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North West Vietnam grand adventure tour – 11 Days

11 Days

This excursion is intended for those who enjoy hiking and exploring the outdoors. Our vacation package, which begins in Hanoi, takes you off the beaten route in the North and West of Vietnam, where you will encounter a range of terrains, breathtaking scenery, and lovely rice paddies. Hike through breathtaking valleys and stop at the settlements of the minority tribes who dress colorfully. Many of these locations are still pristine and see little traffic. You may unwind fully at the conclusion of the journey by going on an overnight boat tour in Halong Bay. 

Travel tips:

Bring cameras, bug repellent, and sturdy hiking shoes.

May through June and July through the start of October are the best months to see rice terraces (green field to yellow harvest).

With the exception of Sapa, restaurants in the mountainous areas only offer the most basic services.

Overview

  • Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi
  • Visit: Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai – Lai Chau – Sapa – Bac Ha – Bai Tu Long bay
  • Duration: 11 Days
  • Travel style: Authentic, Active, Mountain & Minority, Nature & Discover
  • Category: Private tour
  • Tour schedule: Daily departure
  • Tour guide in: English, Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano

Highlights

  • Bustling capital of Hanoi
  • Meet the Muong, Thai, H'mong, Dzao, Zay, Laotain, and Lu mountain tribes
  • Beautiful mountain vistas and the remarkable rice terraces of Sapa and Mu Cang Chai
  • Undiscovered adventures in Mu Cang Chai, Sapa
  • Bac Ha's traditional mountain market
  • Spend the night cruising Halong Bay

Itinerary

Greetings from Hanoi, and a stroll in the Old Quarter.

When you arrive at the Noi Bai airport, a knowledgeable tour guide and driver greet you in the pickup lobby. Enjoy a 45-minute drive to the Old Quarter in the heart of Hanoi while learning about the city's top attractions, customs, traffic, and food.When you go to your hotel, check in and then unwind.

Note:The hotel checks you in at 14.00.

Walkabout tours are a great way to end the day. Commence at the Ba Da tiny pagoda, which is tucked away in a little lane just a little distance from the 19th-century French colonial Hanoi Great Cathedral. Your guide also shows you around some of Hanoi's characteristic streets, such Lan Ong Street, which sells traditional medicine, and Lo Ren Street, which is the location of the metal fabrication industry. Don't forget to explore Hanoi's largest central market, Dong Xuan. Walk on until you reach Ta Hien Street, a well-known destination for nightlife and street food. Here, you'll witness colorful streets with an abundance of delectable regional fare and beverages. Taste-testing some will provide a memorable experience.

Finish up at your lodging.

Note:The walking tour will be rescheduled for the day of the city tour if your flight arrives late or if you have jet leg after a lengthy travel.

Included:
English speaking guide
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Day 2 :
Hanoi

Visiting the French Quarter, learning about Old Town, and exploring the Van Mieu Center for Culture and Education.

9:00 AM: Acquire Tour guide pick-up at the Temple of Literature, which was constructed in the eleventh century by the Ly dynasty to revere Confucius and educate royal children. Savor a stroll through the park to Khue Van Cac, the city's emblem. Next, you will see the "stone steles" of World Heritage that list the names of distinguished pupils. Go on exploring Quoc Tu Giam, which is regarded as Vietnam's first national university.

Next, make your way to the Ethnology Museum, which is closed on Mondays but provides a thorough understanding of Vietnamese culture through a variety of ethnic groups' traditional homes, utensils, clothes, and musical instruments. It takes around two hours to thoroughly tour this fascinating museum.

You travel to Hanoi's "little Paris," the French Quarter, which has a large plaza, government buildings, and boulevards lined with trees after midday. See Ho Chi Minh's tomb from the exterior before taking a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens to see the Presidential Palace, which is Ho Chi Minh's former residence and place of business. In the direction of the distinctive One-pillar pagoda, one of the city's icons. Depending on the number of passengers, exploring this complex takes one to two hours.

Return to the city center and have a nap before taking in the water puppet plays, which are a unique kind of entertainment that date back to the eleventh century. Puppets on water depict Vietnamese culture, daily life, and beliefs in these performances. Usually, a traditional music performance is included in the program.

Return to the hotel. Day's end

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Leisure: Water puppet
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Meeting the Muong and Thai ethnic groups on a green tea farm

8:00 AM: Pick up your driver and tour guide at your Hanoi hotel, then travel via Thanh Son to Muong Lo. Muong Thanh in Dien Bien Phu, Muong Tac in Phu Yen, Muong Than in Than Uyen, and Muong Lo are considered the four most significant fertile valleys in the Northwest, where the Thai ethnic group is the majority. The village's hundreds of wooden stilt-built homes are inhabited by Thai people who grow water rice. Travel down the Black River, also known as the Da River, one of the most significant rivers in the Northwest, to reach National Road Number 32.

We will stop at the green tea plantation hill in Thanh Son and then stroll through the villages with stilt houses. As an authentic Vietnamese group, it is a member of the Muong ethnic group. One of the few ethnic groups in the north unaffected by Chinese influence is the Muong.

Once at Nghia Lo, explore the Thai village on foot or by bicycle, taking in the picturesque rice field valleys and hamlets that have managed to retain their traditional stilt dwellings while mingling with the amiable inhabitants.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Private transportation
Bike: Nghia Lo
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Nghia Lo Homestay (Ms Loan) (Sharing homestay)
Nghia Lo town, Yen Bai , Vietnam

Taking in Mu Cang Chai La Pan Tan's natural surroundings, the greatest rice terraces, and Thai, Dao, and Dzay culture

After having breakfast, proceed to Nghia Lo to explore a local market before traveling via Tu Le to Mu Cang Chai. Mu Cang Chai is renowned for having the stunning rice terrace that many people believe to be the most beautiful in the entire globe. Che Cu Nha, De Su Phinh, and La Pan Tan were included onto the national heritage list in 2007 as outdoor masterpieces.

You will traverse the steep area at Nghia Lo's exit, where the Dao ethnic community resides. On the way, make a stop to snap pictures and chat with the locals.

Reach Tu Le. You may go to the valley where the Thai people live in stilt huts and have some unique experiences that let you fully immerse yourself in the way of life here. Proceed to Khau Pha Pass in the afternoon for a breathtaking overview of the rice terrace valley.

After that, the vehicle will transport you to La Pan Tan, a well-known location for photographers. You will be in awe of the exquisite works of art on rice terraces produced by Hmong peasant artisans over many generations. Take in the breathtaking scenery as you go from La Pan Tan to Mam Xoi. At the end of the day, check into your lodging.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Private transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Mu Cang Chai Homestay (Sharing homestay)
Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai , Vietnam

Trekking path of great spectacle: Che Cu Nha, Kim Noi, De Xu Phinh, encountering H'mong people.

Head out for a day of trekking to the villages of De Xu Phinh, Kim Noi, and Che Cu Nha. This is a fantastic chance to take in views of Mu Cang Chai's most exquisite rice terrace, which includes the communes of Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh and was designated a national environmental heritage in 2007. Photographers find this to be one of the most intriguing itineraries.

See the H'mong village, which is situated between 800 and 1500 meters above sea level. Thousands of hectares of rice terraces remain as a result of the laborious efforts of successive generations. Because of this, the isolated Mu Cang Chai area is among the most beautiful places on earth. In addition to cultivating, people do a variety of crafts, including weaving and blacksmithing. You will have an amazing hiking experience after a day full of friendly interactions and breathtaking views of Mu Cang Chai's famed rice terrace.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Private transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Mu Cang Chai Homestay (Sharing homestay)
Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai , Vietnam

Go to Sapa, take a short hike in Na Tam, and experience life among the Laotian and Lu people.

Proceed to Than Uyen, one of Thailand's rice valleys, after breakfast. As you go to Than Uyen, the breathtaking scenery of Mu Cang Chai's rice terraces will accompany you. We will stop to visit the Laotian and Lu communities in Na Tam Village before making the right turn to Sapa. This is a lovely, serene setting. The local ladies are known for their black teeth and their indigo-colored, silver-studded attire. Meet the people and take a leisurely stroll around the village.

Meet our driver and travel across the Hoang Lien Son pass (also known as the O Quy Ho pass) to Sapa. With a length of 54 km and a height of 2047 m, this is Vietnam's longest and highest pass. At the top of the pass, take a moment to unwind and take in the breathtaking scenery. It's also a fantastic location for pictures. Reach Sapa, a town that the French found in the afternoon of 1903. With a moderate temperature, Sapa's stunning rice valley, breathtaking mountain range, and diversity of minority tribes, including the Black Hmong, Red Dao, and Dzay ethnics, made it a popular tourist destination.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Sapa Elegance Hotel(Deluxe Room)
3 Hoang Dieu street, Sapa town, Lao Cai , Vietnam

Day 7 :
Sapa

Best views of Muong Hoa valley are from the off-beaten path that leads from Sau Chua to Hau Thao hamlet.

8:00 A.M. Start the well-trod 15 km uphill and downhill trip from Sau Chua hamlet. It will be challenging, but the payoff will be worthwhile. In the direction of the hill tribal village of Sa Seng, where you may witness the genuine way of life of the Black H'Mong people, who came to Vietnam in the eleventh century from China.

After dining at a nearby restaurant or packing a picnic, go up the mountainside to an elevation of 1,800 meters for the best views of the Muong Hoa valley. Trek down into the valley to the Hau Thao town, which is made up of a small church and a few dwellings strewn over a rocky promontory. When the weather permits, you can even see the top of Indochina, Fansipan Peak, as well as rice terraces and little towns tucked away on the massive Hoang Lien mountain range. This location offers some of the greatest beauty in the whole region. Proceed on your journey towards Muong Hoa valley.

Return to Sapa after the transfer. Feel free to stroll about the town.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Sapa Elegance Hotel(Deluxe Room)
3 Hoang Dieu street, Sapa town, Lao Cai, Vietnam

Travel by a less popular route, stopping in the remote, uphill towns of Ban Khoang and Ta Phin before continuing on to Bac Ha. We're going to study the ancient culture of the Red Dao, who are renowned for wearing the most exquisite clothing in Sapa, by going on a 12-kilometer, off-the-beaten-path hike on a brand-new trail.

Following a picnic lunch (or an early meal at a neighborhood restaurant) in the town, go up a short hillside and across a cornfield to reach a rainforest with breathtaking views of the rice terraces. Depending on the season, you could even spot locals and buffalos working in the fields. Take a break to explore the orchid gardens that furnish New Year's decorations to even the largest cities. Be welcomed like family members by the inhabitants as you make your way to Ta Phin village. Discover the distinct way of life and culture of the Red Dao people, who came to live on this mountain from China. You may even take a traditional herb bath.

After being picked up by the driver, return to Bac Ha. Bac Ha, which lies at an elevation of 1000 meters, is the home of several ethnic groups, including the vibrant Hmong, Phu La, and Tay. The Bac Ha district is well-known for its vibrant, weekly markets set against a backdrop of breathtaking wildness. For ages, the marketplaces have served as a platform for the cultural interchange of many ethnic groups, in addition to the trade of products.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L, D
Private transportation
Entrance fees
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Huy Trung's Homestay(Double Room)
Na Quang 3, Bac Ha town, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai , Vietnam

Viewing the traditional mountain market in the Bac Ha area

7:00 AM: Begin your exploration of Bac Ha; on Sundays, you may visit a vibrant, multicultural market. If not, we can go to the Can Cau market on Saturday or the Coc Ly market on Tuesday. Savor the eye-catching ambiance surrounded by a plethora of commodities, including vegetables, chickens, horses, and buffalos, while photographing several minority groups dressed in their week's most vibrant attire. Following your visit to the market, stroll through a few charming ethnic villages. This is a typical Bac Ha environment, with clay buildings, corn fields, and hills covered with cassava. Along the way, you will see H'Mong ladies decorating plum gardens and wearing vibrant clothing.

Return to the city for lunch before making the journey to Hanoi. Arrive at the hotel at 6:00 p.m.

Included:
English speaking guide
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Conifer Grand Hotel(ROH Room)
42 Tho Xuong, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Swimming and tanning at Ban Chan beach, visiting the fishing town of Vung Vieng, and cruising in Bai Tu Long bay

8:00 AM: Pickup from your accommodation (located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi). Take pleasure in a three-hour journey to Bai Tu Long Bay from Hanoi. The Red River Delta's chain of communities and rice paddies will pass by on your travels. Stop and get a drink and use the restroom. Proceed with your drive, reach the harbor around midday, and get a hearty greeting at the cruise reception.

07:30 – 8:30: Our driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (for private transfer) or at our Shuttle Bus stop (for shared transfer). We will head to Halong city.

12:15: Arrival at Sunworld Harbor, where you'll have a short time to relax before boarding the Garden Bay Classic Cruise.

12:30: Take a tender (5–10 minutes) to the Garden Bay Classic Cruise Boat. After enjoying the warmest welcome beverages and hearing the safety briefing, check into your cabin.

13:00: Savor a mouthwatering Vietnamese set menu as our boat sails slowly into the center of Bai Tu Long Bay, near Cap La.

15:30: Set out on a kayaking excursion to see the magnificent limestone islets and islands. Additionally, you may rest, sunbathe, and go swimming.

17:30: While the boat travels to the Cong Do region to anchor for the evening, join the Sunset Party on the Sundeck (happy hour is offered from 5:30 to 7:30 pm).

18:30: Take part in a cooking workshop to learn how to prepare authentic Vietnamese food.

19:30: Savor a delectable barbecue meal on the Sundeck (offered only in October).

21:00: Enjoy some free time to unwind on the sundeck or go squid fishing. There are also board games available.

Included:
Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong
English speaking guide (on board)
Meal: B, L, D
Boat: Halong bamboo boat
Entrance fees
Leisure: Swimming
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Garden Bay Cruise - 2D1N(Deluxe Cabin)
73 Ly Nam De street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Finding the quaint Thien Canh Son Cave, taking a different cruise route, returning to Hanoi, and leaving

06:30: Get up early for a Tai Chi activity.

07:00: Enjoy a small Western-style breakfast as the boat sails into Ha Long Bay's most picturesque fishing community.

07:30: Take a tender to the fishing village of Vung Vieng.

08:00: Take a ride on the rowing boat, which is rowed by the local fishermen, to discover the fishing community of Vung Vieng and gain insight into its way of life.

09:00: Take a separate path back to the harbor and rejoin the main boat.

09:30: End of stay.

10:00: Enjoy a Fusion-style lunch while on board.

11:00: At Sunworld Harbor, disembark. You will be picked up by our driver at the port and driven back to Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi is anticipated at about 3:00 PM.

After being greeted by the driver at the harbor, return to Hanoi with pleasure. Stop in the midst to take a break. Deliver to your accommodation (located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi).

Upon your request, a private driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby in the Hanoi Old Quarter and transport you to Noi Bai airport, either the international or domestic hall, in around 45 minutes. We appreciate you coming to our city.

Note: For domestic and international flights, you must be at the airport two hours prior to departure time.

Included:
English speaking guide (on board)
Meal: B, L
Private transportation
Entrance fees
Leisure: Morning Tai Chi
02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day

Tour Included

  • English speaking tour guide following itinerary
  • All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
  • Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
  • Cruise: Garden Bay Cruise - 2D1N
  • Boat: Halong bamboo boat
  • Private car following itinerary
  • Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong
  • Meal: Breakfast: 10, Lunch: 09, Dinner: 05
  • Bike: Nghia Lo
  • Leisure: Water puppet, Swimming, Morning Tai Chi
  • Service charges and Taxes

Tour Excluded

  • International flight from/to your country
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping and Gratuities
  • Other not mentioned in the program
What is the itinerary for the tour?

The tour starts and ends in Hanoi, covering destinations like Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai, Lai Chau, Sapa, Bac Ha, and Bai Tu Long Bay.

What kind of activities are included?

The tour includes trekking through stunning valleys, visiting villages of minority tribes, exploring traditional markets, and an overnight boat cruise in Halong Bay.

What should I bring?

It’s recommended to bring good trekking shoes, insect repellent, and a camera. The best time to see the rice terraces is from May to June and July to early October.

What is the best time to go?

The best time for this tour is from October to May, especially for the rice terraces.

Are meals included?

Yes, all meals during the tour are included.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

North West Vietnam grand adventure tour – 11 Days
From $662
/ Adult
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