Explore Northern Vietnam

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   ARRIVE IN HANOI (D)
   Greeted by the tour guide of THREELAND and transferred to your hotel. At your leisure in the rest of the day. Dinner followed by a show of Water Puppetry, a unique stage art of Northern Vietnam peasants. Overnight in Hanoi. Please note: Standard check-in time is at 14:00. 
2. Day 02

   HANOI - BABE LAKE (B/L/D)
   Morning visit the Ethnology Museum, a wonderful stop that gives us more knowledge of the hill tribal people we are going to see in the upcoming days. Depart for Babe Lake, a mountain area nearly 300km North of Hanoi. Upon arrival, you'll visit a local family who continue the age-old tradition of distilling rice wine and corn wine—a cultural staple in the region. You'll have the chance to see the process firsthand, from fermentation to distillation, and maybe even sample a glass with your hosts. In the evening, gather around a traditional Vietnamese family meal, where stories are shared and laughter flows—along with a few sips of local corn or rice wine, if you’re up for it. During dinner, you’ll be treated to a live “Then singing” performance, a sacred and cultural tradition of the Tay people. The melodies, performed alongside the Tinh Tau (a traditional string instrument) and rhythmic shakers, bring deep meaning and atmosphere to the meal. Overnight in a house-on-stilts in Pac Ngoi village of "Tay" people (Lunch en route, dinner at the village).
3. Day 03

   BOAT TRIP ON BA BE LAKE - BAO LAC - CAO BANG (B/L/D)
   National Park is famous for it pure atmosphere and nature. Take a boat in the morning to cruise on emerald water of Ba Be Lake, with stop to visit the Fairy Pond, Puong Cave or to go swimming near Widow Islet. The Nang River hereby has a two-color waterflows and surrounded by wonderful greenery, paddy fields, and magnificent mountain peaks. After lunch in Ba Be, take our car and travel through the lowland of Northeast mountains to Bao Lac, a small mountain town, for overnight.  Please note: Other roads can be used depending on the weather and seasons.  
4. Day 04

   BAO LAC - MEO VAC - DONG VAN - YEN MINH (B/L/D)
   Wake up early to experience one of Vietnam’s most vibrant cultural traditions—the weekly mountain markets. On Sundays, ethnic groups like the H’mong, Yao, Tay, and Thai gather in places like Bao Lac, Meo Vac, Dong Van, and Yen Minh to trade goods, socialize, and celebrate community. After mingling with locals at the Bao Lac market, we head west, crossing emerald rivers into Vietnam’s newest UNESCO-recognized Geopark. This region was once the heartland of the H’mong people, ruled by their former king, Vuong Chi Sinh. We pass through Meo Vac and ascend Ma Pi Leng Pass—one of the highest and most scenic in northern Vietnam—with sweeping views of jagged peaks and the Nho Que River winding far below. In Dong Van, visit the nearly century-old market building, then enjoy lunch and time to explore the town’s quiet, historic streets or stop for coffee. We continue to Yen Minh, with a visit to the former home of Vuong Chi Sinh—a traditional White H’mong residence—before settling in for the night. Note: This experience is best scheduled on a Sunday to catch the weekly markets.
5. Day 05

   YEN MINH - HA GIANG - BAC QUANG - PHO RANG - BAC HA (B/L/D)
   Yen Minh, a quiet mountain town at the heart of the rocky highlands, is home to hardworking and welcoming ethnic communities. The scenic drive from Yen Minh to Ha Giang City winds through untouched landscapes and peaceful villages, with chances to stop and explore along the way. About 40 km out, you’ll reach the iconic “Fairy Bosom Mountains” in Quan Ba. Climb a series of steps to reach “Heaven’s Gate,” the historic entry point to Vietnam’s Northwest mountains. In the early 20th century, a large wooden gate once stood here, marking the divide between the lowlands and highlands. After lunch in Ha Giang City, continue your journey to Bac Ha—the “White Highland”—with scenic photo stops at palm groves, bamboo forests, and lush green tea plantations. Overnight in Bac Ha. Note: A more adventurous shortcut from Ha Giang to Bac Ha runs through Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man, famous for their spectacular terraced rice fields. This route is ideal for photographers, but requires a 4WD—standard vehicles are only recommended during the dry season
6. Day 06

   BAC HA - COC LY - SAPA (B/L)
   With a dozen of tribes living in the surroundings, including Flower H'Mong, Chinese, Nhang, Dzao, Nung, Phu La, Thai and King (or Viet), the markets near Bac Ha, including Bac ha market itself (Sunday) and Coc Ly market (Tuesday) are extremely exciting in the morning. We can meet hundreds of beautiful women from Flower H'Mong tribe, who are famous for their original craft and hand-made flowering clothes and textile fabrics, or intermingle with people from these ethnic groups coming to the market not for purchasing stuffs, but for meeting and chatting - just once a week - like at a cultural center. After lunchtime, we can hike around for several hours, following mountain people back home to their hamlets in Ban Pho, or immediately head to Sapa, the hub of most hectic activities in the Northwest. At your leisure to stroll around the town of Sapa after many days of driving. Overnight in Sapa. 
7. Day 07

   SAPA TREKKING (B)
   At your leisure in the morning to have a rest after long days. Around noontime our tourguide will come to take us to a light climb up the Sapa Flower Garden and reach the Dragon Peak, from where we can have a panoramic view of the town with pinewoods and gardens looming in the mist. Head to Taphin valley to reach the villages of the H'mong and Red Dzao people, who are skillful in dying and making clothes and embroidery by traditional, old silk thread. Back to Sapa for overnight. (lunch and dinner not included for more flexibility).  Optional: Afternoon going to Lao Chai (10km from Sapa) and walk for 5km to Tavan through mountain villages.  
8. Day 08

   SAPA - HANOI (B)
   Free at leisure in the morning, check-out hotel and transfer back to Hanoi (around 05 hours driving).  Upon arrival in Hanoi, check-in hotel. Free at leisure rest of day after a long route. Overnight in Hanoi.   
9. Day 09

   HANOI - HALONG OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D)
   Have breakfast at hotel and check out. From Hanoi, at 8AM, pick up at your hotel and head East for more than 3 hours by shuttle bus to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddyfields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking (at your own cost), passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat.  Please note: The program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose. Only Vietnamese & International food available on the boat. Depending on the cruise, kayak will be included or not.  
10. Day 10

    HALONG - HANOI (B/BR)
    After breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. Return to Hanoi around 4PM and drop off at your hotel for check in. Free at your own leisure. Overnight in Hanoi
11. Day 11

    HANOI DEPARTUREBreakfast at hotel and check out. You are fre...
    HANOI DEPARTUREBreakfast at hotel and check out. You are free until transfer to airport for departure flight. End of service! Please note: Standard check out time is 12:00.

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