Vietnam Northern Treasures Exploration - 10 Days

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tour Route: Hanoi - Ha Giang - Cao Bang - Ba Be Lake - Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba - Hanoi
Duration: 10 Days/ 9 Nights
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Ha Giang – Quan Ba (L, D)

Pick up at the hotel in Hanoi in the early morning, take a 291-KM drive north to Ha Giang. The drive takes at least 6 hours passing through the countryside, villages, and towns in far Northeast Vietnam. Along the way, stop to visit Mac Dynasty Citadel in Tuyen Quang Province and a nearby local market.

After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to Ha Giang. On arrival in the mid-afternoon, visit Tha Cultural Village which is 5 Km away from the town center. The village is home to Tay people and surrounded by rice terrace. Back to the town and check-in your hotel which overlooks the river. Dinner and overnight in Quan Ba.

Distance Hanoi – Ha Giang: 300km – 6.5 hours
Distance Ha Giang – Quan Ba: 60km – 2.5 hours

Overnight in Quan Ba
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Lung Cu – Dong Van (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, start our journey by passing through Quan Ba, this is considered one of the most stunning routes in Vietnam. Stop to visit some minority communities en-route and talk with the lovely local children. You can bring them some sweets, candy or snacks but not money. In this route, we spend time to pass by some highlight place as Bac Sum Slope – Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate; Quan Ba Twin Moutain Fairy (Nui Doi Quan Ba). You will have some time to drink café in the middle of mountain and watch the amazing view of Ha Giang.

Then, on the way we transfer to Yen Minh, we will pass-by Lung Cu Flag Tower and take a view from here before start the journey to Yen Minh Town and spend the rest of day in here. This day will be end-up by having a dinner after a long day with some local alcohol (ruou ngo – one of the most significant drink in here) if you like.

Distance Ha Giang – Quan Ba: 60km – 2.5 hours
Distance Quan Ba – Yen Minh: 58km – 2.5 hours

Overnight in Dong Van
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Dong Van – Meo Vac (B, L, D)

After a local breakfast, our car will move to Meo Vac after spend time to pass by Chin Khoanh Slope (Nine Turning Point Slope); Lung Cam Culture Village (With Film Studio ‘Story of Pao’), where live mainly Hmong people and some other ethnic minority groups such as Hoa and Lo Lo etc. For centuries it is there as a “peaceful oasis” inside the beautiful Sung La valley. Architecture of houses in the village, farming practices and customs of the people in Lung Cam village represent the traditional culture of Hmong people in the Dong Van UNESCO Global Geopark. Then, we visit Dinh Vua Meo (Vuong’s Palace) – the ancient villa of Vuong Chinh Duc. The only one recognized by the Ha Giang ethnic people as king of the Hmong People in the beginning of the 20th century, who controlled Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van districts.

In the afternoon, we will visit Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass, Hem Tu San (Tu San Canyon) – Above only, Vách đá thần (White/Magical Cliffs) – you can see it from the main road to Meo Vac. We will spend the rest of the day in here.

Distance Yen Minh – Dong Van: 50km – 2 hours
Distance Dong Van – Meo Vac: 25km – 1 hours

*Optional adventure services in Nho Que River: Go down to Nho Que River by motorbike and have a journey with boat in Ty San Canyon before go-up and continue the journey. With this tour, you will experience the felling of adventure when go down from the top to bottom in around 25 minutes with motorbike.

Overnight in Meo Vac
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Meo Vac – Cao Bang (B, L, D)

Today’s drive will be through three passes with the beautiful landscape of forest and mountains. Lunch in a local restaurant with specialty and arrive Cao Bang Town in the late afternoon with some stops en-route to visit the local villages. Dinner and overnight in Cao Bang.

Distance Meo Vac – Cao Bang: 200km – 6 hours

Overnight in Cao Bang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Ba Be (B, L, D)

After breakfast, visit Ban Gioc Waterfall on the China-Vietnam border which is 85 KM from Cao Bang. Ban Gioc is one of the largest and the most impressive waterfalls in Vietnam, get your eyes amazed by the white water, picturesque blue sky, great limestone mountains, and stunning rice fields – a great chance ever for the photo shoot. After a picnic lunch, visit Nguom Ngao Cave, one of the largest in the area. It has many fascinating stalactites in different shapes. After that, we run to Ba Be Lake for a night sleeping

Overnight in Ba Be
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Ba Be Lake – Hanoi (B, L, D)

This morning, you’ll set off for Ba Be National Park, where you’ll be mesmerized by the picturesque landscapes and charming rural villages along the way. A delightful traditional Vietnamese lunch awaits you at a local restaurant during the journey. As you arrive at Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in Vietnam, you’ll be greeted by the beauty of lush forests and majestic limestone mountains. After checking into your comfortable accommodation, take a moment to relax and soak in the serene surroundings.

In the late afternoon, a tranquil boat trip on Ba Be Lake will reveal the crystal-clear waters, enchanting limestone caves, and the fascinating Puong Cave. Return to your lodging for a dinner showcasing delectable regional dishes, and the evening is yours to enjoy stargazing or engaging in a cultural exchange with local ethnic communities. After the tour, we transfer back to Hanoi for the relaxing.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay – Overnight Cruise (L, D)

At around 7:45 am, we pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi to start our journey.  When we arrive at Tuan Chau Marina – Ha Long, we enjoy a welcome drink and express check-in before boarding. After transferring by speedboat to La Regina Legend Cruises. You will be welcomed aboard the cruise, and refreshed with our welcome drink while the Cruise Manager briefing cruise orientation, activities & onboard safety. The cruise explores Chan Voi (Elephant Feet) and Tra Bau Area., while we are enjoying a meal that features the distinctive Vietnamese cuisine taste.

In the afternoon, you will arrive at Light and Dark Cave – one of the best attractions on Lan Ha Bay which is best known for its pristine and tranquil beauty. You can explore the area by local boat or kayaking. After that, cruise further to Van Boi Area – the most ideal paradise for swimming. It’s a hidden beauty that impresses visitors with the natural scenery of mountains, rocks, and greenery surrounding nature to bring a beautiful space, and fresh air.

After that, we return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the "Happy Hour" special. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls. After a traditional Vietnamese cuisine, we will spend time to enjoy some night activities on boat like: squid fishing, spa, karaoke, or relaxing.

Overnight in Hanoi (booked by clients)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba – Flamingo Cat Ba (B, Br)

In the early morning, we greet the new day on the sundeck with a tachi session and enjoy the fresh air on the bay while you unwind with a cup of tea or coffee.  Following, we have a quick breakfast on board and get your day going with plenty of energy before going to discover Trung Trang Cave – one iconic and historic cave on Cat Ba Island. Over millions of years of geological tectonics, this cave possesses thousands of natural stalactites shaped to create a unique, imagination for visitors. It is known locally as “gold treasure” with many unique things

After that, we get back to the main boat for relaxing and check out at the reception, please put all your luggage outside of your cabin, crew members will help to bring the luggage on land. Then lunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the habour.

Around 10:00 – 10:30 am, you will be dropped off at Gia Luan Port, and from here, our car will pick you up and transfer you to Flamingo Cat Ba for the relaxing.

Overnight in Flamingo Cat Ba
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Day 9: Free Time (B)

Today is a free day.

Overnight in Flamingo Cat Ba
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Cat Ba – Hanoi – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B)

From Flamingo Cat Ba, we take the car transfer back to Hanoi and depart the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Trip ends. See you again in the next Vietnam vacation!