Journey to the East - from the peaks of Ha Giang to the Ha Long Bay

Hanoi arrival – City tours (D)

Upon arrival in Vietnam, you will be greeted by your guide and driver at the international airport, then transferred to your hotel for check-in. 

While waiting for your room, take a discovery walk through Hanoi's lively old quarter, visiting streets such as Ta Hien, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hang Bac, and Ma May, as well as the Dong Xuan market. The walk ends at the Long Bien Bridge, a gift from Gustave Eiffel in 1890 during the French era. 

Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi, the millennial capital, is located in the heart of North Vietnam. The city's 64 lakes, as well as its numerous parks and trees shading its avenues, make it a very pleasant place to live. Hanoi astonishes with its architecture and surprises with its cultural sites and monuments. Bustling and lively, it is a pleasure to discover: the old quarter of 36 streets and guilds (Hang Bac, Silverware, and Hang Gai, Silk) but also offers other historical and cultural attractions such as Tran Quoc pagoda, the most famous in Hanoi, on the edge of West Lake. 

Behind the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (on the left) lies the One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi. Van Mieu (Temple of Literature), the first University built in Vietnam, is now a haven of peace in the city center.

Hanoi - city tours and walks (B, L, D)

After breakfast, embark on a full day of sightseeing in Hanoi. Visit historical and cultural landmarks including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside view), the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple. 

Lunch will be at a local restaurant, featuring Hanoi's specialties. 

In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology and take a cyclo ride through the old quarter. 

The evening includes a water puppet show, a traditional Vietnamese art form. 

Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Ba Be lake by road (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Ba Be lake, traveling through scenic landscapes. 

Stop in Thai Nguyen to visit the Ethnology Museum, with photo stops and visits to ethnic villages and tea hills to learn about green tea processing. 

Lunch at a local restaurant en route. 

Upon arrival at Ba Be lake, one of Vietnam's unique and beautiful natural attractions formed by geological changes over millions of years, take a walk around Pac Ngoi village where you will stay. 

Dinner and overnight with a local family in a stilt house (simple but clean, with private dorm rooms, clean bedding, and mosquito nets).

Dîner et nuit chez l’habitant, dans une maison sur pilotis.

Ba Be - Local walks and discoveries (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the local’s home, spend the day exploring the area. 

Take a motorized sampan cruise on Ba Be lake, passing through the surrounding forest-covered mountains and visiting Dau Dang waterfalls. Lunch during the excursion. 

In the afternoon, visit nearby caves and relax in the village. 

Dinner and overnight with a local family in a stilt house.

Ba Be - Cao Bang - Ban Gioc waterfall (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the local’s home.

Depart for Ban Gioc waterfall, about 5 hours drive, via Cao Bang city. Photo stops and visits along the way, including Cao Bang market.

Arrive at Ban Gioc, visit Truc Lam pagoda atop the mountain for a panoramic view of the waterfall. Dinner and overnight with a Tay ethnic family in a stilt house, with similar accommodations to previous homestays.

Ban Gioc - Phia Thap village - Cao Bang (B, L, D)

Morning visit to Vietnam’s most beautiful waterfall and Nguom Ngao cave before heading to Cao Bang. 

On the way, visit ethnic villages: 

• Phia Thap Village via beautiful mountainous landscapes, Khuoi Son for photos, and Phuc Sen for traditional blacksmithing. 
• Visit a vermicelli village before reaching Cao Bang city. 

Lunch at a local restaurant en route. Dinner and overnight stay in Cao Bang city.

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

Breakfast, then depart for Meo Vac, a district in the far north of Vietnam, through beautiful mountainous landscapes and passes. 

Visit and meet residents of the Lo Lo Noir ethnic village, made famous by the TV show "En terre inconnue." Lunch en route. 

Continue to Meo Vac for rest, dinner, and overnight.

Meo Vac - Tu San canyon and Ma Pi Leng pass - Dong Van (B, L, D)

Morning departure for an exploration of Tu San Canyon, unique in Vietnam. Hike before taking a boat to approach the canyon, then drive to Dong Van via the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass, with photo stops from the summit. Lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Van. 

Afternoon walk in the village for photos and ethnic encounters. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Dong Van - Ethnic villages - Ha Giang (B, L, D)

Morning visit to Dong Van market, which only takes place on Sundays. If not Sunday, a traditional visit will be arranged instead. 

Travel to Ha Giang with stops in ethnic villages: 

• Visit the Hmong King's Palace (Dinh Vua Meo), nearly 100 years old
• Pho Bang village, mainly inhabited by the Hoa ethnic group who migrated from China. 

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Ha Giang via Quan Ba pass with a photo stop at the summit to admire Quan Ba town and the famous Fairy Twin Mountains (Nui Co Tien). 

Arrive at Tha village on the outskirts of Ha Giang by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at a local family.

Ha Giang - Hanoi (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the local’s house, take a walk in the village for meetings and photos. Possibility of seeing the sunrise if weather permits. 

Return to Hanoi with a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. 

Arrive in Hanoi, transfer directly to the hotel for rest. Dinner at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Halong Bay on land (Tam Coc) (B, L, D)

Morning departure for Ninh Binh, also known as Halong Bay on land, through beautiful landscapes. Arrive in Ninh Binh, lunch at a local restaurant with local specialties. 

Rowing sampan ride at Thung Nham, visit Thien Ha Cave, an untouched tourist spot, gliding under the longest cave in the limestone mountain. Bike ride to authentic villages of Thung Nang and Bich Dong with visits to Thai Vi Temple and Bich Dong Pagoda nestled in a cave. 

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Ninh Binh (Halong Bay on land)

Located southeast of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province is the southernmost point of the Southeast Asian karst plateau. It is also the terrestrial area in Vietnam where these rocks are most impressive, hence its name, Halong Bay on land. The Tam Coc site (and less touristy Van Long) is superb with small rivers winding through rocks and rice fields. Not far from there is Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. This region has the largest concentration of Catholic churches in Vietnam.

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay

After breakfast, depart for Halong Bay via the Red River Delta with photo stops along the way. 

Arrive in Halong around noon, embark on a junk for an unforgettable 24-hour cruise in Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. 

Lunch on board after boarding, with fresh seafood from the bay. 

During the cruise, you will see islands and islets of all shapes and sizes emerging from the emerald water and visit natural caves on one of these islands with time for swimming or diving from our junk. 

Dinner with seafood and overnight on the junk in the bay. (Exact program set by the day's junk, depending on the period and tides.)

The legendary Halong Bay, meaning "descending dragon," is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This magical place, often referred to as the "eighth wonder of the world," is a giant geological museum. Spanning an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometers (580 square miles), it features over two thousand islands, islets, and multiform karst formations riddled with caves, delighting tourists from around the globe.

The "Maritime Halong Bay" consists of three distinct areas: Ha Long Bay proper, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Lan Ha Bay (the latter being part of Cat Ba Island). Each zone offers its own unique landscapes and attractions, contributing to the overall breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder.

Halong Bay / cruise – Hanoi (B, L, D)

Early morning tai chi practice for those who wish on the upper deck, then a light breakfast with bread and croissants. Continue the cruise to other bays to admire the beautiful scenery of Halong Bay.

Around 09:30, vacate the cabins then relax on the upper deck to contemplate the islands and islets before having brunch around 11:00. 

Disembark at the same pier and return to Hanoi. 

Arrive in Hanoi, transfer directly to the hotel for rest or personal discoveries. 

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Free day – Departure (B)

Petit déjeuner à l'hôtel, quartier libre pour vos derniers achats puis rendez-vous pour le transfert à l’aéroport pour votre vol de retour.

Breakfast at the hotel, free time for last-minute shopping, then meet for transfer to the airport for your return flight.