Best of Northern Vietnam 12 Days
Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ba Be Lake, Ha Long
Tour code: VABONV12D
- Private tour with English/French speaking guide
- Tour Price: Available on request
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
On arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi Half Day City Tour (B/L)
The post-colonial capital city of Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, numerous lakes, pagodas and temples. This half-day tour takes you around Hanoi's most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (outside) and his Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda nearby and the Temple of Literature. Also on the tour will be the Lake of the Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple. Balance of the day is at your leisure. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Sapa (B/L)
After your breakfast, 7 am we will drive up to Sapa on the longest and newest Highway of Vietnam launched in 2014. The highway help shortens the drive from 9 – 10 hours to just 5 - 6 hours. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the both sides of this road. Arriving in Sapa early in the afternoon, we check into our hotel and use the remaining daylight to stretch our legs with a short walk around town. This evening we will dine at one of the local restaurants. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa (B/L)
Today you start by getting some exercise with a five to six hour trek to the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai, Ta Van villages of H’Mong and the Zay ethnic people. The H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair rolled up into a turban-like hat, whilst the men wear a black skullcap, long waistcoat and loose trousers. Ta Van is home to the Zay people. They have become very adept at rice cultivation and, in marked contrast to the H'mong, they have a higher living standard as a result. As we walk through these villages nestled in the valleys below Sapa, we will meet some of the local ethnic minority people on their way to and from Sapa. These minority people, including the Red Dao, H'mong and Tay people, walk to Sapa to trade at the markets. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa – Ha Giang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, drive to Ha Giang Province directly. Enjoy beautiful scenery of the mountainous area, featured with palm tree hills. Overnight at hotel in Ha Giang
Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will drive from Ha Giang to Quan Ba Heaven Gate, where you can stop for great pictures of the impressive twin mountains. You will go on to Yen Minh, with spectacular scenery along the way, followed by a drive to Pho Bang, located right on the border between Vietnam and China. After lunch in Pho Bang, you will visit the impressive house of Mong King, before driving to Dong Van, where you will see the most unique stone plateau in the world. In the afternoon you can take a walk to the old street of Dong Van, where you still can find hundred year old houses made from clay, with hospitable local people still living there. You will stay overnight in Dong Van.
Day 7: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Cao Bang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we drive to Cao Bang. You will pass by and through many valleys, mountains, villages. The journey is an adventure in itself, and you will be rewarded with wonderful and sensational landscapes. You will arrive in Cao Bang in the late evening and stay overnight.
Day 8: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Cao Bang (B/L/D)
You will depart today and go to Ban Gioc Waterfall (the most tranquil waterfall in Vietnam) via the scenic pass of Ma Phuc. Arriving in Ban Gioc beforeit becomes crowded by other tourists, you will have the best photo ops before transferring to Nguom Ngao Grotto. You will take a short trek to the grotto and then drive back to Cao Bang. The rest of the day will be free and you will again stay overnight in Cao Bang.
Day 9: Cao Bang - Ba Be Lake (B/L/D)
This morning you will visit Pac Bo Grotto. This is where Ho Chi Minh returned in February 1941, after 30 years of living abroad, and in search of a way to liberate the country. The scenery along the way is beautiful, with great green rice fields and local water wheels everywhere. You will return to Cao Bang town, and then drive to Ba Be. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging, but the spectacular mountainous landscapes with undulating terraced rice fields and hill villages make our hardship all worthwhile! Upon arrival, you will experience a home stay in a house on stilts or stay overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Ba Be - Hanoi (B/L)
In the morning, you will enjoy a tranquil boat trip to Ba Be Lake, exploring the unspoiled tropical national park, with a stop to visit Puong Limestone Grotto and Dau Dang Waterfall. After having lunch in a simple restaurant near Dau Dang Waterfall, you will drive back to Hanoi. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 11: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay Cruise (B/L/D)
Depart this morning for the 3.5 hour drive that takes you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arriving in Halong, board a wooden junk are designed in time-honoured traditional style, with contemporary and luxurious cabins and facilities. Set sail on a join-in cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving you the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage site. While on board, you will be served a sumptuous fresh seafood lunch. There will be opportunities to swim on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. When the sun sets, we will drop anchor for the night, near a remote island. This junk has a lovely dining room, bar, and private bedrooms with showers. Accommodation on board in Halong Bay.
Day 12: Ha Long - Hanoi – Departure (B)
Morning enjoy the sunrise breakfast with tea, coffee, milk, cake, etc. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. Cruises back to the dock while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Boat arrive at harbor by noon for the drive back to the Noi Bai airport for your onward flight. Finish your trip or you can extend some day to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Luang Prabang (Laos). Alternatively, you can head south via Hue & Hoian.
On arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi Half Day City Tour (B/L)
The post-colonial capital city of Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, numerous lakes, pagodas and temples. This half-day tour takes you around Hanoi's most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (outside) and his Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda nearby and the Temple of Literature. Also on the tour will be the Lake of the Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple. Balance of the day is at your leisure. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Sapa (B/L)
After your breakfast, 7 am we will drive up to Sapa on the longest and newest Highway of Vietnam launched in 2014. The highway help shortens the drive from 9 – 10 hours to just 5 - 6 hours. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the both sides of this road. Arriving in Sapa early in the afternoon, we check into our hotel and use the remaining daylight to stretch our legs with a short walk around town. This evening we will dine at one of the local restaurants. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa (B/L)
Today you start by getting some exercise with a five to six hour trek to the hill tribe villages of Lao Chai, Ta Van villages of H’Mong and the Zay ethnic people. The H'mong women wear long aprons with embroidered waistcoats and have their hair rolled up into a turban-like hat, whilst the men wear a black skullcap, long waistcoat and loose trousers. Ta Van is home to the Zay people. They have become very adept at rice cultivation and, in marked contrast to the H'mong, they have a higher living standard as a result. As we walk through these villages nestled in the valleys below Sapa, we will meet some of the local ethnic minority people on their way to and from Sapa. These minority people, including the Red Dao, H'mong and Tay people, walk to Sapa to trade at the markets. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa – Ha Giang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, drive to Ha Giang Province directly. Enjoy beautiful scenery of the mountainous area, featured with palm tree hills. Overnight at hotel in Ha Giang
Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will drive from Ha Giang to Quan Ba Heaven Gate, where you can stop for great pictures of the impressive twin mountains. You will go on to Yen Minh, with spectacular scenery along the way, followed by a drive to Pho Bang, located right on the border between Vietnam and China. After lunch in Pho Bang, you will visit the impressive house of Mong King, before driving to Dong Van, where you will see the most unique stone plateau in the world. In the afternoon you can take a walk to the old street of Dong Van, where you still can find hundred year old houses made from clay, with hospitable local people still living there. You will stay overnight in Dong Van.
Day 7: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Cao Bang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we drive to Cao Bang. You will pass by and through many valleys, mountains, villages. The journey is an adventure in itself, and you will be rewarded with wonderful and sensational landscapes. You will arrive in Cao Bang in the late evening and stay overnight.
Day 8: Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Cao Bang (B/L/D)
You will depart today and go to Ban Gioc Waterfall (the most tranquil waterfall in Vietnam) via the scenic pass of Ma Phuc. Arriving in Ban Gioc beforeit becomes crowded by other tourists, you will have the best photo ops before transferring to Nguom Ngao Grotto. You will take a short trek to the grotto and then drive back to Cao Bang. The rest of the day will be free and you will again stay overnight in Cao Bang.
Day 9: Cao Bang - Ba Be Lake (B/L/D)
This morning you will visit Pac Bo Grotto. This is where Ho Chi Minh returned in February 1941, after 30 years of living abroad, and in search of a way to liberate the country. The scenery along the way is beautiful, with great green rice fields and local water wheels everywhere. You will return to Cao Bang town, and then drive to Ba Be. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging, but the spectacular mountainous landscapes with undulating terraced rice fields and hill villages make our hardship all worthwhile! Upon arrival, you will experience a home stay in a house on stilts or stay overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Ba Be - Hanoi (B/L)
In the morning, you will enjoy a tranquil boat trip to Ba Be Lake, exploring the unspoiled tropical national park, with a stop to visit Puong Limestone Grotto and Dau Dang Waterfall. After having lunch in a simple restaurant near Dau Dang Waterfall, you will drive back to Hanoi. Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 11: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay Cruise (B/L/D)
Depart this morning for the 3.5 hour drive that takes you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arriving in Halong, board a wooden junk are designed in time-honoured traditional style, with contemporary and luxurious cabins and facilities. Set sail on a join-in cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving you the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage site. While on board, you will be served a sumptuous fresh seafood lunch. There will be opportunities to swim on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. When the sun sets, we will drop anchor for the night, near a remote island. This junk has a lovely dining room, bar, and private bedrooms with showers. Accommodation on board in Halong Bay.
Day 12: Ha Long - Hanoi – Departure (B)
Morning enjoy the sunrise breakfast with tea, coffee, milk, cake, etc. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. Cruises back to the dock while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Boat arrive at harbor by noon for the drive back to the Noi Bai airport for your onward flight. Finish your trip or you can extend some day to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Luang Prabang (Laos). Alternatively, you can head south via Hue & Hoian.
Tour price includes:
+Accommodation in a shared double or twin room with daily breakfast
+ 2Days/1Night cruise on boat in Ha Long Bay (shared cabin on shared boat), using in-house English speaking guide
+ Private transfers and tours with an English/French speaking local guide
+ Meals as specified in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
+ Entrance fees for the sightseeing described above.
+ 02 bottles of mineral water per pax per day on bus on days of transfer and sightseeing only
+ Services charges and government tax
Tour price excludes:
+ Airfares (international& domestic)
+ Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
+ Drinks
+ Visas to Vietnam
+ Mineral water beyond that supplied
+ Tips
+ Early check-in or late check-out
+ Insurance
+ Optional excursions and activities
+ Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
+ Items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, beverages,…)
+ Peak season surcharges (if any) on New Year, Lunar New Year, Reunification Day, May Day, National Day, Christmas period (to be advised at time of booking)
+ Compulsory meals (if any) on peak season period above
+ All others not mentioned above
+ Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
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