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    Faces of Vietnam's remote north

    / Last updated 14 Aug 2014

    Introduction

    The landscapes of Vietnam's remote north, places like Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh and Mai Chau, are some of the most spectacular in South East Asia. The people, many of them from ethnic minority groups, are a big part of the magic of this region too. This gallery is a little tribute to the friendly and beautiful faces of one of my favourite regions anywhere.

    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Eleanor Hall
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • Ninh Binh. 2.5 hours from Hanoi.
    • Ninh Binh.
    • Ninh Binh
    • Friendly smiles from the ladies of Kim Son town, Ninh Binh.
    • Kim Son town.
    • Kim Son town, Ninh Binh.
    • Ninh Binh.
    • The gentle toughness of northern women. Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
    • The harvest day begins early. Mai Chau, 3 hours from Hanoi.
    • The end of a long day in the fields, Mai Chau.
    • Late afternoon sharing, Mai Chau.
    • Having a chuckle with the locals. Mai Chau.
    • Moc Chau tea plantation. 200kms from Hanoi
    • Vietnam past and present - the pith helmet, a symbol of a military past meets a constructiuon hard hat.
    • "Cho coc" a small mobile market outside Son La nearly 400kms from Hanoi.
    • "Cho coc"
    • "Cho coc" . The friendliness of these places is always overwhelming.
    • Thai minority women near Dien Bien Phu, 450kms west of Hanoi.
    • Near Dien Bien Phu.
    • Thai village near Dien Bien Phu.
    • Thai village near Dien Bien Phu.
    • A village elder who experienced the battle of Dien Bien Phu from this Thai minority village outside Dien Bien Phu town.
    • This Thai woman was 104 when I met her just outside Dien Bien Phu a few years ago.
    • On the road from Dien Bien Phu to Sapa through some of Vietnam's most beautiful countryside. The end of the day for these ethnic Tay people.
    • Lao Cai town - the Red River will take you to Hanoi.
    • A smile from the rice paddy - outside Sapa.
    • A decade ago, this work was done by hand. In some parts, it still is. Outside Sapa.
    • A Red Dzao woman with beautiful handmade fabrics in Sapa market.
    • Black Hmong, Sapa town. 360kms northwest of Hanoi.
    • Cat Cat outside Sapa
    • Sapa market, Red Dzao woman.
    • Sapa market.
    • On the street, Sapa.
    • Simple Hmong family home outside Sapa.
    • Flower Hmong girl, Bac Ha, near Sapa.
    • Horse meat for sale. Outside Bac Ha.
    • Ha Giang province, around 300kms north of Hanoi.
    • Ha Giang province.
    • Ha Giang province.
    • Offspring of the last Hmong king at his palace in Ha Giang.
    • Ha Giang province.
    • Ha Giang province.
    • Ha Giang province.
    • Wedding in Dong Van, Ha Giang.
    • Dong Van wedding.
    • Meo Vac, Ha Giang Province.
    • Sunday market at Meo Vac.
    Quicklink - Introduction - Sapa