Secrets of North Vietnam

Hanoi - Sapa. We depart Hanoi at 7:30am for a scenic five-hour drive to Sapa, transitioning from the bustling cityscape to tranquil rice paddies and rolling hills. Upon arrival, we enjoy a local lunch before boarding Asia’s longest cable car to Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina at 3,143 metres.

The 30-minute ascent offers panoramic views of terraced rice fields. At the summit, you can explore temples and choose to complete the final 600 steps on foot or take a funicular. We return to Sapa for an overnight hotel stay. Please bring a jacket, as temperatures drop significantly at higher altitudes.

Please note: We strongly recommend you arrive in Hanoi the day before your tour starts. You will be collected early on day 1. Pick up can be arranged from any hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter, and you must inform us in advance of your tour where you wish to be collected from.

Today, we trek through the picturesque rice terraces of Y Linh Ho, passing through flower valleys and Black Hmong villages. We visit a local home to gain insight into daily life, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon trek continues through Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, home to the Zay people. We conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at a homestay in Ta Van Village.

Today's trek covers 15-17 km

Sapa - Ha Giang. Leaving Sapa, we journey towards Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northernmost province. En route, we stop in Pho Rang for lunch and take a walk through Vinh Yen, a Tay-inhabited area.

Continuing deeper into Ha Giang, we arrive at a Tay village by early evening, just in time for a home-cooked dinner. We spend the night in a traditional Tay stilt house.

Today's trek covers 6-8 km

Ha Giang - Dong Van. After obtaining the necessary permit at the Immigration Office, we set out for Dong Van, traversing a series of spectacular mountain passes. We pause in Tam Son for lunch and visit the H’mong village of Lung Cam B.

We'll have the opportunity to see the former palace of the H’mong King, Vuong Chinh Duc before we arrive in Dong Van, where we'll have dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in a hotel.

Dong Van - Meo Vac - Cao Bang. We begin the day with breakfast before visiting the lively Dong Van Market, where locals from nearby villages gather to trade goods and purchase essentials they cannot produce themselves.

Next, we trek up to Pu Lo Fortress, constructed in 1890 and evacuated in 1945. From this vantage point, you can take in sweeping views of the surrounding region. We then continue with an 8 km climb to the summit of Ma Pi Leng Pass, navigating a dramatic landscape of limestone peaks, stone forests, and deep canyons along the Sky Path at the Nho Qué River Viewpoint. From there, we descend into the Meo Vac valley.

Winding through the valley, we reach Bao Lac village for a short rest and lunch, before continuing by vehicle to Cao Bang, where you'll spend the night in a hotel.

Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Quang Uyen. Today is likely to be a highlight of your journey through northern Vietnam, as we visit one of the region’s most extraordinary natural landmarks – Ban Gioc Waterfall. The drive from Cao Bang takes around two hours. This stunning 300-metre-wide cascade straddles the border between Vietnam and China, set against a backdrop of striking limestone peaks. While here, you can relax and soak up the scenery, capture striking photographs, or board a bamboo raft that brings you close enough to the falls to feel the spray on your face – right at the edge of Vietnam, with China just a stone’s throw away.

Following this, we explore the vast Nguom Ngao Cave, where erosion over thousands of years has sculpted impressive underground formations.

Afterwards, we continue along a scenic, little-known mountain road towards the Nung village of Quang Uyen. Here you’ll be warmly welcomed by Mr Hung Dao, a skilled and friendly local blacksmith. Dinner is served in his home, where you’ll also spend the night in a cosy traditional Nung house.

Quang Uyen - Ba Be National Park. Today we depart from Quang Uyen and travel through the scenic Ma Phuc Pass en route to Ba Be National Park. Once inside the park, you’ll have time to explore its natural highlights – including the tranquil lake, the impressive Puong Grotto caves, the rushing Dau Dang Waterfall, and the small yet intriguing Widow Island. We’ll spend the night in a traditional Tay stilt house, hosted by a local family for an authentic and welcoming homestay experience.

Ba Be National Park - Hanoi. After breakfast, we take a gentle walk along the riverbank to visit nearby villages, followed by a short hike to one of the higher vantage points around the lake, offering impressive views across limestone landscapes and surrounding peaks.

We then visit Hua Ma Cave, the largest dry cave in Northeastern Vietnam, known for its thousands of striking stalactites and stalagmites. After lunch at a local restaurant, we begin the journey back to Hanoi, arriving at approximately 5 pm – where we say our farewells and conclude the tour.