Northwest Vietnam Mountain Loop

Hey everyone, I'm looking for suggestions of towns to include/exclude based on the following criteria:



Starting/ending in Hanoi with 30 days in September to make a full loop of the Northwest including Ha Giang (probably as the first stop after Hanoi) and then a counterclockwise loop back to Hanoi.



I like slow travel so only looking for a few stops. I don't have a motobike license so will be taking buses. And landslides are possible.

Not looking for minority groups or historical sights, just relatively isolated natural areas with pristine rice paddies and mountain views.



Not interested in trekking tours or tourist markets.



Looking for scenic viewpoints and mountain roads.



This is more of a relaxation trip. Massages, language acquisition, budget vegetarian gastronomy, active mornings, afternoon naps, early nights, quiet surroundings, etc...

START: HA GIANG to Hoang Su Phi terraced rice fields.



The region north of Ha Giang (Dong Van, Ma Pi leng, Meo Vac) - Not sure how to go to these places without a motobike?

BAO LAC.


BAC HA. Muong Khuong to Pha Long-Si to Ma Cai to Can Cau to Bac Ha.


COC PAI?

MU CANG CHAI. Nicest rice paddies? How to include it?

LAO CAI

SAPA may just skip this area since it's so busy. But it is on the way to the other side of the mountains.

LAI CHAU. The road up to Sin Ho from Muong Lay and onwards to Lai Chau is one of the more spectacular in the northwest?

SIN HO. “Unlike Sapa market and the horrendously touristy Bac Ha Market, where minority people are more likely to be seen selling to foreign and Vietnamese tourists, Sin Ho market is the real deal.” ??

MUONG TE?

MUONG LAY just a rest stop.

DIEN BIEN PHU not interested in the border or the war history, just the scenery on the way there and onward after a quick stopover to rest.

TUAN GIAO?

SON LA?

MAI CHAU?



END: Hanoi.