24 Days Best of Northern Vietnam
Hanoi, Perfume pagoda, Mai Chau, Pu Long, Mu Cang Cai, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ban Gioc, Babe lake, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
- Transfer from the Airport to the Old Quarter.
- Check-in to Hanoi Backpackers Hostel.
- Hanoi city tour.
- Enjoy a Vietnamese massage.
- Have dinner at the hostel's rooftop bar.
Day 2: Hanoi
- Start the day with breakfast at the hostel.
- Morning relax.
- Street Food Walking Tour Itinerary:
- 3-Hour Walking Tour:
- Explore Hanoi's culture and history.
- Dive into a world of street food vendors.
- Experience Authentic Street Food:
- Unlike other cities, Hanoi's street food is diverse.
- Try 10 different dishes at local food stands and family restaurants.
- The menu changes daily for variety.
- Sample Dishes (Subject to Change):
- Taste dishes like beef/chicken noodle soup (Pho), and grilled pork with noodles (Bun Cha).
- Enjoy Vietnamese bread (Banh Mi), steamed rice pancake (Banh Cuon).
- Try fried rice pancake (Banh Xeo), green papaya salad with dried beef (Nom Bo Kho).
- Relish street pork barbeque (Thit Xien Nuong), sweet rice donut (Banh Ran Ngot).
- Indulge in Vietnamese dessert (Che), egg coffee (Ca Phe Trung).
- Delicious Exploration:
- Sample Hanoi's culinary delights with each stop.
- Dive into the vibrant world of Vietnamese street food.
Day 3: Perfume Pagoda, Yen Stream and Huong Tich Cave Day Trip
- 7:45 AM: Meet at your hostel.
- Our guide and driver will pick you up.
- Take a 2-hour road trip.
- On the Water:
- Go on a row-boat trip to Yen stream.
- Enjoy a romantic 1-hour journey to Thien Tru harbor.
- Exploring the Caves:
- Trek up and down to the main cave, Dong Huong Tich.
- Reach the mountaintop and see the Golden-Silver tree rice.
- Take a break and enjoy the brilliant view.
- Head back down for about an hour.
- Lunch Break:
- Have lunch at a restaurant at the mountain's bottom.
- Further Explorations:
- Visit the Heaven Kitchen pagoda.
- Learn about ancient Buddhism architecture from the Le Dynasty.
- Return Journey:
- Come back via row-boat trip.
- Begin the 2-hour road trip to Hanoi.
- Approximately 6:00 PM:
- Arrive in Hanoi around 6:00 PM.
- Time to relax and stay in then hostel.
Day 4-6: Mai Chau and Pu Luong Nature Reserve Itinerary
Day 4: Mai Chau Arrival and Village Exploration
- 7:00 - 8:00: Pick up at your Old Quarter hotel in a comfortable van/bus.
- 10:00: Short break.
- 11:30 - 12:30: Scenic photo stop of Mai Chau Valley, arrive in Mai Chau.
- 12:30: Enjoy a traditional lunch in a home setting (vegetarian option available).
- 14:30: Bicycle ride with your guide, see farmers at work and visit peaceful villages.
- 17:00: Free time for cycling, walking, and shopping.
- 19:00: Savor dinner with traditional Vietnamese dishes, watch a dance show, and try "ruou can" traditional wine.
Day 5: Trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
- 7:30 - 8:30: Enjoy breakfast.
- 8:30 - 10:30: Drive 35km to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, stopping to see chopsticks factories and take photos.
- 10:30 - 12:30: Arrive in Pu Luong, take a 10-minute break, then start trekking to explore the mountains and rice terraces.
- 12:30 - 15:30: Lunch in the village and rest before resuming trekking and returning to Mai Chau.
- 19:00: Dinner and rest for the next day's activity.
Day 6: Explore Remote Villages and Depart to mu cang cai
- 07:30: Breakfast.
- 08:30: Cycle 2km before trekking to remote rural villages: Na Meo, Na Mo, and Xam Pa to see rice terraces and learn about local culture.
- 12:00: Back to the homestay, check out, and have lunch.
- 13:00: Free time for shopping and relaxation.
Day 7: pu long to Mu Cang Chai. Stay at Mu Cang Chai (L/D)
Morning:
- Begin your journey from Hanoi towards the Northwest region. Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you along a scenic route to Nghia Lo in Yen Bai province. You'll see beautiful landscapes, including green tea hills and terrace fields. Have lunch in Tu Le.
Afternoon & Evening:
- Continue your drive, seeing more mountains and valleys. Reach Mu Cang Chai, known for its stunning rice terraces. Enjoy dinner with a local family and stay overnight in a traditional stilt house.
Note: Stilt house accommodations are shared. There's an extra cost for a private room.
Day 8: Mu Cang Chai to Sapa (B/L)
Morning:
- Wake up early and experience village life in Mu Cang Chai. After breakfast, explore the captivating terrace fields, take photos, and enjoy the scenery.
Afternoon:
- Visit more terrace fields and return to Hanoi in the afternoon. You'll see the stunning landscapes again.
Depart for Sapa
Day 9: Sapa Trekking and Cultural Encounters
Sapa - Homestay (15 km or 6.5 hours)
- Arrive in Sapa from the night bus.
- Head to a local restaurant for breakfast and relaxation.
- The tour starts at 9 am from the breakfast restaurant in Sapa.
- Visit Cat Cat village, cross Muong Hoa River’s hanging bridge, and trek uphill through bamboo forest.
- Enjoy rice terraces and mountain views on Hoang Lien Son mountain.
- Lunch at a Hmong family's restaurant in Y Linh Ho village.
- Continue to Lao Chai, a large Hmong village, then to Ta Van village for the night.
- Rest, shower, and optional cooking class before dinner.
Day 10: Ta Van - Homestay (18 km or 6.30 hours)
- After breakfast, explore the surroundings and rice fields.
- Trek uphill to Giang Ta Chai waterfalls, and learn about Red Dao culture.
- Visit a Red Dao family, cross hanging bridges, and lunch in Giang Ta Chai.
- Explore Su Pan, a Black Hmong community, and reach Ban Ho village.
- Interact with Red Dao, Tay, and Black Hmong ethnic groups.
- Check in to a Tay family homestay, rest, shower, and await dinner.
Day 11: Ban Ho - Sapa (3km around 3 hours)
- After breakfast, trek to Nam Toong village, learn about the Red Dzao minority.
- Return to Ban Ho, lunch, and catch transportation to Sapa by 3 pm.
- (Around 7 pm in Sapa town, take a bus to Ha Giang.)
Day 12: Ha Giang Loop Expedition : HA GIANG - QUAN BA - YEN MINH
- 8 am: Begin with breakfast.
- 10 am: Attend a briefing about the Ha Giang Loop at Jasmine Hostel.
- Stops:
- Witness Bac Sum Pass and Heaven’s Gate.
- Pause for lunch in Tam Son Town.
- Visit Fairy Mountain.
- Reach Yen Minh, check into a homestay and have dinner.
- Engage in games, local music, card playing, and the local spirit.
Day 13: YEN MINH - DONG VAN - MA PI LENG PASS
- Check out of the homestay, enjoy breakfast, and explore Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
- Stops:
- Observe Tham Pa Pass viewpoint.
- Explore Lao Sa Village, glimpse the distinctive H’Mong and Chinese border.
- Tour Vuong’s royal palace in Sa Phin Valley, the prominent Dong Van family's residence.
- Trek the Ma Pi Leng skywalk.
- Traverse Ma Pi Leng pass, the most captivating part of the “Happiness Road”.
- Witness Ma Pi Leng Canyon, Vietnam's deepest.
- Reach Pa Vi Village, check into a homestay, have dinner.
- Enjoy a Sunset Party with games, local music, cards, and happiness.
Day 14: MA PI LENG PASS - BOAT TOUR - DU GIA
- Depart the homestay after breakfast.
- Experience a boat tour on Nho Que River, marvel at Tu San Canyon (among Asia's deepest).
- Drive through M Pass.
- Stops:
- Pause at the Lung Ho viewpoint.
- Arrive in Du Gia Village, check into a homestay, have dinner.
- Engage in games, local music, card playing, and happiness.
Day 15: DU GIA - QUAN BA - HA GIANG
- Check out of the homestay, savor breakfast with rice field views.
- Stops:
- Refresh with a swim at Du Gia Waterfall.
- Learn clothing-making in Lung Tam Village.
- Arrive in Ha Giang between 3 and 4 pm.
Day 16: Scenic Route to Cao Bang Province
- After breakfast, head to Cao Bang province.
- Visit Me Pia Pass with 14 switchbacks.
- Lunch at Me Pia Pass and continue to Pac Bo.
- Explore historically significant Pac Bo and stay overnight.
Day 17: Journey to Ban Gioc Waterfall
- Begin journey to Ban Gioc Waterfall after breakfast.
- Ascend Ma Phuc Pass for stunning views.
- Arrive at homestay, rest, and swim.
- Enjoy drinks with hosts during dinner.
Day 18: Truc Lam Phat Tich Pagoda and Nguom Ngao Cave
- Breakfast and coffee.
- Hike to Truc Lam Phat Tich pagoda for panoramic views.
- Visit Nguom Ngao Cave, known for its stunning stalactites.
- Return journey to Cao Bang city with a blacksmith workshop stop.
- Arrival in Cao Bang city around 2 pm.
- Depart Cao Bang, arrive back in Hanoi by 9 pm.
Day 19: Hanoi
- Start the day with breakfast at the hostel.
- Enjoy a Vietnamese massage.
- Have lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long.
- Watch the water puppets show.
- Choose either Katze vegan Restaurant or savor beef pho at Pho Suong.
Day 20: Hanoi to Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay (L, D)
- 7:45 am: Meet the tour guide at Hanoi Central Backpackers Hostel for departure.
- Travel by bus and boat to Halong Bay, enjoying scenic views of Cat Ba Island.
- Arrive during lunchtime on the cruise, embark on a day of activities in Lan Ha Bay - Halong Bay.
- Cruise around Lan Ha Bay, witness the floating village, and experience the fisherman's life.
- Lunch is served aboard the cruise.
- Cruise to a quieter area for activities like boat jumping and swimming.
- Continue to another side of the bay and stop for a sunset party before an overnight stay on the Hideaway cruise.
- 7:00 - 7:30 pm: Enjoy a BBQ dinner followed by a party.
Day 21: Adventure in Lan Ha Bay & Viet Hai Village - Catba National Park (B, L, D)
- Start the day with breakfast on the Hideaway cruise from 7:30 am to 8:30 am.
- Day excursion: The day boat takes you to tranquil spots in Catba National Park.
- Visit a remote village with a unique local settlement.
- Begin an adventure by cycling through the village, passing traditional houses and a tunnel.
- Trek through the jungle (wear hiking shoes), and enjoy panoramic views from the trek's end.
- Break for lunch and fish massage at a local Mountain foot restaurant.
- Return to the Hideaway cruise for sunset and a party.
- 7:00 - 7:30 pm: BBQ dinner and party time.
Day 22: Halong Bay to Hanoi (B; L)
- Breakfast is served from 7:30 am to 8:30 am.
- Enjoy a leisurely morning with options like swimming or kayaking.
- 8:30 am - 9:30 am: Opportunity for kayaking in a quiet bay.
- Allow 30 - 40 minutes for showering and packing before checking out.
- Lunch at 10:30 am and start the journey back to Hanoi.
- Expected to arrive back at the hostel around 5 pm.
- Tour concludes.
Day 23: Ninh Binh, Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel – Tam Coc Boating – Overnight at Tam Coc Bungalow (Meal included: Lunch, Dinner)
- 7:30 – 8:15 am: Our guide and bus pick you up from the hotel and start driving to Ninh Binh.
- Stop for a short break to stretch your legs.
- Arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel to visit King Dinh and Le Temple.
- Buffet lunch with Vietnamese Cuisines in our restaurant.
- Afternoon: Boat ride to visit Tam Coc (2 cave areas) via rice fields.
- Check in at Tam Coc bungalow, attend a cooking class, and swim in the pool.
- Dinner around 19:00, bar time by the pool.
Day 24: Local Market – Cycling to Mua Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda – Hanoi (Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch)
- 6:30 am: Have breakfast, and visit the morning local market.
- Cycle to Mua cave (5 km from the bungalow) through rice fields and old houses.
- Visit Mua cave, and trek up Dragon Mountain for a Love Valley view.
- Cycle back to the bungalow, check out, and have lunch.
- Afternoon: Cycle through peaceful villages to visit Bich Dong Pagoda.
- Walk up, enjoy panoramic views, and have afternoon tea.
- Get on the bus to Hanoi.
- 19:30: Arrive in Hanoi, and drop off at your hotel. Trip ends.
Day 25: Hanoi Departure
Have breakfast at the hostel.
Depending on your next destination, you can either head south to Danang, Hoi An, or to the airport.
Price and Inclusions:
- Total package price: $1085 USD.
- The package includes transportation, accommodations, meals, and activities.
- Supplements: $20 USD/day for Ha Giang Loop driver (easy rider).
Excludes alcoholic drinks, insurance, tips, and airport pickup.
Remember to customize this itinerary to your preferences and plan in advance for a smooth journey.
Mandatory fields are marked as "*", but by providing more information it will allow us to better address your needs.
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