14-day and 13-night tour in northern Vietnam.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Hanoi - Visits

  

  You land at Hanoi airport and, depending on the time, we offer you a first discovery of this capital of 6 million inhabitants. As we approach Old Hanoi, our car drives slowly so you can enjoy the spectacle: the lively daily life of these alleys, the temples, the lakes, the colonial buildings, and the long, narrow houses. Here you are at your hotel: enjoy the refreshment offered to you and settle in quietly. Once you are fresh and ready, your guide will suggest a walk in the surroundings: Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple. A short cyclo ride in the colonial district and its historical monuments, a visit to the central market, then a walk back to the hotel.

• day 2

  Hanoi - Visit of the surrounding countryside

  

  The countryside is calling us: let's leave the city for a day of discovery around the capital. How about starting with the Thay Pagoda? It is also called "The Master's Pagoda," famous for hosting the oldest water puppet theater! In the 11th century, these three buildings and the two covered bridges were built by the lake. A very pleasant place. A few steps away, the village of Duong Lam, where we will stroll for a journey back in time! This village is very old, birthplace of two Vietnamese kings. A feast for the eyes to discover the houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the communal houses where villagers still gather. It is the ideal place to discover what a traditional Vietnamese village is! We then suggest a bike ride, destination: the Ngo Guyen temple, where his courage is venerated. Indeed, he managed to repel the Chinese and put an end to their settlement in Vietnam in 938. We close the history book and return to Hanoi at the end of the day. Night in Hanoi.

• day 3

  Hanoi - Vu Linh and Thac Ba Lake

  

  In the morning, we take the road to Vu Linh, crossing a region marked by the Indochina war, near the city of Tuyen Quang. The Vietnamese government had a headquarters there until 1954. Nowadays, it is a territory covered with tea plantations as far as the eye can see, great photos ahead! Then a good moment of relaxation awaits you: we will take a boat ride on Thac Ba Lake, a peaceful site dotted with islands (it is said there are 1300 of them). It is a freshwater reservoir built in 1963, and it is possible to swim there. On one of the shores is the beautiful stilt house of a family from the Dao ethnic group with white trousers. Upstairs, there is a common room where you will have your meals and sleep comfortably. Everything will be done to please you in this green setting. The traditional all-wood houses are very beautiful, bordered by rice fields and small gardens... The villagers are very friendly, don't be shy, sometimes our travelers play a game of volleyball with the young people, take part in preparations or small tasks, your curiosity will be rewarded.

• day 4

  Thac Ba - Quang Binh (Ha Giang)

  

  After a good night in Thac Ba, we head towards our next stop, Quang Binh! In this province of the Northeast, we will get to know the Tay and Dao ethnic groups. The villages are scattered, as if hidden in the rice fields on the hillsides. Beautiful hikes are in store if you feel like it, longer or shorter depending on your wishes! You will admire the traditional stilt houses, the crops and crafts, as well as the daily life of these ethnic minorities who work tirelessly. The landscape is sublime and there are many opportunities to take breaks. Next, we will travel a few more kilometers towards Luc Yen. This district is little known to tourists, but it is better known for its natural resources: marble and precious stones! The people there are always smiling and curious to see new faces. The town of Luc Yen brings together artisans whom we will visit, and after a good traditional lunch, we will continue on the small roads towards the North and Quang Binh, our final stop of the day. We arrive there in the early afternoon and explore the paths connecting the villages of the ethnic groups up to the highlight of the show: a magnificent waterfall! The reward: a refreshing swim in a beautiful setting. At the end of the day, we return to our guesthouse for a good dinner and sweet dreams ahead.

• day 5

  Quang Binh - Bac Ha

  

  In the morning, a breakfast awaits us! We enjoy a little more time with our hosts in Quanh Binh before heading towards Bac Ha. On the way, pretty traditional villages, steeped in ethnic cultures, stretch out in the shade of palm trees. These landscapes are an invitation to explore. Let's go for a walk: a one-hour route between H’mong and Phu La villages. The path is very pleasant to walk along, between terraced rice fields and mud houses. We arrive at the village of Ban Ho and head to Bac Ha, to the Tay family, who will host us tonight with great kindness and good humor. Once again, a good meal will be prepared for us according to tradition, using only fresh and local products.

• day 6

  Bac Ha - Ethnic market - Pan Hou

  

  A very typical place awaits us this morning: the Bac Ha market! Famous for bringing together the surrounding ethnic populations, it is a hive of colors! Your guide will introduce you to the Tay, Dao, Phu La, and also the Nung, not to mention the famous Flower H’mong: you will end up experts in traditional outfits! It is an important commercial hub in this mountainous region. Small producers bring their products here and leave with provisions. The atmosphere is really friendly, let's stay and eat in the area! Then the North calls us again, and we get closer to the city of Hoang Su Phi, between the towns of Bac Ha and Ha Giang in the far North. Sometimes a chaotic road, but fabulous landscapes. Regular stops allow us to admire them and take photos. The walks are as many opportunities to meet the very warm local people. We will enjoy nature, the terraced rice fields, then continue discovering the lifestyle of the ethnic groups and join our charming lodge by the river: we will spend a sweet night there, with impeccable service!

• day 7

  Pan Hou - Dong Van

  

  After breakfast, our journey of the day will take us to the city of Dong Van in several stages. First, the road winds between the mountains and leads us to a panoramic site: the view is spectacular for miles around. We descend towards the village of Nam Dam, inhabited by the Dao with long tunics, providing an opportunity for a walk in the surroundings and interesting encounters. Lunch will be at your leisure, in a local restaurant. In the distance, we see the limestone formations of the Dong Van plateau, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This vast natural site is spectacular! It is inhabited by ethnic minorities with an authentic way of life. Before arriving in the city, we make several stops to let you enjoy what appears along our route. The walks allow us to enter the villages and move towards remarkable landscapes. Thus, we will discover the palace of the H’mong king and the listed village of Sung La. At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in Dong Van. We settle into the hotel for a restful night!

• day 8

  Dong Van - Bao Lao - village of the Black Lolo ethnic group

  

  Today, we will head towards the province of Cao Bang. We will be dropped off at the Ma Pi Leng pass: let’s march forward! A two-hour hike through the H’mong villages will delight you. The landscapes are magical, you will be rewarded for your efforts! Here, the environment is very mineral, with a river below. The pass winds for about twenty kilometers. It can be quite cold at 1400 m altitude! And yet, you can see crops and plantations: the mountain villagers bravely cultivate the steep terrain. We will meet along our route these Vietnamese from the Black Lolo, La Chi, or Blue Hmong ethnic groups. Heading back south, the environment changes. We will go through a Black Lolo village that may remind you of something if you watch the program “Rendez-vous en terre inconnue.” Finally, we will reach the city of Bao Lac at the end of the day and spend the night at the hotel.

• day 9

  Bao Lac - Ba Be - Hua Mua Cave

  

  After a good night in Bao Lac, let's take the road to Ba Be, famous for its lake and national park. Pretty villages along the way are worth taking the time to discover. We are always surprised to discover the traditions and certain aspects of the lifestyle of the inhabitants, who are very open to telling us about their daily lives. The tropical forests unfold before our eyes up to the Tinh Tuc district, where tin is mined. We find the mountains again and the villagers in traditional dress, busy with their agricultural activities. A natural site welcomes us for a bit of coolness: the Hua Ma cave. Very well preserved, the mineral formations of the cave are skillfully highlighted, a spectacular walk! We will end the day with our host family and spend the night with the locals.

• day 10

  Ba Be: discovery of the lake and the nature reserve - Return to Hanoi

  

  Let's set out this morning to sail on Ba Be Lake, in the heart of the natural park of the same name. The scenery is enchanting: the karst peaks form a setting for the lush vegetation that surrounds us. Aboard our boat, we head towards Puong Cave, colonized by bats, a spectacular place where the fauna and flora are protected. Then, the boat takes us to a Tay ethnic village on the riverbank so we can hike in the surroundings, between bamboo forests and rice fields. It's time to quietly head back to Hanoi. The journey allows us to pass by points of interest, and the stops will let us enjoy them! At the end of the afternoon, the bustle of the capital surprises us after this tour in the North, marked by serenity and immersion in the world of ethnic minorities. We reach our hotel in Hanoi's old quarter.

• day 11

  Departure from Hanoi - Cat Ba - Lan Ha Bay

  

  We leave early for Hai Phong to reach Cat Ba Island. The Lan Ha Bay area, south of Ha Long Bay, is just as beautiful and less frequented by tourists. Boarding around noon on a junk, discovery of a floating fishing village in the bay... Let’s enjoy the beauty of the site, this sea dotted with hundreds of islets that is part of the world heritage of humanity. We drop anchor near a beach to take the time to have lunch on board the junk. In the afternoon, we sail towards Cam Island. Those who wish can go kayaking or take a boat ride. Return to the junk and head to a pretty, quiet beach to swim and relax. The sunset over the bay is a magical moment, which we admire from the junk. And if you feel like it, squid fishing with the local fishermen! Dinner and overnight on board the boat.

• day 12

  Lan Ha Bay - Cat Ba Island - Heading to Ninh Binh

  

  We leave the junk after breakfast and set foot on Cat Ba Island, near the village of Viet Hai. These are the last hours in Lan Ha Bay, so make the most of them! A bike ride or a trip in an electric cart is really pleasant on this path lined with tropical vegetation. Back on the junk, the trip continues from islet to islet. We have a good meal on board, then disembark at Ben Beo port around noon, before the transfer to Ninh Binh. Arrival in Ninh Binh after 3h30 of driving. Check-in and overnight in Ninh Binh.

• day 13

  Ninh Binh - Terrestrial Halong Bay

  

  This morning, we will go for a boat ride in a poetic and calm setting. The route literally takes us through mountains! Then, by bicycle, we will go to the Bich Dong pagoda thanks to paths winding between the karst peaks. A setting that can be found in the film Indochine with Catherine Deneuve! We will visit the giant Bai Dinh pagoda, the most imposing in Southeast Asia. You will be impressed by the importance and beauty of this Buddhist site. Finally, we will tour the ancient capital Hoa Lu and some temples of historical importance, monuments of the Dinh and Le dynasties, several millennia old. At the end of the day, journey to Tam Coc.

• day 14

  Ninh Binh - Hanoi - Departure

  

  This morning, let's enjoy a little more of the terrestrial Halong Bay. In Van Long, the boatmen take us on a river ride through the nature reserve. Along our route: wild vegetation, karst peaks, rice fields. This site helps protect a species of monkey endemic to Vietnam: the Delacour's langurs. They are black and white, with thick fur, very beautiful animals, unfortunately endangered. On our bicycles, we travel from one village to another around Van Long. Then comes the time to return to Hanoi. The driver will drop you off at your hotel; you will have free time to freshen up, prepare your luggage, and stroll again in the typical old quarter. It's time for last-minute shopping! Finally, you will be taken to the airport for the return flight to your country. End of our services.