Discover Vietnam Mysterious Northeast

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital! After you clear immigration and pick up your luggage, your driver and guide will meet you outside the arrival hall. They will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Once you check-in, you can relax and enjoy some refreshments.

In the afternoon, you will take a walk around the city center. You will visit some of Hanoi’s main attractions, starting with the famous St. Joseph Cathedral. Then, you will explore the Hanoi Old Quarter, where the city's historical charm is evident on every corner. You will also stop by Hoan Kiem Lake, a peaceful spot in the middle of the bustling city.

In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance. This unique Vietnamese art form originates from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture. Afterward, you will savor a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.

Today will be a full day of exploring Vietnam’s charming capital, Hanoi. You will start with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is famous as the first university in Vietnam. Afterward, you will have the option to visit one of Hanoi’s top museums. You can choose between the History Museum, which showcases Vietnam’s past, or the Ethnology Museum, which provides insight into the diverse ethnic groups of the country.

In the afternoon, you will head to Ba Dinh Square, where the iconic Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh stands. This is a significant landmark, dedicated to the leader who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. It is the perfect place to learn more about the country's history and the revolution that shaped it. From the mausoleum, you will wander through the beautiful gardens surrounding the site, leading to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace. Here, you will find a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s modest working space, which offers a window into his simple and humble lifestyle.

Later, you will hop onto a cyclo, one of the most traditional and typical forms of transport in Hanoi. The cyclo is a human-powered vehicle, with a seat for passengers at the front and the driver at the back.
Return to hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi. 

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin your journey from Hanoi to Sapa. The drive will take approximately six hours, with a comfortable stop halfway to relax and stretch your legs.

Upon arrival in Sapa, you will check in to your hotel and enjoy some time to rest before having lunch (at your own expense). In the afternoon, you will take a guided walking tour through the town, which will introduce you to the key sights such as the Old Church, the local market, and the bustling dining and shopping streets. This will give you a perfect overview of the charming town and its vibrant culture.

Next, you will continue your journey to Sau Chua Village, home to the Black Hmong ethnic group. This village is a recent discovery and remains relatively untouched by tourists. Located at the mountain summit, it offers spectacular panoramic views of Sapa Town and Muong Hoa Valley, especially at sunset.

After a memorable visit to the village, you will return to your hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at your leisure to relax or explore more of Sapa on your own.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will meet your local guide and begin your day of exploration. Your journey starts with a scenic hike into the valley, following a trail that weaves through lush rice paddy terraces. As you walk, you will be captivated by the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and landscape.

Upon reaching the narrow river at the bottom of the valley, you will walk along its banks before arriving at the Y Linh Ho Village, home to the Black H'mong minority. Here, you will learn about their daily lives, traditions, and unique culture. This is a great chance for some authentic social interaction as you hear their stories and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life.

After taking a rest, you will continue your journey toward the stunning Muong Hoa Valley. Along the way, you will pass through the Lao Chai Village, home to more members of the Black H'mong community, and Ta Van Village, where the Zay minority resides.

At the end of the day, we're onto the main road, where your driver will be waiting to take you back to Sapa Town for a relaxing evening.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will begin your full-day journey to Hoang Su Phi.

Along the way, you will stop at Bac Ha, a picturesque town known for its vibrant markets and ethnic diversity. The area is home to various minority groups, including the Flower H'mong. You can explore the bustling market (if visiting on market day) and interact with the locals, immersing yourself in their colorful culture.

The drive to Hoang Su Phi will take a total of about five hours, but the reward is worth it. Hoang Su Phi is known for its breathtaking rice terraces and the presence of diverse ethnic minority villages, including Mong, Dao, and Nung communities.

Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Start your morning with an exciting trekking adventure through the heart of Hoang Su Phi’s stunning landscapes. Along the way, you will encounter century-old tea trees, expansive rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and bamboo forests, all while interacting with the local ethnic minority communities who call this remote region home. 

After a rewarding trek, you will enjoy a traditional lunch with the locals, where you’ll have the chance to sample authentic, home-cooked dishes and chat with your hosts.

In the afternoon, you will continue your journey toward Quan Ba. Your route will take you through the scenic Ha Giang region, passing through the dramatic Bac Sum Pass and Tham Ma Pass. Your next stop will be Heaven Gate, a high-altitude vantage point offering awe-inspiring vistas of the surrounding landscapes.

Upon arrival in Quan Ba, you’ll meet a Zao family with whom you will spend the night in a homestay. Afterward, take a short walk to the Nam Dam Community-Based Cultural Village.

Enjoy a traditional dinner with your hosts before settling in for the night in your homestay.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your homestay, say goodbye to your hosts.

Today, your first destination is Lung Cu, the northernmost point of Vietnam, and the land gate between Vietnam and China. Lung Cu is home to the Flower Lo Lo, H’mong, and Zao ethnic groups.

Lunch today will be with a Lo Lo family and enjoy a delicious meal prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

In the afternoon, continue your journey toward Dong Van. Here, you’ll explore the H’mong King’s House, an impressive historical site that shows influence of the H’mong rulers. Wander through the old town, where you can admire the well-preserved colonial architecture and explore the local market. 

Next, you will venture along the famous Road of Happiness, a historic road built during the French colonial period, connecting remote villages with the rest of the region. On this scenic drive, you will reach Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most stunning mountain passes in Vietnam for breathtaking views of the Nho Que River and the rugged mountain range.

In the evening, continue on to Meo Vac, where you will check into a local homestay for the night. Enjoy a traditional dinner with your hosts.

After breakfast, leave Meo Vac for Ba Be. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging however you will have a chance to meet the ethnic minorities who make up the main population of the region.

You are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receives very few visitors. Upon arrival at Ba Be National Park, we'll check in to a local homestay of Tay ethnic people.

In the evening, we'll have dinner and stay overnight in the village of the Tay tribe.

After breakfast, we'll take a 2-hour boat trip on Ba Be, an amazing green lake in the middle of a natural green forest, visiting Hon Ba Goa or Widow Island, An Ma Shrine, Fairy Pond, and Puong Cave. Ba Be Lake is in fact three lakes linked by wide channels, about 8km long and 400m wide. The surface is always calm, making a boat trip a peaceful experience.

Next, we can enjoy a nice trek in the forest to reach Dau Dang Waterfall, where the Nang River is broken with small rocks stacked hundreds of meters high, before visiting some villages of the Tay and Zao minority people.

Then, we'll return to the village for lunch that prepared and cooked by your Tay homestay host.

In the afternoon, you can take a walk into the Hua Ma Cavern to discover the best scenery of nature. Surprise is what you get when casting an eye on mesmerized stalactites and stalagmites in the out-of-this-world cave considered the most beautiful cave in Bac Kan Province. Continue to the dreamy Tat Ma Waterfall, called Silk Waterfall because the downpouring water looks like a soft falling silk. You can enjoy a swim or meditation under the waterfall (weather permitting).

Lately, you can ride back to your homestay after an adventure day.

After breakfast at the homestay, we depart for Cao Bang - Vietnam's northern border province with China. You will be introduced to the Nung ethnic people in Phuc Sen Village which is famous for the production of farming tools, and visit one of the hill tribe markets if it's on opening day. You can take adventures on the fifty-kilometer journey to the Ban Gioc Waterfalls through some of Northern Vietnam’s most pristine pastoral terrain. Lush farmlands, stilt villages, and crystal-clear lakes are all on the itinerary. However, for driving enthusiasts, nature's creations might be outdone by a man-made wonder: the 3.5km-long Ma Phuc Pass, with its seven writhing bends offering gorgeous views of the terraced fields below.

En-route, explore Nguom Ngao Cave (Tiger Cave in Tay dialect). The cave system, formed about 300 million years ago, impressively measures 2,144 m in length and consists of a variety of stalactites and stalagmites.

Rest of the day, follow your guide to explore the village and visit Ban Gioc Waterfall which is considered the 4th largest and among the world's most beautiful waterfalls. These renowned falls of Ban Gioc are fed by the Quay Son River which marks the border between China and Vietnam. Swimming is banned here but there are small bamboo rafts that take you to the very edge of the falls on the jade-green pool for some fantastic photos.

Tonight you will stay in a resort located close to the Ban Gioc Waterfall.

Today you leave Cao Bang for 5 hour's drive to Hanoi City passing Lang Son Province. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on the way. 

Tourists will complete your trip and return to Hanoi's international airport. We can drop you off at a hotel in the city or take you straight to the airport for your onward flight.

This is where your trip with us will end. We thank you kindly for joining Incredible Asia Journeys and we would love to be able to host you again in the future.