11-day North Vietnam mountain adventure

hanoi

Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam!

Your first stop is Hanoi – Vietnam’s cultural heart that still bears traces of centuries of changes. This city is known for its peaceful lakes, French-style buildings, old quarter streets, tree-lined boulevards, and brightly painted temples and pagodas.

Upon your arrival, your driver will pick you up in a private luxury car and take you to your hotel in downtown Hanoi. The remainder of the day will be all yours to stroll around the Old Quarter of Hanoi and its raucous streets full of traditional vendors and artisans. Overnight in Hanoi.

hanoi

Day 2: Take a guided tour of Hanoi

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel, then set out for a tour of the city. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum where Uncle Ho, Father of the Vietnamese, is laid out in state. Here you'll also visit the Presidential Palace. 

After lunch, explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology with its art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. See examples of their traditional clothing and learn about their way of life; the museum also features reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries, and other distinctive ethnic buildings.

Later you'll explore the Old Quarter by xich lo, a local transport similar to the tuk tuk in Thailand, followed by a traditional water puppet show in the evening.

hanoi - Ha Giang

Day 3: Journey to Vietnam's northern mountains

This morning after breakfast, get ready for a journey to the rolling green hillsides of northern Vietnam. 

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi and take you on an excursion through the countryside. Soak up the splendour of the lush Vietnamese landscape as you make your way to the mountain region of Ha Giang.

Upon arrival at the village of Tay, spend some time getting to know the local customs of the village people, and settle down in a welcoming homestay with a host family.

Ha Giang - Yen Minh - Dong Van

Day 4: Explore local villages

Set off this morning on an excursion to Dong Van Geopark, making stops along the way to visit the Lung Cu Flag Tower - representing the northernmost point in Vietnam - and enjoy lunch. Throughout your journey, make some photo stops and soak up the chance to contemplate the area's breathtaking landscapes.

In the afternoon, spend some time at some of the nearby villages. You'll have an opportunity to visit the house of Vuong Chi Sinh, a former landlord of the H'mong hill tribe.

Tonight you will stay in the village of Dong Van. Upon arrival, check-in at your guest house, then take some time to stroll around the small town. If it is early enough, you could enjoy a short trek to Don Cao, a mountaintop bunker built by the French military during the war. The evening is then free for you to enjoy dinner and settle down at your homestay.

Dong Van - Meo Vac - Ba Be National Park

Day 5: Your mountain adventure continues

You will have some leisure time after breakfast, to wander around town before continuing your Vietnam tour to Ba Be National Park.

On the way, make a stop at Bao Lac village for a short visit and lunch. Continue along snaking mountain roads and through lush forests until you've reached the park. Tonight, you will bed down at a homestay in Pac Ngoi village, home of the Tay ethnic people.

Ba Be National Park - Cao Bang

Day 6: Cruise across an extraordinary emerald lake

After breakfast, enjoy a boat trip on the emerald waters of Ba Be Lake, surrounded by limestone mountains and lush vegetation. You will then have the opportunity to visit the majestic Dau Dang Waterfall and the mysterious Puong Cave, inhabited by thousands of bats.

After your boat trip, a car will meet you for your onward journey to the city of Cao Bang, where you will spend the night at a local homestay. Upon arrival, take some time to visit the Pac Rang blacksmith village (or alternatively, the incense-making village of Phia Thap).

Cao Bang - Ban Gioc - Bac Son

Day 7: Bask in the serenity of the Ban Gioc Waterfalls

A truly unforgettable day is on the agenda! First, wake up early for an excursion to the stone craft village of Khuoi Ky, where you can observe how all the houses are made of stone.

The adventure continues to Nguom Ngao Cave and the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfalls. Soak up the sheer force and beauty of this piece of paradise before departing for Bac Son, a valley in the Lang Son province, where you will stay overnight with a local family.

Bac Son - hanoi

Day 8: Climb to the top of Na Lay Mountain

Take a short tour around the village this morning, to observe how the locals carry out their daily farm work and chores.

Then, climb up to the top of the region's highest mountain: the Na Lay peak. A breathtaking panoramic view over the valley awaits! From this vantage point, the valley stretches out like a beautiful picture of paradise: a winding river runs across the rice fields, surrounded by lush steep mountain peaks.

Lunch will be prepared and served by your local host before you make your onward journey back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Day 9: Take an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise

Your one-night Ha Long Bay cruise embarks today! Early this morning, you will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi and driven east across the Hai Duong province. 

Upon arrival at Hon Gai Pier, relax with a cup of tea or coffee as the capitan finalises preparations for the cruise. After a safety introduction, board the ship and check into your cabin.

Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise into the Bai Tu Long Bay. Later in the afternoon, enjoy kayaking near the shores of Cap La Island. Take in the spectacular karst towers that rise up from the turquoise waters. 

Back on board, freshen up in time for sunset. Sit down for dinner then spend the evening as you wish: play a board game, try your hand at squid fishing, or simply relax with a cocktail. You're in for a quiet and peaceful night on one of the world's most beautiful bays.

Ha Long Bay - hanoi

Day 10: Cave exploration & a cooking class

Wake up on board your Ha Long Bay cruise ship. Start your day with a tai chi session on the sundeck, or catch a morning view of the bay’s stunning landscape while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.

After a Western-style breakfast on board, continue your Ha Long Bay exploration to the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. You'll then return to the boat to freshen up, pack your things, and join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration: learn how to make a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish, or challenge yourself at the art of fruit- and vegetable-carving.

After a traditional Vietnamese lunch on board, you'll head back to the pier for disembarkation. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Hanoi, where you'll have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the city at leisure.

hanoi

Day 11: Goodbye, Vietnam!

Enjoy your last moments in Vietnam before heading to the airport to board your flight back home.

This trip may have reached its end, but we're sure that your discovery of the beautiful countries of Indochina has only just begun. Make sure to visit again soon!