How about a trip to Vietnam North

The Northern coastal region of Vietnam is fundamentally one giant delta of the Red River, bringing nutrient rich soils from the stunning Vietnam hills to the north and transporting them, and thousands of vessels worth of goods into and through the current capital of Vietnam, Hanoi and out into the huge expanse of Ha Long Bay.
Aside from Hanoi, the cities of Ninh Binh, Haiphong and La Long are all frequent bases from which to explore the area. Hanoi itself is a city of diverse cultures, from the inevitable Chinese influence just to the north, local Vietnamese, some French is clearly evident in the architecture and an increasing sense of western input, catering to the burgeoning tourist trade here.
Hanoi has a huge amount of history, dating back centuries, much of which is well preserved and very well presented in museums dotted around the city, both indoor and outdoor. Some of it makes for very uncomfortable viewing such as the former “Hanoi Hilton”. Even if history isn’t your thing, this is a different kind of history, a history we are often more familiar with than we realise and one that makes for genuinely interesting reading and viewing. The parks, temples and local architecture make for enjoyable strolls around the city, stopping off every now and again to sample some of the local food, which is not only incredibly good value, but insanely tasty!
Once Hanoi has been ticked off your to-do list, head out to Ha Long Bay and get yourself on a cruise, preferably one for 24-hours so you get the chance to dine out in and wake up in, one of nature’s most picturesque locations. Just try not to go in the early part of the year for the views… the fog here is thick from Jan to Mar and you’ll see very, very little!