Northern Vietnam Discovery Tour In 2 Weeks

2 week

CODE: NVD2W

NORTHERN VIETNAM DISCOVERY TOUR IN 2 WEEKS

This Northern Vietnam Discovery Tour provides a great combination of nature, culture, and history. We will take you to Mai Chau and the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a village home of the White Thai, Black Thai, and Muong Ethnic Minority communities. Then, you will go through the breathtaking landscapes of Ba Be, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang, where winding mountain roads, stunning waterfalls, and rich ethnic cultures await in a car!

Stay in cozy homestays, meet local communities, and experience Northern Vietnam in a way that’s both responsible and unforgettable!

Epic Landscape

Historically Rich

Local Crafted

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1: HANOI - MAI CHAU - BY PRIVATE CAR - SHORT TREK

Our private car and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8:00 AM to start your drive toward Mai Chau, which is 160 km from Hanoi. On your arrival, you will start the trek through the forest, towards open rice fields, passing tiny villages and meeting local farmers at work.

Your Northern Vietnam Discovery adventure will continue until you reach a valley that is home to the White Thai community. Then, spend an overnight at a local homestay.

DAY 2: BAN TE - PU LUONG: TREK IN PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE

Pu Luong Nature Reserve offers you chances to explore the pristine and peaceful land of ethnic minority villages.

Then hop in the car to Hieu Hamlet – the most beautiful and remote hamlet in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. From there, you will continue trekking up along the captivating waterfall. Here, you will see water wheels, a unique cultural innovation of Thai and Muong people living in the nature reserve of Pu Luong to provide irrigation for their farming activities.

Overnight at a local Thai homestay/ bungalow in Pu Luong.

DAY 3: PU LUONG - NINH BINH - TAM COC

After having breakfast, say goodbye to the sweet family host. Visit Pho Doan Market if it’s on Sunday, taking the chance to capture the hustle of the Northwest upland fair, and then transfer to Tom village for a scenic hike with your tour guide.

On the way, the mysterious land lying dangerously on the back of the mountain with rice-terraced paddies tottering horizontally to the sky will capture your heart and imagination at first sight. You will be fascinated by the many water-wheels, a unique cultural feature of Thai and Muong people living in the nature reserve of Pu Luong, to navigate water sources for their farming activities. Spend most of the time today at the Pu Luong nature reserve with multi treks and hikes.

Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your trip towards Ninh Binh – the so-called “Ha Long Bay on land”. Upon arrival in Tam Coc, you will start your adventure by cycling around this area.

Then, you’ll travel by bike to visit the breathtaking Bich Dong Pagoda. Overnight at a local homestay.

DAY 4: MUA CAVE - HOA LU TEMPLE - TRANG AN

You will travel about 3 hours by boat along the Ngo Dong River, stopping at Hoa Lu, an ancient 10th-century capital of early Vietnam, to visit the temples of historic dynastic royalty. This is an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the rich and dynamic history of Vietnam before departing back to Hanoi.

DAY 5: HANOI - BA BE NATIONAL PARK

Your tour guide and driver will pick you up again at 7:30 AM at your hotel lobby and take you to Ba Be. It takes you around 5 hours to get there.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before going cycling to experience the Ba Be forest at close quarters. You will cycle by the slow-flowing river, gaze in awe at the dramatic mountains and valleys and natural caves, and enjoy a little bird and butterfly spotting with romantic rice fields around. The national park is home to countless numbers of flora and fauna.

Then, we will pay a visit to Hua Ma cave, which is only recently accessible, as few locals would enter due to ancient beliefs. The cave is still very atmospheric, with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.

Spend your night at a local homestay in Pac Ngoi Village.

DAY 6: BA BE FULL-DAY BOAT TRIP

Today is a special day in this Northern Vietnam Discovery Tour for you to learn more about different ethnic minority groups in Bac Kan. You will see the difference in their dress, culture, behavior, etc. They belong to the Dzao, H Mong, and lay groups. It will be a perfect day to interact with local people and enjoy the peaceful villages over the nice terrace or hidden in the jungle. Also chill at Ba Be Lake on an exciting boat trip.

Explore this wonderful natural lake located in Ba Be National Park on a boat trip. Discover beautiful and dramatic landscapes with authentic culture. During your boat trip on Ba Be Lake, you will first visit the Pung Cave, famous for its thousands of bats.

Then continue down the Nang River to see the Dau Dang Waterfall before having lunch at a nearby village restaurant on the banks of the river.

Overnight at the same homestay in Pac Ngoi Village.

DAY 7: BA BE - NGUOM NGAO, CAO BANG: ANGEL EYE MOUNTAIN - PHUC SEN - PHIA THAP

It will be a great drive from Ba Be to Cao Bang. There will be a short trek in the middle of the way for you to enjoy the landscape and learn more about the locals around. You will have a chance to visit the Angel Eye Mountain – a name that suggests many mysteries – located in the valley of Ban Danh Hamlet, Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District, Cao Bang Province.

This mountain is also known as Nui Thung, meaning a mountain with a through-going hole, which is 50m in diameter and 50m above the lake. The mountain is located in the heart of the valley between the Thang Hen Lake complex of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, which features a charming landscape with immense grasslands and green lakes. Please feel free to ask if you want to stop somewhere else in between.

After that, visit Phuc Sen forging village. It is said that this village was established in the 11th century. In the early days, the villagers produced weapons for the soldiers of Nung Ton Phuc and Nung in Cao to fight against the Song army.

It is also said that the villagers used to cast cannons and grenade casings, especially during the resistance war against French colonialism.

Overnight at a local homestay in Nguom Ngao.

DAY 8: NGUOM NGAO - BAN GIOC - PHAT TICH PAGODA - BAO LAC

Today, you will have a chance to visit one of the biggest waterfalls in Vietnam. Nestled amongst these amazing landscapes of Trung Khanh is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China.

You will also have a chance to visit Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, which is the first pagoda ever built in northern Vietnam. Inaugurated on 15th December 2014, the pagoda was constructed on a total area of 3 hectares, leaning against Phia Nham Mountain, 500 m from Ban Gioc Waterfall. From the pagoda, visitors could overlook the whole Ban Gioc Waterfall, wrapped in paddy fields and mountain ranges.

Then continue your journey by paying a visit to Nguom Ngao cave, which is a must-see place once you arrive in Cao Bang. Tourists explore Nguom Ngao cave for its mysterious space created by marvelous stalactites on one side and an interesting legend behind the special name. The cave has a total length of nearly 2200m, with three gates and thousands of small grottos.

DAY 9: BAO LAC - NHO QUE - MA PI LENG PASS - DONG VAN

Today, you will transfer from Bao Lac to Dong Van. If the weather is nice, our driver and guide will transfer you to Meo Vac, where you will have a great opportunity to take a boat tour along the Nho Que River.

Then, transfer to Ma Pi Leng Pass, which will give you a chance to immerse yourself in the magnificent and spectacular views. Lunch will be served at a local family. Before taking a boat trip, let’s start and warm up yourself today with a trek around the stunning Skypath road to a Flower Hmong village where you can reach the peak of Ma Pi Leng mountain. Trek through the rocky mountains and you will be surprised by the local survival on rock.

Then, transfer to Dong Van town and check in your accommodation there.

DAY 10: DONG VAN - H’MONG KING PALACE - LAO XA - LUNG TAM - THON THA

Let’s start your day with a visit to the palace of the H’mong king, which was a royal family of high rank during French colonial rule – this palace attracts keen interest from architecturally minded visitors due to its mixed style of European and Chinese architecture.

Then, we will stop at Lao Xa village to visit H’mong ethnic families and interact with the locals. This ancient village is very old, with 200-year-old traditional houses of the Hmong people.

On the route to Thon Tha Village, stop at many attractions to take photos and get insight into the local culture. Listen to the legend of Twin Mountain and the history of Heaven’s Gate in Quan Ba district. Then, visit a Lung Tam Linen Cooperative to learn how to make embroidery from those experts.

DAY 11: THON THA - HANOI

After breakfast, you can enjoy your free time in Thon Tha Village by walking around to visit some local families and explore its landscape. You can also take a short hike to Ha Thanh waterfall and enjoy the great view there.

Then get back to Hanoi in about a 6 hours drive.

DAY 12: HANOI - HA LONG BAY

08h00 – 08h30: Pick up at hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter (Optional)

11h30: Arrive at La Regina Royal waiting lounge – Bai Chay- Ha Long, enjoy a welcome drink and express check-in before boarding.

12:30: Check in abroad with a Welcome drink from a crew member while the manager introduces the safety briefing and the boat cruising forward to Halong bay.

13:00: Let your vacation start with a delicious lunch set menu in a restaurant.

15:00: Your first excursion is a visit to Luon Cave. This is considered as one of the most ideal places in Halong for kayaking or rowing boats. After that, you can visit Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hike to the top for another stunning panoramic view of the Bay.

17:00: Come back to the cruise to relax.

19:00: Enjoy our special dinner in the restaurant

After dinner, it’s your choice to go squid fishing, go to the spa, do karaoke, or relax.

DAY 13: HA LONG BAY - HANOI

06:00: Greet the new day on the sundeck with Taichi.

06:30: Light breakfast is served at the restaurant.

07:30: After breakfast, your next excursion is a visit to the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay.

09:00: Check out of the cabin. Vietnamese cuisine buffet is served at the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.

11:00: Disembark at the harbor.

Drop-off at your hotel in Hanoi at around 3:30 pm. Your free time in Hanoi later.

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Your guide will meet you at your hotel’s lobby at 8:00 am and go directly to Ho Chi Minh Complex, his museum, and the wooden ethnic minority house where he lived from 1958 till 1969. You’ll learn about this important political figure and how he shaped modern Vietnam.

Next to the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. The structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi and a great photo opportunity. We’ll then visit the must-see Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century as an homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. You’ll then take a lunch break at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, our guide will take you to the Museum of Ethnology, where you will learn about the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. Here, you’ll be able to gain greater insight into the diverse cultures within Vietnam. Next, we’ll visit the Ngoc Son Temple, set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake.

We’ll then explore the 36 streets of the Old Quarter by cyclo, each named after the products that are, or once were, sold there.

End your Northern Vietnam Discovery Tour with a traditional water puppet show before returning to your hotel.

Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every afternoon and on Monday and Friday. During October, the Mausoleum is closed as Ho Chi Minh’s body is taken to Russia for injections. The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays and during the Vietnamese New Year. The Temple of Literature is closed on Sundays. a venue is closed, well adjust the finerary appropriately, visiting some other important Hanoi sites.

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.

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“We traveled with YESD to northern Vietnam for 6 days and 5 nights to Ha Giang Cao Bang regions. It was an amazing journey involving hiking in the mountains, exploring local villages, sailing on the Nho Que River, and visiting local waterfalls, among many more sites. Tung was an excellent tour guide — very knowledgeable, understanding, warm, charming, kind, and very flexible. We really appreciated being with her.

And the driver, Mr Hop was very experienced. We felt safe. We would highly recommend them and the tour to others. We already have very fond memories of our tour.” See more.

Mark R / Trip Advisor

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NORTHERN VIETNAM DISCOVERY TOUR IN 2 WEEKS