DAY 1: HANOI (L, D)

Arrival in Hanoi in the morning, our guide will pick you up at the airport and depart for Hanoi centre. Check in at a hotel

Have lunch then take a city tour.

Hanoi, Capital of Vietnam, the political and economic center which still maintains the charm although Hanoi is developing so quickly. Hanoi is covered full of green trees along the avenues; vibrant with commercial activities but also the city still retains with lots of vestiges and old buildings located in the quiet streets.

Visit the famous Ethnography Museum (closed on Mondays), you have the opportunity to quickly discover the culture and customs of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Continue the visit to the Temple of Literature, the first University where mandarins were trained in feudal times.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the famous Tran Quoc pagoda located on the shore of West Lake. Continue the tour of the typical neighborhood where locals live right next to the railway. There you can have a local coffee by the railway like the Vietnamese and if lucky, you can have a chance to watch the train passing quite near you.

At the end of the day, visit the local market in the Old Quarters, It is the most lively and interesting moment to see. At the beginning of the evening, the program ends with the water puppet show – the typical show of Vietnamese farmers.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2: HANOI – BA BE (250 km) (B, L, D)

Get up early in the morning and depart for the Ba Be National Reserve, a famous lake, was surrounded by limestone mountains and old trees. This lake with the wideness of 9 square km is divided into three parts by the islands in the middle. In its surroundings, the small villages of Tay people with stilt houses and Dzao people with houses on the ground are scattered.

On arrival, check in at a homestay then take advantage of the time to immediately hike through the small villages and hills. This hike is favorable for those who are athletic (for about 2h30). Continuation of the hike to the Dau Dang waterfall where you can take beautiful photos. Finally, you will take a short way crossing the lake for returning homestay. If you are lucky, you can see the locals fishing with nets or traps on the lake.

Dinner and overnight in the Tay’s stilt house.

DAY 3: BA BE LAKE – MEO VAC (230 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the homestay, walk for about 1 km to Ba Be wharf to embark on the small boat. You will visit a small temple on the island. Continue the river cruise to Puong Cave. Then you be back to the wharf to take the bus to Meo Vac, passing Bao Lac. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Meo Vac.

DAY 4: MEO VAC – DONG VAN (26 km) (B, L, D).

Dong Van and Meo Vac are the two mountainous districts which are located towards the center of the Limestone Plateau, close to China with the set of mountains stretching as far as the eye can see. Here, there is very little land for cultivation, the H’mong must cultivate corn between the rocks. The limestone mountains cover the entire region which makes the poverty of the ethnic groups. However, this brings an extraordinary beauty.

From Meo Vac to Dong Van, you will go along Happiness Road and pass The Ma Pi Leng Pass. On the way, you have the opportunity to see the most magnificent pass among the famous four passes in Vietnam. From here, you will feel yourselves be too small in nature! The high mountains covered in clouds above and the Nho Que River is below. If the weather allows, you have the opportunity to take a short boat riding on this beautiful river.

Lunch in Dong Van.

In the afternoon, you discover another side of Dong Van by visiting Lung Cu, the extremity of northern Vietnam. By climbing the flag tower, you can take a look at China.

Dinner at the local restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Dong Van.

DAY 5: DONG VAN – HA GIANG (B, L, D)

If you are in Dong Van on Sunday, take advantage of the visit to the flea market in Dong Van. It is one of the most typical markets in northern Vietnam where the region’s ethnic minorities meet once a week for the exchange of goods. This market plays an important role about the culture with the colors of the costumes and the smiles of the locals. Continue to visit the palace of H’mong King:  Vuong King, a small beautiful palace built in limestone and wood on a hill in the shape of a turtle.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon, depart for Ha Giang. Along the way, you can visit villages like Sung La (H’mong) and Quan Ba ​​pass with the beautiful view of a small town.

Arrival at a village near the city, check in at a homestay.

Have dinner and overnight in the stilt house.

 DAY 6: HA GIANG – HANOI (300 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, go back to Hanoi.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon, arrive in Hanoi, check in at a hotel and free time to discover The old quarter.

DAY 7: HANOI – NINH BINH (120 km) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for Ninh Binh- Ha Long on Land.

Ninh Binh is located more than 100 km from Hanoi to the south, in the Red River delta. This region has a superb varied landscape in every corner and every season.

Because the best defense against the Chinese in the 10^th century was thanks to all the enclosures of mountains and swamps, Hoa Lu Capital was built in this region. Thanks to the extraordinary beauty, Ninh Binh was classified as World Cultural Heritage in 2014. And in 2016, this region was also chosen in the filming of the movie Kingkong 2.

Visit two beautiful Temples of Kings Dinh and Le which are located at the strategic location.

Then go to the local restaurant for the local lunch.

In the afternoon, rest on the boat and enjoy taking beautiful pictures of the rice fields and mountains. If possible, take a short bike ride through villages and rice paddies if weather or climate permits.

Dinner and overnight at an ecolodge in Ninh Binh.

DAY 8: NINH BINH – CAT BA (B, L, D)

Early morning departure for Cat Ba.

Cat Ba is a southern part of Halong Bay, in Lan Ha Bay. It is one of the places most appreciated by Western tourists, especially the French. In Cat Ba, you will be resting on a boat going on the sea, passing small islands with mountains leaning against jade green water, with small clean beaches and fisherman’s rafts.

DAY 9: CAT BA – HANOI (B, L).

After taking some beautiful photos and relaxing in the Eighth Wonder of the World, our guide will take you to the airport.