Albeit small and provincial, this quaint town in Northern Vietnam is surprisingly filled with visitors, both local and foreign, not only during peak season but actually the whole year round. Good weather, untouched nature, and unique minority groups, this place is one of the perfect getaways from the busy and stressful city life. And as if that's not enough, visitors can enjoy their vacation even more by exploring other tourist attractions just beyond Sapa.

Tam Dao Hill Station. Elevated over 1,200 meters above ground, with an average temperature of 180 degree Celsius in the summer and 10 degree Celsius during winter, Tam Dao is the perfect escape from the heat. Located 80 kilometers from Hanoi, Tam Dao is composed of elegant colonial villas and was once the vacation destination of the French. But the war in the 1950s destroyed most of these structures, replaced today by modern hotels and resorts. Mountain sight-seeing, trekking, bird-watching, and a national park are more of what Tam Dao offers to its visitors.

Mai Chau. Famous for its ethnic minority culture, especially the Thai group. It is located 135 kilometers from Hanoi, or 60 kilometers from Hoa Binh City. Stilt houses make up the road along the way to the green valley, which tourists can visit during their stay, along with doing other activities such as cooking and even making clothes. Homestay programs are available for visitors, who have the unique opportunity and pleasure of experiencing local rituals such as traditional music and dancing, and food specialties such as rice cooked in bamboo tubes and grilled meat on skewers. The Sunday local market is a chance for both residents and tourists to converge and discover each other in a fun-filled day of festivals, diverse language, and traditions.

Lai Chau. Known for its panoramic landscape and untouched local culture. It is located in the Northwest region, 450 kilometers from Hanoi. It is composed of highland villages situated about 1,500 meters above ground. Sin Ho, Ta Phin, and Dao San are just some of these villages. Because of its high altitude, the temperature is generally cool, about 20 degree Celsius. Lai Chau is also famous for its narrow valley, waterfalls, and three big rivers: Da; Nam Na; and Nam Mu. Tourists can go mountain trekking, river-sailing (along Da River), cave exploration, and hot spring-bathing. Lai Chai has about 20 ethnic minority groups, some of which are H'Mong, Thai, Dao, Ha Nhi, Mang, and La Hu. Like Mai Chau and other provinces, Lai Chau has a local market every Thursday and Sunday wherein visitors will have the chance to observe the multi-cultural society of the place through festivals and other traditions.

Phia-Den Phia Oac. Mountain ranges, caves, rivers, and forests are what composes Phia Dac, making it a possible ecotourism area in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is also elevated above ground, 1,500 meters with a 1,931 meter-peak. Like Sapa, it used to be a French colony mostly because of its abundance in wood and minerals. French villas and military posts still exist in the area for tourists to visit, along with meeting the ethnic minority group Dao.

Mu Cang Chai. Though considered to be one of Vietnam's poorest regions, Mu Cang Chai is abundant in terraced fields which were in fact recognized as a national level heritage and one of Asia's most beautiful fields. The population is composed of 90 percent Hmong and 8 percent Thai. The former reside in the high hills, while the latter live in the lower part of the area. It is a small and remote town located between two mountains in Yen Bai Province. But despite its lack in many things, tourists still come to the place because of its untouched beauty and kind people.