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Introduction

North - East Vietnam Adventure

Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao Lac - Cao Bang - Ba Be

Highlights
  • Encounter with minority groups: Dzao, Bo Y, H'mong, Black Lo Lo, San Chi, Nung, Tay
  • Trekking, Hiking, Biking and boating trip
  • Stunning mountain landscapes and nature discover: Quan Ba Twin Mountains, Dong Van karst plateau heritage, Ma Pi Leng pass, well-known Ban Gioc waterfall and Ba Be Lake national park, Nguom Ngao & Hua Ma caves
  • Homestay experience
Customer score:
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Introduction
A fantastic northeast Vietnam tour to visit the wonderful triangle Ha Giang - Cao Bang - Ba Be lake with a mountain of attractions and cool experiences with the life of local people. Spend one week plus enjoying true feelings of beautiful northeast S-shaped country. Leave your footprints on the most famous destinations in North-East of Vietnam. Encounter the diverse cultures of the mountain tribes and immerse yourself into the beauty of nature. Travel from Hanoi to many hidden and less travelled places.

Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi-Ha Giang
Day 2: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Lung Cu – Dong Van (B, L, D)
Day 3: Dong VanMa Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac – Bao Lac
Day 4: Bao Lac-Cao Bang
Day5: Cao Bang expore
Day 6: Cao Bang-Ba Be Lake
Day 7: Relaxing boat trip to explore Puong Cave, Dau Dang waterfall
Day 8: Ba Be lake-Ha Noi

Day 1: Hanoi-Ha Giang 
Scenic driving route, trekking via Me – Lup – Tha villages

8:00 AM: Depart from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Giang via the highway to Phu Tho. Stop to visit the Daovillage in Ham Yen, Tuyen Quang. First, discover the houses on stilts, a typical style of ethnic groups in this undulating region.

Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon, beginning a trek to the Me – Lup – Tha villages. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers testifying to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village on the palm hills with rice fields where you can rest in the serenity.

Finally, check in your accommodation and free to stroll around to catch the rhythm of daily life in the mountain before sunset.

Day 2: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Lung Cu – Dong Van (B, L, D)
Visiting Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy mountain, traditional house of Hmong & Bo Y ethnic people, H'mong King’s Palace

8:00 AM: Travel to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route. Before arrival at the Quan Ba pass, we will stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Yis a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).

Continue drive to the Limestone rock plateau zone, considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a special type of house) by a walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground. Next, visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check in accommodation and relax.

Day 3: Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac – Bao Lac
Crossing spectacular Ma Pi Leng pass to Bao Lac, visit to villages of Lo Lo & H’mong people

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Dong Van to Meo Vac by crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass which seduces you with the breathtaking view of limestone mountainsNho Que River and H'mong Villages nested in the mountain. Continue toBao Lac. This is well known for the Black Lo Lo ethnic group. This region was highlighted by the French media, “The journey into unknown land”. This documentary was filmed in Khuoi Khon village of the Lo Lo people, 9km away from Bao Lac town, by the rugby player, Frederik Michalak. Lunch is served in Bao Lac town and check in to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Coc Xa village, in the Na Van commune. This village of the Lo Lo ethnic group remains more authentic than Khuoi Khon village which became more touristic after the famous documentary. Walk through the rice fields and trails in the village, visit the local people's houses, and talk with the hosts to understand more about the local life as well as their traditional customs. Go back to the town and stay overnight in your hotel.

Day 4: Bao Lac-Cao Bang
Visiting the hill village of San Chi ethnic people, transfer to Cao Bang

8:00 AM: Depart to Cao Bang via Tinh Tuc, 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, there is a beautiful village of the San Chi ethnic group. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You will be one of just a few travelers to visit this area because of its hidden location behind the hill. The village with hundreds of houses on stilts is nested on the side of a mountain and has views of the stunning valley. To reach to the village, you will have to walk up a 2km steep incline. The higher you walk, the better the view you will get. Also, you can visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group.

Keep your journey to Cao Bang, where you will be in awe of the magnificent nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces so stop to film or take photos whenever possible. Arrive in Cao Bang in the afternoon. Check in your hotel and walk around the central market in the city. Stay overnight in your hotel.

Day 5: Cao Bang Explore
Travel to Vietnam's most beautiful waterfall - Ban Gioc, explore Nguom Ngao cave, visiting Nung group village

Depart from your hotel to Ban Gioc waterfall located on the border between Vietnam and China. It is 30m in height and 208m in width and is the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam. After 2 hours of driving through the magical limestone region, you will arrive at Ban Gioc waterfall and be amazed by this beautiful natural masterpiece.

In the afternoon, transfer to Nguom Ngao cave, reached by walking a hundred steps. The cave is located in the maize valley and is 2km in length. It is filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. It was a shelter for thousands of local people during the Vietnam/China border war. On the way to Cao Bang we will visit Phuc Sen, a blacksmith village, where you will have an opportunity to burn your name into your souvenir knife. You will be one of just a few travelers who spend a night in the village. The comfort is limited; however, you will enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the legendary hospitality of the Nung ethnic group and their authentic lifestyle. Have dinner and stay overnight in a homestay.

Day 6: Cao Bang-Ba Be Lake
Journey with stunning views, trekking to Nung village, transfer to Ba Be lake.

In the morning, depart from your homestay for a 2-hour trek to Nung village. You will discover the craft villages specializing in the manufacture of paper and incense sticks. The landscape of rice paddies, the limestone peaks and the Nung ethnic group with their delightful hospitality will astonish you. According to our clients, this is one of the itineraries which gave them the most wonder.

In the Canh Phung Tren village, meet our driver for a transfer to Ba Be lake. On the way, you will enjoy the magnificent landscape of the villages nestled in the flank of mountain. Stop on the way to meet the natives and take photos wherever possible. Arrive in Ba Be in the afternoon. Visit Pac Ngoi village, a typical village of Tay people. 

Day 7: Relaxing boat trip to explore Puong Cave, Dau Dang waterfall

In the morning, transfer from the village to Buoc Lom Pier to take a boat trip along the Nang river and enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests along the river. The boat will pass through Puong cave, home to thousands of bats, toward Dau Dang waterfall.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the waterfall. In the afternoon, take the boat back to the lake, stopping at the Fairy pond located in the middle of the primitive forest. Here, you will gently cruise around the lake and it's possible to swim if the weather permits. Disembark at around 04:00 PM. Rest of the day on your own free and easy, enjoy sunset over mountain ranges.

Day 8: Ba Be lake-Ha Noi
Cycling in Ba Be National Park, visiting Hua Ma cave, transfer to Hanoi

In the morning, cycle through several ethnic Tay villages. Keep your path along the river, get into national park to Hua Ma cave (5km from the village), an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmitesGo back to Pac Ngoi village at 11:00am and meet our driver for a transfer to Hanoi.  

Optional: If time permits and you are sportive, may extent to Silver waterfall (more 4km from Hua Ma cave)

Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time after the mountain getaway.

($*) Prices are subject to change depend on season.
Please contact our Sales Department at info@.com for detailed pricing information.

Inclusions

  • English speaking tour guide following itinerary
  • All entrance fees and tickets mention on itinerary
  • Selected Accommodations with daily breakfast
  • Boat: Ba Be Boat
  • Private transportation following itinerary
  • Meal: Breakfast: 07, Lunch: 07, Dinner: 07
  • Bike: Ba Be
  • 01 bottle of water per pax per day
  • Service charges and Taxes

Exclusions

  • International flight from/to your country
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Tipping and Gratuities
  • Other not mentioned in the program

Cancellation by Customer

  • Cancellation received before 60 days: FREE of charge
  • Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
  • Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate

Children Policy

  • The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
  • For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
  • 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
  • 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
  • 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate
 

Service Details During The Trip

We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam & hilly area by showcasing the unique local flavors. And with the perfect balance of included sightseeing and free time, you can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
Private Local Tour Guide: You will have legally licensed local tour guide in each destination, from welcome and farewell you at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and taking care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. The good guide for you means we arrange the right guide. Vietnam Exploration Booking
 will arrange tour guide base on the feature of the itinerary and consists of the group, to maximize your experiences in traveling.
Private Drivers & Vehicle: Safety is first priority for transportation. A well maintained good condition car with legal business licensed and an experienced driver to make sure you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and joyful experience with driving service, cold drinking water, cold towel and soft drink are provided in the car.​​​​​
Local Flavor Meals: Don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking will select clean and good environment restaurants for our customer. Menu is also carefully selected by us to ensure you try different food every meal.
We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while traveling. We also recommend dinners are free on your own so you can choose your favorite food by yourself under necessary assistance of your local guide.
Well-Selected Hotels: Comfort and good value is our priority for choosing hotels for our customers. Comfort of mattress and bedding, joyful decoration style, user friendly facilities, good service and good breakfast!

Thing to bring:
Warm clothes, scarf, hat, cap because the weather in Hagiang is pretty unpredictable. It is normally cold in September, October, November, December, January, February and March.
Due to altitude of Dong Van and Cao Bang. It is sometimes foggy in December, January , February and March. 
Trekking shoes, sun glasses, sun cream, insect repellent are also necessary. You should take cash with you in vietnam Dong because banking system in Hagiang-Ba Be lake sometimes does not function well. Us Dollar, Euro, Australian Dolla are not accepted sometime.
You shoule take medicine with you although there are some chemist’s shops in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Ba Be lake in case you get sick. Homestay’s facilities are not as in hotel in the town.

Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for your holiday?
If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with your personal Travel Consultant to create your personalized program.

Don't want the fun to end?

Why not combine this tour with Cambodia toursLaos toursMyanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.