Explore the Hidden Gems of Northeastern Vietnam
Leave your footprints on the most famous destinations in Northeastern Vietnam. Encounter the diverse cultures of mountain tribes and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Travel from Hanoi to many hidden and less-traveled places.
Advice:
- Weather Tips: The winter season (December to January) can be cold and foggy on some days.
- What to Bring: Trekking shoes, insect repellent, and a camera are essential.
- Authentic Interactions: For more interactions with local people and a truly authentic experience, we invite you to stay at a homestay with basic amenities: clean mattress, pillow, mosquito net, blankets, outside WC, and hot water shower. Hotel service is also available; please contact us for more info.
- Tour guide in: English, Français, Japanese and Korean
- Private
- Travel style: Authentic, Mountain & Minority, Nature & Discover
- All meals during the tour
- Easy
- May to October
Overview
- Start/End: Hanoi/Hanoi
- Visit: Ha Giang – Dong Van – Bao Lac – Cao Bang – Ba Be
- Duration: 08 Days
- Travel style: Authentic, Mountain & Minority, Nature & Discover
- Category: Private tour
- Tour guide in: English, Français, Japanese and Korean
Enjoy:
- Cultural Encounters: Meet minority groups such as the Dzao, Bo Y, H'mong, Black Lo Lo, San Chi, Nung, and Tay. Experience their unique cultures and traditions.
- Outdoor Adventures: Enjoy trekking, hiking, biking, and boating trips through some of Vietnam's most stunning landscapes.
- Natural Wonders: Discover breathtaking mountain landscapes and natural wonders, including Quan Ba Twin Mountains, Dong Van Karst Plateau Heritage, Ma Pi Leng Pass, the famous Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ba Be Lake National Park, and the Nguom Ngao & Hua Ma caves.
- Homestay Experience: For a more authentic experience, stay with local families in their traditional homes.
Itinerary
Morning:
◾ Depart from your hotel in Hanoi and head towards Ha Giang via the highway to Phu Tho.
◾ Along the way, stop to visit the Dao village in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang.
◾ Here, you'll discover traditional houses on stilts, a typical architectural style of the ethnic groups in this undulating region.
Afternoon:
◾ Arrive in Ha Giang and begin your trek to the Me, Lup, and Tha villages.
◾ These villages, known for their serene beauty, feature hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves.
◾ In front of the houses, you'll find small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs.
◾ The villagers, known for their legendary hospitality, will greet you with big smiles. Visit a typical house to get a glimpse of local daily life.
Evening:
◾ Arrive in Tha Village, located on palm-covered hills surrounded by rice fields. Here, you can rest and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
◾ Check into your accommodation and take some free time to stroll around and experience the rhythm of daily life in the mountains before sunset.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Lunch and Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
◾ 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Morning:
◾ Begin your journey to Dong Van, traveling through the magical landscapes of this region.
◾ Before reaching Quan Ba Pass, stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in Quyet Tien Commune. The Bo Y community, originally from China, is a small group of about 2,000 people living in the mountainous parts of the north.
◾ At Quan Ba Pass, take a short break to admire the view of Quan Ba town and the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).
Midday:
◾ Continue driving to the limestone rock plateau zone, often referred to as the mountainous Halong Bay.
◾ This majestic natural treasure is listed in the World Geological Park book.
◾ Along the way, enjoy a walking tour to Lung Hoa Village to discover “Nha Trinh Tuong,” a special type of house typical of the Hmong people, built on sticky ground.
Afternoon:
◾ Visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo), dating back 100 years.
◾ This palace reflects a time when the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac formed an autonomous zone with their own king.
◾ The economy was based on poppy cultivation and opium trade with China.
Evening:
◾ Arrive in Dong Van, check into your accommodation, and relax. Enjoy the rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty experienced throughout the day.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
◾ 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Morning:
◾ After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Dong Van to Meo Vac by crossing the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass.
◾ This route offers stunning views of limestone mountains, the Nho Que River, and H'mong villages nestled in the mountains.
Midday:
◾ Continue your journey to Bao Lac, known for the Black Lo Lo ethnic group.
◾ This region gained attention from the French media through the documentary "The Journey into Unknown Land," filmed in Khuoi Khon village by rugby player Frederik Michalak.
◾ Enjoy lunch in Bao Lac town and check into your hotel.
Afternoon:
◾ Transfer to Coc Xa village in Na Van commune.
◾ This village of the Lo Lo ethnic group remains more authentic than Khuoi Khon village, which has become more touristic after the documentary.
◾ Walk through the rice fields and trails in the village, visit the local houses, and engage with the hosts to learn more about their daily life and traditional customs.
Evening:
◾ Return to Bao Lac town and stay overnight in your hotel, reflecting on the rich cultural experiences and stunning landscapes of the day.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Morning:
◾ Depart for Cao Bang via Tinh Tuc. About 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, lies a beautiful village of the San Chi ethnic group.
◾ This hidden gem is seldom visited by travelers due to its secluded location behind the hills.
◾ The village features hundreds of stilt houses nestled on the mountainside with stunning views of the valley.
◾ To reach the village, you'll need to walk up a 2km steep incline. The higher you climb, the more breathtaking the view becomes.
◾ During your visit, you can meet a local family to gain insight into the authentic life of the San Chi people.
Midday:
◾ Continue your journey to Cao Bang, where the magnificent nature will leave you in awe.
◾ The mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces, creating a picturesque landscape perfect for filming or taking photos.
Afternoon:
◾ Arrive in Cao Bang and check into your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the central market in the city, immersing yourself in the local culture and atmosphere.
Evening:
◾ Stay overnight in your hotel, reflecting on the rich cultural experiences and stunning natural beauty of the day.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
Morning:
◾ Depart from your hotel and head to Ban Gioc Waterfall, located on the border between Vietnam and China.
◾ Standing 30 meters tall and 208 meters wide, Ban Gioc is considered the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam.
◾ After a 2-hour drive through the magical limestone region, you will arrive at this stunning natural masterpiece.
Afternoon:
◾ Transfer to Nguom Ngao Cave, which you will reach by walking up a hundred steps. Located in a maize valley, the cave stretches 2 kilometers in length and is filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. It served as a shelter for thousands of local people during the Vietnam/China border war.
◾ On your way to Cao Bang, stop by Phuc Sen, a blacksmith village. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to burn your name into a souvenir knife. You will be among the few travelers who get to spend the night in this village.
◾ While the comfort may be limited, you will enjoy the friendly atmosphere and legendary hospitality of the Nung ethnic group, experiencing their authentic lifestyle.
Evening:
◾ Have dinner and stay overnight in a homestay, reflecting on the day's rich experiences and the warm hospitality of the Nung people.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
◾ 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Morning:
◾ Depart from your homestay for a 2-hour trek to a Nung village. Along the way, you'll discover craft villages specializing in the manufacture of paper and incense sticks.
◾ The breathtaking landscape of rice paddies, limestone peaks, and the delightful hospitality of the Nung ethnic group will astonish you. ◾ Many of our clients have found this itinerary to be one of the most wondrous.
Midday:
◾ In Canh Phung Tren village, meet our driver for your transfer to Ba Be. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of villages nestled against the mountainside as you travel.
◾ Take opportunities to stop, meet the locals, and capture photos of the beautiful landscape.
Afternoon:
◾ Arrive in Ba Be and visit Pac Ngoi village, a typical Tay village. Immerse yourself in the local culture and take in the serene beauty of the area, reflecting on the rich experiences of the day.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Morning:
◾ Start your day with a transfer from the village to Buoc Lom Pier, where you'll embark on a relaxing boat trip along the Nang River.
◾ Enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests lining the riverbanks as you gently cruise.
◾ The boat will pass through Puong Cave, home to thousands of bats, and continue towards Dau Dang Waterfall.
Midday:
◾ Lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the waterfall, offering a delightful break amidst nature's beauty.
Afternoon:
◾ After lunch, take the boat back to the lake, making a stop at the Fairy Pond located in the middle of a pristine forest. Here, you can gently cruise around the lake, and if the weather permits, enjoy a refreshing swim. Disembark around 4:00 PM.
Evening:
◾ The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
◾ Relax and take in the stunning sunset over the mountain ranges, reflecting on the serene and beautiful experiences of the day.
Included:
◾ English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
◾ Boat: Ba Be
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
◾ 02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
Morning:
◾Start your day with a cycling adventure through several ethnic Tay villages. Follow the path along the river and enter Ba Be National Park, heading towards Hua Ma Cave, located 5km from the village.
◾This cave is an attractive site with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Midday:
◾Return to Pac Ngoi village by 11:00 AM and meet our driver for your transfer back to Hanoi.
◾If time permits and you’re feeling adventurous, you can extend your trip to Silver Waterfall, an additional 4km from Hua Ma Cave.
Afternoon:
◾Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax after your mountain getaway.
Included:
◾English, Français, Japanese and Korean speaking guide
◾Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
◾Private transportation
◾Entrance fees
◾Bike: Ba Be
◾02 bottles of mineral water (500 ml)/pax/day
What's Included
- English, Français, Japanese and Korean Speaking tour guide following the itinerary
- All entrance fees and tickets mentioned in the itinerary
- Selected accommodations with daily breakfast
- Boat trip in Ba Be
- Private car as per the itinerary
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
- Bike rental in Ba Be
- Service charges and taxes
Not Included:
- International flights to/from your country
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Any other services not mentioned in the program
FAQs
This 8-day tour takes you through the stunning landscapes of North East Vietnam, featuring highlights such as the Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ba Be Lake, and the cultural diversity of various ethnic minority villages. You’ll explore lush national parks, enjoy boat trips on serene lakes, and visit historical sites while immersing yourself in the rich local culture.
The tour includes a mix of accommodation options, ranging from comfortable hotels in major towns to traditional homestays in ethnic minority villages. This blend of lodging allows you to experience the local way of life and enjoy modern comforts. The homestays are particularly special, offering authentic hospitality and a chance to interact with local families.
Packing essentials for this trip include comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing suitable for warm weather, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle. Additionally, bring a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings, especially if traveling in the winter months. Don’t forget your camera to capture the beautiful landscapes and cultural experiences.
The best time to visit North East Vietnam is from October to April. During these months, the weather is cooler and drier, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The scenery is particularly beautiful in autumn (September to November) when the rice fields turn golden.
This tour is moderately demanding. It includes activities such as trekking, boat trips, and exploring caves, which require a reasonable level of fitness. Participants should be prepared for some walking and physical activity. However, the tour is designed to be enjoyable for most travelers with average fitness levels.
