North-west Vietnam offers travelers some of the country's most spectacular scenery. The mountainous areas are home to many distinct hill tribes, some still living as they have for generations, despite ever-increasing Vietnamese and Western influences.

Hwy 6 is mostly bitumen surface from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu - but the road is a thrill! Even more exciting is Hwy 32 between Dien Bien Phu and Lai Chau a dangerous cliffhanger frequently wiped out by landslides. This road is so rough it can jar the fillings out of your teeth. The ensuing stretch from Lai Chau into Sapa is bumpy in places, but offers some of the best mountain vistas in South-East Asia.

The north-west roads are improving bit by bit. However, if you suffer from vertigo, backache or (God forbid) haemorrhoids, you might want to stick to shorter trip. Many travel only as far as Mai Chau or Son La, or Sapa in the other direction, before turning back. Given the state of the roads, this is nut surprising.

The most interesting (and hair-raising) journey of all is the 'north-west loop'. Head for Mai Chau, followed by Son La and Dien Bien Phu, then north to Lai Chau, Sapa, Lao Cai and back to Hanoi. The loop route requires a 4WD or motorbike, and you should allow at least a week for this trip.

Provinces in the North-West Vietnam

• Ha Giang Province
• Lao Cai Province
• Lai Chau Province
• Dien Bien Province
• Tuyen Quang Province
• Yen Bai Province
• Son La Province
• Thai Nguyen Province
• Lang Son Province
• Cao Bang Province
• Bac Kan Province

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