Time: 14 days, 13 nights
CODE: NVOTB14D
Starting From: 899$ per pax

NORTHERN VIETNAM OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN 14D13N

If you’re looking for a unique adventure that’s as rich in culture as it is in natural beauty, this 14-day Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track tour is perfect for you. Travel beyond the usual tourist routes to explore mountain passes, vibrant ethnic villages, and serene nature reserves. Immerse yourself in Vietnam’s diverse traditions while soaking in the stunning scenery.

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Hidden Gems

Ethnic Diversity

Scenic Nature

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi - Pickup from airport and transfer to hotel - Food tour in the afternoon

Your Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track adventure begins as you step into the vibrant city of Hanoi. After being warmly welcomed at the airport and taken to your hotel by our tour guide, the city’s charm quickly starts to unfold.

In the afternoon, a food tour takes you into Hanoi’s heart. You try famous dishes like pho and bun cha, sitting on tiny stools in the Old Quarter. Each bite tells a story of tradition, and the energy of the Old Quarter makes you feel alive.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour

Today you will begin at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you will learn about Vietnam’s beloved leader. The peaceful gardens and impressive architecture are a perfect start. Next, you visit the Temple of Literature, an ancient university that feels calm and serene.

At the Museum of Ethnology, you explore Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups through colorful exhibits and traditional houses. In the afternoon, you take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, watching the daily life of the city unfold.

As the day ends, you feel a deep appreciation for Hanoi’s vibrant culture.

Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Tam Coc)

After breakfast, you leave Hanoi and head to Ninh Binh, known as the “Halong Bay on land”. The drive takes you through peaceful countryside. Once you arrive, you take a small boat along the Tam Coc River. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush green fields, it feels like stepping into a painting. The water is calm, and you hear nothing but the gentle splash of the oars.

Later, you visit the ancient Bich Dong Pagoda, nestled into the hills, and the historic Hoa Lu Temple. The beauty and quiet of Ninh Binh leave you feeling relaxed and amazed.

DAY 4: Ninh Binh - Da bac

This morning of the Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track trip, you travel deeper into Vietnam’s countryside, heading to the remote area of Da Bac. The journey takes you through mountains and small villages.

When you reach Sung Village, your homestay hosts welcome you warmly. Their simple home is surrounded by green hills, and the pace of life here is slow and peaceful. You spend the evening learning about their culture, enjoying home-cooked meals, and soaking in the beauty of nature.

DAY 5: Da Bac trekking

On this day, start the Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track tour by hiking through Da Bac’s rolling hills, passing through small villages and meeting friendly locals along the way. The paths take you to breathtaking views of the mountains and forests.

Later, you head to the Hoa Binh River for kayaking. As you paddle along the calm waters, you feel completely surrounded by nature. The quiet, broken only by the sound of your paddle, makes you feel at peace. By the end of the day, you feel refreshed and connected to the natural world.

DAY 6: Da Bac - Pu Luong

Leaving Da Bac, you travel to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This beautiful area is filled with terraced rice fields, green valleys, and tiny villages. You hike through the reserve, stopping to visit Don Village and Hieu Village. Along the way, you see farmers working in the fields and children playing by the streams. The simple, hardworking life of the locals inspires you, and the beauty of the landscapes fills your heart with awe.

DAY 7: Pu Luong - Nghia Lo

Today, begin your Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track journey at Nghia Lo, stopping along the way to see Suoi Giang Commune. Here, you’ll visit ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, which are hundreds of years old. The fresh mountain air and stories about the traditional tea-making process give you a sense of calm.

It’s a day to slow down and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the mountains.

DAY 8: Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Tu Le

The road today takes you to Mu Cang Chai, a place famous for its stunning rice terraces. As you drive through the winding mountain roads, you stop at breathtaking spots like Khau Pha Pass, Lim Mong Village, and Raspberry Hill.

Each place offers views more beautiful than the last, with golden rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see. The beauty here feels almost unreal, so, come to take photos and soak in the moment.

DAY 9: Tu Le - Sapa

You start the day with some free time in Tu Le, enjoying the quiet town before heading to Sapa. Along the way, you pass through the majestic O Quy Ho Pass and stop to visit the Silver Waterfall. The mist from the waterfall and the cool mountain air make you feel refreshed.

By the time you reach Sapa, the lively town surrounded by towering mountains feels like a whole new world.

DAY 10: Sapa full day trekking: Lech Dao

Sapa is known for its stunning landscapes and unique culture, and today you experience both. You trek through the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, walking along narrow paths surrounded by rice terraces. The local H’mong and Dzay people welcome you warmly, sharing their stories and way of life.

Spending the night in a homestay in Ta Van Village, you feel deeply connected to the land and the people who call it home.

DAY 11: Sapa - Thon Tha

Leaving Sapa, you travel to Thon Tha Village in Ha Giang. The drive takes you through mountains and valleys, and when you arrive, the village feels like a hidden gem.

Your Tay homestay hosts will greet you with kindness. As the day ends, you sit outside, listening to the sounds of the countryside and feeling completely at ease.

DAY 12: Thon Tha - Dong Van

After finishing your breakfast in the homestay, you will head to Dong Van, passing through incredible landscapes along the way. The highlight is Ma Pi Leng Pass, where the cliffs drop steeply into a deep canyon. You hike along the sky path, feeling small but in awe of the grand scenery around you.

By evening, you arrive in Dong Van town, where you can rest and reflect on the day’s beauty.

DAY 13: Dong Van - Nam Dam

The day begins with a visit to the H’mong King Palace, a historic home tucked into the mountains. Afterward, you explore Lao Xa Village before arriving in Nam Dam.

Here, you will stay at a Dao ethnic people’s homestay, enjoying the warm hospitality of your hosts. The village’s quiet and simple way of life makes you feel grounded and grateful.

DAY 14: Nam Dam - Hanoi - Airport dropoff

On your final day of the Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track, you visit Lung Khuy Cave, a hidden treasure with stunning formations. The journey back to Hanoi is filled with memories of the past two weeks.

Then prepare for your departure and end your Northern Vietnam Off The Beaten Track tour.

The itinerary is subject to change or cancellation due to weather conditions.

  • Included: Ground transport, English-speaking guide, accommodation, activities & meals mentioned above.
  • Excluded: Airfares, visa fees, travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses & all other services not clearly mentioned above.

WHY TRAVEL WITH YESD?

Authentic

We give local people employment, income and learning opportunities so they are directly involved in your tourism experience. Our guides and hosts will give you a special insight into culture and life in Vietnam.

Responsible

We aim to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and the local community while contributing positively to local economies. We don’t just talk responsible tourism, we act!

Tours that translate

10% of all profits from our tours go towards a community fund. This money allows us to make infrastructure improvements and provide other important resources to those in need.

READY TO EXPLORE VIETNAM OFF THE BEATEN TRACK?

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    TripAdvisor Customer Reviews

    On YESD Tours

    nikki f ha giang tours review

    Ha Chiang loop for an old boy

    Well what can I say about my Ha Chiang loop trip I did with Yesd. They were excellent from start to finish. As a 54 year old man I did the loop solo with my driver Chinh as I wanted to avoid the happy water and karaoke aspect. Chinh understood this perfectly and took me on a fabulous trip. We took local routes when he could, avoiding some of main routes. He kept ahead of the ‘Mongolian army’ as he called the throngs of other loopers and often arrived at view points before they arrived …

    >> See Nikki’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

    Nikki F. / Trip Advisor
    estefany reviews on ha giang tours

    An authentic and sustainable experience

    It was a unique experience that allowed me to truly experience sustainable tourism. The activities took place in breathtaking landscapes and gave us the opportunity to learn firsthand about the traditions and lifestyle of the local communities. The team was very attentive and took care of every detail to ensure we enjoyed our stay to the fullest.
    Realmente lo recomiendo! es una manera hermosa de descubrir Ha Giang y, al mismo tiempo, contribuir a un turismo responsable.

    >> See Estefano’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

     
    Estefano / Trip Advisor
    dan b avatar tripadvisor

    A memory for life

    An amazing experience! Incredible guides! You almost feel privileged compared to other groups. The accommodation is top-notch; the house, the welcome, the meals—everything is perfect. The mountain trek is magical, the motorbike trek is insane (beware of sore bums by the end!), incredible views the whole time, and super enriching stories. It really puts things into perspective compared to our European comforts—it feels great! To conclude this review, thank you again to the entire YESD Travel team; they are truly wonderful people.

    >> See Dan’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

    Dan B / Trip Advisor
    tripadvisor review

    Amazing Trek + Ha Giang Loop Tour

    We recently did a trekking + Ha Giang loop tour with YESD and were blown away by their service level and professionalism. We like YESD’s mission of responsible tourism while supporting the local community and empowering locals with employment. A portion of the profits also directly go back to supporting the communities and local infrastructure.

    Our stay at Mr. Thien’s homestay was amazing! The place was homey and relaxing. Mr. Thien and the people working there were so friendly, warm and hospitable …

    >> See Mario’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

     
    Mario S / Trip Advisor
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    4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop

    Our trip to Ha Giang Loop with YESD was the highlight of our trip to Vietnam.
    We were 3 couples and took a private tour some of us on bikes and others in car.
    Booking with YESD was easy and Tuyet was so attentive with our needs and always replied promptly.
    We stayed 3 nights in home stays all great experiences with the most generous host families.
    All had our own rooms / bungalows with bathrooms.
    YESD are socially and environmentally conscious with travel …

    >> See megdunne’s experience with YESD on TripAdvisor

    Megdunne / Trip Advisor

    View 485+ reviews of YESD on TripAdvisor >>

    Check out all of our reviews on TripAdvisor. YESD Travel is a part of YESD Social Enterprise which was established to help the disadvantaged youth and communities in Vietnam. With a background of working for non-governmental organizations, they gained many experiences in community development projects. Explore more responsible tours in Ha Giang, Sapa, Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Ha Noi, Cao Bang, Bac Can, and Nam Dinh.

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    GRATUITY NOTE

    Tipping is not customary in Vietnam though it is highly appreciated, mostly in our New Year and Tet holiday. In fact, if you do receive a service that completely exceeds your expectation, then a tip is welcome. Please consider our recommendations on when to tip in Vietnam.

    • Tour guide: Tipping Expected.
    • Tour driver: Tipping Expected.
    • Homestay/ Hotel: Tipping optional.
    • Taxi driver, restaurants: Tipping optional.