North-East Vietnam Adventure - 11 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your guide who awaits outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and arranges the transfer to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, take a walk around the center, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – followed by a welcome dinner at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi - Ha Giang - Quan Ba
After breakfast, join us on a scenic journey to Quan Ba in Ha Giang Province. The drive will take you through the delta of North Vietnam with very few stops. You will reach Ha Giang City in the afternoon and walk leisurely at Thon Tha – a village of Tay tribal people.
Continue your trip to Quan Ba with a stop at the amazing Pac Sum pass, Heaven Gate, Fairy Mountain eventually providing a spectacular view over the Tam Son town and the surrounding countryside.
Distance: 333 km
Duration: 8 hour driving
Road condition: Good
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Dao Lodge.

Day 3: Quan Ba - Lung Cu - Dong Van
Have breakfast at the hotel before leaving for your road-trip again. Today we experience a spectacular day with a drive through the amazing mountainous landscapes nestled up against the border with China. Stop at Yen Minh for lunch then continue driving to an old clay house, a typical local accommodation set in a breath-taking primitive landscape in the mountainous province of Ha Giang, surrounded by flower gardens of Tam Giac Mach (buckwheat), roses and corns (corn season in summer only), famed for a Vietnamese movie: "Pao’s Story". Then, visit the residence of the Vuong family, known as the former Hmong King, admiring its mixture of European and Chinese architecture. Continue a drive to Lung Cu Flag Tower and visit the Lo Lo minority village in foot of the mountain. Finish your day at Dong Van - an isolated town atop a small hill. Dong Van is very beautiful with mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and multi-colored orchid forests.
Distance: 100 km
Duration: 4 hour driving
Road condition: Windy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Van.

Day 4: Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng Pass - Meo Vac
After breakfast, visit the Dong Van Old Quarter, lined with houses of one or two hundred years old, enjoy more of the ancient atmosphere of Dong Van. Then, you will go through remote and beautiful countryside of Dong Van where you pass through several villages along tracks used by the local people.
If you are lucky enough, you may have chance to visit one of colorful local markets in the area.
Leave Dong Van for Meo Vac. The trip from Dong Van to Meo Vac is the one you'll never forget: along a steep, hundreds of meters deep abyss the road will take you through a spectacular mountain area with on your left side China. Meo Vac is conquered by the Lo Lo and Pu Peo ethnic minority people. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of local people are a highlight of Meo Vac although conditions are very basic.
Distance: 50km
Duration: 2 hour driving
Road condition: Good
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Meo Vac.

Day 5: Meo Vac - Bac Can - Ba Be Lake
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 for the main population of the region. We are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receive very few visitors.
Upon arrival at Ba Be National Park, we will check in a local homestay of Tay Ethnology people. Have dinner and stay overnight in the village of Tay tribe.
Distance: 233 km
Duration: 7 hour driving
Road condition: Bumpy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in Ba Be.

Day 6: Ba Be Lake
After breakfast, take a 2 hour boat trip with spectacular view of Ba Be Lake and surrounding mountains. Take a short trek to the Dau Dang Waterfall before visiting some villages of the Tay and Zao minority people.
Have dinner and stay overnight in the village of Tay tribe.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Homestay in Ba Be.

Day 7: Bac Can - Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall
After breakfast, leave Ba Be National Park for 4 hours drive to Cao Bang.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
An eighty kilometers long road will take you to the Ban Gioc Waterfalls - one of Vietnam's most beautiful waterfalls. Half way you'll visit a village of the Nung minority. Close to the Chinese border you'll make a short walk to the falls which are 300 meters wide and 50 meters high. We will take a boat trip if it is available. On a short distance from the falls are the Nguom Ngao caves. The local guides will take you for a trip to underground rivers and lakes and sinter caves. Late in the afternoon you'll return to Cao Bang.
Distance: 210 km
Duration: 7 hour driving
Road condition: Windy
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Cao Bang.

Day 8: Cao Bang - Lang Son – Halong
After breakfast, leave Cao Bang for 7 hours drive to Halong City passing Lang Son Province.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on the way.
Upon your arrival in Halong, check in your hotel and free for relaxing, exploring local market…
Distance: 294 km
Duration: 7 hour driving
Road condition: Good
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Halong.

Day 9: Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise
(The itinerary is a sample and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program if you book other cruise such as Hera Cruise, Halong President Cruise, Emperor Cruise, Halong Violet, Halong Jasmine, Paradise Luxury Cruises, Orchid Cruise, Indochina Sails, Au Co Cruise, Starlight Cruise etc.)
At noon, your guide and driver will take you to the harbor for the overnight cruise in Halong Bay.
Spend nearly 24 hours on a traditional junk cruise in the amazing Halong Bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as you sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, you will cruise around some of Halong’s numerous islands. Visit one of the most beautiful caves in Halong area. Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (weather permits). Pass the night on the junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: On cruise.     

Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Rise early this morning to watch the sunrise over the stunning islets of Halong Bay. Your boat crew will serve breakfast or brunch (depends on your boat’s itinerary) while you cruise slowly through the magnificent scenery towards port. You’ll return to shore by mid-morning, then your driver will take you back to Hanoi for relaxing.
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi City Tour - Departure
After breakfast, your guide and driver will come to take you for Hanoi City Tour.
Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Presidential Palace; the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature.
Afternoon, your driver will take you to Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast.