lung Cu Flagpole. The  upland features distinct cultures, the hospitable welcome and special dishes in the local markets, which may make tourists repeat their visits.

Another mixture of natural beauty and cultural values is Ninh Binh Province. Ninh Binh is well known for Tam Coc Bich Cave system where tourists can sit on a small boat drifting along Ngo Dong River, going through limestone mountains to fancy caves. Recently, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh has been recognized as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. Besides, the destination used to be the capital city of many imperial dynasties such as Dinh and Post-Le Dynasty. Bai Dinh Pagoda is a towering religious structure with a system of temples and statues which set many records in Viet Nam.

Coming to these destinations, visitors will be immersed in the beauty of nature and delight in exploring the unique cultural activities.

SGT