5 days
Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Ha Giang
This 5-day, 4-night remote trip is the perfect short escape from the bustling city of Hanoi. You’ll be enchanted by the spectacular valleys and high mountain passes. Along the way, stop to capture breathtaking mountain views and interact with locals, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. You'll also have the amazing opportunity to visit ethnic hill tribes and catch glimpses of their traditional customs. If you're seeking a secluded experience in Vietnam, this is the trip for you.
By Day | Transfer | Destinations | Activities | Meals |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Ba Be | Arrive in Thai Nguyen, Visit the Cultural Museum of Vietnam's Ethnic Minority Groups, Transfer to Ba Be National Park, Enjoy a Local Boat Tour | L, D | |
Day 2 | Ba Be, Bao Lac | Discover Hua Ma Cave, Travel from Bac Kan to Bao Lac, Explore Bao Lac Village | B, L, D | |
Day 3 | Bao Lac, Meo Vac, Dong Van | Boat Along Nho Que River, Stop at Ma Pi Leng Pass | B, L | |
Day 4 | Dong Van, Quan Ba | Visit Lung Cu Flag Tower, Hmong Royal Palace & Lung Tam Village | B, L, D | |
Day 5 | Quan Ba, Hanoi | Visit Fairy Mountain and Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Lunch along the way, Drive back to Hanoi | B, L |
Arrive in Thai Nguyen, Visit the Cultural Museum of Vietnam's Ethnic Minority Groups, Transfer to Ba Be National Park, Enjoy a Local Boat Tour
08:00 AM: After breakfast at your hotel, our tour guide and driver will pick you up. After a short drive of nearly 2 hours, you will arrive in Thai Nguyen.
We will visit the Thai Nguyen Museum of Ethnology to learn about the hill tribes in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam. Then, we will continue our journey to Cho Ra, enjoying picturesque landscapes along the way. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Cho Ra Town.
In the afternoon, we head to Ba Be and spend the rest of the day exploring the stunning Ba Be National Park on a local boat. The views feature stunning karst formations all around, covered with patches of wild vegetation and rich wildlife.
After the tour, we will transfer you to your accommodation in Ba Be, where you can rest before having a traditional dinner.
Overnight in Ba Be.
Discover Hua Ma Cave, Travel from Bac Kan to Bao Lac, Explore Bao Lac Village
08:00 AM: After breakfast, we will visit Hua Ma Cave by bike. This cave is known for its mysterious legends and impressive stalactites, which have formed over millions of years. Hua Ma Cave is not only a beautiful spot but also a significant site for those interested in geology.
Next, we will drive nearly 40 km to Ha Hieu to capture stunning photos of the mighty terraced rice fields and spectacular mountain views. We will then continue our journey to Bao Lac, passing through Tinh Tuc village, where you will observe a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. Lunch will be provided along the way.
After lunch, we will drive along the Gam River, ascending a steep mountain to explore the remote areas between Cao Bang and Bao Lac, a small town in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam. This area is home to the Black Lo Lo ethnic group. We will take an hour-long walk around their village with our guide before returning to your accommodation to relax and prepare for dinner.
Overnight at a hotel in Bao Lac.
Boat Along Nho Que River, Stop at Ma Pi Leng Pass
08:00 AM: After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Bao Lac and set off for Dong Van. As we drive, you'll be captivated by the stunning scenery along the route. We'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way.
Next, we'll transfer to Meo Vac. If the weather permits, you'll have the fantastic opportunity to take a boat tour along the Nho Que River. Following the boat tour, we'll make a stop at Ma Pi Leng Pass to take in the breathtaking and spectacular views.
We'll then continue to Dong Van, where you'll have some free time to explore the ancient streets of Dong Van before arranging your own dinner.
Overnight in Dong Van.
Visit Lung Cu Flag Tower, Hmong Royal Palace & Lung Tam Village
07:30 AM: After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Lung Cu, a short 1.5-hour drive away. Lung Cu is renowned as the northernmost point of Vietnam and holds a sacred place in the hearts of all Vietnamese people.
Next, we will visit the Hmong Royal Palace, the historical residence of the Vuong family, who ruled the region and controlled opium production and trade until 1945. We will stop for lunch along the way.
After lunch, we will continue our journey to Lung Tam Village, known for its long-standing tradition of brocade weaving, which helps preserve the cultural heritage of the Mong ethnic people living in this mountainous region.
Our driver will then take you from Lung Tam Village to your accommodation in Quan Ba, where you can enjoy traditional specialties for dinner.
Overnight in Quan Ba.
Visit Fairy Mountain and Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Lunch along the way, Drive back to Hanoi
08:00 AM: After breakfast, our driver will take you back to Hanoi. On the way, we will take a short walk to Fairy Mountain, also known as “Nui Doi Co Tien.” This beautiful and fascinating attraction has been cherished by local ethnic people, who have preserved the legend of the fairy for many generations.
We will also stop at the famous Quan Ba Heaven Gate viewpoint, which overlooks a Red Dao village. The panorama here is simply spectacular, with mountains encasing terraced rice fields and a few scattered settlements.
We will have lunch along the way and arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Thank you for traveling to Vietnam with us. We hope you enjoyed your trip and look forward to seeing you again!
Meals
4 breakfasts 5 lunches 3 dinners
Accommodation
Transport
Car, Boating, Biking, Walking
Included services
Vietnam visa approval letter (Not applied for nationalities in the special nation's list of Vietnam Immigration Department. Check on request for details)
Accommodations with daily breakfast as mentioned
Private transport in air-conditioned vehicles
Local English-speaking guide
Water on coach per tour days
Entrance fees, boat trips & excursions
Support for ethnic minorities in remote villages by small gifts
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Private tours give you more flexibility in your movements
Convenience and saving time are huge reasons people choose private tours
Add more exciting or reduce the less attractive destinations.