Vietnam, the upper Eastern Tonkin to Halong Bay

Hanoi Arrival / Free Walks (L or D)

Arrival in Hanoi, after customs formalities:

Welcome and meet your guide and driver.

Transfer to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has preserved much of the old-world charm of the French colonial era.

While waiting for your rooms to be ready, enjoy a pleasant walk through central Hanoi to experience the lively atmosphere of authentic local life.

Welcome lunch or dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel.

Hanoi / Sightseeing & Walks – Paul Doumer Bridge and Train Street (B,L,D)

After breakfast, meet up with the team at 08:30 AM for a day of sightseeing and walking around Hanoi.

We begin with:

• The Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This complex was Vietnam's first university.
• Tran Quoc Pagoda (Buddhism) , whose name means “Pagoda for the Protection of the Nation.” It is beautifully located on a small peninsula in West Lake, undoubtedly one of Hanoi’s most beautiful lakes.
• Quan Thanh Temple (Taoism), dedicated to the deity Tran Vu – an important protector of the ancient Hanoi Citadel.

These three major monuments offer a better understanding of the three main religions and philosophical traditions in Vietnam.

Farewell lunch at a restaurant during the tour.

In the afternoon, stop for photos in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum overlooking Ba Dinh Square, and watch the changing of the guard.

Followed by a visit to Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, offering an insight into the remarkably modest lifestyle of one of Vietnam’s most important historical figures.

Then visit the One Pillar Pagoda, famous for its unique architecture inspired by an 11th-century legend.

Towards the end of the day, take a lovely walk towards the Long Bien Bridge (also known as the Paul Doumer Bridge during the French era), followed by a visit to Hanoi Train Street.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Ba Be Lake / Sightseeing & Walks (B,L,D)

~ 250km = 4h30 drive

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet up at 08:00 AM to depart for Ba Be Lake via a road lined with stunning landscapes.

Lunch at a local restaurant along the way.

Arrival at Ba Be Lake, which is one of the most unique and beautiful natural attractions in Vietnam. The area was formed millions of years ago through geological changes that created its limestone mountains and caves.

Set out to explore Ba Be Lake and the surrounding forest-covered mountains. Cross the lake by boat to the famous Dau Dang Waterfalls.

Time to visit the surroundings before arriving at the Homestay – Tay ethnic group.

Possibility to prepare dinner together with your host family.

Dinner and overnight at the homestay – stilt house.

Ba Be / Hua Ma Cave - Wind Pass - Cao Bang/ Phia Thap Ethnic Village (B,L,D)

~ 170km = 3h drive

Breakfast with pancakes.

08:30 AM, depart for a visit to Hua Ma Cave, a beautiful wild cave, less touristy than all the other caves in the Cao Bang area.

On the way to Cao Bang, with a lunch stop at a local restaurant at the top of Wind Pass.

Arrival in Cao Bang, a visit to the central market by the Bang Giang River then continue towards to Phia Thap village via the Sitting Horse Pass.

Arrival at Phia Thap Village, home to 50 families of the Nung ethnic minority. The village is surrounded by green rice fields and beautiful mountain landscapes.It offers an authentic insight into Nung culture, including local cuisine, a vibrant lifestyle, and the experience of traditional incense making.

Check-in at the homestay. Warm welcome by a three-generation family.

Friendly dinner and overnight stay with locals in Phia Thap.

Phia Thap - Magic Eye Mountain - Ban Gioc Waterfall/ Sightseeing - Cao Bang (B,L,D)

~ 190km = 3h30 drive

After breakfast, depart to discover the spectacular surrounding area with its limestone peaks and the impressive “eye” of Nui Mat Than Mountain, before continuing towards the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in Vietnam.

Located directly on the border between Vietnam and China, the site is well worth spending time exploring.

Before reaching the waterfall, we visit the Truc Lam Pagoda; from up there, you get a great view of the waterfall, China, and the surrounding valley framed by limestone peaks.

We visit Ban Gioc Waterfall and then take a walk to the Tay village of Khuoi Ky, built from stacked stones.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then on the way back to Cao Bang with sightseeing stopsat ethnic villages in Phuc Sen.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Cao Bang.

Cao Bang - Bao Lac (Black Lo Lo) - Meo Vac (B,L,D)

~ 250km = 4h30 drive

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet up at 8:00 AM and depart for Meo Vac, part of the Dong Van – Ha Giang loop, a district at the extreme north of Vietnam, driving through beautiful mountain landscapes and scenic passes.

Photos and visit to the Cao Bang market, then continue towards Meo Vac.

Stop to visit and encounters at the village of the Black Lo Lo ethnic group, well known through the French television documentary Rendez-vous en terre inconnue.

Lunch en route.

Continue towards Meo Vac, with several photo stops overlooking mountains and ethnic villages along the way.

Arrival in Meo Vac, direct transfer to the Community village - beautiful traditional architecture for the overnight stay.

Dinner and overnight on site.

Meo Vac / Walks - Tu San Canyon - Ma Pi Leng Pass - Dong Van (B,L,D)

~ 50km = 1h15 of driving

Breakfast at Homestay,

Meet at 8:00AM and depart to discover and take photos of the beautiful Tu San canyon with a boat trip along the river.

On the way to Dong Van via the Happiness Road and crossing one of the 4 highest, longest passes in Vietnam – Ma Pi Leng, a beautiful walk towards the top of the pass, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view, and towards the ethnic H’mong village.

Arrival in Dong Van, direct transfer to the hotel for rest.

Dinner and overnight in Dong Van.

Dong Van / Sightseeing – Ethnic Market – Royal Palace – Quan Ba / Nam Dam Village (B,L,D)

~ 130km = 2h30 of driving

After breakfast, visit the weekly ethnic market, held every Sunday morning.

If it is not market day, visit Lung Cu Flag Tower and a Flower Lo Lo village in Lao Chai instead.

Lunch at a local restaurant en route.

In the afternoon, visit the Hmong King Palace (Dinh Vua Meo), nearly 100 years old, followed by Lung Cam village.

On the road, stop at Pho Bang village, which mainly houses members of the Hoa ethnic group who immigrated from China. Its old architecture gives it the atmosphere of a small Hoi An.

On the road, photo stops and visit to the buckwheat field passing through Ma U village, followed by a photo stop at Tham Ma Slope before arriving in Quan Ba District.

Transfer to Nam Dam Village, home to the colourful Dao ethnic community.

Arrival at the village and overnight with a local Dao family.

Quan Ba / Walks - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi (B,L,D)

~ 110km = 3h00 of driving

After breakfast,

Enjoy a two-hour walk through Nam Dam Village, then continue towards Hoang Su Phi, one of Northern Vietnam’s best-known areas for spectacular rice terraces.

Several sightseeing and photo stops are planned along the way.

Dinner and overnight at a homestay.

Hoang Su Phi / Walks & Sightseeing (B,L,D)

After breakfast,

Meet at 8:30 AM for a full day of walking and trekking through the rice terraces.

The trek takes you to ethnic villages: Nam Khoa village, inhabited by  the Man Ta Pan Dao, and Nam Son Village, home to Dao people traditionally wearing long tunics decorated with silver jewellery.

Most importantly, you will see the most beautiful rice terraces in Tonkin.

Walk between 5-6 hours for the whole day.

Return to the hotel for some rest.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel – homestay bungalow.

Hoang Su Phi - Tuyen Quang – Hanoi (B,L,D)

After breakfast,

Enjoy a few final photos at sunrise.

Meet around 9:30 AM for a day journey on the road heading back to Hanoi.

Photo stops along the road.

Lunch at a local restaurant en route.

Arrival in Hanoi, direct transfer to the hotel for some rest.

Dinner and overnight stay in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Halong Bay / Cruise & Sightseeing (B,L,D) – Overnight on Board

Breakfast.

Meet at 8:00 AM for departure to Halong Bay, made famous by the film "Indochine". The landscape is characterised by its 1,969 karst islands, which have contributed to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Board a boat for a cruise through this extraordinary setting. Several stops and visits, including a sampan ride in a traditional small boat, will be included along the route.

Board your traditional junk / cruise boat and settle into your cabin.

Cruise through Halong Bay, covering more than 1,500 km² and featuring nearly 3,000 islands and islets.

Lunch on board.

Visit one of Halong Bay’s most beautiful natural caves.

Return to the boat and enjoy a magnificent sunset panorama over the bay.

Dinner on board the junk / cruise boat.

Overnight on board.

To end the day, weather permitting, a night fishing session will be organized.

NOTE: The itinerary and visits in Halong Bay may be modified depending on the program of each confirmed junk, according to the tide and weather.

Halong Bay / Cruise - Ninh Binh (B,L,D)

Breakfast on board the Junk.

Sunrise over Halong Bay, as the silhouette of the limestone karsts gradually emerge from the water.

Optional morning Tai Chi class on the boat’s upper deck, depending on the cruise programme.

Continue exploring the bay.

Brunch on board.

Then travel towards Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital from 968 to 1009 under the Dinh Dynasty. Surrounded by numerous limestone peaks, the location offered natural protection against invading forces from the north.

En route, visit Pho Minh pagoda – a beautiful piece of architecture.

Pho Minh Pagoda is located in Tuc Mac Village, 4 km north of Nam Dinh City and 94 km south of Hanoi. The pagoda was originally constructed during the Ly Dynasty and was expanded in 1262 and later under the Tran kings.

Dinner and overnight in Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh / Walks & Sightseeing – Hanoi (B,L,D)

Breakfast.

Enjoy a flat-bottomed boat excursion along the river through Thung Nang – “Sun Valley”, discovering magnificent scenery winding between karst hills and rice fields in the region often referred to as “Halong Bay on Land.” This excursion is offered as an alternative to Tam Coc, which has become more touristy.

Visit Bich Dong pagoda (Jade Pagoda), a sanctuary built into the rock.
The complex consists of three small ancient pagodas built in the early 18th century on three different levels. The first stands against the mountain surrounded by a lush garden. A small staircase leads to the second, while the third, located higher up, houses three Buddha statues.

Lunch featuring local specialties.

Climb to the summit of Hang Mua (Mua Cave). The breathtaking viewpoint offers a panoramic view over the entire region, including the Ngo Dong River.

An excellent opportunity to take beautiful photographs.

Continue the journey back to Hanoi.

Arrival in Hanoi towards the end of the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi / Free Time - Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time before checking out of the rooms around noon.

Meet with the driver only (without a guide) for the transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Notes: 
* This itinerary can be operated in reverse order.
* A English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the trip.