Vietnam, the Northwest East - Mountains of Smile

Overview

Embark on the "Vietnam, the Northwest East - Mountains of Smile" tour, a comprehensive 15-day journey through northern Vietnam's most enchanting landscapes and cultures. Begin in Hanoi with its historical landmarks and vibrant Old Quarter. Travel north to Ba Be National Park, renowned for its tranquil lakes and waterfalls. Explore the remote valleys of Dong Van and Ha Giang, encountering local ethnic minorities and breathtaking mountain passes. Visit Mu Cang Chai’s famous terraced rice fields, and discover the rich cultural tapestry of Nghia Lo and Mai Chau. Conclude your adventure with a cruise through Halong Bay and explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh. This tour offers an unforgettable mix of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and local experiences.

Trip code: ADV0011VN15D

Destination: Vietnam

Itinerary

Arrive in Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport.

You will be met at the airport by your French - speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in downtown Hanoi. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is a beautiful city of lakes, shaded boulevards, and verdant public parks.

14h: Go to the hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, we will visit:

- The historical Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius.
- Visit Quan Thanh temple and Tran Quoc pagoda.

- 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. End of the day to attend a traditional Water Puppet show.

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-hours 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.

Have breakfast then drive from Ba Be to Bao Lac. Sight seeing on the way.

Overnight in Homestay

After breakfast, we say goodbye to the host and depart for Meo Vac, a beautiful valley with picturesque terraced rice fields and peaceful villages nestled at the foot of the hills.
Up early to wander around the streets & local market for photographic opportunities (Lung Phin Market - held on Tiger and Monkey Day only).

Enjoy amazing landscapes while winding on mountain passes through beautiful lush valleys. Stop sometimes for photo hunting or short visits to local villages.
Keep driving for Dong Van via Ma Pi Leng pass, perhaps this is the most astonishing stretch of road in the entire country that offers a superb view over the Nho Que river valley below with hundreds of Limestone Mountains towering around. You can also have a boat trip on Tu San Alley located at the foot of Ma Pi Leng pass (Meo Vac, Ha Giang), the green Nho Que River like a thread weaves along the curve of the Happiness Road (Optional pay by your self).
Upon arrival at Dong Van, if it is early you can have a short trek to Don Cao, a top mountain bunker built by the French military in wartime to control the area. Later you are free to spend time socializing with local people and go for dinner.
Stay overnight at homestay.
(Bao Lac - Meo Vac: 100km; Meo Vac - Dong Van: 21km)

Depart for Lung Cu Flag Pole, the northernmost point of Vietnam.

Visit Quan Ba Heavens Gate.

Visit Vuong Chi Sinh's house, the former palace of H’Mong King, made of stone and timber and was built by French colonial to please the King. Spend time with the local H’Mong people in Lung Tam village, and see how they do weaving and other activities in their daily life. After that, leave for Ha Giang, and contemplate the beauty of rock fields on the way. Have dinner and stay overnight at homestay accommodation in Ha Giang.

HA GIANG - QUANG BINH - BAC HA (250km)
Have breakfast. Drive from Hagiang to Bac Ha , sight seeing on the way and visit some villages in Quang Binh of people Pa Then, or Tay , Dao,... Overnight at SAO MAI hotel in Bac Ha.

BAC HA - SAPA (50km + 110km)
Have breakfast.

Visit Bac Ha Market hold on every Sunday and visit Ban Pho village of Mong people in Bac Ha (if not go on Sunday, guest can visit other market such as: Can Cau on Saturday, Coc Ly on Tuesday, ...)
Transfer to Sapa. Visit village Ta Phin of Red Dao people.

Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Activities: Head to Mu Cang Chai, cross Tram Ton Pass, visit Muong Khoa, Muong Kim and Na Kim, drive to Kim Noi village

Check out to leave Sapa this morning, we will head to Mu Cang Chai where have beautiful terraced fields that was recognized as heritage of terraced fields. From Sapa town, our car will take us cross Tram Ton Pass where you can enjoy freshest and cool air and nice landscapes. Taking tours to visit villages of Muong Khoa, Muong Kim and Na Kim where you can see very colorful minority groups. Lunch en route. Arrival in Mu Cang Chai at mid afternoon, we will drive to Kim Noi village, the village of Black Thai people, one family here will be our host today. Leisure time we may take a strolling around this village to see the normal life of villagers. Dinner with family. Overnight at Kim Noi village of Thai people in Mu Cang Chai.

Homestay in Mu Cang Chai

After breakfast, we transfer from Mu Cang Chai to Tu Le. The road ride today takes only 2 hours so we have a lot of time exploring the area for real mountainous life of the local ethnic minority people. Fancy a four hour trekking along a trail which connect villages to villages, meeting different tribal people such as White Thai, Black Zao, Red H’mong…who seem very surprise, staring at you for the first moment and turn out very friendly and inviting you to their homes in which you will be hosted with tea or home made wine.

Next to Nghia Lo, we enjoy another home staying in Nghia Lo.

Homestay in Nghia Lo

The group will have breakfast in the house then all will be transfer to Mai Chau.

Visit on the way. Enjoy evening music shows and dances of Thai people in Mai Chau.

Overnight at homestay in Lac village of Thai people in Mai Chau

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

08:00am: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi and drive to Ninh Binh. Situated 92 km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is famous for the relics of the ancient capital city in Hoa Lu and the breathtaking landscape often dubbed as "Halong Bay on Land".
After arriving in Ninh Binh province, the guide takes you to visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple. In the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of these two Kings in the Chinese Wars.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, take a leisurely ride by sampan to visit the Thien Ha Cave Galaxy Grottos (in total 2 hours) by boat rowing to visit dry and wet caves then change the boat rowing to continue to Linh Coc Hai Nham boat station where the bus waiting for.
End of the day with the visit to Bich Dong pagoda.
Then we return and transfer to Hanoi.
Distance Hanoi Central – Ninh Binh: 100 km => 2hour 10 minute transfer

After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (3,5 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.

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).
08.30-9.30: 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 Noi Bai Airport for the departure flight to Paris.

Reviews

"Our 'Mountains of Smile' tour was incredible! Each day brought new adventures, from the serene boat rides in Ba Be to the stunning landscapes of Dong Van and Mu Cang Chai. The local homestays and cultural interactions made the trip truly special. Halong Bay was a perfect end to our journey. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly, making our experience smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommend this tour for an immersive and diverse Vietnamese adventure!"

Inclusions

Accommodation in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability)
All local boat rentals and cycling as mentioned in the program.
Cruise on SIC junk in Ha Long bay. 02 days/ 1 night cruise
Transfer from and to the airports by private vehicle with A/C. Transportation by private vehicle with A/C.
Local English 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.
Insurance during tour in Vietnam

Exclusions

Visa fee upon arrival in Vietnam (25 USD/pax)
Meals and drinks are not mentioned in the program.
International 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

3* First Class : 3-Star Hotel

4* Superior : 4-Star Hotel

5* Deluxe : 5-Star Hotel

Vietnam, the Northwest East - Mountains of Smile

Photos

Overview

Itinerary

Reviews

Inclusions

Exclusions

Accommodation

Important Info

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Sign in

Vietnam, the Northwest East - Mountains of Smile

Photos

Overview

Itinerary

Reviews

Inclusions

Exclusions

Accommodation

Important Info

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Vietnam, the Mountain and Beach

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From

$1,276/Pax