Itinerary
This tour showcases the kaleidoscopic beauty of northern Vietnam with a healthy dose of adventure activities such as hill tribe village trekking, bamboo boating, kayaking etc. Get ready to explore diverse regions of this gorgeous country literally from the mountains up to the bay area. Get immersed in the thousand year old culture of Hanoi, shop in the colorful Bac Ha ethnic market and get dazzled by the Ha Giang and Dong Van rocky plateau as well as the Ba Be national park. Bond with the locals at the Pac Ngoi ethnic village, relax at the biggest fresh water lake Ba Be and marvel at one of the seven natural wonders of the world Halong Bay, this trip will leave even the most seasoned traveler awestruck.
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Arrive at Hanoi airport where an English-speaking tour guide will welcome you and take you to your hotel in the center of Hanoi (20 miles – 45min). Check into your hotel and relax.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Lao Cai (B/L)
We start our one day city tour from the lobby of the hotel at 8:30am with our tour guide & driver pick -up. We will drive to Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hour to visit: Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his Former Stilt-house Residence, the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education. Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi.
In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority people. Following by that we will wander around the city by car to see the real life of Hanoi as well as the difference parts the city.
After that we get back to city center where we take one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Before we go to railway station for the train to Lao Cai, we will have chance to enjoy the unique Water Puppet show to hear to know Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show. Overnight on the train to Lao Cai
Notes:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance. Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays.
Day 3: Lao Cai – Bac Ha (B/L/D)
At 5 a.m, arrive at Lao Cai. Take a shower to refresh yourself at a mini hotel before travelling to Bac Ha, a small charming town characterized by its mild climate.
Depending on the date of arrival, visit Bac Ha market on Sunday, Can Cau market on Saturday or Sin Cheng market on Wednesday.
The markets feature local scenes that have been going on every week for generations, where cattle, buffalos, pigs, chickens, horses, goats and dogs as well as a variety of traditional goods like saddles and plowshares, along with elaborate textiles, handbags and other trinkets are bought and sold by the Flower Hmong.
Drop at Mr Pa’s house set against the hill in a wide open space with panoramic valley view. Have dinner and spend the night in the homestay of Mr Pa
In the afternoon, enjoy a trek through Ban Pho villages, located a few kilometers from the hotel. These villages are nestled into a cozy valley with a fascinating landscape.
Spend the night in the homestay of Mr Pa.
Day 4: Bac Ha – Ha Giang (B/L)
After breakfast, transfer to Ha Giang via Pho Rang, Viet Quang town. 20 km before Viet Quang, take 2 hour walk to a village of Pa Then people, a very rare ethnic minority in Vietnam.
The Pa Then, also called Pa Ma Teng, migrated to Vietnam from China in the late 18th century. Their population in Vietnam is about 4,000 people, living only in the extreme north. Their village, composed between 30 and 40 homes, settled near rivers, at the foot of high mountains.
Arrive late afternoon in Ha Giang, check in hotel and relax at your leisure.
Spend the night at hotel in Ha Giang.
Day 5: Ha Giang (B/L)
After breakfast, hike one hour along a path that descents to the road connecting the Middle Song Mien valley to the Du Gia mountain range.
Walk on the trail along Nam Pa river to reach a Tay hamlet, little eden surrounded by rice fields and jungle. Take a visit around the village.
Move to another Tay village which is located in the shade of groves of palmetto, dominated by limestone ridges covered with jungle. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a traditional Tay house.
In the afternoon, visit the village and a cave, then short walk along the Nam Pa River via some rice paddies and hamlets. Then you will be picked up by car at Nan Ria village and drive back to Ha Giang town. Spend the night at hotel in Ha Giang
Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van (B/L)
After breakfast, travel along a beautiful mountain road to Dong Van, a small town located in Dong Van Highlands. Tourists can choose to stop midway to visit villages or markets of ethnic minorities.
Explore Pho Bang, a tranquil village of thatched – roof houses. Then, keep driving to discover the enchanting former palace of King Hmong, namely Mr Vuong Chi Sinh. Spend the night in Dong Van Town
Day 7: Dong Van – Bao Lac (B/L)
Drive 1 hour from Dong Van through the sumptuous countryside of Dong Van Geopark. From here, begin a trek on Pa Vi Mountain.
Pa Vi Mountain is a limestone mountain rising to 1,500m. The north face of the mountain roughly resembles a triangular tower with spectacular views overlooking the gorge of the Nho Que River, Tu San Canyon, the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass, and the misty peaks of the Chinese border. The mountain’s unusual shape is unique among Vietnam’s mountains and makes it a sight to behold.
Hike along the slopes of Pa Vi. Cross at Ma Pi Len and begin the day’s trek (30 minute trip). Climb the west side of the mountain on a path past several Hmong hamlets clinging to the steep slopes of the mountain. Revel in the alpine environment and the amazing bird-eye views of the terraced rice fields below, as well as Tu San Canyon, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and the No Que River gorge. Gaze at the awe-inspiring mountains all around.
Arrive at the Hmong Der village of Ti Cu Si, where around 100 families live in a completely self-sufficient community. The village is hidden in a small valley surrounded by a plethora of limestone peaks. Tour the village and its traditional houses and learn about local hemp weaving techniques. Continue trekking along a high trail towards the east side of Pa Vi, where the minibus awaits.
Continue the trip to Bao Lac, a region covered with magnificent rocks in Cao Bang Province.
Spend the night in Bao Lac.
Day 8: Bao Lac – Khuoi Khon (B/L/D)
Early morning visit to Bao Lac market where you can meet the Hmong, the Lo Lo, the Tay and The San Chi. Transfer to Khuoi Khon village, inhabited by members of the Black Lo Lo ethnic group
Arrive at the village and check in the host family.
Spend the morning immersed in the daily life of the Black Lo Lo villagers. Participate in tasks such as feeding the pigs and the buffalos, fetching water from a spring, and lighting the fire. Depending on the season, enjoy the educational experience of helping the Lo Lo with agricultural work such as hoeing, weeding, transplanting, and harvesting.
In the afternoon, take a lovely hike along the ridge to the summit overlooking the village.
Prepare dinner with the host family. Spend the night in homestay.
Day 9: Khuoi Khon – Ba Be (B/L/D)
After breakfast, drive to Ba Be Lake, passing through Ban Na and Na Phac villages. On the way stop to visit an ancient house, one of the remaining vestiges of the colonial era.
In the afternoon, arrive in Ba Be Lake, a region often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on the mountains”. The lake is decorated by green mountains under the clouds, giving tourists the impression of having been transported to heaven.
Board a boat along the beautiful lake to Coc Toc, a Tay hamlet nestled at the foot of a wooded mountain on the southern arm of the lake. Tour the village, and then help prepare a traditional dinner with the host family. Learn about the night fishing techniques if the weather permits.
Spend the night in homestay.
Day 10: Ba Be (B/L/D)
In the morning, head out of the village for a fascinating hike through the stunning landscape along a flat trail, passing through rice paddies, corn fields and vegetable gardens. After an hour, arrive at Ban Mo, a Tay hamlet situated at the bottom of the verdant valley. Tour the village and then continue along a trail that offers breathtaking lake views. Explore the Hmong village of Na Ban and the Dao village of Na Sen. After passing through an ancient and magical forest at the summit of the mountain, slowly descend towards Dau Dang cascades. From here, enjoy a delicious lunch.
Visit Dau Dang cascade, a picturesque natural wonder. Re-embark to Coc Toc village along a tranquil lake. Dine and spend a second night with the Tay family.
Day 11: Ba Be – Hanoi (B/L)
After breakfast, leave the Tay family and drive back to Hanoi on a stunning mountain road.
Spend the night at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Our ourney to Ha Long Bay, the 8th wonder of the world. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the bay, filled with thousands of limestone karsts and verdant, monolithic isles, is truly a magical locale. Along the way, take in the rolling paddy fields and dramatic landscapes of the Red River Delta.
12h00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf – Break and photo opportunities
12h30: Board Glory Cruises for departure. A welcome drink will be served
13h00: Lunch is served while cruising through the bay
15h30: Visit exciting Cua Van fishing village, the village is free from busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen.
Enjoy kayaking or swimming (if the weather permits).
16h30-17h00: Return to the boat and join cooking class by Glory Cruise’s Chef.
19h00: Dinner is served.
21h00: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar or enjoy night fishing.
Relax and spend a romantic night on Glory Cruise
Day 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure (B/Br)
06h30: Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.
7h00: Enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes).
08h15: Visit splendid Sung Sot Cave
09h00: Check out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay, passing Dinh Huong Island, fishing villages, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island and Sail Island.
09.30: Buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier
11h30: Arrive at the pier. Time to say goodbye to the crew
12h00: Drive from Halong to Hanoi.
14h00: Stopover in Dong Trieu town to visit a Ceramics workshop.
16.00: Arrive in Hanoi. The tour guide will take us airport for departure flight. End of services!
