Northern Vietnam is full of culture and natural wonders. Its three most popular destinations, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa, are also among the most visited in Vietnam. The origin of Vietnamese culture and history is mostly from this region, especially the area around Hanoi. Its shoreline contains many beautiful islands, some of which are untouched. Many backpackers also favor the impressive landscape in the northern mountains in Ha Giang and Sa Pa. With Hanoi consistently ranking among the world's top 10 destinations by TripAdvisor, the region gets more touristy every day; one can now find European tourists as far as Ha Giang, one of the most remote provinces.

With the latest economic and building booms, traditionally farming provinces around Hanoi, such as Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Hung Yen and Hai Duong, have now been largely industrialized.