The North Vietnam - Adventure Tour

Overview

Explore Northern Vietnam's Landscapes, Culture, and History on a 15-Day Adventure

"The North Vietnam - Adventure Tour" is a 15-day journey through Northern Vietnam's landscapes, culture, and history. The journey begins in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, and travels to Ba Be, the "treasure" of Bac Kan's mountainous wilderness, 240 kilometers north of Hanoi. Nature's untouched beauty can be seen here, with waterfalls, enchanting caves, and lots of different kinds of plants. In these natural wonders, one breathes in pure mountain air, refreshes in calm lake waters, and marvels at time's creations. Ba Be National Park will leave a lasting impression on visitors. The journey continues to Cao Bang, where explorers explore the 2,144-meter-long Nguom Ngao Cave, adorned with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The highlight of this trip is visiting Ban Gioc Waterfall, Northern Vietnam's most enchanting natural attraction. Its majestic and poetic beauty will amaze everyone who sees this 300-meter-wide cascade. Green rivers, limestone cliffs, lush forests, and rice fields create a peaceful, picturesque scene as the expedition travels through them. The journey continues from Cao Bang to Lang Son, visiting historical sites and exploring Vietnam's heroic past. Further on, the next destination, Sapa's temperate climate, invites you to experience the local ethnic minorities' lives and the terraced rice fields' beauty. A 4-hour trek shows Sapa's stunning scenery and indigenous communities' daily lives. Continue the trip through Lai Chau, Son La, Moc Chau, and Mai Chau to see stunning landscapes and diverse ethnic minority communities. These natural experiences allow visitors to appreciate Vietnam's diverse ethnic cultures by relaxing and immersing themselves in nature. After exploring natural wonders, the trip returns to Hanoi to explore famous landmarks and learn more about Vietnam's culture, history, and people. The final destination is Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a peaceful coastal break. The combination of the sea, mountains, and enchanting caves provides a picturesque backdrop for a serene cruise. During this leisurely cruise, travelers can partake in underwater activities and engage in meaningful interactions with the local fishing communities, creating lasting memories. Northern Vietnam's stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture are explored in this 15-day expedition, making for an unforgettable journey that flows seamlessly through time and terrain.

Trip code: ADV0006VN15D

Destination: Vietnam

Itinerary

Arrive in Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport. You will be met at the airport by your English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in downtown Hanoi

Overnight in Hanoi.

In the morning we depart to Ba Be, a national park 240 km north of Hanoi. This beautiful region covers more than 23000 ha and boasts waterfalls, rivers, deep valleys, lakes and caves. On the way to Ba Be you will visit the museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic groups in Thai Nguyen. This museum is home to a wide array of colorful exhibits, representing the fifty hill tribes in Vietnam. When we arrive in Ba Be we will have a boat ride on the lake to Pac Ngoi, a village of the Tay minority people. We will stroll around the village and visit one of the Tay families to learn about their culture.

Overnight in a local house in Pac Ngoi village.

Distance: 250-300km

After breakfast we enjoy a three-hour trip by boat trip to discover the Ba Be Lake (Three Bays Lake), an area of three linked lakes with a total length of about 8 km and a width of approximately 400 m. During the trip we will have the opportunity to swim in the crystal water. The boat takes us to Dau Dang Waterfall, which consists of spectacular cascades between sheer walls of rock. Another place of interest is the Puong Cave, which is 30 m high and 300 m long, completely passing through a mountain. Visiting a village of Tay people. Overnight in Homestay in Pac Ngoi.

After breakfast we enjoy a three-hour trip by boat trip to discover the Ba Be Lake (Three Bays Lake), an area of three linked lakes with a total length of about 8 km and a width of approximately 400 m. During the trip we will have the opportunity to swim in the crystal water. The boat takes us to Dau Dang Waterfall, which consists of spectacular cascades between sheer walls of rock. Another place of interest is the Puong Cave, which is 30 m high and 300 m long, completely passing through a mountain. We continue to Cho Ra.

Overnight in a guesthouse in Cho Ra

After breakfast at Homestay, you will depart for Quang Uyen, a district inhabited primarily by Nung ethnic minority communities. Due to their isolation and the remote nature of the district, their centuries-old traditions and culture remain recognizably distinct from other minorities in Vietnam. This remoteness and traditional simplicity are what make Quang Uyen so appealing, and you will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy your lunch.

In the early afternoon, continue to drive to venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. And, your highlight of the tour is that we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam: Ban Gioc Waterfall. This breathtaking 300-metre-wide waterfall sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. While you’re here you can spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the water splashes on your face, practically sitting at the very edge of Vietnam, so close to China that you can actually touch it. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Departure to Quay Son River for kayaking. From the beginning of flowing into Cao Bang, wherever the Quay Son River goes, it creates beautiful scenes like "wonderland".
The jade green water winds through many areas, some places embrace the foot of the towering limestone mountain to form a charming watery landscape, the place is nestled under green bamboo groves, and there is a soft silk strip squeezed through the ripe rice field Phong Nam, Jade Con...Then transfer to walking to Mat Than mountain, the name evoking many mysteries and fancifulness is given to a mountain located in the valley of Ban Danh village, Quoc Toan commune, Tra Linh district, Cao Bang province.

After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour by continuing your trip into the pass to Dong Dang, stopping to visit Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – an important historical site where the Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. In fact, this was the very first battle of the Indochina Wars, and the fighting here took place through September and October 1950, ending in a resounding victory for the Viet Minh.

Transferring you to Lang Son for Lunch then we will start by driving in the direction of the Chinese border for about 3 hours, before stopping at Chi Lang Pass - a 20-km-long gorge created from a narrow valley between two mountains.

This place occupies an important position in Vietnamese history, being the place of many victories against various Chinese invasions over the centuries and millennia, as far back as 981 AD. As such it bears the reputation of Vietnam’s strongest citadel and bastion. Here you will have roughly an hour to walk around and explore the area around the Quy Mon Quan Gate, which translates as “The Gate of Monsters”, named for the many invasion forces that would spill through the pass over the course of history only to be beaten back by stalwart Vietnamese defenders.

Overnight in Hanoi

6:30 A.m: Driver and Guide will pick you up at the meeting point and depart to Lao Cai (highway Noi Bai - Lao Cai 245Km with less than 5 hours)
You have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of this road.

12:00: Arrival Sapa, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

13:00 P.m: the bus will take visitors to start a walking journey of about 4 hours to visit Lao Chai - Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai.
Visitors will explore the life of ethnic minorities and admire the spectacular natural scenery with the terraced rice fields.
Visit Sapa ancient rock with engraved images big-small rocks, and unique patterns of the ancients. Admire the Bridge which is made of clouds, and cross the Muong Hoa stream poetic. Then transfer back to Sapa.

Overnight in Sapa.

Sapa-O Quy Ho-Tam Duong-Lai Chau (200km + 50km): Departure for Lai Chau passing O Quy Ho pass via Tam Duong to visit the market, visit the Lu, H'mong, and Thais ethnic villages along the way. Overnight at the hotel.

Lai Chau - Son La (200km + 50km): Road from Lai Chau to Sonla, the province where the white and blue H'mongs live, the Dao Tiens, the white Thais living, lunch along the way. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

SON LA - MOC CHAU - MAI CHAU (200km + 50km): Lunch in Mocchau, continuation of road for Maichau. Evening of musical performances and dances of North West ethnic groups. Dinner and night HOUSES ON PILOTIS.

After breakfast, walk or bike ride to visit the Lác and Pom Cọong villages where a Thai minority lives. Traditional lunch in local village (vegetarian available). Then departure for Ha Noi. Overnight in Hanoi

08:00 A.m: We will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, The French colonial Styled Presidential Palace, and the historical Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 in honor of Confucius.

In the afternoon we will see the Museum of Ethnology and then attend a traditional Water Puppet show. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists – men and women – stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. The audience is meant to experience the atmosphere of a village festival. Then visit Hoan Kiem Lake (The Restored Sword Lake) and the Ngoc Son Temple, which is on an island in the northern part of the lake. We will enjoy a Cyclo tour along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter includes 36 old streets with each name representative of the type of merchandise sold in it.

Note: Please kindly note that Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (the inside) will be opened only in the morning. It will be closed every Monday and Friday. Besides the outside of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, you can still visit Ba Dinh Square, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilt, and One pillar pagoda as usual. The Museum of Ethnography also closed every Monday."

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whoever comes to Vietnam should not miss the chance to visit Halong Bay, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea.

The program will be changed depending on which cruise choosing.

Halong Bay is in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf and stretches over an area of 1,500 km2 with three thousand green islands that look like jewels. Upon arrival at the harbor, we will embark on a junk. We will enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on the boat while experiencing the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. The Junk is a wooden sailboat designed in a traditional Vietnamese style while offering a full range of modern amenities.

Visit the fascinating Dau Go Cave called “The Cave of Marvels” and Thien Cung Cave, the “Heavenly Palace Cave” surrounded by spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

After dinner, enjoy fishing with local fishermen. The reflection of the limestone outcrops, the sight of fishing boats lit up in the darkness; enjoy these precious moments in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

Overnight on board the junk.

06.30-07.00: Welcome a new day with an amazing dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay. Refresh your body and soul with a Tai-chi session on the sundeck.

07.00-07.30: Catch the morning view of the seascape while enjoying breakfast with cookies and tea, at the café in the restaurant.

07.30-08.30: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village - the famous fishing farm by bamboo boat and discover the life of local people living on the surface of Halong Bay. (No swimming).

08.30-09.30: Pack up the luggage and check out of the cabin.

09.30-10.40: Enjoy brunch in the restaurant while cruising back to the tourist harbor.

11.00: Disembark from boat

12.00: Your driver takes you back to Hanoi.

Guide and car pick up to NoiBai Airport for the departure flight to back home

Reviews

"A well-organized company with helpful officers. They kept in touch with us and provided us with up-to-date information as well as a detailed tour plan. All of the trips were interesting and worthwhile. We met the minorities to understand their colorful life. The natural experience is extremely diverse, making it ideal for nature lovers. We had a great time. Highly recommended, especially for Golden Rice Season in September and October."

Inclusions

Accommodation in the category chosen or similar (We haven't blocked any room yet) based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast.
All local boat rentals and cycling as mentioned in the program. Cruise on Seat in coach (SIC) junk in Ha Long bay.
Transfer from and to the airports by private vehicle with A/C. Transportation by private vehicle with A/C.
Local English/French speaking guide(s) in Vietnam.
Meals as mentioned in the program. B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner.
All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program. Mineral Water (01 bottle/pax/day)
Insurance during tour in Vietnam

Exclusions

Late check out or Early check in
Visa fee upon arrival in Vietnam (25 USD for one 1 month or 3 month single entry visa).
Meals and drinks are not mentioned in the program.
International flight/ Domestic flight tickets and airport taxes.
All internal/ regional flight tickets in economy class with/without departure tax.
Tips & personal expenses. Personal insurance. Any service not clearly mentioned in the program.

Accommodation

First : 3-Star Hotel

Superior : 4-Star Hotel

Deluxe : 5-Star Hotel

The North Vietnam - Adventure Tour

Photos

Overview

Itinerary

Reviews

Inclusions

Exclusions

Accommodation

Important Info

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The North Vietnam - Adventure Tour

Photos

Overview

Itinerary

Reviews

Inclusions

Exclusions

Accommodation

Important Info

You may also like

Vietnam, the Mountain and Beach

Northwest Vietnam Photo Tour

Vietnamese Market Tour

From

$855/Pax