Destinations: Hanoi – Ba Be – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc waterfall – Meo Vac – Dong Van – Bac Ha – Sapa – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi.
Duration: 15 Days
Day 1: Hanoi arrival (GP)
Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey. You’ll spend the night in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Ba Be National Park (B, L, D, G)
You will depart from Hanoi at 08.00 to Ba Be lake, the mountainous area which is nearly 250 kms from Hanoi to the northwest. You cross over the Red River on Nhat Tan Bridge; the suburbs quickly give way to the sprawling farm lands of the Red River Delta. Scenic driving in two and half – hours you will arrive in Thai Nguyen city where you can visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam Ethnic Groups.
After visiting this lively museum, we will continue drive to Ba Be lake. Along this mountain road, you will have the opportunities to see the stunning scenery and nice stilts houses built inside the valleys. Early afternoon, we reach Mr. Huyen’s house in Pac Ngoi village located on the lakeside. Say xin chào (hi) to friendly host and enjoy a good lunch prepared by his family members.
Finish lunch and say cảm ơn nhiều (many thanks) to the host family, we have a short bicycle ride along the river bank to Hua Ma cave, the most amazing cave of the region. Bring the torches into then start exploring the incredible stalactite, stalagmite and a lot of stone slabs with other weird shapes which amaze you. Late afternoon, we ride the bicycles gently back to our homestay for staying overnight.
Overnight at Traditional house on stilts with friendly Tay People
Distance: 250 km; Driving Time: 5hrs
Day 3: Ba Be Lake Cruising – Drive to Cao Bang (B, L, G)
Ba Be National Park, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, is Vietnam’s only natural mountain lake. Its important eco-system is best known for its over 330 species of butterflies, 233 species of birds, 43 reptiles and amphibian species. You will commence the day with a boat ride on Ba Be Lake. The lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains is your backdrop as you explore the lake. You will then return to homestay for lunch. After lunch, you will have a transfer towards Cao Bang, passing many villages of Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung Minorities. You will arrive in Cao Bang in the late afternoon. Strolling around the town and a busy market is also highlights in this afternoon before going out for dinner at local restaurant (at your own account). You’ll spend the night in Cao Bang.
Distance: 130km; Driving Time: 3.5hrs
Day 4: Admire Ban Gioc Waterfall beauty – Explore Nguom Ngao Cave (B, L, G)
Today, you’ll take an insightful day trip to the beautiful Ban Gioc waterfall and Nguom Ngao cave located in the north of Cao Bang province on the Vietnam – China border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. The driving gives you great experience to admire unique landscapes, limestone mountains soaring from the verdant rice paddies interspersed with the villages of ethnic minorities. You will have some stops to visit the production workshops of knives, scissors and other agricultural tools for the farmers before arriving at the Ban Gioc Waterfall. You will spend time for taking photos here and then enjoy lunch at the local restaurant.
The sparkling seven-colored stalactites hanging from high stone cliffs, stone statues of which some look like human bodies, some look like forest plant, animals, a fairy is combing her hair or a lotus bulb, etc. You will be dazzled by the harmony between stone and water here. After the full day of exploration to the most amazing waterfall and cave in the northeast, we drive back to Cao Bang for dinner and staying one more night in this romantic town. You’ll spend the night in Cao Bang.
Distance: 180km; Driving Time: 6hrs (2ways)
Day 5: Cao Bang – Bao Lac – Meo Vac (B, L, G)
Get on Get on our vehicle for a ride along famous national way 34. The road winds its way through steep mountain passes where much of the land remains untouched, the scenery along the way is truly spectacular! So, you will have a lot of opportunities to make nicest pictures of your northeast trip. Stop for lunch at the local restaurant then continue drive to Meo Vac. You will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon. You’ll spend the night in Meo Vac.
Day 6: Meo Vac – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Lung Cu Flag pole – Dong Van (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll start to drive to Ma Pi Leng Pass arguably the most beautiful landscapes in Ha Giang and also in Viet Nam. Then going to Nho Que river to join a boat trip on the river to see the spectacular landscape of Ma Pi Leng alley.
After that, take a short walk to visit Lo Lo Chai which is a village of the Lo Lo people ( the Lo Lo people are one of Vietnam’s least-common ethnic minorities only living in this region). You’ll then do a short trek to Don Cao is an ancient fortress built by French people during the wartime to control the area before heading to visit Lung Cu Flag pole which is the top point of Viet Nam.
In the afternoon, you’ll call in at the infamous Vuong Palace, once the home of a high-ranking H’mong family during French colonial rule. The palace attracts architecturally minded visitors due to its unusual combination of European and Chinese styles. From there you’ll drive to Dong Van town where your guide will show you the charming ‘Old Streets’ near the market. You’ll spend the night in Dong Van.
Day 7: Dong Van – Yen Minh – Ha Giang (B, L, G)
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Dong Van then depart to Ha Giang. Drive on the undulating terrain, between 800m and 1 500m in height, through beautiful mountainous landscapes and terraced paddy fields. Have some stops for taking photo and visit the Heaven’s Gate, Bac Sum Pass, Fairy Mountain and especially a White H’mong village which specializes in flax weaving. Have lunch en route.
From there, you’ll travel back to Ha Giang, arriving in the afternoon. After checking into your accommodation, you might consider wandering around the city. You’ll spend the night in Ha Giang.
Day 8: Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi – Bac Ha – Sapa (B, L, G)
After breakfast at the resort, we start our new day with an hour drive on Highway 2 to Viet Quang town. Her m,m,m,m,m,m,e we leave the good road and make the turn right into the mountainous area. After long drive reach the town of Hoang Su Phi where we can have a rest before continuing steep hill up to Xin Man.
From Xin Man to Bac Ha town is just more than 30 km but the plum forests, the corn fields, ethnic Flower Hmong’s villages which, we have admired, could be the most interesting part of the journey.
In Bac Ha town, we have lunch and then visit Hoang A Tuong Palace (Hoang A Tuong was the Black Hmong man who was considered as the king of Hmong tribe in this region under regime of Nguyen dynasty in Viet Nam).
After visiting this palace, we continue to drive another 70 km in two hours to Lao Cai Town. Here we take an hour hard ascending drive to today’s last destination, Sapa. You’ll spend the night in Sapa.
Day 9: Sapa – Fansipan Mountain – Silver Waterfall (B, L, G)
After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up to the cable car station to experience with cable car bring you strange feelings and that is difficult to express, far away from the peak of Fansipan and hidden under clouds and forests being romantic Sapa town with the ancient villas, styled western … Whenever you have chance to Sapa town. You’ll then visit the Thac Bac Waterfall which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. You’ll see the water flows down as silver so that people in here called the waterfall with the romantic name “Silver Waterfall”. Then you’ll return Sapa. You’ll spend the night in Sapa.
Day 10: Sapa – 12km trekking through Muong Hoa valley (B, L, G)
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll start to walk down to Y Linh Ho, a village inhabited by the Hmong minority. This is a great opportunity to take photographs of hereditary terraces that are estimated around 100 years old. From Y Linh Ho, you will make your way to Lao Chai village where you’l visit the Hmong home town. You’ll stop in Lao Chai for lunch break around 1 hour.
You will then continue walking to Ta Van, an established Hmong and Giay village. In Ta Van village, we will then arrange a mini van to pick you up and take you to Sapa.
Get back to Sapa at around 15.00. You’ll check-in the room and have rest of day free to spend as you wish. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa.
Day 11: Sapa – Hanoi (B, G)
This morning, you have free time to spend as you wish. At noon, you’ll be driven back to Hanoi. You’ll spend the night in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay – Cap La (L, D, G)
08:20 – 08:45 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter by a luxury van
11:30 Arrive at the Indochina Junk Office, take a rest at the Waiting Lounge before transferring to the cruise.
11:50 – 12:15 Electric cars take you to the port where the crew and staff welcome and assist with check-in on the cruise.
12:30 – 13:00 You will be given a short briefing about the cruise itinerary and safety regulation while sipping your welcome drink aboard the Dragon Legend.
13:15 Have lunch onboard, savoring fresh and delicious seafood dishes of Ha Long. The cruise starts its journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay.
15:00 – 17:00 The first destination is the Cap La area, also known as a navy base. Here, you can enjoy kayaking to discover majestic rock islets and pristine nature (under favorable weather conditions: no fog, no significant waves or strong winds, etc.).
17:15 Back to the cruise and enjoy the sunset view over Bai Tu Long Bay.
19:15 Take a rest and enjoy dinner in a peaceful and romantic atmosphere on the bay.
20:30 Leisure time, you can experience squid fishing, have a spa session and have a good night on Dragon Legend Cruise.
Day 13: Thien Canh Son – Vung Dang – Cong Dam – BBQ on the beach (B, L, D, G)
07:30 Start a new day with Tai Chi on the sundeck & a morning view of the Bay’s landscape
08:00 Have breakfast onboard.
08:45 – 10:15 Visit Thien Canh Son Cave, the most beautiful natural cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, where you will be amazed by the mesmerizing stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years. Enjoy kayaking and exploring Hon Co.
10:30 Back to the cruise. Cruise to Cong Dam area to explore the natural beach, take a stroll, relax, and unwind.
12:30 Enjoy a unique BBQ lunch on the picturesque beach, prepared by the chefs directly on the beach. After the meal, you can engage in some beach activities.
14:30 Back to the cruise for relaxation and leisure.
17:15 Join a Vietnamese cuisine cooking demonstration with Banh Xeo
19:00 Take a rest and enjoy dinner in a peaceful and romantic atmosphere on the bay.
20:30 Leisure time, you can experience squid fishing, have a spa session and have a good night on Dragon Legend Cruise.
Day 14: Cong Do – Vung Vieng Fishing Village – Ha Long – Hanoi (B, L, G)
07:00 – 07:15 Breakfast is served. You can enjoy the beauty of the bay in the serene morning.
07:30 – 08:45 Visit Vung Vieng fishing village, a small, secluded village with beautiful and tranquil scenery. Here, local fishermen on bamboo boats will take you to experience the unique life of the fishing community.
09:00 Back to the cruise.
09:45 – 10:00 Check-out procedures.
10:15 Enjoy a buffet-brunch while the cruise slowly returns to the port.
11:30 The cruise arrives at the port. Drive to Yen Duc village in Dong Trieu province for a short break in this typical Vietnamese agricultural village which is rich in culture and traditions.
13:00 – 13:45 Enjoy a water puppet show performed by local artists.
16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. You’ll spend the night in Hanoi.
What’s included
- Breakfast and accommodation sharing double/twin room or traditional stilt house.
- Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above .
- Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver.
- The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
- Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Joining luxury van: Hanoi – Ha Long – Hanoi.
- Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.
What’s excluded
- Other international flight tickets and airport tax.
- Visas
- Lunches and dinners, except as specified above.
- Drinks, tipping and personal expenses.
- Insurance.