Itinerary in brief

Day 1     Hanoi - Arrival
Day 2     Hanoi - City tour
Day 3     Hanoi - Thu Cuc
Day 4     Thu Cuc -Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai
Day 5     Mu Cang Chai - Binh Lu - Sapa
Day 6     Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Trekking
Day 7     Sapa - Bac Ha market - Sampan on Chay river
Day 8     Bac Ha - Hagiang
Day 9     Hagiang - Pho Bang - Dong Van
Day 10   Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac
Day 11   Bao Lac - lolo village
Day 12   Bao Lac - Cao Bang
Day 13   Cao Bang - Ban Gioc waterfall
Day 14   Cao Bang - Ba Be
Day 15   Babe - trekking
Day 16   Babe - Hanoi
Day 17   Hanoi - Halong - CRUISE and NIGHT on board
Day 18   Halong - CRUISE - Hanoi
Day 19   Hanoi - Departure

Itinerary in details

DAY 1: HANOI - ARRIVAL

Met and welcome by the Hanoi Voyages Guide upon arrival at the airport.
Then transfer by private car to your hotel.

In the afternoon,

• We take a ride of exploration through the busy streets of the ‘Old Quarter’ (over 1000yrs old), by traditional cyclo, a tricycle ridden from the rear, giving an uninterrupted view of this historical district.
• Our day will finish with after a water-puppet show, a traditional and ancient art form, unique to Vietnam, where the puppets appear on water, manipulated from behind a screen.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 2: HANOI - CITY TOUR

This city tour gives a glimpse and an introduction to the history and highlights of the nation’s capital.
In the morning,

• Visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum to see the embalmed body of the nation’s hero, affectingly known by the people as ‘Uncle Ho’, and view his former residence, built on stilts and preserved just as Ho left it.
• Visit one pilar pagoda
• Visit the Temple of Literature, a fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture founded in 1070 by Emporer Ly Thanh Tong, and dedicated to Confucius to honor literary scholars. Vietnam’s first university was also established here in 1076.
• Continuing on, we will move to West Lake district to we shall discover the Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest in Vietnam, and Quan Thanh Temple situated on the Truc Bach Lake shore, established by the Ly dynasty.

In the afternoon

• We begin with a visit to the Ethnology Museum
• Then enjoy some free time to stroll through Dong Xuan market

Overnight in Hanoi 

DAY 3: HANOI - THU CUC

Pick up at your accommodation and start a long journey up to the charming north-western area of Vietnam. On the way we will stop to visit some minority H’mong villages to discover their customs and daily lifestyle, pass by the tea plantations in the valleys and enjoy the picturesque landscapes which make great photo opportunities.

In the afternoon we will visit the local market where the ethnic minority people sell the diverse range of farming and handicraft products they produce. We then embark on a light trek of approximately 5kms through Thai and Muong villages before continuing on to Thu Cuc.

Overnight home stay

DAY 4: THU CUC - TU LE - MU CANG CHAI

Following breakfast, we will depart for Mu Cang Chai, situated in the northern, mountainous region of Yen Bai and see the amazing rice terraces, cut into the steep, high
slopes of the terrain. On the way we will stop and spend time in Tu Le Village where we see the daily life of the local villagers, and this is the village where we shall enjoy our lunch.

In the afternoon we will continue our road journey, admiring as we go, the amazing landscape of this mountainous area, stopping to take photographs of the rice terraces and natural phenomena if you wish. Our last stop before reaching Mu Cang Chai in the late afternoon be at a H’Mong Linh Village.

Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

DAY 5: MU CANG CHAI - BINH LU - SAPA

After breakfast we will depart for Sapa. During our day we will enjoy a light trek (approx 2hrs) to some colorful villages of the diverse ethnic minority groups living in this area such as the Lao and Lu (Xa Pho) who wear long, colorful traditional costumes and hand made jewelry. The Lu women also dye their teeth black, with sap from a tree, as a sign of beauty and protection from decay. We arrive in Sapa in the afternoon.

Overnight in Sapa

DAY 6: SAPA - Y LINH HO - LAO CHAI - TA VAN - TREKKING

Our hike begins in the village of Y Linh Ho, situated in the Muong Hoa Valley, and entails a gentle 6 kms hike to Lao Chai village, populated by the Black H’Mong ethnic group. You will wander through landscapes of terraced rice fields and be awe struck by the beautiful scenery of waterfalls, productive fields of rice, corn, bananas and sculpted hillsides. Along the way you will see the water buffalo working the fields, and meet many locals dressed in their traditional clothing, with whom many interactions take place.

After a break for lunch, we will continue our journey, walking approximately 2 kms to the village of Ta Van, populated by the Giay ethnic people.
The women of the village weave their own fabrics for the clothes they wear, and many looms will be seen along the way.

The people of Ta Van also engage in sculpture of both stone and wood, many of a very intricate nature.

Overnight in Sapa

DAY 7: SAPA - BAC HA MARKET - SAMPAN ON CHAY RIVER

Sunday is market day in Bac Ha, and it is one of the largest markets in the mountainous north, and also the most colorful of all. Many tourists are attracted to this sprawling, authentic market, attracted by the many different ethnic minority groups who all gather at this great meeting point.
The ethnic groups often walk for many miles over mountains to get to here as it is their once a week opportunity to sell, trade and barter their goods, including handicrafts, handmade jewelry meat, vegetables, rice and corn wine, and live animals including water buffalo.

Your guide will assist you in understanding anything that needs explanation, so don’t be afraid to ask!
At lunch you may sample authentic dishes of this diverse region in small, local restaurants.

While in Bac Ha we will visit the palace of Hoang A Tuong, built in 1920, which has been restored to its former glory.

During the afternoon we will stop at Ban Pho Village to meet the H’mong and Tay people who reside there.

On the way we pass through beautiful scenery, pass many typical local homes and see the productive farms and many rice-fields of the area.

Overnight in home stay

DAY 8: BAC HA - HA GIANG

After breakfast, drive to Ha Giang and enjoy the majestic sceneries and stunning views over the valleys, mountains and bamboo forests. Stopover to visit ethnic villages.

Overnight in Ha Giang

DAY 9: HAGIANG - PHO BANG - DONG VAN

After breakfast in Ha Giang we depart for Dong Van via mountainous roads and through breathtaking valleys. During our journey we visit the Bo Y Village and Binh Yen Standing Stone before arriving in Quan Ba. We also visit the H’mong village of Lung Tam to witness their fine art of traditional weaving and embroidery.

Enjoy lunch in Yen Minh.

Continuing our journey through the steep mountain passes and wonderful forests, we arrive at Dong Van, via Meo Vac and the well known Happiness Road, and through the impressive Mi Pi Leng Pass. After checking into our hotel in Dong Van we will take a stroll through the old streets and admire the houses that are over 100 years old.

Overnight in Dong Van

DAY 10: DONG VAN - MEO VAC - BAO LAC

After breakfast, visit the Dong Van market and Saphin market as well as Vua Meo, the Palace of the King of H’Mong. If visiting Dong Van on a weekend, one can shop at an authentic minority market and purchase many products, including colourful traditional clothing.

We continue by road to Bao Lac via Meo Vac which features old multi-level houses made of clay bricks with tiled roofs.

Overnight in Bao Lac

DAY 11: BAO LAC - LOLO VILLAGE

We pay a visit to the small village of the San Chi people, and continuing on you have the chance to meet the White H’mong. Lolo, Nung and Tay minorities near Bao Lac.

Overnight in Bao Lac 

DAY 12: BAC LAC - CAO BANG

We head to Nguyen Binh through mining town of Tinh Tuc then continuing to Cao Bang with a stop to visit Pac Po cave, the hideout used by Ho Chi Minh when he came back to Vietnam after 30 years of self imposed exile. On the way we will one of the many local markets (the day of the week dictates which one) and spend time in some minority villages. Lunch will be served during the journey.

Overnight in Cao Bang

DAY 13: CAO BANG - BAN GIOC WATERFALL

After breakfast we drive to a local minority market and visit the stunning2000meter long grottoes of Nguom Ngao, considered the most beautiful cave in the province, before reaching the famous Ban Gioc Waterfalls, which marks the country’s border with China.

• A local lunch will be served at a restaurant near the falls.

In the afternoon we return to Cao Bang, stopping on our return for a visit to the Phuc Sen Village to see the workings of the 100yr old forging village in action.

Overning in Cao Bang

DAY 14: CAO BANG - BA BE

After breakfast, we drive to Ba Be, containing the largest natural lake in the north of Vietnam and the vast Ba Be National Park.

On arrival lunch will be served, then take a small boat on the lake through the Nang River to the Dau Dang Waterfalls. Discover the National Park and visit the Tay villages of Polu and Pac Ngoi.

Overnight in home stay

DAY 15: BABE - TREKKING

Passing down through rainforest to the valley floor we board a boat and journey to the impressive Dau Dang Waterfall, nearly 500mts long. Pass by fishermen, casting their nets, before stopping for a swim on a small island, after which we will take a walk to a Tay minority village for an overnight home stay.

Overnight in home stay

DAY 16: BABE - HANOI

We leave Babe for the bustling city Hanoi. The scenery on the way is spectacular as you pass through the mountainous landscape, dotted with limestone formations, rice fields and more. Along the way we will break our journey
with a visit to the Thai Nguyen Museum of Ethnology, to get an introduction into the culture and lifestyles of the various Montagnard people residing in the area.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 17: HANOI - HALONG - CRUISE AND NIGHT ON BOARD

Transfer from your hotel to Halong Bay by private car with your tour guide.

Halong Bay, with its 1969 islands, is set in beautiful turquoise waters and was recognized for its natural beauty by UNESCO in 1994, and classified as a World Heritage Site.
Ha Long means “descending dragon” and according to legend, a dragon was lowered into the bay to harness the ocean currents. His violent tail movements disturbed and spread the mountain, and when he plunged into the sea the water level rose up, leaving only the highest peaks above the water.

Cruising in this spectacular seascape is mystical and magnificent!

Day 1:
On boarding receive a welcome drink
Installation in private cabins
Presentation of the crew by the captain
Start your cruise while enjoying lunch.

Lunch in the elegant dining room or on the outside deck, a delicious seafood menu, of food prepared with skill and dedication, exquisitely decorated, and served excellently by qualified personnel.

Admire the beautiful landscape that will impress everywhere you look. These islands with their striking shapes, allow your imagination to take over and “see” many different images amongst their formations, whilst cruising water the color of jade, which is so enchanting it never tires.
Fall in love with the magic of this place... .. and you have the privilege of being on a junk which sails away from the “beaten tracks” of mass tourism. No noise, and your eyes will focus on the beauty of the site.

Deck chairs are available to admire the spectacle that unfolds before your eyes.
Coffee or tea is complimentary
Visit the mysterious cave Canh Thien.
Dinner is served outdoors, (weather permitting), or in the indoor dining room.
Tasty seafood, from an excellent menu, cooked to perfection and wonderfully decorated and served by qualified personnel.

Overnight on board

DAY 18: HALONG - CRUISE - HANOI 

Under the morning sun, surrounded by enchanting and astonishing beauty, your breakfast will be served.

In row boat, you will journey through the heart of a fishing village, to discover the floating houses and the lifestyle of its population, who live constantly on the water.
You will meet the village chief who will help you imagine the daily lives of the inhabitants of Halong Bay. You will also visit a floating school.

• Lunch on board the junk will close this beautiful cruise.

The whole crew will greet you and thank you for your patronage.
By early afternoon you will return to the port.
After disembarking from the junk, our driver will welcome you back to dry land, and the return journey to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 19: HANOI - DEPARTURE 

Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

End of our services