Explore the most authentic regions of northern Vietnam on a 14-day, 13-night trip through mountains, rice terraces, ethnic villages, and wild landscapes.
Explore Vietnam beyond the ordinary with this exclusive tour that blends nature, culture, and adventure. From bustling Hanoi to the verdant rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, the colorful markets of Bac Ha, the dramatic landscapes of the Dong Van Plateau, and the serenity of Ba Be Lake, this tour is designed for travelers seeking authenticity, living history, and deep connections with local people.
Cada día ofrece experiencias únicas: paseos en bicicleta por campos de arroz, caminatas entre terrazas, cruceros en bahías tranquilas, visitas a templos históricos y encuentros con minorías étnicas, todo en un formato privado y personalizado.
Discover northern Vietnam on a unique journey through mountains, rice terraces, and traditional villages. Experience spectacular landscapes, authentic culture, and genuine adventures on a tour designed to help you make the most of every moment.
Your first stop in Vietnam will be Noi Bai Airport, where our guide will be waiting to transfer you to your charming hotel in the heart of Hanoi. Here, your journey officially begins!
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, boasts over a thousand years of history and is known for its tranquil lakes, French-style buildings, Old Quarter streets, tree-lined boulevards, and brightly colored temples and pagodas.
After a light snack, you will visit Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first imperial school, built in 1070 during the Ly Dynasty. Next, you will take a stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake, where you can admire its calm waters and the beauty of Ngoc Son Temple.
To end the day, you will enjoy a tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets,” aboard a Xich Lo, a traditional form of transportation similar to a Thai tuk-tuk. Be captivated by its narrow alleyways and lively shops.
Accommodation: Hanoi
Meals included: No
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to Ninh Binh. After approximately two hours, you will arrive at Hang Mua (Mua Cave), one of the region’s most attractive spots, offering spectacular panoramic views. You will then ascend to the summit of Ngoa Long Mountain, where you can admire breathtaking vistas of the Tam Coc and Ninh Binh areas.
Next, you will take a bicycle tour through the village and explore the rice paddies surrounded by limestone mountains, following a unique route that allows you to observe traditional architecture and local daily life.
Afterward, you will head to a local restaurant to refresh yourself and enjoy a special lunch of local cuisine, highlighting the yin-yang balance characteristic of Asian culture.
At 8:00 AM, depart from Ninh Binh with a direct transfer to Ha Long Bay. Arrive around 11:30 AM at the Indochina Junk office, where you can relax in the waiting area before transferring to the cruise ship.
Between 11:50 AM and 12:15 PM, electric vehicles will transfer guests to the port. There, the crew will welcome you and assist with check-in.
Between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM, after boarding, you will be offered a welcome drink and a brief introduction to the 3-day, 2-night itinerary, along with safety information. Cabin keys will then be distributed.
At 1:15 PM, enjoy lunch on board, savoring fresh and delicious seafood from Ha Long Bay, as the cruise ship sets sail through Bai Tu Long Bay.
In the afternoon, between 2:30 and 3:00 PM, visit the fishing village of Vung Vieng, a secluded and peaceful village where local fishermen, aboard bamboo boats, will give you a glimpse into the daily life of the fishing community.
At 4:00 PM, return to the cruise ship to relax and enjoy the sunset views over Bai Tu Long Bay.
At 7:00 PM, dinner on board in a tranquil and romantic setting.
From 8:30 PM onwards, free time to relax or participate in night squid fishing, spending the night aboard the Dragon Legend cruise ship.
Accommodation: Dragon Legend Cruise Ship
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Between 7:00 and 7:15, breakfast will be served on board, allowing guests to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the bay in the early morning.
From 7:45 to 8:45, visit Thien Canh Son Cave, considered the most beautiful natural cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, where you will be amazed by its impressive stalactites and stalagmites, formed over thousands of years.
At 9:00, return to the cruise ship.
Between 9:45 and 10:00, check-out will take place.
At 10:15, enjoy a premium buffet or set menu as the cruise ship slowly makes its way back to port.
At 11:30, arrival at the port and transfer to Yen Duc Village in Dong Trieu Province for a short break in this typical Vietnamese farming village, rich in culture and traditions.
Between 1:00 PM and 1:45 PM, you will attend a traditional water puppet show performed by local artists.
At 4:00 PM, you will arrive in Hanoi, where the day’s tour concludes and you will spend the night in the city.
Accommodation: Hanoi
Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch
Departure at 8:00 AM from your hotel in Hanoi, beginning your journey to northwest Vietnam, heading towards Yen Bai province. As we leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, you can enjoy views of the rural landscape through the windows during the drive.
The first stop will be at the Long Coc Tea Plantation Valley, a captivating setting of rolling hills covered in lush tea bushes as far as the eye can see. Here, you will immerse yourself in the art of tea production in Vietnam, strolling through the plantation and learning about the detailed process that gives rise to one of the country’s most prized beverages.
After a delicious lunch served in the home of a local family, the journey continues with a scenic drive to Nghia Lo. Arrival at the hotel is scheduled for around 3:00 PM, followed by a pleasant sunset bike ride through the enchanting rice paddy valley.
Overnight in Nghia Lo.
Accommodation: Nghia Lo
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive through the town of Tu Le and over the imposing Khau Pha Pass, heading towards Mu Cang Chai, considered one of the most spectacular rice terrace paradises in the world.
Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by an unforgettable hike to discover the majestic landscapes of rice terraces, the villages of the Black H’Mong ethnic group, and the mountains of La Pan Tan commune.
The approximately 8-km hike follows community trails with gentle ascents and descents, allowing you to observe the daily life of the local tribes, interact with friendly people, and walk along ancient buffalo trails that traverse some of the most impressive terraced rice fields in the region. During the trek, you’ll also visit villages of the H’Mong hill tribes, where you can learn about their culture and traditions firsthand.
Around 4:00 PM, you will be picked up by private vehicle for the return trip to your accommodation, where you will spend the second night in Mu Cang Chai.
Accommodation: Mu Cang Chai
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
The day begins with breakfast accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee, surrounded by the stunning rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai. The morning adventure includes a leisurely two-hour hike to a nearby H’Mong village, winding through lush landscapes and experiencing the daily life of the local community.
Afterward, a car transfer takes the group to Than Uyen, where a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant will provide the energy needed to continue exploring. After lunch, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll, soaking up the charm of the local surroundings before embarking on a scenic drive.
The journey continues along the iconic O Quy Ho Pass, a scenic route that offers spectacular views and reveals the grandeur of nature. Continuing through the countryside, you will arrive at Bac Ha, where you will visit the house of King Hoang A Tuong, a tribal mandarin who ruled the area during the French colonial era. This palatial house, built in the 1920s with the help of Chinese laborers, reflects the history and architecture of the time.
Next, a short hike will take you to the mountain village of Ban Pho, home to the Flower H’Mong people, where you will learn about their history, culture, and customs. The experience also includes a tasting of their special wine made from corn.
Accommodation: Bac Ha
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, you will visit the Bac Ha Sunday Market, the most colorful in northern Vietnam. You will explore this enormous public market, where locals from various mountain tribes, including the Flower H’Mong, gather. Take the opportunity to sample unique tribal foods, as well as special wines made from rice, cassava, corn, apples, peaches, and other fruits.
During the tour, you will have the chance to take vibrant photographs, capturing the traditional costumes and lively market life. Along with the Flower H’Mong, other minority groups from nearby villages participate in the buying and selling of a wide variety of goods and livestock, including buffalo, cattle, goats, horses, and other animals.
After the market, you will travel to Xi Man for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to Pan Hou village, where you will spend the night.
Accommodation: Pan Hou
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, you’ll embark on an approximately 3-hour hike to the village of Ban Luoc, home to the Dao ethnic group. There, the villagers, dressed in their traditional robes, will welcome you into their stilt houses.
During the visit, you’ll enjoy a pleasant time with the family over a meal prepared with local specialties, discovering the daily life and culture of the Dao people.
After the hike, you’ll be picked up by private vehicle and transferred to Ha Giang, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of mountains and valleys surrounding the region.
Accommodation: Ha Giang
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to Dong Van, Vietnam’s most impressive karst plateau. Along the way, we’ll visit Heaven’s Gate in Quan Ba and the ancient neighborhood of Pho Cao, characterized by its multi-story clay houses with tiled roofs, built centuries ago.
We’ll continue to Sa Phin, where we’ll visit the H’Mong King’s Palace, a historic structure that reflects the culture and legacy of this ethnic group.
Finally, we’ll arrive in Dong Van in the late afternoon, where we’ll spend the night in a local hotel.
Accommodation: Dong Van
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Continuaremos hacia Sa Phin, donde visitaremos el Palacio del Rey H’Mong, una construcción histórica que refleja la cultura y el legado de esta etnia.
Finalmente, llegada a Dong Van a última hora de la tarde, donde pasaremos la noche en un hotel local.
Alojamiento: Dong Van
Comidas incluidas: Desayuno, Almuerzo
Today we will visit the ancient city of Dong Van, known for its beautiful historic houses, built between 1810 and 1820. We will take a walking tour through its old streets, including the lively local markets, to immerse ourselves in the city’s daily life.
After lunch, we will continue to Meo Vac along a 56-km road, considered by many to be the most beautiful in Vietnam. The route winds along the Nho Que River and through the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass, offering numerous scenic photo stops. This drive takes us across the Dong Van Stone Plateau, the first officially recognized geopark in Vietnam and the second in Southeast Asia, passing through villages of local ethnic minorities.
Our journey continues to Bao Lac, passing through remote villages and lush forests, enjoying the sights and sounds of rural Vietnam. As we approach Bao Lac, the landscape changes dramatically, with vast rice paddies and rolling hills stretching out before us. We will spend the night in Bao Lac.
Accommodation: Bao Lac
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we’ll leave the city and head towards Ban Gioc Waterfall, traveling 190 km through breathtaking scenery. This picturesque waterfall is 53 meters high and 300 meters long, surrounded by limestone karst formations that rise above the verdant rice paddies of the Tay, H’Mong, and Dzao ethnic minorities.
On the way to Cao Bang, we’ll visit Nguom Ngao Cave, with its 2,144-meter-long passages and unique stalactites, as well as stop at scenic overlooks to admire the hidden charm of the mountains of northeastern Vietnam. Along the way, we’ll travel through rolling hills, winding roads, and terraced fields that turn golden in the afternoon sun.
Finally, we’ll arrive in Cao Bang, where we’ll spend the night.
Accommodation: Cao Bang
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
After enjoying Cao Bang, we’ll continue our journey to Ba Be Lake, a trip of approximately 4 hours.
Upon arrival in the afternoon, we’ll embark on a spectacular 3-hour boat trip on the lake, exploring its shores, visiting charming villages, and hiking along the upper reaches of the lake, amidst a landscape of towering limestone cliffs and mountains.
We’ll spend the night in Ba Be.
Accommodation: Ba Be
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will conclude our trip by returning to Hanoi by private bus, traveling approximately 230 km (150 miles).
Late this afternoon, you will arrive at Hanoi Airport to board your flight home. Although today marks your farewell to Vietnam, the memories and experiences of this trip will stay with you forever. Until the next adventure!
Meals included: Breakfast
Includes:
Not Included:
Ecotourism · Local culture · Nature · Soft adventure · Ethnic communities
A tour designed for those who wish to discover the most authentic and least explored Vietnam. This trip offers a perfect balance of mountain landscapes, endless rice terraces, tribal markets, scenic hikes, encounters with ethnic minorities, and local cuisine, with ample time to enjoy each experience at your own pace.
Be inspired by a collection of images that reveal the most authentic beauty of northern Vietnam: rice terraces sculpting the mountainsides, vibrant tribal markets, roads winding through remote valleys, and villages where time seems to stand still.
Each photograph captures real moments: smiles shared with H’Mong, Dao, and Tay communities, the raw power of nature in the mountain passes, the serenity of Ba Be Lake, and the majestic roar of Ban Gioc Waterfall.
This gallery is an invitation to experience, before you even depart, the emotions that await you: silence, connection, gentle adventure, and awe before one of the purest landscapes in Southeast Asia.
Throughout this comprehensive itinerary, you will discover the best of northern Vietnam, combining historic cities, spectacular natural landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters.
ALL OUR TRIPS ARE EXCLUSIVELY PRIVATE
Discover the most authentic and wild Vietnam on a tour designed for travelers seeking more than just tourism: a genuine connection with the land, the mountains, and their communities. You’ll hike among world-famous rice terraces, remote villages, and tribal markets, venturing into off-the-beaten-path regions where life maintains its ancient rhythm.
You’ll navigate tranquil rivers and lakes hidden in the jungle, traverse mountain passes considered among the most spectacular in Southeast Asia, and explore otherworldly karst landscapes. This journey balances gentle adventure, pristine nature, and profound cultural experiences, allowing you to truly experience the country from within.