Overview: In this adventure North Vietnam tour you will discover all the hotspots, explore the real northern part of Vietnam. Experience local lives and discover all the far North Vietnam. Enjoy local culture activities in Mai Chau village, walking all around the tiny villages of the Thai People. Discover Dien Bien Phu – the world famous battle field, visiting the former French army base. Immerse yourselves in the spectacular scenery of Sapa – the premium hill station in the northwest Vietnam. The 4WD trip will bring you from fantastic views from Northwest to Northeast all along the most amazing trials and paths. Attend a local minority ethnic Bac Ha Sunday market will be an interesting part to see how the local people purchasing and socializing. Dong Van – an UNESCO Karst Geopark located in the far northeastern province of Ha Giang will be the most adventurous in the north east of Vietnam. Enjoy Ban Gioc waterfall which runs between Vietnam and China borders and cruise a boat at Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan province. After hard adventure along the dirt roads, you will be rewarded with an overnight cruise at the world’s natural wonder – UNESCO heritage site of Halong Bay. This is a great blend of cultures, natural attraction, history and ethnic groups of Vietnam.
Departure: Daily from Hanoi upon your request
Start/finish city: Hanoi
Duration: 15 days/14 nights
Tour route: Hanoi-Mai Chau-Son La- Dien Bien –Lai Chau – Sapa – Bac Ha – Ha Giang – Bac Kan – Cao Bang – Lang Son – Halong – Hanoi.
New Rice Terraced Field
Adventure North Vietnam Itinerary:
Day 1: Ha Noi – Mai Chau Homestay (L,D)
Pick up at your hotel in the morning, you will leave Hanoi for a three-hour drive 
to Mai Chau. Stop en route photography or visiting a local market, meeting local minorities. Upon arrival Ban Lac village, get into a Thai family house on stilts where we stay with tonight. After having lunch here with the host family, we have a short walk to explore the neighboring villages. You continue for 2 hours walk through the various ethnic minority villages in this area. Experience local people making hand-weaving crafts and enjoy shopping cheap souvenirs. Dinner will served in the same family. Option after dinner: walking around, talking with family or join in Thai traditional music show (show will be charged). Overnight in homestay.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La (B, L,D)
After breakfast, farewell to your host family and depart from Mai Chau for Son La with stop at the small township of Moc Chau and have a short tea break en route. You then have a short tour around this little hill town. Continue driving to Son La city, we will arrive in the afternoon, overnight in Hotel in Son La city.
Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien (B, L, D)
Following breakfast, you will visit Son La prison, the remains of a former French prison and then drive to Dien Bien Phu with stop for lunch at Tuan Giao town. Today drive we enjoy the amazing pass of Pha Din on the way to Dien Bien. On arrival, visit the General Vo Nguyen Giap Bunker which was used in the war against the French. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien.
Day 4: Dien Bien – Lai Chau ( B, L, D)
The trip today includes a visit to the historic battlefield of Dien Bien Phu , where the French, after nearly 100 years of colonization and nine years of war, were defeated in 1954 by the Viet Minh, lead by Ho Chi Minh. Also included are the hill tribe villages of the Tai, Thai and H’mong peoples. Most visitors who reach this outpost come for the history. But along with the old army headquarters, a museum and monuments, Dien Bien Phu offers pristine mountain scenery and fascinating minority cultures
The tour of Dien Bien includes General De Castries bunker and Dien Bien museum. Continue your journey to Paso, it takes 5-6 hours on the rough roads but worth as the scenery is dramatic. You will also encounter and communicate with ethnic groups of White Thai, Black Thai, H’mong. Lunch will be served en route at Muong Lay town. Arrive in Lai Chau city in late afternoon. Overnight in Lai Chau hotel.
Day 5: Lai Chau – Sa Pa (B,L,D)
In the morning at leisure with a late breakfast, you will go to a hot spring for a bath then back to hotel for check out. After lunch, depart for a drive to Sa Pa and enjoy scenic landscapes en route. Once reaching Tam Duong Townville, you will visit the local market then continue to Silver waterfall. Arrive at Sa Pa in late afternoon.
Day 6: Sa Pa – Trekking to minority ethnic villages (B,L,D)
Start trekking down the valley along dirt trails and across rice paddies along Muong Hoa valley. This is most scenic terraced rice field in Sapa. We will trek through Lao Chai village of Black HMong village. Visit some family, socialize with local people. After lunch in the village, continue trekking to Ta Van village of the Zay people, visit school and local shops until car pick up station and drive back to Sapa town. Overnight in Sapa Hotel.
Day 7: Sa Pa – Bac Ha Sunday Market (B,L,D)
Breakfast at your hotel and enjoy a drive from Sa Pa to Bac Ha Sunday Market. This is special market for the minority ethnic groups in the region and it is only on Sunday. We will see some hill tribes such as Tay, Nung, Dao, Flower H’mong, Giay, Phu La etc… lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In afternoon, have a short walk to Flower Hmong village to visit some local families and taking pictures. Overnight in Bac Ha town.
Day 8: Bac Ha – Ha Giang (B,L,D)
Easy ride 15km toward to Can Cau then turn right for un-touch town Xin Man and Hoang Su Phi, where is being the most beautiful area for terraced fields beyond Northern loop. You then stop at different villages for sightseeing and lunch halfway en route. Continue drive to Ha Giang Town, overnight in Ha Giang hotel.
Day 9: Ha Giang – Lung Cu – Dong Van town (B,L,D)
After breakfast, you start to explore the remote areas on the mountain tortuous route. Dong Van karst plateau has an area of 2.350 square kilometers, spreads over four districts of Ha Giang province: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac at an average height of 1.400 – 1.600 meters with a number of beautiful limestone and winding road. Here, scientists have found 33 tectonics heritages, 45 geomorphology heritages and many unique fossils in sedimentary rock, which creates opportunities for the tourist attraction, brings income for indigenous people.
Sometimes stop to see the markets, driving up Heaven Gate pass and local people on the way for taking pictures. After lunch in a small town, reach to boarder Lung Cu to visit the Flag Tower. Before the night is fall, you will visit the palace of King Vuong Chi Sinh then back to hotel in Dong Van for a night. Overnight in Dong Van hotel.
Day 10: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Ba Be Lake (B,L,D)
Take a drive to the marvelous historic Ma Pi Leng and pass toward Dong Van town. Taking photos at this charming pass then go to Meo Vac market. Having lunch on the way, you keep going for another half day driving straight to Ba Be Lake. Check in the guest house on arrival.
Day 11: Ba Be National Park – boat trip – Thai villages (B,L,D)
Today, you will start a dug-out canoe trip to Coc Toc village of Tay ethnic people. After visit the village fishermen and see some weaving handicrafts product, you continue to Bo Lu village and have lunch. Trekking to the dense forest path to visit the tree “dracontomelun” of 1,000 years old before reaching Pac Ngoi village. Stay at local house on stilts of Tay ethnic minority
Day 12: Ba Be – Cao Bang – Pac Bo (B,L,D)
This morning you have 90km drive to Cao Bang with numerous villages of H’mong, Zao, Tay and Nung ethnic minority people en route. Spend a little exploring this little town, and visiting the local market on arrival. After lunch visit Pac Bo for the hideout used by Ho Chi Minh to against the French. Drive to Cao Bang city and overnight in hotel.
Day 13: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall (B,L,D)
En route to Ban Gioc waterfall in the morning, you will pass numerous villages of Tay and Nung ethnic minority people, having picnic lunch in leg of this most beautiful, biggest waterfall in Viet Nam. You will have 2 options: swimming or renting a bamboo raft float around or visit a cave on top of the water fall. Continuing to Nguom Ngao grotto for the spectacular natural creation, you then drive back to Cao Bang town. Overnight in hotel
Day 14: Cao Bang – Lang Son – Ha Long (B,L,D)
Taking a morning drive, you stop in Lang Son for lunch before visiting Tam Thanh Cave, Dong King Market then follow your way to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise. On arrival at Halong pier:
Cruise Halong Bay
12h00 – 12h30: Embark on Halong Bay cruise followed by cruise briefing
13h00 – 15h30: Savor a delectable lunch on cruise further along the limestone islands of Fighting Cock, Dog Rock and Incense Burner, to name a few.
15h30 – 17h30: Visit Amazing Cave and kayak along the hidden parts of the bay
17h30 – 19h00: Go swimming, snap photos or just relax as the sun starts to set
19h00: Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests or just laze around. Overnight on board.
Day 15: Ha Long – Ha Noi (B, L)
Having breakfast and cruise back to Bai Chay town, you will meet the car for a drive back to Ha Noi. On the way you can visit the handicraft at a stop shop for visiting a humanity center to see the disable make embroidery products. End of the adventure north Vietnam tour.
Inclusions
– All private A/C Transportation
– English Speaking Guide other language as request
– All entrance tickets and permit
– 2 bottles of water daily
– Accommodations hotel or home-stay
– Halong Bay Overnight boat cruise
– Kayaking in Halong Bay
– Meals as indicated in itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
Exclusions
– Vietnam entrance visa fee
– Travel insurance
– Early checkin/late checkout at hotel
– Other meals or drink not mentioned
– All personal expenses
– Gratuities for local guide and driver
*Package price: please contact us for best offer
