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A Journey Through the Spectacular Landscapes of Northeastern Vietnam

Tour Overview

This journey will take you through the distinctive mountain passes of Northeastern Vietnam, where you will admire the magnificent beauty of Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia, peacefully cruise across Ba Be Lake amid primeval forests, and meet ethnic minority communities that continue to preserve their distinctive traditional cultures. This is not only a journey to visit famous attractions but also an opportunity to experience an authentic Vietnam, where landscapes, community life and cultural values come together in a multi-layered journey of discovery.

Highlights

  • Explore the Dong Van Karst Plateau: Travel through the mountain roads, valleys and villages characteristic of the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark
  • Visit Lung Cu Flag Tower and Lo Lo Chai village
  • Experience the Ma Pi Leng Pass and Nho Que River viewpoints
  • Discover Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave in Cao Bang
  • Visit Pac Bo historical site linked to President Ho Chi Minh
  • Cruise and relax at Ba Be Lake
  • A continuous journey through Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Bac Kan landscapes
Day-by-day Itinerary

DAY 1: HANOI – HA GIANG – QUAN BA – YEN MINH (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

06:00: The vehicle and tour guide will pick you up at the designated meeting points in the Hanoi Old Quarter and at the Hanoi Opera House, then depart for Ha Giang. In the morning, the vehicle will stop at a restaurant, where you can rest and have breakfast.

11:00: Lunch at a local restaurant.

14:30: Arrive in Ha Giang City and stop to take photographs at the Ha Giang Km 0 Milestone.

16:30: Stop at Quan Ba Heaven Gate to admire the panoramic view of the valley and the Fairy Bosom Twin Mountains.

17:30: Arrive in Yen Minh. Check in and rest. Dinner, followed by free time to explore Yen Minh at night. Overnight in Yen Minh.

DAY 2: YEN MINH – MA PI LENG – DONG VAN – LUNG CU – LO LO CHAI – NHO QUE RIVER – MA PI LENG – BAO LAC (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

06:00: After breakfast, the group will depart to explore the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark. Along the way, you will visit: • Pho Cao, Tham Ma Slope and Chin Khoanh Slope. • Lung Cu Flag Tower, located in the northernmost frontier area of the country and one of the symbolic landmarks of Vietnam’s far north. • Lo Lo Chai Village to learn about the life and culture of the Lo Lo community, with free time to take photographs in permitted areas.

12:00: Arrive in Dong Van Town and have lunch, followed by time to walk around and visit Dong Van Old Quarter. • Cruise on the Nho Que River: Board a boat and travel upstream along the Nho Que River towards Tu San Gorge. • Admire Tu San Gorge and the Nho Que River from the Ma Pi Leng Pass area, where the terrain is the most deeply divided in Vietnam. • Travel through Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most impressive scenic sections of the Happiness Road.

19:00: Arrive in Bao Lac. Check in, have dinner and rest. Overnight in Bao Lac.

DAY 3: BAO LAC – BAN GIOC – NGUOM NGAO – CAO BANG (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

06:00: Have breakfast, check out and depart for Cao Bang. The group will stop for breaks at several suitable locations during the journey.

11:00: Lunch in Quang Uyen. After lunch, continue by vehicle to Ban Gioc. In the afternoon, visit: • Nguom Ngao Cave, an outstanding limestone cave featuring a diverse system of stalactites and stalagmites. • Ban Gioc Waterfall, located on the border river between Vietnam and China, distinguished by its multiple tiers of waterfalls amid limestone mountains and highland fields.

18:30: Have dinner, check in at the hotel and rest. In the evening, you are free to walk around the city centre and discover local products. Overnight in Cao Bang.

DAY 4: CAO BANG – PAC BO – BA BE (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

06:00: Have breakfast, check out and then depart for Pac Bo.

08:00: Arrive in Pac Bo. Visit the historical site and learn about the historical events associated with this location.

10:00: Leave Pac Bo for Ba Be. On the journey to Ba Be, the group will travel through mountain passes and the mountainous landscapes of Northeastern Vietnam.

12:00: Stop for a rest and have lunch at a restaurant in the Deo Gio area.

16:00: Check in at a traditional stilt-house homestay belonging to a Tay family in Pac Ngoi Village, near Ba Be Lake.

18:00: Dinner and overnight in Ba Be. In the evening, depending on actual conditions and the availability of the local community, you may register in advance for a cultural exchange program featuring Tay Then singing and the Tinh lute. The cost will be advised separately.

DAY 5: CAO BANG – BA BE LAKE – HANOI (Breakfast and Lunch)

07:00: Have breakfast at the stilt house, then rest, relax and admire the lake in the early morning mist. After breakfast, check out, leave your luggage at the homestay and travel to the boat pier.

08:00: Walk to the boat pier and begin the sightseeing journey around Ba Be Lake. Relax and enjoy the lake scenery, take photographs and visit the following locations: • Fairy Pond: Fairy Pond is a small lake located amid the limestone mountain landscape and natural forests of the Ba Be area. • Visit An Ma Temple, a spiritual and cultural site located on a small island in the middle of the lake. • Widow’s Island, a small island associated with the legend of the formation of Ba Be Lake.

11:30: Have lunch at a local restaurant, then depart for Hanoi. The group is expected to arrive in Hanoi at approximately 18:00, depending on traffic conditions. End of the Ha Giang – Cao Bang – Ba Be journey.

Duration

5 Days 4 Nights

Pick-up & Drop-off

Hanoi → Hanoi

Group Size

Private cultural experience (2–12 guests)

Activity Level

  • Travel time: long (5-day Northeast circuit)
  • Terrain: karst plateau, Cao Bang borderlands, Ba Be Lake
  • Continuous activity: moderate–high
  • Fitness & age: long transfers, lake boat; recommended from age 12+
  • Signature activities: Ha Giang – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc – Ba Be Lake

Best Time to Travel

Sep–Nov and Mar–May; Ban Gioc waterfall best with good water flow

Accommodation

Standard hotels + Ba Be stilt-house homestay as per itinerary

Transport

Air-conditioned tourist vehicle; Ba Be lake boat

Tour Guide

English-speaking guide throughout the journey

Services Included

  • Air-conditioned tourist vehicle and an experienced driver providing transportation according to the itinerary
  • Four nights’ accommodation, based on two guests sharing one room. In the event of an odd number of guests, a single-room surcharge will apply, or a triple room may be arranged with the guest’s prior consent:
  • Two nights at standard hotels in Yen Minh and Bao Lac
  • One night at a two-star hotel in Cao Bang
  • One night at a traditional stilt-house homestay in Pac Ngoi Village, Ba Be; clearly specify whether it is a private room or shared sleeping space and the bathroom standards
  • Nine main meals according to the itinerary, served with local set menus. Please provide advance notice of any vegetarian diet, allergies or special dietary requirements
  • Five standard breakfasts
  • Boat trip on Ba Be Lake
  • Entrance tickets to the attractions included in the itinerary, with one admission per attraction
  • An English-speaking tour guide accompanying the group throughout the journey
  • Drinking water provided on the vehicle: one 500 ml bottle per guest per day
  • Value-added tax invoice in accordance with regulations
  • Fees for completing the required procedures for international guests travelling to border areas

Services Excluded

  • Electric vehicles or shuttle transportation at Pac Bo, Lung Cu and any locations not specified in the “Tour Price Includes” section. The applicable cost will be advised before the guest uses the service
  • Drinks during meals, drinks at the hotel and other personal expenses
  • Other services and expenses not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Tips are not included in the tour price. The recommended amount for the tour guide and driver is USD 3 per guest per day and is entirely voluntary
  • MANDATORY ADDITIONAL COST
  • Single-room surcharge: VND 1,000,000 per guest, applicable when a guest registers to travel alone and cannot be paired with another guest to share a room, or when the guest requests a private room

Ha Giang – Cao Bang – Bac Kan 5 Days 4 Nights
Starting from: 863 USD/guest
(Applies to groups of 10 international guests or more)

Single Supplement

Single-room surcharge: VND 1,000,000 per guest, applicable when a guest registers to travel alone and cannot be paired with another guest to share a room, or when the guest requests a private room. CHILDREN’S POLICY

Child Policy

  • Children from 1 to 4 years old are free of charge. Parents are responsible for all expenses incurred for the child. No separate bed is provided. Seating standards and child safety equipment will be arranged according to the type of vehicle and must be confirmed in advance. Two adults may accompany only one child free of charge. From the second child onward, 75% of the adult

Deposit Policy

A deposit is required upon confirmation; the amount and payment schedule will be advised when booking.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellation and refund terms follow the booking conditions; please contact us for details based on your departure date.

Health Requirements

Guests should be fit for long transfers and light highland walking. Please inform us in advance of any medical conditions or special dietary needs.

What to Prepare

Required documents

  • Carry a valid Citizen ID or passport for all 5 days.
  • International guests: valid passport and entry papers (border-area procedures apply).
  • Children: birth certificate/passport as required; under 14 at least a birth certificate; age 14+ Citizen ID or passport.

Clothing & medication

  • Sturdy walking shoes and a jacket for Ma Pi Leng, Cao Bang, and early mornings at Ba Be.
  • Personal medication and motion-sickness tablets (long mountain-pass days).
  • Notify vegetarian/allergy needs when booking.

Also bring

  • Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, insect repellent if needed.
  • Power bank, camera/phone, and VND (electric cars/shuttles at Pac Bo or Lung Cu are extra if used).

Weather & Safety Notes

Weather

  • A 5-day Northeast circuit: high passes, the border, and Ba Be Lake — rain, mist, and wind on Ma Pi Leng are common.
  • The guide may adjust visit order for weather, traffic, and site hours.

Pass & Ba Be Lake safety

  • Wear a seatbelt; do not stand at cliff edges at Ma Pi Leng.
  • On Ba Be Lake: always wear a life jacket, follow the boat operator, do not leave the group along the shore.
  • Notify medical conditions, pregnancy, or mobility limits before travel; keep documents and valuables with you.

WHY CHOOSE HIDDEN NORTH VIETNAM:

  • Our local team has an in-depth understanding of the culture, people and actual conditions at destinations in Tuyen Quang.
  • Visitors experience the daily life of local people in an authentic and natural way while respecting the customs and living spaces of the community.
  • Each group is limited to a maximum of 10 guests in order to maintain a close and personal experience and minimise the impact on the private daily life of local families.
  • Priority is given to services provided by local residents, helping to create livelihoods and encourage responsible tourism for the community and the environment.
FAQ

Is this tour private or shared?

We operate private and small-group journeys. Published rates may assume a minimum group size; contact us for a private quote.

What is included in the price?

See Price Includes / Excludes on this page. Final inclusions are confirmed in writing.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. Use Customize This Tour or the enquiry form to tailor the journey.

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