Explore Vietnam with a journey combining cruising, trekking and camping

Arrive in Hanoi, watch water puppets, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant

Welcome to Hanoi, the heart of Vietnam, which is considered a blend of traditional and modern beauty. At Noi Bai Airport, the car and tour guide will pick you up at the hotel for check-in. 

After relaxation, the guide will take you on foot to the theater and you will enjoy Water Puppetry – a traditional art form of Vietnam. Afterwards, guests have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

Experience a city tour: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, Museum of Ethnology, Temple of Literature and Take the night train to Lao Cai

08:00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, the tour guide will come to the hotel to pick you up and depart for Hanoi city tour. 

You will start with a tour of the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here you can visit the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, where Uncle Ho's body is kept. Next, you will visit the Presidential Palace - a beautiful French architectural work in the garden and the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House. Visiting the house, you will see the simple life of Ho Chi Minh - President forever in the soul of the Vietnamese people. You will end this area with One Pillar Pagoda - one of the most attractive attractions in Hanoi that you cannot miss with its special architecture.

Have lunch and you will continue to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university. The next destination will be the Museum of Ethnology to learn more about Vietnamese culture. Next, you'll explore Hanoi by cruising through the Old Quarter with 36 Old Quarters on a traditional cyclo. This slow-paced tour will give you a great opportunity to fully enjoy the classic and modern features of the capital. You will end the tour at around 4:00 PM, followed by free time to go shopping and relax in Hanoi. 

In the evening, at about 8:30 PM, the tour guide will come to the hotel to pick you up at Hanoi station to depart for Lao Cai and spend the night on the train.

Arrive in Sapa Town, Trek through Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai Villages

05:30 AM: You arrive at Lao Cai station, where the driver and guide will meet you and drive for about 1 hour to Sapa Town.

08:30 AM: The day is dedicated to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sapa Valley. Start by descending along Cau May Street (6 km). Along the way, admire the rice terraces hidden behind the morning mist, a truly awe-inspiring sight. Follow a small path and cross the Muong Hoa River, passing well-maintained rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Continuing through the colorful rice terraces, you will reach the Giay village of Ta Van. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River, you will cross a small suspension bridge, roughly 2 km from the village. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings, depicting beautiful images of people, stilt houses, and decorative patterns.

We will have lunch in a local home in the village. After lunch, the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After resting near a waterfall to refresh, you will start climbing uphill to a road where the car will be ready to take you back to Sapa.

Approx: 1 hour driving / 4 hours walking / 1 hour lunch.

Then, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Free time at your leisure.

Overnight in Sapa.

Take the mountain train to the cable car station for Fansipan Peak, free time to explore the town, take the night train back to Hanoi

9:00 AM: Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Sapa Town to walk to the mountain train station located in Hôtel de la Coupole - MGallery by Sofitel. Take the train with your guide to the Fansipan Cable Car Station and enjoy the breathtaking view of Hoang Lien Son mountain. You will be provided with cable car tickets. Then, following the instructions of the staff at the cable car station, you will take the ride and visit Fansipan Peak. While there, you will have the opportunity to take many photos with a fantastic panoramic view.

After 2-3 hours visiting Fansipan mountain, return to the Fansipan Cable Car Station and take the mountain train back to Sapa Town. Your guide will take you back to your hotel in Sapa Town. Have lunch on your own and enjoy free time to explore the town. At 5:30 PM, your private driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby and transfer you to Lao Cai train station. Take the night train to Hanoi (air-conditioned berth). Overnight on the train.

Transfer to Halong Bay, Explore the World Natural Heritage, Stay overnight on the cruise

05:30 - 06:00 AM: Upon arrival at Hanoi Railway Station, walk to a nearby mini-hotel for some rest and breakfast. 

08:00 AM: Our driver will pick you up at the hotel, and you will depart on a 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay, a World Natural Heritage site recognized twice by UNESCO. Upon arrival, board the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink while receiving a tour briefing. A delicious lunch will be served on board as the ship sails further into the Bay, giving you time to admire its dramatic limestone islands. 

You can relax on the sundeck or in your cabin at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to swim in the warm, calm waters or go kayaking. Kayaking is easy for all levels and ages, and our expert guide will instruct you on basic paddling techniques before leading you to explore the extraordinary beauty of Halong Bay. After an hour of exploring the bay, we will return to the cruise for relaxation before participating in a cooking class in the late afternoon. 

Enjoy a superb dinner and stay overnight on board.

Enjoy the sightseeing in Halong Bay, Fly from Hanoi to Dong Hoi

We will continue our journey in Halong Bay early in the morning. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck is a must-try experience on the cruise. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax and sight-see while taking photos of the magnificent rocky islands rising from the emerald waters of the bay. After breakfast, we will explore Sung Sot Cave, one of the finest and largest grottoes in Halong Bay. Next, we will keep cruising, passing by the fishing village with its unique way of life.

At 10:30 AM, our boat will cruise back to the jetty, allowing you to enjoy the last moments in the bay before having a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

You will disembark the boat around 11:30 AM, go ashore, and transfer back to Hanoi.

Around 4:30 PM, you will arrive at your hotel in the Old Quarter.

Our private car will be waiting for you at the hotel to transfer you directly to the airport for your flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel by our tour guide and driver. Stay overnight in Dong Hoi.

Visit Paradise Cave and enjoy a boat trip to Phong Nha Cave

8:00 AM: After breakfast at your hotel, our tour guide and friendly driver will meet you and transfer you to Phong Nha National Park to visit Paradise Cave. Experience the call of the wild and the sounds of primates echoing off the stunning limestone cliffs on the historic Ho Chi Minh trails as the newly paved single-lane road winds through one of Vietnam’s most important conservation areas.

You will continue the journey to Paradise Cave, first discovered in 2005 by the British Cave Research Association. It is the largest and most beautiful cave in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang area, described by British spelunkers as resembling an imperial palace. The cave is well presented with easy access, great walkways, and excellent feature lighting, which makes it extra special. You will take a buggy from the parking area to the foothills of the cave (2 km). Admire countless stalactites with different shapes such as Thach Thien Cung, Thien Ha Waterfall, Quan Tien Convergence, and Thap Lien Flower.

After leaving Paradise Cave, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and take a rest.

Following lunch, we will transfer you to explore the impressive Phong Nha Cave. Take a boat to cruise on the Son River. While on the boat, you will see green fields, people, houses, and limestone formations along the river. After a 25-minute boat ride, you will arrive at Phong Nha Cave, known as a water cave due to its underground river. The cave is famous for its rock formations, which have been given names such as the “Lion,” the “Fairy Caves,” the “Royal Court,” and the “Buddha.” Explore about 300 meters into the cave on foot. Another boat ride will take you back to the port, and then you will be transferred by car to your accommodation in Phong Nha.

Overnight in Phong Nha.

Embark on a 2-day 1-night adventure to Hang En Cave, the third largest cave in the world

Join us for an unforgettable journey exploring Hang En Cave over the next two days. Here’s what’s planned: Phong Nha - Ban Doong Village - Hang En. Begin your ultimate adventure with a pick-up from your hotel in Phong Nha between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, followed by a brief transfer to our Headquarters. Get briefed on safety, gather your gear, and complete our Release Form before embarking on a 45-minute drive through the National Park to reach the trailhead. At 10:00 AM, leave the paved roads behind and enter the jungle.

The journey starts with a steep ascent through lush jungle, with a refreshing river waiting at the bottom. Trek through pristine primary forest until you reach the Ban Doong minority village, where a warm cup of tea awaits. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river around 12:30 – 1:00 PM, before continuing deeper into the jungle, navigating rivers, streams, and the scenic river valley until Hang En Cave emerges on the horizon.

Arrive at Hang En around 3:00 PM and take a short break while our porter team sets up camp on the beach inside the cave. Spend the next few hours exploring deeper into the cave, reaching the breathtaking exit famously featured in the film "Pan". Return to camp through a dry passage to a viewpoint high above camp, where you can see 300-million-year-old fossils. Relax or swim in the natural pool before enjoying a delicious grilled dinner with rice wine, serenaded by the sounds of swifts overhead.

Overnight at the campsite in Hang En Cave.

NOTES:

This is a join-in tour, not a private. If you prefer a private tour, please let us know.

Operating: from Dec to mid-Sept (closed from mid-Sep to Nov)

Adventure Level: Moderate (22 km) for physically active guests

Small Group Tours: Average 10 - 16 pax (required minimum 2 pax)

Minimum Age: 16 years & above (Physically active 15 y/o with previous experiences will be considered)

We will provide you with the following:

Camping gear: tent, camp light, sleeping bag, mattresses, pillow

Caving & safety gear: caving helmet, caving headlight, life jacket, gloves

Light PVC backpack (if you do not want to take your own, as it will get wet)

Semi dry bag (for clothing and personal belongings excl. electronics)

Basic canvas trekking boots (only if you do not have your own pair) sizes 36 46

Meals: picnic lunches (day 1, day 2), dinner (day 1), breakfast (day 2)

Professional English-speaking tour guide and guide safety assistant

Porter team to carry all camping gear and prepare all meals

Shared dry box for phones and small cameras (limited availability for larger cameras)

Water filter and purifier (used only by guide and porters)

Basic camping facilities with eco-friendly compost toilet using western toilet seat

First Aid Kit and Medical Rescue Equipment (application by guides and porters only)

Secure Storage Facility at Oxalis Headquarters to store all luggage you will not be taking on the trek

Please also bring with you the following:

1 long (easy to dry) pants and 1 long sleeved shirt to wear during the trek (quick dry)

1 pair of shorts and t-shirt to wear at campsite plus your swimsuit

1 pair of trekking boots/shoes difficult terrain, good footwear necessary. Gore-Tex/waterproof boots are

NOT recommended as they do not drain well (if you prefer your own comfortable pair)

1 pair of flip flops (sandals) for campsite

1 medium size towel

2-3 pairs of calf-length densely woven socks (not ankle socks!)

Personal items: mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat, camera, underwear, toiletries

If you are trekking in the colder months (November March) please bring additional warm clothes for the evening and an extra change of long pants and shirt for swimming.

Trekking through pristine jungle from Hang En Cave back to the starting point, and return to your accommodation in Phong Nha

Today's schedule is as follows: Hang En - Phong Nha. Start your day with breakfast at 8:00 AM and pack up your belongings. Leave camp at 9:00 AM, taking a final glance at the cave entrance, nearly concealed by the surrounding jungle.

Enjoy lunch with your group from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, then begin your journey back. Trek along a shaded path through the river valley for about an hour. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, ascend the hill to the pickup location, where our driver will be waiting to return you to civilization. You'll arrive back at your Phong Nha accommodation via shuttle bus between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM.

Overnight in Phong Nha.

Transfer from Phong Nha to Dong Hoi, then take a flight or train to your next destination

Enjoy some leisure time to unwind after your adventure exploring stunning caves and experiencing the tranquil atmosphere, listening to the sounds of nature, and breathing the pure air of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

At the designated time, our driver will arrive to escort you to Dong Hoi. You'll be dropped off at Dong Hoi airport or Dong Hoi train station. Ends of services.