Time: 14 days
CODE: VND14D

WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR SPECIAL?

Unforgettable

Picturesque

Engaging

hoan kiem lake
Ta Van Village: A Journey Off the Beaten Path
NB Bird Call Tam Coc
2 Week Vietnam Tour Northern Discovery
2 Week Vietnam Tour Northern Discovery

TRIP ITINERARY

This 2-week Northern Vietnam Discovery Tour takes you from Hanoi to Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Ninh Binh, Ba Be National Park, Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ha Giang, Dong Van, Ha Long Bay, and back to Hanoi.

DAY 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Private Car – Short Trek

Hanoi pickup: Your private car and tour guide pick you up at your hotel at 8:00 AM and begin the drive toward Mai Chau, about 160 km from Hanoi.

Forest and rice field trek: On arrival, start a trek through forest paths, open rice fields, and small villages, meeting local farmers along the way.

White Thai valley homestay: Continue into a valley that is home to the White Thai community and spend the night at a local homestay.

DAY 2: Ban Te – Pu Luong Nature Reserve Trek

Pu Luong Nature Reserve: Explore the pristine and peaceful landscapes of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, known for ethnic minority villages, rice terraces, and mountain scenery.

Hieu Hamlet and waterfall trek: Travel to Hieu Hamlet, one of the most beautiful and remote hamlets in Pu Luong, then trek along the waterfall area.

Water wheels and Thai homestay: See traditional water wheels used by Thai and Muong communities for irrigation, then stay overnight at a local Thai homestay or bungalow in Pu Luong.

DAY 3: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh – Tam Coc

Pho Doan Market and Tom Village: After breakfast, say goodbye to your host family. If it is Sunday, visit Pho Doan Market, then transfer to Tom Village for a scenic hike with your guide.

Pu Luong hikes and water wheels: Spend time trekking through Pu Luong’s rice-terraced paddies, mountain scenery, and water-wheel landscapes before lunch at a local restaurant.

Tam Coc and Bich Dong Pagoda: Continue to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land.” Upon arrival in Tam Coc, cycle around the area and visit Bich Dong Pagoda before staying overnight at a local homestay.

DAY 4: Mua Cave – Hoa Lu Temple – Trang An

Ninh Binh boat journey: Travel by boat through Ninh Binh’s limestone scenery, rice fields, river landscapes, and cave areas.

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Stop at Hoa Lu, the ancient 10th-century capital of early Vietnam, to visit temples connected to historic dynastic royalty.

Return to Hanoi: After exploring Ninh Binh’s history and natural scenery, depart back to Hanoi.

DAY 5: Hanoi – Ba Be National Park

Transfer to Ba Be: Your guide and driver pick you up again at 7:30 AM from your hotel lobby and take you to Ba Be, with the drive taking around 5 hours.

Cycling in Ba Be forest: After lunch at a local restaurant, cycle through Ba Be’s forest landscapes, slow-flowing rivers, dramatic mountains, valleys, caves, rice fields, and rich flora and fauna.

Hua Ma Cave and Pac Ngoi: Visit Hua Ma Cave, an atmospheric cave with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, then stay overnight at a local homestay in Pac Ngoi Village.

DAY 6: Ba Be Full-Day Boat Trip

Ethnic villages and Ba Be Lake: Spend the day learning about different ethnic minority groups in Bac Kan, including Dzao, H’Mong, and Tay communities, while enjoying peaceful villages and Ba Be Lake.

Puong Cave and Nang River: Take a boat trip on Ba Be Lake and visit Puong Cave, famous for thousands of bats, before continuing down the Nang River.

Dau Dang Waterfall: Continue to Dau Dang Waterfall, have lunch at a nearby village restaurant by the river, and stay another night at the same homestay in Pac Ngoi Village.

DAY 7: Ba Be – Nguom Ngao, Cao Bang – Angel Eye Mountain – Phuc Sen – Phia Thap

Drive to Cao Bang: Enjoy a scenic drive from Ba Be to Cao Bang, with a short trek along the way to enjoy the landscape and learn more about local life.

Angel Eye Mountain: Visit Angel Eye Mountain, also known as Nui Thung, a mountain with a natural through-going hole set among grasslands, green lakes, and Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark scenery.

Phuc Sen and Phia Thap: Continue to Phuc Sen forging village and Phia Thap incense village before staying overnight at a local homestay in Nguom Ngao.

DAY 8: Nguom Ngao – Ban Gioc – Phat Tich Pagoda – Bao Lac

Ban Gioc Waterfall: Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Vietnam’s biggest waterfalls, stretching more than 300 meters along the Vietnam–China border.

Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda: Visit Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, set near Ban Gioc Waterfall with views over the waterfall, paddy fields, and mountain ranges.

Nguom Ngao Cave and Bao Lac: Explore Nguom Ngao Cave, a large limestone cave with stalactites, legends, three gates, and many small grottos, then continue the journey toward Bao Lac.

DAY 9: Bao Lac – Nho Que – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Dong Van

Bao Lac to Dong Van: Transfer from Bao Lac toward Dong Van, passing through dramatic mountain scenery and ethnic minority areas.

Nho Que River and Ma Pi Leng Pass: If the weather is suitable, travel to Meo Vac for a boat trip along the Nho Que River, then continue to Ma Pi Leng Pass for spectacular mountain and valley views.

Skypath and Flower Hmong village: Warm up with a trek around the Skypath road to a Flower Hmong village, reaching the peak of Ma Pi Leng Mountain before checking in at your accommodation in Dong Van.

DAY 10: Dong Van – H’Mong King Palace – Lao Xa – Lung Tam – Thon Tha

H’Mong King Palace: Start with a visit to the H’Mong King Palace, a historic royal residence known for its mixed European and Chinese architectural style.

Lao Xa and local culture: Stop at Lao Xa Village to visit H’mong families, see old traditional houses, and interact with local people.

Quan Ba and Lung Tam Linen Cooperative: On the route to Thon Tha, stop for photos, hear the legend of Twin Mountain and Heaven’s Gate, and visit Lung Tam Linen Cooperative to learn about local embroidery and linen making.

DAY 11: Thon Tha – Hanoi

Free time in Thon Tha: After breakfast, enjoy free time in Thon Tha Village to walk around, visit local families, explore the landscape, or take a short hike to Ha Thanh Waterfall.

Return to Hanoi: Travel back to Hanoi in about a 6-hour drive.

DAY 12: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay

Transfer and cruise check-in: Optional pickup from Hanoi Old Quarter is around 8:00–8:30 AM. Arrive at La Regina Royal waiting lounge in Bai Chay, Ha Long, enjoy a welcome drink, and board the cruise.

Lunch and bay cruising: Check in on board with a welcome drink and safety briefing, then enjoy a set-menu lunch as the cruise moves through Ha Long Bay.

Luon Cave and Titov Island: Visit Luon Cave for kayaking or rowing boat options, then continue to Titov Island for swimming or a hike to the top for panoramic bay views.

Dinner and evening onboard: Return to the cruise, relax, enjoy a special dinner, and choose squid fishing, spa, karaoke, or quiet time after dinner.

DAY 13: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

Tai Chi and breakfast: Greet the new day with Tai Chi on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast at the restaurant.

Sung Sot Cave: Visit Sung Sot Cave, one of Ha Long Bay’s most magnificent caves, with panoramic views across the bay.

Return to Hanoi: Check out of your cabin, enjoy a Vietnamese cuisine buffet while the boat returns to harbor, disembark around 11:00 AM, and arrive back at your Hanoi hotel around 3:30 PM.

DAY 14: Hanoi Classic

Ho Chi Minh Complex and One Pillar Pagoda: Meet your guide at 8:00 AM and visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, his museum, the wooden ethnic minority house where he lived, and One Pillar Pagoda.

Temple of Literature and Museum of Ethnology: Visit the Temple of Literature, then after lunch continue to the Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

Ngoc Son Temple, Old Quarter and water puppet show: Visit Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, explore Hanoi’s 36 Old Quarter streets by cyclo, and end the tour with a traditional water puppet show before returning to your hotel.

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

  • Included: Ground transport, English-speaking guide, accommodation, activities & meals mentioned above.
  • Not included: 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

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

Mekong Delta Itinerary: Unforgettable Experiences in Vietnam’s Heartland

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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

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    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.

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    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
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    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
    yesd ha giang loop car tour

    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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    Meet Our Team

    Who will be with you on this journey?

    nhi - tour operator

    Nhi Trinh
    Travel Consultant

    Hi, my name is Nhi. Me and the YESD team are here to support you, to help you choose the most suitable tour and make sure that experience memorable. Join us on the next journey by leaving your contact. Our team will reply shortly...

    Ha Tran travel Consultant

    Ha Tran
    Travel Consultant

    Hello! I'm Ha, Travel Consultant at YESD. I am grateful for the opportunity to work here and contribute to the company's sustainable tourism development. Working here, I find joy in the little things like supporting customers to personalize their experiences, supporting new guides on board...I hope that YESD grows more and spreads our values to more people around the world.

    Chi marketing partnership YESD

    Chi Nguyen
    Marketing Partnership

    Hi, I'm Chi from the Marketing Partnership team at YESD. My work gives me many opportunities to travel here and there and meet many different people from various ethnic minority groups. More than that, through every project we have done, I hope we can somehow improve local people's daily lives and inspire more children to go to school for a better future.