Essentials Northeast Vietnam in 5 Days

At 8:00 am morning, depart from your hotel in Hanoi and take a highway to Ha Giang. Stop and visit Dao Village in Tuyen Quang Ham Yen. Firstly, the houses on stilts were discovered, which is a typical style of the ethnic group in this hilly area.

Tha Village

Arrive in Ha Giang in the mid-afternoon and start a trek to Me, Lup, and Tha villages. With a serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of wooden stilt houses covered with palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for fish farming and water hyacinth crops for pigs. You will be welcomed by the villagers with bright smiles and witness their legendary hospitality. Visit typical houses and learn about local daily life. Arriving at Tha Village, a village on Palm Hill with rice paddies where you can rest peacefully.

Finally, settle down at your residence and take a leisurely stroll before sunset, capturing the rhythm of daily life in the mountains.

Note: Stay overnight at the homestay and enjoy a true experience. Basic amenities include clean mattresses, pillows, mosquito nets, blankets, outdoor toilets, and hot showers.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, dinner.

This morning, head to Dong Van with the magical landscape of this region present along the road. Before arriving at Quan Ba Pass, we will stop to visit Bo Y village in Quyet Tien commune. Their origin comes from China. The Bo Y are a small community of 2000 people who inhabit the mountainous regions of the north. Stop at Quan Ba Pass and take a short break to admire the town of Quan Ba with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).

Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien)

Continue your journey to the limestone that has been listed in the book of the World Geological Park. On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a special type of house) while walking to Lung Hoa village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky soil. Then visit the H’mong King’s Palace (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppy and their economy was based on the opium trade zone with their own king.

Arrive in Dong Van, check into accommodation, and relax.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Dong Van to Meo Vac crossing the Ma Pi Leng Pass which seduces you with the breathtaking view of the limestone mountains, the Nho Que River, and the H’Mong villages nestled in the mountain. Continue to Bao Lac. This is well known for the black Lo Lo ethnic group. This region was highlighted by the French media, “The Journey to Unknown Land”. The documentary was filmed in the Khuoi Khon village of the Lo Lo people, 9 km from Bao Lac town, by rugby Frederik Michalak. Lunch is served in Bao Lac town and check-in at your hotel.

Lo Lo Chai

In the afternoon, you will transfer to Coc Xa village, Na Van commune. This village of the Lo Lo ethnic group remains more authentic than the Khuoi Khon village which has become more touristy after the famous documentary. Walk through the rice fields and village paths, visit local homes, and chat with the hosts to learn about local life and traditional customs. Return to town and spend the night at your hotel.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Departing for Ba Be via Tinh Tuc, 30 km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune. There is a beautiful village of San Chi ethnic group. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You are among a small number of travelers who visit this area because of its location hidden behind the hill. The village has hundreds of stilt houses nestled on the mountainside and views of the beautiful valley. To reach the village, you will have to climb a steep 2 km slope. The higher you walk, the better the view. Visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group.

Magnifienet view from Hua Ma cave

Continue to Ba Be, where you will be surprised by the beautiful nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces. Stop filming or take photos whenever possible. Upon arrival in Ba Be, check into your accommodation in Pac Ngoi village and cycle through several villages of Tay ethnic people to Hua Ma Cave (5 km from the village). It is an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Finally, return to your accommodation.

Note: For more interaction with local people and an authentic experience, we invite you to stay in a homestay with basic equipment: a clean mattress, pillow, mosquito net, blankets, outdoor toilet, and hot shower. Hotel service is also available; please contact us for good advice.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, walk from the village to the dock and take a boat tour by the lake (you can swim in the lake). Stop and explore the fairy pond in the middle of the primeval forest. After the lake, head to the Nang River. Walk along the riverbank, immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, and join the Dau Dang waterfall.

Nang River

Next, take a boat tour in the opposite direction along the Nang River and arrive at Puong Cave, where there are thousands of bats. The boat will pass through the cave and head towards Buoc Lom dock. Meet our driver for a transfer in Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy some free time after your vacation in the mountains. Our trip to northeast Vietnam will end within 5 days.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.