THAI NGUYEN

IDD Code:(+84) 28
It's definitely not northeast Vietnam's most interesting city, but Thai Nguyen is home to the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups (Bao Tang Van Hoa Cac Dan Toc; 7-11am & 2-5.30pm Tue-Sun). The largest Mon-tagnard museum in Vietnam, it's worth a stop on the way to or from Ba Be National Park. The giant pastel-pink building houses a wide array of colourful exhibits representing the 50-odd hill tribes residing in Vietnam. Thai Nguyen is 76km north of Hanoi, and the road here is in good shape. Buses and minibuses to Thai Nguyen depart from Hanoi's Gia Lam station regularly between 5am and 5pm.