Small local boats and islets in Bai Tu Long.

© Pascal Boegli/Getty Images

Northeast Vietnam

Northeast Vietnam includes Halong Bay, one of the region's biggest draws. Reasons to linger after your boat trip include the lesser-known but stunning Bai Tu Long Bay, the intersection of nature and culture that is Ba Be National Park, the otherworldly karst landscapes outside of Cao Bang and the urban options in Haiphong.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Unoccupied beach at the Lan Ha Bay in Vietnam

    Lan Ha Bay

    Cat Ba Island

    Lying to the south of Halong Bay off the north-eastern coast of Vietnam, the 300-or-so karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha are just as…

  • Cannon Fort, Cat Ba Island.

    Cannon Fort

    Cat Ba Island

    For one of the best views in Vietnam, head to Cannon Fort, where there are astounding panoramas of Cat Ba Island's jungle-clad hills, the harbour and the…

  • Hong Van beach in Co To Island.

    Hong Van Beach

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    Most Vietnamese visitors make a beeline for Hong Van Beach – and justifiably so. It's nearly 3km of fine, white sand lapped by blue water and backed by a…

  • Navy Museum

    Navy Museum

    Haiphong

    The Navy Museum is interesting for visiting sailors and US Vietnam veterans.

  • Cat Ba National Park.

    Cat Ba National Park

    Cat Ba Island

    Cat Ba's beautiful national park is home to 32 species of mammal, including most of the world's 65 remaining golden-headed langurs, the world's most…

  • Hang Coc Bo

    Hang Coc Bo

    Northeast Vietnam

    After 30 years of exile, Ho Chi Minh re-entered Vietnam in January 1941 and took shelter in this small cave in one of the most remote regions of Vietnam,…

  • Cruise ship at anchor in Bai Tu Long Bay, Vietnam.

    Bai Tu Long National Park

    Bai Tu Long Bay

    The spectacular islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, immediately northeast of Halong Bay, form Bai Tu Long National Park and are every bit as beautiful as their…

  • The hospital cave of Cat Ba Island in Vietnam

    Hospital Cave

    Cat Ba Island

    Hospital Cave served both as a secret bomb-proof hospital during the American War and as a safe house for Viet Cong (VC) leaders. Built between 1963 and…

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Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from Northeast Vietnam

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Mountain valley in Cao Bang province, northeast Vietnam.

Beaches

Beyond Halong Bay: lesser-known highlights of northeast Vietnam

Jan 8, 2016 • 4 min read

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Go Beyond

Northeast Vietnam and beyond

Beyond Northeast Vietnam
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