Visa
It’s quite easy to get a Vietnam visa on arrival at the airport and there are also many companies providing visa services. They will help you arrange an approval letter on your visa. The process is done online, so you do not need to get to a Vietnamese Consulate in person.
The process usually takes from 3 to 5 working days, so you should submit your visa request at least 5 days before your departure. Note that only the international airports in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City accept E-Visas. Therefore, get your visa in an old-fashioned way if you schedule to arrive by a land border. That means you will have to present at a Vietnamese Consulate for executing the procedure.
Do not leave the following things home or your trip will be destroyed: 2 photographs in passport size, cash for the stamping fee, visa on approval letter for arrival, original passport which is valid for at least another 6 months.
Best time to visit
When it comes to Northern Loop Vietnam, people often think of Northwest Vietnam. This region of the nation is renowned among riders and backpackers for its raw nature, the visions of golden rice terraced fields and idyllic streams, and especially the great mountain passes.
So, what is the best time to visit the land? The answer is right below.
Actually, in each season, the northern highlands of Vietnam have their own beauty. However, spring and autumn are when the region becomes the most beautiful and resplendent.
According to backpackers, the first and second lunar months of the year is when the land is full of blooms and traditional festivals. It’s time for travelers to deeply experience hill tribal vibe, enjoy local foods, and learn something news like tribal dancing or singing.
And when autumn comes, all the hills are tapestried with emerald rice fields and the heat starts going down. Heading north at that time, you will see the jaw-dropping scene of paddy-field patchworks, which is a dream backdrop for any photographers.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to Northern Loop Vietnam from Hanoi. You should take a bus or coach as a safe choice. But you’re an adventurer, right? So, put your foot on the pedal and get on the way. What to do if you can’t bring your two-wheeled vehicle to this country. No worries, find an operator of motorbike rental services.
Because the northern land still remains untouched from tourism development, it’s hard for foreigners to find the way. They might bypass the breathtaking spots without a local expert. That’s such a big omission, right?
Therefore, don’t consider too much and waste your time, just come to an agency who can offer both dirt bike rental services and North Vietnam motorbike tours.
The loop is all about the route
The top four great passes in Vietnam must be listed out here. It is the series of twisting ribbon-roads winding around the evergreen mountains that are like a powerful magnet to draw travelers to come. Craggy and precarious are the two words we often use to describe O Quy Ho (Lai Chau – Lao Cai), Pha Din (Dien Bien), Khau Pha (Yen Bai), and Ma Pi Leng (Ha Giang). Anyway, these big challenges can leave both admirations and awe to bikers who love venturing out.
Yet, those passes are romantic at times. Once standing on the top of those, you will get a stunning view of the vast area below that is worth all your efforts.
