Immersive remote north Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

tourhub | Mr Linh's Adventures | Immersive remote north Vietnam 9 days 8 nights | 162159 | Map

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~~$1084~~

$1032

Immersive remote north Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

9 Days Starting and ending in Hanoi, Vietnam

Visiting: Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Hanoi

Tour operator:

Mr Linh's Adventures

Tour code:

162159

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

EASY

Age range:

10-

Tour operated in:

English

From: $1084 $1032 Travel Club discount: -$51

NB: Prices correct on 14-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on a 9-day, 8-night adventure through the remote far north of Vietnam, exploring regions close to the Chinese border. This tour offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of ethnic minorities, where traditional dress still signifies family and locality. Experience the stunning landscapes, from colorful rice paddies to dramatic mountain passes, and engage with locals through homestays in various villages. Highlights include visits to ancient villages, breathtaking rice terraces, and the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall. Enjoy guided tours, local cuisine, and the serene beauty of Ba Be Lake, all while traveling comfortably with private transfers and an English-speaking guide.

Highlights

It explores the remote far north of Vietnam, often close to the Chinese border
This is the land of the ethnic minorities, and it is one of the few places left in this global world where one's family and locality can be identified by dress alone
Prepare yourself for a riot of colour, from the ethnic clothes to the rice paddies
You will have a chance to interrelate with the locals by staying in Homestays, in a variety of villages and mountainous regions
Visit the ancient village of Duong Lam with houses dating back 100-400 years
Experience the dramatic Khau Pha mountain pass and the spectacular rice fields of Tu Le
Explore the Ban Gioc waterfalls, marking the border with China
Embark on a 3-hour boat trip across the lakes of Ba Be in Ba Be National Park

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Hanoi - Nghia Lo (L/D)

Location: Nghia Lo

Accommodation Name: Homestay with White Thai family

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

We leave Hanoi Old Quarter and travel for about 2 hours to Duong Lam, which is an ancient village with UNESCO protection as of 2006. The houses date back 100-400 years, and the temples and gardens are edged with laterite walls. This is an important historical site with temples in honour of two kings, national heroes, who defended the land against the Chinese about 1200 years ago.

We will have lunch in a local house here, before continuing our drive through the rural countryside, first surrounded by flat paddy fields, then, as we gain altitude we will begin to see tea plantations, and then finally corn or maize amongst the karst limestone outcrops. We will overnight with a delightful White Thai family in a traditional stilt house in Nghia Lo.

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 : Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai (B/L/D)

Location: Mu Cang Chai

Accommodation Name: Mrs Chon's Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We will rise early and take an early morning bike ride around the paddy and corn fields, enjoying the peaceful sight of ducks, chickens, pigs and buffalos, and observing the quiet manual labour of the villagers. Breakfast will be enjoyed in the open air, looking over the fields, before we check out and set out over the dramatic Khau Pha mountain pass.

The rice fields of Tu Le are spectacular and we stop at a local restaurant for lunch. We continue the drive to Nam Co village where we'll see the flower H'mong ethnic minorities in their lovely traditional costume, as well as the local market if it’s the right day. We drive to La Pan Tan and the Mam Soi terraced rice fields and take a short walk up the hill to a viewpoint. Then finally dinner and overnight at Mrs Chon's Homestay in Kim Noi village, another White Thai family home.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 : Mu Cang Chai - Sapa (B/L/D)

Location: Sapa

Accommodation Name: Dao's ethnic house

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we will drive from Mu Cang Chai through Tan Uyen and then to Sapa. The road is very dramatic with many hairpins, each opening up a new vista of the mountains, and also crosses the Sin Ho pass. You will have lunch in Sapa and a chance to look around, before we trek to Giang Ta Chai village, where you will have dinner and overnight in a Dao's ethnic house.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 : Sapa - Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi (B/L/D)

Location: Sapa

Accommodation Name: Hotel in Hoang Su Phi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set off bright and early with a drive to Bac Ha. If it is a Sunday we will make for the market, one of the most colourful markets in the north, where you can become expert in spotting the different ethnic costumes, and enjoy the antics of the livestock market. There are marvellous photo opportunities at these markets, and after lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit the palace of Hoang A Tuong, a curious mixture of baroque and oriental, built in 1920 with the aid of the French.

Then we will drive up a small mountain road with views of the most amazing rice terraces, with villages dotted here and there. We reach Ban Phung village and have a chance to see the La Chi ethnic people, their ladies in black knee length skirts and jackets, with a little delicate coloured embroidery, and their heads wrapped in a strip of cloth knotted about their hair. They have a truly hard life up in these mountains often carrying a heavy load in a bag from a band on their heads. We will descend to Hoang Su Phi for dinner and overnight at a hotel..

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 : Hoang Su Phi (B/L/D)

Location: Ha Giang

Accommodation Name: Stilt house of a Tay family

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hoang Su Phi is also a very famous area for rice terraces which curl around the hills like contour lines. There are also beautiful tea plantations, some of which have been there for a hundred years. We continue via Tan Su Phin pass and Cong Troi pass, which are incredibly dramatic and the whole area is full of magnificent views with plenty of photo opportunities. We will have lunch on the way at a local restaurant, then continue north again to Ha Giang. We will overnight at a stilt house of a Tay family.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 : Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac (B/L/D)

Location: Ha Giang

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set out in the morning for Dong Van, passing through Cong Troi Pass and then continuing on to Yen Minh. On the way we will also visit the King’s Palace in the H’mong village of Sa Phin, built in the early 20th century. The area is also notable for its many corn plantations, where the harvest is collected by hand.

As we pass reach Dong Van we disembark for a lunch break in the colourful old market. Here you can admire the Ancient houses and the local people in their traditional garments. After lunch we set off again and pass through the spectacular Ma Pi Leng Pass, on the way to Meo Vac. This road is justly considered one of the most beautiful in the country, and the views are appropriately stunning. Once we reach Meo Vac we settle in for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 : Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Cao Bang (B/L/D)

Location: Cao Bang

Accommodation Name: Nung house

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Meo Vac is a small town, home to the ethnic groups Tay, Dao, H'mong and Lo Lo. If we are here on a Sunday we will visit the market, another fantastic riot of colour. There is a lot of clothing and fabric sold here, and sometimes men making the men's indigo dyed jackets on old sewing machines can be seen among the stalls. There is a livestock section which is a frenzy of squealing pigs, screeching birds as well as cows and horses.

We drive to Bao Lac for lunch with some stops in ethnic villages along the way. The road is again pretty mountainous with several passes. Then we visit the Nung ethnic village of Pac Rang, a traditional farming village which is known for its blacksmiths and their work in making farm tools. We’ll have dinner and overnight at a Nung house.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 : Ban Gioc Waterfall - Ba Be Lake (B/L/D)

Location: Cao Bang

Accommodation Name: Mr Linh's Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we continue from Cao Bang and journey to the Ban Gioc waterfalls, a photo of which must be in every hostel and tour agent's office in Hanoi! The falls mark the border with China, so this is truly the frontier.

There will be time to appreciate the breath-taking sight of these falls before making our way to Nguom Ngao "Tiger Cave", with its amazing limestone formations, and stalactites of various shapes and sizes. This is the most famous limestone grotto in the province of Cao Bang, and you will be awestruck by its sheer size! We then drive to Ba Be National Park and feel the peace and serenity of the lake, before dinner and an overnight stay at Mr Linh's Homestay.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 : Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (B/L)

Location: Hanoi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a breakfast on the terrace, we will walk a short distance between rice fields, through the village of Bo Lu to the boat station to embark on a 3 hour boat trip across the lakes of Ba Be. If you need to cool down, it's a great time to jump into the peaceful water. The boat takes you along a river with time to gaze up at the dramatic karst limestone outcrops which will have become quite familiar to you by this point.

The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna so you are likely to catch sight of birds and butterflies, and you'll definitely be aware of the thousands of bats in Puong Cave which tunnels its way through the mountain and through which the river flows. We return by boat to Bolu and then you will have a chance to relax on the drive back to Hanoi, stopping on the way for lunch. We should arrive back in Hanoi about 5.30PM and you will be ped off at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

What's Included

Private door-to-door pick-up-off services

Private door-to-door pick-up-off services are included.
All private transfer and transportation

All private transfer and transportation are included.
English-speaking guide

An English-speaking guide as per the program is included.
Meals

Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), and Dinners (D) as mentioned are included.
Sightseeing tickets and travel permits

All sightseeing tickets and travel permits are included.
Accommodation

Accommodation at hotels/homestays as mentioned is included.
No extra charge after confirmation

There are no extra charges after confirmation.

What's Not Included

Personal expenses, tips and gratuities

Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities are not included.
Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included.
International flight and taxes

International flight and taxes are not included.
Beverage

Beverages are not included.
Other personal expenses

Other personal expenses such as drinks and souvenirs are not included.

Requirements

Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking.
It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat.

Please Note

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Mode of Transport

Enjoy private door-to-door pick-up and all private transfers and transportation throughout the tour, ensuring a comfortable and seamless travel experience.

Accommodation

Experience authentic Vietnamese culture by staying in homestays with local families in various villages and mountainous regions, including traditional stilt houses and ethnic homes.

Check out our Q&As

What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

You will stay in a variety of accommodations including traditional stilt houses with local families, homestays, and hotels. This will give you a chance to interact with the locals and experience their way of life.
Are meals included in the tour package?

Yes, meals are included as mentioned in the itinerary. You will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided on most days of the tour.
What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?

All private transfers and transportation are included in the tour package. This includes door-to-door pick-up and drop-off services.
Will there be opportunities to interact with local ethnic minorities?

Yes, the tour includes visits to various ethnic minority villages where you can interact with the locals. You will stay in homestays with families from different ethnic groups, providing a unique cultural experience.
What kind of physical activities are involved in this tour?

The tour involves various physical activities such as hiking, trekking, and biking. You will also have opportunities for short walks and boat trips.

Is this tour suitable for children and elderly travelers?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
What should I pack for this tour?

You should pack essentials including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes, a small day pack for hiking and trekking, insect repellent, sun cream, a raincoat, and a sun hat. It is also essential to bring your passport.
Are there any specific health or safety considerations I should be aware of?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
What happens if the minimum number of travelers is not met for this tour?

If the minimum number of travelers is not met, the tour may be canceled. In such cases, you will be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Reviews of this operator

John Aldo Albanese Jr USA

Experience the Highlights of Central Vietnam

26-Feb-2024

Absolutely a Great Deal! The journey was very interesting, the guides and driver were excellent! Very informative, kind and knowledgeable! I was debating whether to do a tour or not....so happy I did. All hotels were outstanding, tour hub definitely went above and beyond to help me out

John Aldo Albanese Jr USA

Experience the Highlights of Central Vietnam

26-Feb-2024

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~~$1084~~ $1032