12 Days Private Tour to Discover Northeast Vietnam from Hanoi

Hanoi - Ha Giang (Scenic driving route, trekking via Me – Lup – Tha villages)

8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Giang via the highway to Phu Tho. Stop to visit the Dao village in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang. First, discover the houses on stilts, a typical style of ethnic groups in this undulating region.

Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon, beginning a trek to the Me – Lup – Tha villages. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers testifying to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village on the palm hills with rice fields where you can rest in the serenity. Finally, check in your accommodation and free to stroll around to catch the rhythm of daily life in the mountain before sunset.

Ha Giang - Dong Van (Visiting Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy mountain, ethnic houses, H'mong King’s Palace)

8:00 AM: Travel to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route. Before arrival at the Quan Ba pass, we will stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Yis a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).

Continue drive to the Limestone rock plateau zone, considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a special type of house) by a walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground.

Next, visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check in accommodation and relax.

Dong Van - Bao Lac (Crossing spectacular Ma Pi Leng pass to Bao Lac, visit to villages of Lo Lo & H’mong people)

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off from Dong Van toward Meo Vac, crossing the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking views of limestone mountains, the winding Nho Que River, and traditional H'mong village nestled along the slopes.

From there, we’ll continue to Bao Lac, a region renowned for the Black Lo Lo ethnic community. The area gained prominence through the French documentary, "The Journey into Unknown Land", filmed in Khuoi Khon village—just 9 km from Bao Lac town—by rugby player Frédéric Michalak. We’ll enjoy lunch in Bao Lac town before heading to Coc Xa village in Na Van commune. This Lo Lo village retains a more authentic charm compared to Khuoi Khon, which has become a popular tourist spot since the documentary’s release. Here, you’ll stroll through rice fields and scenic trails, visit local homes, and have meaningful exchanges with the residents, giving you a deeper understanding of their way of life and traditions. Later, we’ll return to town, where you’ll stay overnight in a local hotel.

Bao Lac - Cao Bang (Visiting the hill village of San Chi ethnic people, transfer to Cao Bang)

We’ll set off for Cao Bang, traveling along National Road 4A. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning landscapes featuring limestone mountains, blue rivers, and beautiful rice fields sprawled across picturesque valleys. Our journey will take us through the Khau Coc Cha Pass. Although it stretches just 2.5 kilometers, this pass boasts a remarkable steep slope with 15 levels and 14 sharp bends.

After navigating the pass, we’ll arrive in the Xuan Truong Valley, a breathtaking area filled with expansive rice fields and charming stilt houses. Here, we’ll pause to visit a local family, giving you a unique opportunity to learn about their way of life and rich culture.

Continuing our adventure, we’ll follow the road through the Na Tenh Pass, which offers impressive vistas of the lush green mountains and the surrounding valleys.

Our final destination for the day will be Pac Bo Cave, a significant historical site set in a captivating location. This is where President Ho Chi Minh lived for seven weeks in February and March of 1941 after returning to Vietnam from 30 years of exile. At last, we’ll arrive in Cao Bang city and check into a cozy local hotel.

Cao Bang (Travel to Vietnam's most beautiful waterfall - Ban Gioc, explore Nguom Ngao cave, visiting Nung group village)

Depart from your hotel to Ban Gioc waterfall located on the border between Vietnam and China. It is 30m in height and 208m in width and is the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam. After 2 hours of driving through the magical limestone region, you will arrive at Ban Gioc waterfall and be amazed by this beautiful natural masterpiece.

In the afternoon, transfer to Nguom Ngao cave, reached by walking a hundred steps. The cave is located in the maize valley and is 2km in length. It is filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. It was a shelter for thousands of local people during the Vietnam/China border war.

On the way to Cao Bang we will visit Phuc Sen, a blacksmith village, where you will have an opportunity to burn your name into your souvenir knife. You will be one of just a few travelers who spend a night in the village. The comfort is limited; however, you will enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the legendary hospitality of the Nung ethnic group and their authentic lifestyle. Have dinner and stay overnight in a homestay.

Cao Bang - Ba Be (Journey with stunning views, trekking to Nung village, transfer to Ba Be)

In the morning, depart from your homestay for a 2-hour trek to Nung village. You will discover the craft villages specializing in the manufacture of paper and incense sticks. The landscape of rice paddies, the limestone peaks and the Nung ethnic group with their delightful hospitality will astonish you. According to our clients, this is one of the itineraries which gave them the most wonder.

In the Canh Phung Tren village, meet our driver for a transfer to Ba Be. On the way, you will enjoy the magnificent landscape of the villages nestled in the flank of mountain. Stop on the way to meet the natives and take photos wherever possible. Arrive in Ba Be in the afternoon. Visit Pac Ngoi village, a typical village of Tay people.

Ba Be (Relaxing boat trip to explore Puong Cave, Dau Dang waterfall)

In the morning, transfer from the village to Buoc Lom Pier to take a boat trip along the Nang river and enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests along the river. The boat will pass through Puong cave, home to thousands of bats, toward Dau Dang waterfall. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the waterfall. In the afternoon, take the boat back to the lake, stopping at the Fairy pond located in the middle of the primitive forest. Here, you will gently cruise around the lake and it's possible to swim if the weather permits. Disembark at around 04:00 PM. Rest of the day on your own free and easy, enjoy sunset over mountain ranges.

Ba Be - Hanoi (Cycling in Ba Be National Park, visiting Hua Ma cave, transfer to Hanoi)

In the morning, cycle through several ethnic Tay villages. Keep your path along the river, get into national park to Hua Ma cave (5km from the village), an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Go back to Pac Ngoi village at 11:00am and meet our driver for a transfer to Hanoi. Optional: If time permits and you are sportive, may extent to Silver waterfall (more 4km from Hua Ma cave) Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time after the mountain getaway.

Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay (Cruising in Bai Tu Long bay, swimming & sunbathing at beautiful beaches)

8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy three hour drive from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, get warmly welcomed at 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: Transfer to Garden Bay Classic Cruise Boat by tender (5-10 minutes). Warmest welcome drinks, listen to safety briefing, then check into your cabin. 13:00: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese Set Menu while our boat cruises leisurely to the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, Cap La area.

15:30: Embark on a kayaking adventure to discover the breathtaking natural scenery of limestone islands and islets. You can also indulge in swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. 17:30: Join the Sunset Party on the Sundeck while the boat cruises to the Cong Do area to anchor for the night (Happy Hour offer from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm). 18:30: Participate in a cooking class where you can learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese cuisines. 19:30: Indulge in a sumptuous BBQ dinner on the Sundeck (not available until October). 21:00: Free time to relax on the Sundeck or try your luck with squid fishing. Board games are also available.

Bai Tu Long Bay - Hanoi (Discovering the charming Vung Vieng fishing village, unique cruising route, getting back Hanoi)

06:30: Wake up early in the morning for Tai Chi exercise. 07:00: Have a light breakfast with Western styles while the boat cruises toward the most beautiful fishing village in Ha Long Bay. 07:30: Transfer to Vung Vieng Fishing Village by tender. 08:00: Ride on the rowing boat (rowed by the local fisherman) to explore the Vung Vieng fishing village and learn about the local fishing life. 09:00: Return to the main boat for the cruise back to the harbor by a different route. 09:30: Check out.

10:00: Have lunch onboard (Fusion style). 11:00: Disembark at Sunworld Harbor. Our driver will pick you up at the port, and bring you back to Hanoi. Expected arrival time in Hanoi at about 3:00 PM. Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest at the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi and take you to Noi Bai Airport. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes.