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Upper Tonkin - The Hidden Beauty of Authentic Vietnam 10 Days 9 Nights
Tour code:
NVN10D
NVN10D
Duration
10 days 9 nights
10 days 9 nights
Start in
Hanoi
Hanoi
Finish in
Hanoi
Hanoi
Places to visit
Hanoi - Bac Ha - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ba Be - Hanoi
Hanoi - Bac Ha - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ba Be - Hanoi
Highlights
Escape to a breathtaking land of cinematic green mountains, cascading rice terraces, and warm-hearted hill tribes - northern Vietnam beckons those seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Unspoiled and exuding staggering beauty, this region offers a refreshing contrast to the fast-paced world we know.
Embark on a remarkable North Vietnam itinerary 10 days, commencing in the vibrant city of Hanoi, and journeying anticlockwise through the enchanting landscapes of verdant valleys and highlands, where cozy guesthouses await to welcome you.
- Bac Ha Market: Lively hub in Lao Cai Province showcasing ethnic minority cultures, notably the Flower Hmong. Offers diverse goods like textiles, handicrafts, and livestock.
- Ha Giang: Known for stunning limestone karsts, lush valleys, and terraced rice fields. Highlights include Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, and ethnic minority villages.
- Dong Van: Charming town within Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO site. Features colonial architecture, Dong Van Old Quarter, and panoramic karst views.
- Meo Vac: Offers breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences within Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Explore remote villages like Lung Cu and Ma Pi Leng for ethnic interactions.
- Ba Be Lake: Vietnam's largest natural lake in Ba Be National Park, Bac Kan Province. Perfect for tranquil boat cruises amidst lush forests, limestone cliffs, and diverse wildlife. Ideal for nature enthusiasts.
Itinerary Expand All
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – First Visit (No Meals)
When you arrive, welcome at the airport and transfer to your selected hotel (30 km – 45 minutes)
In the evening, watch a water puppet show, an ancient Vietnamese art in which puppets stand in water and are manipulated using long poles hidden beneath the water.
Discover Hoan Kiem Lake, which means "Lake of the Returned Sword," where emperor Lê Loi was boating on the lake when his magic sword, Heaven's Will, was grabbed by a wolf.
The Ngoc Son Temple is being built on the Jade Islet and is dedicated to Confucian and Taoist philosophers and the national hero, Tran Hung Dao.
Meals on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Bac Ha (Breakfast, Dinner)
Highway transfer to Bac Ha or the "White Plateau" of Northeast Vietnam. The Bac Ha district is renowned for its colorful markets and the beauty of its landscapes. It is also the land of the "Flower H'Mong," a name given to them because of their colorful traditional costumes.
After approximately 5 hours on the road, we will visit the village of Ban Pho, inhabited by the Flower H'Mong, for about an hour. There is an option to visit the Hoang A Tuong Palace, which is particularly interesting due to its unique colonial architecture in the region.
We will stay with a Tay family in the village of Na Lo, experiencing homestay accommodation.
Dinner and overnight stay in the homestay.
Day 3: Bac Ha - Weekly Ethnic Market - Bac Ha (Breakfast, Dinner)
In the morning, we will visit a colorful weekly market in the Bac Ha region. The market location varies depending on the day of the week: Coc Ly Market on Tuesdays, Sin Cheng Market on Wednesdays, Cao Son Market, Can Cau Market on Saturdays, and Bac Ha Market on Sundays.
At the market, you will have the opportunity to meet people from various local ethnic groups, including the Flower H'Mong, Dao, Tay, Phu La, Nung, and others. The locals come not only for shopping but also to socialize and connect. The market is divided into different sections for food, fabrics, poultry, animals, and more. It's a vibrant and multicolored event that has become a commercial fair for the inhabitants.
Around noon, you'll have free time for lunch at a restaurant in Bac Ha.
In the early afternoon, we will take a vehicle transfer to Ngai Phu Cho, which is about 6 km from Bac Ha and inhabited by the Phu La ethnic group. We will embark on a leisurely two-hour stroll through the valley, offering panoramic views of terraced rice fields.
After the walk, we'll return to Bac Ha for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Bac Ha – Tha Village (Ha Giang) (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, there will be a short visit to the Hoang A Tuong Palace before departing from the town of Bac Ha.
Then, we'll head towards Ha Giang. Along the way, you will be captivated by the natural landscapes, lush green rice terraces, palm-covered hills, and charming villages.
We will reach Tha village, home to the Tay ethnic group. A short walk on foot will allow you to discover the daily life of the local farmers.
Tonight, we will stay with a local family in a homestay equipped with showers and hot water.
Day 5: Tha Village – Dong Van (Breakfast, Lunch)
The day is filled with several interesting visits:
We start the day by ascending a high mountain pass to reach the "Gate of Heaven", the first entrance to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a part of the global karst park network. After crossing the pass, we climb stairs to reach the panoramic view of Nui Doi (Breasts of Fairy) in Tam Son, where we can admire the stunning karst rock landscapes.
Next, we take a short detour to visit the Lung Tam weaving village. Here, we have the chance to meet Vang Thi Mai, a remarkable woman from the H'Mong community who has created employment opportunities for around a hundred women in the village.
We continue our journey along the Mien River, crossing from one valley to another. After crossing two small mountain passes, we descend into the small town of Yen Minh, where we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Following lunch, we face a steep climb to the stone plateau, which drastically changes the scenery. The landscape is dominated by black limestone fields, and we now enter the land of the Mong ethnic group. About twenty kilometers from Dong Van town, we make a stop at the small town of Sung La, inhabited by two colorful minority ethnic groups: the H'mong and Lo Lo. We visit an old typical house made of wood and clay, famous for its appearance in the movie "The Story of Pao", which won the Golden Kite Award in 2006. We take a leisurely walk through the Mong village, passing rose and vegetable fields until we reach the bariolated Lo Lo hamlet.
A must-see later is the Palace of King Mong Vuong Chi Sinh, a unique stone palace in the rock plateau, hidden at the bottom of the Sa Phin valley.
Not far from Dong Van town, we make several stops along the way to admire the magnificent sugar loaf mountains.
Upon arriving in Dong Van, we take a short stroll through the old quarter of Dong Van before spending the night at a hotel in Dong Van.
Overnight in Dong Van.
Day 6: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac (Breakfast)
The morning is dedicated to the "Happiness Road", which connects Dong Van and Meo Vac (a distance of 25 km). We'll have lunch in Meo Vac and then head towards Bao Lac. If time permits, we'll take a detour to visit the Black Lo Lo village of Khuoi Khon, where "France 2" filmed the documentary "RDV en terre inconnue" (Meeting in Unknown Land) with the famous rugby player Michalak as a guest.
We'll return to Bao Lac for an overnight stay.
Note: Since the Dong Van Market takes place on Sundays, it would be beneficial to plan the itinerary accordingly.
Day 7: Bao Lac - Ba Be (Breakfast, Dinner)
Just before Kim Cuc Bridge, located approximately 12km from Bao Lac, there is a 6km round-trip walk to visit a village of the San Chi ethnic minority. This minority group is very close to the Dao and wears black hemp clothing. It's a small village with around 30 thatched roofs, and its inhabitants live in a very basic way. Many animals can still be seen tied under their stilt houses. The visit to this village lasts about an hour.
Continuing on the road, at Tinh Tuc, once again, exceptional karst landscapes resembling "sugarloaf" formations will captivate the eyes of photographers! There will be encounters with Tay and Dao people along the way. Upon arrival in Pac Ngoi, accommodation will be provided with a local resident.
The night will be spent in the village of Pac Ngoi.
Day 8: Ba Be - Boat Visit (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A full-day excursion on a motorboat to thoroughly explore Ba Be Lake.
During the journey, the lake offers magnificent landscapes: the reflections of trees and mountains in the water, picturesque village scenes along the shores, encounters with fishermen and traders, and the intricate intertwining of tree roots. After a delightful time sailing, we'll descend to the Tay ethnic minority's hamlet, Cam. There, we'll explore the village and its school on foot. Later, we'll take the boat back up the Nang River to visit Puong Cave.
Lunch will be served at Mr. Pirate's place.
Following that, we'll take a short walk on a small trail in the park to reach Dau Dang Waterfall. Then, we'll return to the lake by boat, disembark, and walk back to the guesthouse.
The second night will be spent at Ba Be.
Day 9: Ba Be - Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast at the Pac Ngoi village, we'll head towards the Hua Ma Cave, located 8 km southwest of the park. This cave, stretching over 500 meters long and sometimes 50 meters wide, boasts beautiful geological formations.
Depending on the available time and the day of the week, we may also take a stroll through the local market before starting our return journey to the capital, covering a distance of 250 km.
Throughout the trip, we'll make several stops to enjoy the landscapes, visit the tea plantations that have made Thai Nguyen famous, explore a brick kiln, and, of course, have lunch.
We will arrive in Hanoi late in the afternoon.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi - Departure (Breakfast)
Today is a free day for you to rest or do some shopping in the city center.
Later, we will arrange a transfer to Hanoi airport for your return flight.
(The check-out time is 12:00 PM).
End of our services!
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What’s Inclusion
- Accommodation in a double or twin room with daily breakfast.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
- English-speaking guide during all tours.
- Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
- Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary
- Water & cool towels
- Government taxes & service charge.
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What’s Excluded
- International airfare and departure taxes
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks, tips… etc.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Vietnam Visa (If you are not exempt from the visa).
- All other services not specified in the itinerary.
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Notes
- Domestic flights: We quote separately and can book for you without fees.
- Surcharged for Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December if any
- Surcharged for Public holidays (30/4-1/5, Lunar New Year)
- The timing of check-in and check-out at the hotels: Check-in at 14:00, check-out at 12:00. (Early check-in/late check-out is upon your request).
- A single supplement is required if you are traveling alone.
- The triple room is possible upon your request.
Real Customer Experiences
Customer Reviews
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107 reviews
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5.0 Excellent
stunning sights, rich culture, and incredible memories!
We embarked on the "Upper Tonkin - The Hidden Beauty of Authentic Vietnam" tour with high expectations, and it certainly lived up to every one of them! Over the course of 10 unforgettable days, we journeyed through the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Northern Vietnam. Our adventure began in Hanoi, where we enjoyed a captivating water puppet show, immersing ourselves in the local culture and history.The next stop was Bac Ha, a vibrant town known for its weekly market. The explosion of colors and sounds as vendors showcased their goods was simply mesmerizing. Trekking in the surrounding ..View More -
5.0 Excellent
rich culture and warm hospitality!
Our friends group just returned from the north Vietnam 10 day itinerary, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish! The 10-day itinerary was perfectly crafted, allowing us to explore the authentic heart of Vietnam. We began in Hanoi with a fascinating city tour, highlighted by an enchanting water puppet show that transported us into Vietnam’s cultural history.Traveling to Bac Ha was a highlight, where we explored the vibrant weekly market filled with colorful textiles and local produce. Trekking in the surrounding villages was an immersive experience; we met friendly locals ..View More -
5.0 Excellent
amazing connect with the locals
Our group recently embarked on the "Upper Tonkin" within 10 days north Vietnam, and it was a remarkable 10-day aventure that we will cherish forever. Starting in Hanoi, we were captivated by the charm of the city, highlighted by an engaging water puppet show that showcased Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Our adventure truly began when we traveled to Bac Ha, where the colorful weekly market buzzed with life. It was a vibrant display of local produce and handmade crafts, and we loved every moment of exploring it.Trekking through the villages in the surrounding hills allowed us to connect ..View More
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