After around one and a half hours on the main highway, we leave the busy road near Vinh Yen and continue along quieter countryside roads through rice fields and villages at the foot of the Tam Dao mountain range. Before reaching Tuyen Quang, we head towards Thac Ba Lake through rolling hills covered with tea plantations.

Arrival at the Dao village of Ngoi Tu – Vu Linh, home to the White Trouser Dao ethnic group, where we spend the night. Check-in at a traditional stilt house before walking through the rice paddies down to the lakeshore.

We then board a boat to explore Thac Ba Lake, the largest freshwater reservoir in northern Vietnam. This artificial lake supplies water to the hydroelectric dam located nearby. The tops of former hills emerge from the water, creating hundreds of small islands and giving the lake a maze-like appearance. Depending on the season, there may be an opportunity for swimming on one of the islands.

Return to our hosts for a convivial dinner featuring traditional local dishes. Overnight in a traditional stilt house.

After breakfast around 8:30 AM, we leave the village and follow the scenic road around the lake. Along the way, we stop in local villages to observe daily rural life.

After approximately 2.5 hours of driving, we reach the Yen The area, famous for its gemstone market where rubies and other precious stones are traded almost every day.

We continue to the peaceful valley of Lam Thuong, home to the Tay, Nung, and Dao ethnic groups, surrounded by mountains, rice fields, gardens, and lush palm forests.

Arrival at Ngot House around midday. After some rest, we enjoy a delicious lunch of local specialties prepared by Mr. Hau, known for his traditional cooking.

In the afternoon, a local guide takes us to visit Kheo Leng and Tong Ping Cai villages as well as Nam Chan waterfall, where you can enjoy the cool stream water and even experience a natural fish massage.

On the way back to the homestay, the late afternoon light offers beautiful opportunities to photograph the peaceful valley and sunset scenery.

After dinner featuring local products such as stream fish, free-range chicken, and Lam Thuong duck, the group attends a cultural performance hosted by the village women under the guidance of Mrs. Ngot, a local cultural specialist.

Overnight with a Tay family.

Breakfast prepared by the family before departing for Bac Ha. We ride through small villages set in peaceful countryside landscapes before reaching Luc Yen, famous for its gemstones and marble quarries.

Optional visit to a marble carving workshop before continuing to Quang Binh, where a local family prepares lunch.

After a short section of flat road, we take a more scenic secondary route winding through the hills.

Arrival in Bac Ha in the late afternoon. Depending on timing, there may be an opportunity for a short motorcycle ride through nearby ethnic minority villages.

Tonight we stay with a friendly Tay family in a village near Bac Ha.

After breakfast with our hosts, we continue our journey through magnificent mountain scenery with beautiful viewpoints overlooking the villages of Hoang Thu Pho and Ta Van Chu, where the Hmong people still live mainly from rice and corn farming.

We then continue towards the Lung Phin plateau, passing through several Phu La, Flower Hmong, and Nung villages.

A spectacular descent leads us to Xin Man, where we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, we continue along a beautiful winding mountain road overlooking the Chay River below.

Dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt house.

We take time to ride around the surrounding countryside before joining the main road along the Lo River valley. We continue towards Ha Giang where we stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, the road climbs once again into the mountains. Several stops along the way allow us to discover ethnic minority villages and spectacular landscapes before arriving at Nam Dam village, home to the Long Tunic Dao people.

Check-in at a traditional homestay. Dinner and overnight in Nam Dam.

We leave our Dao hosts behind and head towards the Blue Hmong villages of Can Ty, known for their traditional hemp weaving craftsmanship. Here we discover the weaving techniques practiced by the women of the village.

We continue along magnificent winding mountain roads leading to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark.

Along the way, we visit the former palace of the Hmong King, an impressive residence combining Chinese and local architectural influences.

We then continue to Lung Cu and its famous flag tower overlooking the Chinese border.

Dinner and overnight at a traditional Lo Lo ethnic guesthouse.

Before leaving Lung Cu, we climb the flag tower to enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding border mountains.

We continue towards Dong Van, where the famous weekly Sunday market takes place. Ethnic minority groups from the surrounding mountains come here on foot or horseback to trade goods and buy supplies for the week ahead.

After visiting Dong Van’s old quarter, we continue over the spectacular Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most impressive mountain roads in Vietnam. At nearly 1,500 meters above sea level, the road overlooks the dramatic Nho Que River canyon.

We continue to Bao Lac, arriving in the late afternoon before heading to Khuoi Khon village, home to the Black Lo Lo ethnic group.

Dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt house.

Today we ride towards Pac Bo via the spectacular Khau Coc Cha Pass with its famous series of fourteen sharp switchbacks.

Arrival at Pac Bo, nestled in a forested valley near the Chinese border. A short walk leads us to the cave where Ho Chi Minh stayed after returning to Vietnam in 1941 following decades abroad.

After the visit, we continue riding through several mountain passes before reaching the Cao Bang region in the late afternoon.

Check-in at Me Farmstay, peacefully located in a beautiful natural setting. Depending on arrival time, there may be an opportunity to explore the surrounding area.

We continue eastward towards the Chinese border.

Our first stop is in the traditional villages of Phong Nam and Ngoc Khe, located in the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark, famous for its spectacular limestone landscapes.

Around midday, we arrive at Ban Gioc Waterfall, considered the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam.

We also visit Nguom Ngao Cave, renowned for its impressive limestone formations.

On the way back to Cao Bang, we stop at Phuc Sen village, famous for its traditional blacksmith craftsmanship, and Phia Thap village, known for its incense-making tradition.

Return to Cao Bang in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we depart for Ba Be via the old colonial road RC3, a beautiful route crossing jungle-covered hills and remote mountain landscapes.

Lunch is taken along the way before arriving at Ba Be National Park in the early afternoon.

After entering the park, we continue down to the lakeshore and check in with a Tay family in the small village of Pac Ngoi.

We then board a motorboat to explore Ba Be Lake, surrounded by limestone mountains and tropical forest. This natural lake is considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam.

Return to our hosts for dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt house.

Breakfast in Pac Ngoi village before heading towards Quang Khe village for a short walk through terraced rice fields and peaceful countryside landscapes.

Depending on timing and the day of the week, there may also be an opportunity to visit a local market before starting the return journey to Hanoi.

Several stops are planned along the way to enjoy the scenery and discover the famous tea plantations of Thai Nguyen. We also learn about the art of tea tasting with a local tea artisan.

Lunch is included en route.

Arrival in Hanoi in the middle of the afternoon.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Ninh Binh (approximately 100 km – 2.5 hours by road), one of Vietnam’s most famous regions, often referred to as the “Halong Bay on land” due to its spectacular limestone karst landscapes covered with lush vegetation.

Arrival at Van Long Nature Reserve, a magnificent protected wetland area extending over nearly 3,000 hectares and home to a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Enjoy a bicycle ride or motorbike taxi ride along the dikes surrounding the reserve to discover the peaceful scenery and local rural life.

Free lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Cuc Phuong National Park, one of Vietnam’s oldest and most important natural reserves.

Visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center before taking a walk through the primary forest to observe the rich tropical ecosystem.

In the late afternoon, transfer to Tam Coc and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Tam Coc.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Tho Ha village where you have free lunch at a local restaurant before beginning a beautiful two-hour sampan boat ride through limestone mountains and rice fields.

The boat trip continues towards the peaceful Thung Nham valley, a less touristy area of outstanding natural beauty, passing through Thien Ha Cave and several natural caves including But Cave, which stretches nearly 500 meters long.

The excursion ends at the beautiful Bich Dong area.

In the afternoon, enjoy a walk or bicycle ride through the countryside to visit the famous Bich Dong Pagoda, built in the 17th century on the slope of Ngu Nhac Mountain.

This peaceful site surrounded by rice fields and mountains became famous after appearing in the movie “Indochine”.

The journey continues to Hang Mua, where you climb 486 stone steps to reach the summit viewpoint.

From the top, enjoy a spectacular panoramic view over the landscapes of the “Halong Bay on land”.

Free time at the end of the day.

Dinner at your leisure and overnight in Tam Coc.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Around 7:00 AM, departure for Hai Phong (approximately 160 km – 3.5 hours by road) to reach Got Pier.

Board the ferry to Cat Ba Island. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to Ben Beo Pier.

Around midday, board the traditional junk boat, enjoy a welcome drink, and check into your cabin.

The cruise begins through the magnificent Lan Ha Bay. The boat passes one of the largest floating fishing villages in the Gulf of Tonkin, home to hundreds of floating houses.

Lunch is served on board while cruising among the impressive limestone islands.

In the afternoon, stop in the Ba Trai Dao area for swimming and relaxing on the beaches surrounded by turquoise waters.

The cruise then continues deeper into quieter parts of Halong Bay, followed by a kayaking excursion to explore the landscapes from close range.

At the end of the day, the junk anchors in a peaceful area of Lan Ha Bay. Free time to admire the sunset, relax on the deck, swim, or try fishing.

Dinner is served on board.

After dinner, guests may try squid fishing, a typical experience in the bay.

Overnight on board the junk.

Early wake-up to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the bay and, weather permitting, the sunrise.

After breakfast, the junk sails towards Viet Hai village, located in the heart of Cat Ba Island.

Enjoy a bicycle ride or electric cart ride through the lush countryside to discover local life and the tranquil atmosphere of the island.

Return to the boat. Free time to shower and check out of the cabins while the junk continues cruising through Lan Ha Bay.

Lunch is served on board around 11:00 AM.

Return to Ben Beo Pier around midday before taking the ferry back to Hai Phong.

Meet your driver and continue by road back to Hanoi.

Arrival in Hanoi in the late afternoon.