Amazing roof trip Hagiang

Hanoi - Ha Giang - Quan Ba ( L,D)

Early departure for Ha Giang - an extreme province of Tonkin via Tuyen Quang with the beautiful teahills. Photo stops and lunch on road.

Arrival in the town of Ha Giang, after getting the permission to enter the border region, we drive up the highlands to Quan Ba pass - the heavenly gate called by the natives. 

A photo stop at the summit of the Quan Ba Pass offers a breathtaking view of Quan Ba town with the famous Fairy Twin Mountains (Nui Co Tien). These mountains are known for their striking shape and are linked to the legendary love story of a man underground and a fairy in heaven.

Home to various ethnic groups such as the Hmong, Dao, and Tày, the district offers an authentic glimpse into local traditions and ways of life.

Dinner and overnight in Quan Ba.

Quan Ba - Dong Van (B,L,D)

After breakfast, en route to Dong Van (120km - 3h20), we made stop to visit to ethnic minority villages along the route: the Pho Bang village where the Han live - Chinese origin and the Pho Cao village where we see the house built from the clay and stone, with the fence by walls of blue stones surround.

Lunch during the trip at a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, continue the road to Dong Van. In Dong Van, you will visit the palace of the Hmong King (Dinh Vua Meo), located in the Sa Phin Valley and surrounded by limestone mountains. Its owner, Vuong Duc Chinh, was honored by the Meo and Hmong peoples as a king for governing the four districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac, and Dong Van. Nearly a century old, this imposing structure is remarkable for its many unique features, both in its architecture and its history.

Continue the trip to the furthest point of Lung Cu where the national flag plant on the peak for a view to China and a beautiful panorama. Back to Dong Van town for the evening. 

Located in northern Vietnam, Dong Van is part of the karst plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark, renowned for its spectacular landscapes and geological diversity. In the heart of the city, the old street of Dong Van charms visitors with its old stone houses, vestiges of the colonial era and testimonies of the region's cultural past.

Overnight at hotel in Dong Van.

Dong Van - Ethnic market on Sunday - Meo Vac (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we follow the minority people go to the multi-colored market - a lively fair held once a week (on Sunday morning). The market brings together several ethnic minorities from the region: the Coloured Hmong, the Dao, the Tay, the Nung, and others. It is not only a place to exchange goods but also a social hub. Travelers are often surprised by the wide variety of merchandise and the vibrant customs of the ethnic groups who come to the market. The goods sold at the market are very varied: embroidered clothing, handicrafts, farm products, vegetables, spices, chickens, dogs, medicinal plants, etc. After finishing their buying and selling, people gather in small groups to enjoy "Thang Co," a traditional Hmong specialty, in small restaurants; they also drink corn liquor and chat happily.

We spend a morning strolling in the market to take photos and see the authentic minority market.

Later, we take a walk to the village of Thien Huong for encounters and landscape photos and to see the torcie houses (trinh tuong).

Lunch in town.

In the afternoon we take National Route 4C ("the Road of Happiness") to Meo Vac. Between Dong Van and Meo Vac, a stop at Ma Pi Leng Pass, considered one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Vietnam—meaning "Horse's Nose"—which rises to an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters and stretches for 20 kilometers. This pass connects Dong Van and Meo Vac districts, built upon ancient sediments formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

Enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Tu San Canyon, taking photos of its stunning natural formations. This incredible canyon is unique in Vietnam.

Dinner in the town of Meo Vac. Overnight at hotel.

Meo Vac - Cao Bang (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

Early departure for Cao Bang, passing the beautiful mountain scenery and especially two great passes to pass: the Long Luong and Keng Pan. Stops and meetings with ethnic minorities along the road. 

Simple lunch at the local restaurant on the way.

Arrival in Cao Bang, we take a stroll through the city center and visit the central market.

Evening and dinner in Cao Bang city.

Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Cao Bang (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. 

Departure for Ban Gioc Waterfall. A stop in this magnificent area with its limestone peaks, home to the sacred and magical mountain eye (Nui Mat Than), a spectacular karst formation in the heart of a verdant valley, famous for its circular hole at the summit.

Then, the drive to the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the most beautiful and spectacular waterfalls in Vietnam. Located on the border between China and Vietnam, it is 30 meters high and nearly 300 meters wide, making it one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Asia.

As we approach the waterfall, we visit the Truc Lam Pagoda. From there, we have a clear view of the waterfall and China, as well as the valley surrounded by limestone peaks.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then we head to visit Nguom Ngao Cave (Tiger Cave).

Next, we explore the impressive Ban Gioc Waterfalls.

We drive back to Cao Bang city. If time allows, a stop at Phia Thap village, renowned for its traditional crafts, particularly the making of incense using techniques passed down through generations (or another craft village).

Overnight in Cao Bang.

Cao Bang - Ba Be (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

At 8:30 AM, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for the drive to Ba Be Lake.

Located in the heart of a national park, Ba Be is Vietnam's largest natural freshwater lake, surrounded by karst mountains and lush forests. This lake boasts a rich biodiversity and lies at the heart of a protected ecosystem teeming with flora and fauna.

Arrival at Ba Be Lake. In the afternoon, a boat trip on the lake to discover its iconic sites: the An Ma Temple, a small, peaceful temple on an island, dedicated to the generals of the Mac Dynasty; and the Dau Dang Waterfall, the most beautiful in the region. On the return journey, we visit Fairy Pond.

Settling into Pac Ngoi village at the end of the day. Here you have the opportunity to discover the traditional Tay way of life in Pac Ngoi by sharing in their agricultural, artisanal, and cultural activities, and experiencing their ancestral customs.

Dinner and overnight stay at homestay.                                        

Ba Be - walks (B,L,D)

Breakfast at homestay.

This morning, with your local guide, you'll travel to the village of Coc Toc, where you'll meet the Tay community, masters of fishing in the lake and whose diet is centered around fish.

You'll then cross the Pe Lu stream before embarking on a rugged and steep trail that will challenge you, but is certainly one of the best in Northern Vietnam. As you gain altitude, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the lush, rolling countryside.

In the afternoon, your guide will take you through mountains and valleys to see stilt houses and a school of the Dao ethnic group, before continuing on to visit another H'mong village.

Return to the homestay in the late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight in the same homestay.

Ba Be - Thai Nguyen - Hanoi (B,L)

Breakfast at homestay.

In the morning, a walk through villages along the lake. Beautiful landscapes unfold before our eyes. The visit continues with a discovery of Hua Ma Cave, known for its spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, offering a mystical setting in the heart of the national park's pristine nature.

Return to the vehicle and take the road back to Hanoi. Lunch in Thai Nguyen City.

Arrival in Hanoi in the afternoon.