It is only fit for the capital of Vietnam to be Hanoi. After all, this part of Vietnam was the cradle of its civilization, situated in the fertile Red River Delta. Hanoi is the result of the long period of conglomerating villages, and it still can feel like a colossal village by its traditional values that are strikingly contrasted by the qualities of the modern city. Not to mention that the food scene in Hanoi is nothing short of legendary! Venture a bit north along the coastline, and you will find the heavenly Halong Bay, a seemingly otherworldly collection of 3,000 limestone islands that are a feast for the eyes. This part of Vietnam certainly feels like a small slice of heaven. If you venture even further to the northern highlands, you will discover a mountainous terrain of immense beauty, mostly inhabited by ethnic minorities. Even though this part of North Vietnam is noticeably less modernized than the area around Hanoi, it offers a lot more on the authenticity front, as well as fantastic mountain passes valued by motorcycle enthusiasts and adventurers alike.