Brief itinerary

 

Days 1-3 Ha Giang located at the highest latitude in Vietnam, the politically sensitive Ha Giang (Hagiang) shares its borders with Vietnam's arch-enemy China – here one gets the feeling of touching the sky. And the infamous Vuong Palace - a H'mong high-rank family during the French rule - with its wonderful style of architecture

Days 4-5 Ba Be lakes The legendary lake of Ba Be is just one continuous water body although the name means three lakes?. Embarking on a boat cruise down the Nang River which is the main water source of the lake will bring a taste of the tranquil countryside and an enjoyable exploration of the Ba Be National Park.

Days 6-7 Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfalls  One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam, which form a natural border between Vietnam and China. The echo of the falls can be heard kilometers away. In rainy season, the waterfall makes the scenery even more magnificent. Take a bamboo raft trip and have a chance to visit China on the other river bank.

Day 8-9 Lang Son, return to Ha Noi Being the capital of this mountainous area, this border town had been all destroyed during the recent Sino - Vietnamese war, but was rebuilt to become an important trade center. Everything can be found from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Its definitely buyer be aware, as there’s lots of knock-offs of the original.

 

Detailed itinerary

itinerary disclaimer

The itinerary attached is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in reality. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Please note that our brochure is usually released by the end of each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to improve the itinerary. It is very important that you print a final copy of your Trip Dossier to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans

Day 1 Hanoi - Ha Giang

This first long day will take you over a good road to Ha Giang, the capital of the remote province of the same name. Ha Giang is located at the highest latitude in Vietnam . It is surrounded by Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai. Many ethnic minorities, including the Dao, H’mong, Tay , and Nung, live in Ha Giang Province, this is where H'mong poeple consider as their capital. We will meet many ethnic villages en route with rich culture, this is a political sensitive area - Ha Giang shares its borders with Vietnam 's arch-enemy China in the north and your guide will apply for a "permit" for the days to come.

Overnight: Phuong Dong hotel or similar  

Meals included: none

ETHNIC MINORITIES OF VIETNAM

There is nothing better than walking amongst the rice paddy patchwork that makes up the mountains of northwest Vietnam . To awake and wander off from the village among the clouds and watch as the mist rises from the mountaintops is unforgettable. Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic minorities and a number of these have made the mountainous region of the north their base. During our time here we’ll meet many of these fascinating people and have the privilege of staying as guests in their villages. As we wander through the mountains we're constantly met by the delighted squeals and smiles of children and we'll see many members of the ethnic groups who still wear their traditional dress. We'll meet people dressed in exquisite hand-embroidered clothes,and others weaving fabrics, embroidering ancient patterns, dying cloth with indigo and using beeswax to create a batik design. The ethnic groups are well adapted to the harsh life on

hillsides, and you will see many terraces built into the slopes where rice and vegetables are grown.

Day 2 Ha Giang - Sa Phin - Dong Van

Rise and shine for a few hours drive over an endless winding road to the most northern town of Vietnam , Dong Van. You'll travel through many of the Heaven Gates such as Quan Ba, Yen Binh, and Dong Van. They are so called because one gets the feeling of touching the sky, the heaven gates. This is the best time and place to enjoy the wonderful sightseeing of the vast limestone mountain range and perpendicular rock walls which give a feeling of adventure while being lost in a magic land. Here we are surrounded by many rocks of all shapes and sizes. Then we continue our trip to visit the infamous Vuong Palace , a H'mong high-rank family during French colonial rule. This palace attracts keen interest from architecturally minded visitors due to its mixed style of European and Chinese architecture. The more you go north, the further "normal" Vietnam seems to vanish and most people you'll see wear their traditional, extremely colorful clothes. But you won't be the only one who is amazed, so are Ha Giang's inhabitants who seldom see a foreigner. In Dong Van you'll spend the night in a simple, government run "nha khach" (guesthouse).

Overnight: Dong Van guesthouse or similar  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 Dong Van - Meo Vac - Lung Phin - Bac Me

The trip from Dong Van to Meo Vac is 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. Main goal of this day is a visit to the market of Lung Phin, a small village where time has stood still for ages. Miles and miles before you'll reach Lung Phin there's an endless stream of people accompanied by goats, cows and dogs - for human consumption – who are heading by foot to the market. After spending a few hours in the amazing village of Lung Phin, you'll keep going to Bac Me via Yen Minh, using a shortcut way.

Overnight: Song Gam hotel or similar  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 Bac Me - Bao Lac - Nguyen Binh - Babe lakes

An early morning start to drive through the rolling hills and the picturesque scenery to Ba Be National Park. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging however we will have a chance to meet the Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung ethnic minorities who make for the main population of this region. We are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receive very few visitors. Depending on road and traffic conditions we arrive in Ba Be by late afternoon or early evening, but it is still an interesting day.

Overnight: Ba Be hotel or similar  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Babe lake

The legendary lake of Ba Be is just one continuous water body although the name means three lakes?. Today we embark on a boat cruising down the Nang River which is the main water source of the lake. This exciting river trip will give us a taste of the tranquil countryside and an enjoyable exploration of the Ba Be National Park. We traverse the Poong Grotto en route before stopping at some nearby hill tribe villages and getting off the beaten track to the scenic Dau Dang Waterfalls. In one of the desolated villages near the water you'll spend the night in a traditional Tay house.

Overnight: Tay village homestay  

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 Babe - Cao Bang

The following destination of our trip is Cao Bang Town . After breakfast we set off on our half day journey past the spectacular mountainous landscapes, with a mixture of steep terraced rice field and hill villages. Along the way, we can made stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and shoot some wonderful photographs. The remainder of the day will be free to explore the town or simply to relax.

Overnight: Huong Thom hotel or similar  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7 Cao Bang- Ban Gioc Waterfalls- Cao Bang

An eighty kilometers long road will take you to the Ban Gioc 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. In winter, the dry season, it's possible to take a boat to the falls. On a short distance from the falls are the Nguom Ngao caves. Our 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.

Overnight: Huong Thom hotel or similar  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 Cao Bang - Pacpo cave - Lang Son

Heading out of town , we make our way north to the historical cave of Pac Po where Ho Chi Minh set up the headquarter for the August Vietnamese Revolution in 1945. After seeing this vestige site we continue our journey past the many hill villages and the tranquil town of Dong Khe and That Khe. The journey north continues along the National Highway 4 and follows the Ky Cung river which flows around the foot of limestone mountains to Lang Son. If time permits we will visit Mau Mount. It's about 30 kilometres from Lang Son city to Mau Mount on the winding narrow mountain path, like a snake, lies tucked between 2 steep mountains. Mau Mount is 1542 m above sea level, This area's picturesque scenery turns it a mini Sapa characterized with the beautiful steep mountains. In the late afternoon we drive back to Lang Son, Visit KyLua busy night market. And spend the night in LangSon.

Overnight: Huy Hung hotel or similar  

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 Lang Son- Hanoi

Langson is the capital of this mountainous area and is an important crossing and trading route with China . As a trading post, Langson has two markets worth visiting, the Ky Lua Market and the Dong Kinh Market. You’ll find everything from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Its definitely buyer be aware, as there’s lots of knock-offs of the original. If the markets aren’t your thing then just a couple of kilometers from town are two large, beautiful caves and the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel worth a visit. Tamthanh Cave contains a pond and offers great views of the surrounding farmlands. Nhithanh Cave , formed by the river that flows through it, has poems carved into the entrance by the man who discovered the cave in the 18th century. After your morning of exploration its time for lunch and prepare for the trip back to Hanoi . The road from Langson is a modern highway that quickly carries down from the mountains, back onto the Red River Delta and into Hanoi . Back to the hotel for dinner and a toast to the completion of one of Vietnam 's most spectacular loops

Meals included: Breakfast

Your adventure ends upon arrival in Hanoi . If you do not have other arrangements in Vietnam , Tailormade Vietnam Holidays can book additional nights for you at the starting point hotel

 

General Notes:
• Tailormade Vietnam Holidays reserves the right to alter or revise the prices and the itinerary when circumstances beyond the company's control deem it necessary.
• Accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the listed hotels are fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered at the same level.
• If there are any requests regarding special meals, dietary requirements, early check in, late check out, adjoining room and so on, please inform the company when booking. Such requests are subject to confirmation and availability.