Hanoi – Nghia Lo (L, D)

Duong Lam Ancient Village - Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Hanoi to commence the journey. After approximately 2 hours of driving, there will be a stop at Duong Lam, an ancient village under UNESCO protection since 2006 due to its remarkable collection of houses dating back up to 400 years. After exploring the village and enjoying lunch, the journey continues through the countryside, where tea plantations and maize fields gradually replace the rice paddies. The day concludes in Nghia Lo, where dinner and an overnight stay with a welcoming White Thai family in their homestay await.

Nghia Lo - Located in Yen Bai province, Nghia Lo town offers a glimpse into the culture and daily life of Vietnam’s stunning northwestern region. With a population of 30,000, Nghia Lo is nestled in the expansive Muong Lo valley, second in size only to the Muong Thanh valley of Dien Bien province, and surrounded by endless mountain ranges.

Traveling to the town by coach provides the best opportunity to witness the breathtaking views of the region. Although Nghia Lo is just about 200km from Hanoi, the journey includes winding passes through endless mountain ranges.

Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai (B, L, D)

Mu Cang Chai - The day begins with a bike ride around the rice paddies, observing the villagers at work. Breakfast is enjoyed in the open air overlooking the fields before heading to Khau Pha Pass, passing the rice fields of Tu Le along the way. After lunch at a local restaurant, the journey continues to Nam Co Village, where visitors can observe the Flower H’mong in their distinctive attire and visit the market if it’s the right day. The day concludes with a drive to La Pan Tan and Mam Soi, areas renowned for their rice fields, where a walk up the hill to the viewpoint offers incredible views of the lush green or golden yellow fields. Dinner and an overnight stay at Mrs. Chon’s Homestay in Kim Noi Village follow.

Mu Cang Chai Trekking (B, L, D)

Mu Cang Chai - After breakfast, the longest trek of the tour begins from Kim Noi Village to Hang Dang De and then further to Che Cu Nha. A picnic lunch is enjoyed among the rice terraces before continuing to La Pan Tan, where the driver will be waiting to return guests for a second night at Mrs. Chon’s Homestay.

Mu Cang Chai – Bac Ha (B, L, D)

Bac Ha - The journey from Mu Cang Chai to Bac Ha Town via Tan Uyen offers dramatic views along winding roads. Crossing the Hoang Lien Son Mountains leads to Bao Ha, where lunch and exploration of the town take place before setting out on a trek through several ethnic villages to reach Bac Ha. Dinner and an overnight stay in a Tay homestay follow.

Bac Ha Market - Planning a visit to the Bac Ha Market near Sapa? Here’s everything needed for a day trip to one of Vietnam’s largest and most vibrant ethnic minority markets. Located 300 km (5-6 hours by road) from Hanoi or 100 km (3-4 hours by road) from Sapa, Bac Ha District is the ‘capital’ of the Hmong Hoa (Flower Hmong), one of Vietnam’s most colorful ethnic groups. Once a week, the Hmong are joined by families and traders from other ethnic minority communities for the Bac Ha Market, a lively display of local culture, color, and commerce.

Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi (B, L, D)

Sapa - If it’s Saturday or Sunday, the market will be spent at either Can Cau Market or Bac Ha & Coc Pai markets respectively. After lunch, an adventurous trip along narrow roads to the Ben May terraced rice fields follows. Here, the La Chi people, distinguished by their unique outfits, can be seen, and an overnight stay in a village homestay is planned.

Can Cau Market - Travelers to Sima Cai will be surprised by the bustling scene of buyers and sellers at Can Cau market. What makes Can Cau Market so attractive to tourists? Origin Vietnam introduces Can Cau market in Sapa to help visitors learn more about this famous spot.

Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang (B, L, D)

Ha Giang - Today’s trek runs from Dong Loi to Suoi Thau through terraced rice fields and the homes of the La Chi ethnic group. A picnic lunch in Thang Loi Village is followed by a visit to ancient tombs, including one dedicated to Hoang Van Thung, a hero and king of the La Chi people. After lunch, the journey continues to Ha Giang for dinner and an overnight stay in a homestay.

Hoang Su Phi - Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang, near the Chinese border, is a mountainous area with minimal tourism. It offers breathtaking rice terraces, ethnic groups, mountains, and nature. Hoang Su Phi is similar to Mu Cang Chai but with even fewer tourists, making it a great place to maintain the authenticity of this beautiful and unspoiled area.

Ha Giang – Dong Van (B, L, D)

Ha Giang - After obtaining permits from the immigration office in Ha Giang, guests will be taken across a series of stunning passes with breathtaking views until reaching the mountain town of Tam Son for lunch. Afterward, a visit to the H’mong palace, once belonging to the “King of the H’mong” and constructed by French and Chinese architects, offers an interesting fusion of styles. The palace, once infamous for storing opium and weapons, was abandoned in the 1950s, and the descendants of the family now reside in France and Canada. The journey continues to Dong Van, arriving at 18:00, where dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel are planned.

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark - Spanning over 2,356 square kilometers, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark covers four districts within Ha Giang Province. Its extraordinary beauty and geological significance make it one of the most captivating natural landscapes in Southeast Asia.

Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac (B, L, D)

Ma Pi Leng Pass - Visiting Ma Pi Leng Pass allows travelers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region while experiencing the rich cultural heritage of the local ethnic communities. The journey along the pass is an adventure, with numerous opportunities for hiking and motorbiking.

Bao Lac – Ba Be National Park (B, L, D)

Ba Be National Park - The mountain road from Bao Lac to Cao Bang follows a secret route through the mountains, eventually reaching the Tay village of Cho Ra and finally Ba Be National Park. After lunch in a local restaurant, a visit to Hua Ma Cave is planned before continuing to the Tay village of Coc Toc, where Mr. Linh and his family will welcome guests to their traditional Tay stilt-house for dinner and an overnight stay.

Hua Ma Cave - Hua Ma Cave is located within Ba Be National Park, about 80 kilometers from Bac Kan City. Soon after leaving the city, a peaceful scenery unfolds, with mountains playing hide-and-seek with the dawn fog. The first rays of sun shining on the reeds create a perfect painting, dotted with smiling local farmers, their cattle, and market stalls along the road.

Ba Be National Park – Hanoi (B, L)

Ba Be Lake - After breakfast, guests will be taken to Bo Lu Quay to board a boat for a trip around Ba Be Lake. Time on-board can be spent swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the spectacular scenery. The journey continues to the Nang River, surrounded by rich wildlife, and follows the river to Puong Cave to explore the many stalactites and stalagmites within. The driver will then take guests back to Hanoi, with time to enjoy the scenery on the drive, stopping for lunch along the way and arriving back in the capital around 17:30.

• Homestays / Hotels- Private room
• Experienced English speaking guide
• All sightseeing tickets (Travel permit)
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• A/C transfer

• Personal Expenses

This ultimate Off The Beaten Track Tour of Northern Vietnam gives you the best possible glimpse into a truly remote, authentic and untouched part of this wonderful country. From trekking in remote areas like Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi, from visiting the wonders of Ha Long Bay and the less visited Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island, this tour has everything an adventurous traveler to Northern Vietnam could ever want.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.