Mountain To Beach Adventure In North Of Vietnam

Day one brings you from Hanoi to Sapa on a newly-constructed highway after a pickup at 8AM. And now, get ready to observe a dramatic change from the hectic metropolitan life of Hanoi to the hilly rustic Sapa. The road trip lasts for around 6 hours.

After a tasty lunch in a local restaurant, check in your hotel and take a short rest before roaming on a fun-traveling day.

Get the discovery started with a wide range of stunning landscape awaiting. You now will hit the road again to explore the primitive surroundings. Firstly heads to the fascinating highest peak of O Qui Ho Pass first, which is 2035 meters above sea level. And this is where the phenomenal “Heaven Gate” was born. On the way back, chance for you to admire the glamorous Silver Waterfall, a symbol of hilly Northwestern Vietnam.

Save this full second day for a fascinating trekking trip passing through the endless scenic terraced rice paddies, where the lovely tribal Hmong community call their home.

Arrive at Lao Chai Village later on and then get to see how the locals spend their days in the life. Some local schools are located throughout the trip, take this as an opportunity to meet the Hmong and Yao children with the brightest smiles on their faces. Lunch is set in Ta Van Village before trekking to a romantic old hanging bridge crossing Muong Hoa River.

Today, say goodbye to the dream-like Sapa and kick start a 3-hour drive to Bac Ha. The land is widely named as the “White Highland” thanks to its fame as an iconic opium plantation during the early 20th century.

Afternoon then is time for you to discover Bac Ha on a half day trek. Night at a local homestay of Tay ethnic minority.

The fourth morning is saved for King Hoang A Tuong’s ancient palace and Bac Ha Market. You are able to join in the dynamic open flea market by the Hmong people if the day is Sunday.

Head to Ban Pho later on during noontime to a remote village where the tribal Hmong dwellers call it there home. Over here, spend 1 – 1.5 hours discovering the region.

Leave for Hoang Su Phi on a 4-hour drive and get to observe the pristine and glamorous natural surrounding along the way when moving up and down along the adventurous ragged roads. Lunch in Coc Pai town.

Afterwards, drive up the mountain to reach the peak of Ban Phung Village, this is where the unique group of La Chi ethnic minority settle down. After a short rest in the afternoon, discover Ban Phung Village on foot featuring a short visit to La Chi Ancient Tomb. Take this chance as well to obtain a stunning view down to the vast breathtaking rice fields when romantic sunset takes over the northern sky.

Are you ready to discover a new hidden gem no one ever tells you before? It is the chance to discover Ban Phung on a 2.5-hour trek off the beaten path.
Over here, you will roam into the woods and sneak through some La Chi ethnic villages or wind around the greenish rice fields. Make a short stop at a local school to interact with local friendly children welcoming you to their “domain” with the warmest waving hands.

After trekking, head to Hoang Su Phi township for an authentic lunch. The rest of the day is spent traveling to Ha Giang where you meet the native Tay people. If you consider yourself a pro-romance traveler, then why not chase the sunset taking over the lush terraced rice fields and palm forest or take a swim in a local stream nearby?

Watch sunrise and jump in an authentic breakfast to start the sixth day. Then, move up the mountain to Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark for an interesting visit.

The first stop is at Quan Ba Heaven Gate and Fairy Bosom. Don’t forget to admire the majestic nature along the way and hunt down some cool photographs for your Instagram feed.

Then, head straight to an exotic lunch well-arranged upon your arrival in Yen Minh Town.

After lunch, head to Dong Van. Take a short walk into an isolated indigenous Hmong people’s village for an actual observation into their local life. Next, pay a visit to the King of Hmong Palace in Sa Phin Valley before reaching Dong Van. Over there, walk up to the vacant French Fortress of Dong Van to get the whole view of the ancient town is time allows.

The day begins with a visit to Dong Van fresh market. If the day falls on Sunday, then you will be able to join in an interesting and unique market fair run by the Hmong people. Afterwards, a 20-minute drive transfers you to the trekking point at Ma Pi Leng Pass.

Hike up the mountain to the edge of Nho Que Valley where you can get an absolute panorama of the gigantic mountain lying along the border with China. Here, get ready to be blown away by the stunning beauty of this top-of-the-world destination. This 2.5-hour walk takes you to the peak of the pass after crossing some local Hmong villages and ends with a stroll along the edge of the mountain looking down Tu San Canyon.

After a short break there, move on further to Ba Be Lake on a 4-hour drive.

Day eight starts with 3 hour boating around the lake after an authentic breakfast. Take the next short walk around Cam Village to fully live with the pristine nature, smiley local people and get to see how a simple rustic school is set up at the end of the lake.

Move on to Puong Cave, home to the mystic and incredible limestone stalactites as well as tropical mysterious bats. End up at Buoc Lom wharf where you say goodbye to Ba Be and leave for Quang Uyen District, a locality of Cao Bang Province.

Take a morning exercise after a long sleep to enjoy the fresh air before your served local breakfast. Hit the road again to the exotic Ban Gioc Waterfall, the fourth biggest border waterfall in the world between Vietnam and China.

On the way, take a stop at Phuoc Sen Village, a Nung tribal “domain” where knives are made as a special type of traditional handicraft.

Enjoy your picnic lunch at the waterfall after a fun boat ride to the border river with China to freshen up for the next visit in the afternoon to the legendary “Tiger cave” – Nguom Ngao Cave, before leaving for Lang Son. The rest of the day is at your own pleasure.

This tenth day is set for an insight into the marvelous Bai Tu Long Bay after a 5-hour drive from Lang Son. First off, embark at Sunworld International Harbor for a check-in process, welcome drink and cruise briefing.

Afterwards, enjoy your arranged high-end lunch while cruising around the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay for an up-close admiration of the fascinating formations on the way. The trip continues with the hidden Thien Canh Son Cave followed by a relaxing time on the white sandy beach at Hon Co Island. You can opt for swimming or kayaking as pleased.

Later in the evening, get back for refreshing before dinner on board and spend the rest of the evening at your own pleasure.

The last day of the voyage first welcomes you with a stunning morning view of the bay’s landscape while offering a cup of tea or coffee during breakfast.

After that, pay a visit to Vung Vieng fishing village on a rustic row-boat before checking out time. Lunchtime is when you will cruise towards the harbor. Disembark after lunch and transfer back to Hanoi on a 4-hour drive. Your adventure ends!