Vietnam Cúc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh Province

While Halong Bay remains Vietnam's most iconic landscape, its fame also means it is a tourist mecca. Along the Red River Delta, the same karst/limestone landscape that gives Halong Bay its fame can be found but in a wilder, less developed state just outside Cúc Phuong National Park. There are only a few hotels and guest houses servicing the National Park. Roads are basic with small villages lining them. The rest is spectacular hill formations, verdant rice paddies, cave systems, rivers and lakes.

Sunrise is probably the best light but because the karst formations extend all over the area, the best light will depend on your location. The monsoon season can provide some dramatic weather but the soft colours really come out best in clear dawn or dusk lighting. A clear morning after a heavy night of rain should give you the best conditions.

You will need to hire a driver to get to the area from Hanoi (about 2-3 hours drive). Some of the hotels offer bicycles for rent but nothing beats a car for getting gear from A to B in time to catch the best light.