Hidden Northeast Vietnam & Halong Bay

• Distance: 20–25 km
• Driving Time: Short city transfers
• Walking Level: Easy
• Overnight: Comfortable hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, meet our guide and driver for a full-day exploration of Hanoi, a city rich in history and culture. The day begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you will see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader. A short walk takes you to the Presidential Palace, a beautiful example of French colonial architecture, followed by a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, which offers insight into the simple lifestyle of the man who shaped modern Vietnam. Before leaving the complex, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic temple known for its unique lotus-shaped structure.

Next, continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius and generations of scholars. The well-preserved architecture and serene courtyards give you a glimpse into Vietnam’s academic traditions.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before choosing to visit one of the followings:

– Hoa Lo Prison Museum, commonly known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where American pilots were held during the war.

–  Or museum of Ethnology, offering a fascinating insight into the lives of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Explore displays of traditional customs, religious ceremonies, and full-scale replicas of ethnic minority homes in the museum’s outdoor area.

Late afternoon continues with an exploration of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where a traditional cyclo ride takes you through the bustling, maze-like streets of the city’s historic trading hub. This slow-paced journey offers the perfect opportunity to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, with its mix of ancient shopfronts, modern cafes, and street vendors.

 Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

• Distance: 320 km
• Driving Time: 7–8 hours
• Walking Level: Easy
• Overnight: Private room at a local homestay.

Leaving the capital behind, journey north toward the spectacular mountains of Ha Giang.

The scenery gradually changes from fertile river plains to dramatic limestone mountains, forested valleys, and terraced fields. Along the way, learn about the history, cultures, and traditions of Northern Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities.

Lunch at a local restaurant en route.

Arrive in Du Gia Village in the afternoon. Nestled among rice fields and surrounded by mountains, this peaceful village is home primarily to the Tay and H’Mong ethnic groups.

Enjoy a leisurely walk through the village, meeting local people and observing daily rural life. Traditional stilt houses, water buffalo, and terraced fields create a scene that has changed little over generations.

In the evening, join your hosts in preparing a traditional home-cooked dinner. Share stories and learn about local customs while enjoying the warm hospitality that characterizes life in Vietnam’s mountain communities.

Overnight at a homestay in Du Gia.

• Distance: 110 km
• Driving Time: 4–5 hours
• Walking Level: Easy
• Overnight: Comfortable local hotel

Early risers may wish to enjoy the village’s peaceful atmosphere before breakfast.

This morning, visit Du Gia Waterfall, hidden among the surrounding hills and forests. Home of the H’Mong offers beautiful scenery and an opportunity to experience one of Ha Giang’s lesser-known natural attractions.

After breakfast, continue through the remarkable landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, recognized by UNESCO for its outstanding geological significance.

Have lunch in Yen Minh, and visit the market in a small mountain town.

In the afternoon, visit the former H’Mong King’s Palace, once the residence of the influential Vuong family, who controlled trade routes throughout the region. The unique architecture reflects a fascinating blend of Chinese, French, and H’Mong influences.

Continue through mountain valleys and ethnic minority villages, stopping regularly to enjoy the scenery and learn about local life.

Arrive in Dong Van in the late afternoon and take a stroll through its charming old quarter.

Overnight in Dong Van.

• Distance: 100 km
• Driving Time: 3–4 hours
• Walking Level: Moderate (2–2.5-hour trek)
• Overnight: Traditional homestay in a Black Lo Lo village

Today’s journey includes some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Vietnam.

Travel across the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, widely considered one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive mountain roads. The route follows dramatic cliffs overlooking deep valleys and the emerald waters of the Nho Que River.

Several scenic stops provide excellent opportunities for photography.

Enjoy a guided trek of approximately 2–2.5 hours through mountain trails, terraced hillsides, and small villages. The walk offers a closer look at local life while showcasing the region’s breathtaking landscapes.

Lunch in Meo Vac.

In the afternoon, continue to Bao Lac and Khuoi Khon Village, home to the Black Lo Lo people, one of Vietnam’s smallest ethnic minority groups.

Explore the village with local people and learn about traditional houses, clothing, farming practices, and cultural traditions that remain largely unchanged.

Dinner is prepared by your host family using fresh local ingredients.

Overnight at a homestay in Khuoi Khon Village.

• Distance: 120 km
• Driving Time: 4–5 hours
• Walking Level: Easy
• Overnight: Traditional homestay in a Nung An village

After breakfast, continue through the beautiful mountain landscapes of Cao Bang Province.

This region is known not only for its scenery but also for its rich cultural heritage and traditional crafts.

Along the route, visit local villages where artisans continue producing handmade paper, incense, agricultural tools, and knives using techniques passed down through generations.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrive in Phia Thap Village, home of the Nung An people. This peaceful village is famous throughout the region for its traditional incense-making craft.

Walk through the village with your guide and visit family workshops where incense is still produced entirely by hand. Meet local artisans and gain insight into the cultural importance of these traditions.

The remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy the village atmosphere and interact with local people.

Overnight at a homestay in Phia Thap Village.

• Distance: 230 km
• Driving Time: 5–6 hours
• Walking Level: Easy
• Overnight: Comfortable city hotel

This morning, travel to Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Vietnam.

Located on the border between Vietnam and China, the waterfall cascades over multiple levels, surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and lush countryside.

Take time to walk around the falls, enjoy the scenery, and photograph one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful border landscapes on a raft ride.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue southeast toward Lang Son City.

The drive passes through peaceful rural landscapes, traditional villages, and mountain valleys seldom visited by international travelers.

Arrive in Lang Son in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Lang Son.

• Distance: 180 km
• Driving Time: 3–3.5 hours
• Walking Level: Easy
• Overnight: Private cabin on cruise

Meet your guide and driver, then depart for Halong Bay – a World Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO twice. Upon arrival, embark on the cruise and enjoy a welcome drink while having the tour briefing and safety instructions. A seafood lunch will be served on board while the ship sails out to the Bay, with time to admire its dramatic karst formations.

Take a rest at your leisure on the sundeck or relax in your cabin. In the afternoon, decide whether to swim in the warm, calm water or get on kayaks to discover the wonders. Our expert and experienced guides will surely instruct you on the basics of paddling before leading you to explore the extraordinary beauty of Halong Bay. After 01 hour exploring the bay, you will embark on the cruise again before attending a cooking class in the late afternoon.

Enjoy the superb dinner and stay overnight on board.

Please note: The final Halong Bay itinerary may vary based on the specific cruise selected at the time of booking

• Distance: Approx. 160 km
• Driving Time: 2.5–3 hours
• Walking Level: Easy

Enjoying Halong Bay in the early morning with a Tai Chi Class on the sun deck is a must-do that you should not miss on an overnight cruise. Then relax on the upper deck, enjoy the best sightseeing, and take photos of the magnificent beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water.

After breakfast, you will explore Sung Sot cave, one of the finest and widest grottoes in Halong Bay.  Go back to the boat and keep cruising through the fishing village, and witness its unique way of life.

10.30: The boat cruises back to the jetty. Enjoy your last time on the bay before having a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

11: 30: Disembark the cruise, get ashore, meet your driver, and transfer back to Hanoi.

Tour Ends

Please note: The final Halong Bay itinerary may vary based on the specific cruise selected at the time of booking