The pioneer in Tonkin Vietnam

Hanoi arrival - Walking around Hanoi Old Quater (D)

Arrival at Hanoi international airport, welcomed by the driver then transfer to hotel for check in. Room is available from 02PM.  

While waiting for the room, on your own you can go exploring the Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), the legendary and cherished place to Vietnamese, then a stroll in the old district.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi city tour (B,L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

At 08:30AM meet with your guide and driver and we will begin the guided tours of the capital with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex which dominates Ba Dinh Square (from outside) and his stilt house to better understand a great man whose life was very modest.

The One Pillar Pagoda is famous for its original construction born from a legend dating from the 11th century.

Then visit the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and his disciples. This complex was the first Vietnamese University.

Tran Quoc Pagoda: located on the shores of West Lake, it was built in the 5th century during the reign of King Ly Nam De. It is the oldest pagoda in HANOI.

In the afternoon: a visit to Museum of Ethnology (closed every Monday) which reflects in an attractive way the mosaic of the Vietnamese cultures by presenting traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and also houses on stilt, typical of certain minorities.

Then, we go to the Jade Temple in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, the giant turtle in this temple tells us the legend of the lake, born in the 15th century.

Late afternoon you will attend Water Puppets Show, the typical popular art of Viet Nam. 

Free time for dinner and night in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Cao Bang (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel. 

At 08:00 AM meet with your guide and driver for a departure to the mountain, towards the province of Cao Bang. The superb road crosses beautiful landscapes. 

Stop and lunch on the way then arrival to the city of Cao Bang. In Cao Bang, take a stroll through the city center and visit the central market.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in city centre.

Cao Bang - Ban Gioc waterfalls - Phia Thap (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. Next, we explore the impressive Ban Gioc Waterfalls.

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

We drive back to Cao Bang city. If time allows, we 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).

Ideal site for photos and an exotic natural break.

Dinner and overnight in Cao Bang. 

Cao Bang - Black Lolo Village - Bao Lac (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, departure to Bao Lac. On the way a stop visit at Black Lolo village of Bao Lac. Having migrated from China to Vietnam centuries ago, they have preserved their traditions, language, and way of life, while integrating into the local cultural diversity.

Explore the village, immerse yourself in the local culture, and enjoy a walk in the surrounding landscapes.

After the visit, return to vehicle and continue the road to Bao Lac. 

Bao Lac - Meo Vac - Ma Pi Leng Pass - Dong Van (B,L,D)

Breakfast at homestay.

This morning we take the road for Meo Vac. Arrival in Meo Vac enjoy a beautiful discovery and photo opportunity at the stunning Tu San Canyon with a boat trip on the river. This incredible canyon, a truly unique natural formation, is a sight to behold in Vietnam.

Explore the Meo Vac Valley on a hike through the villages. This canyon was formed millions of years ago when the Dong Van plateau was submerged. Today, it is known for its towering cliffs, reaching up to 1,500 meters, and its great depth.

Then we take National Route 4C ("the Road of Happiness") from Meo Vac to Dong Van. Between Dong Van and Meo Vac, a stop is planned at the most beautiful mountain pass in Vietnam, "Ma Pi Leng"—meaning "the horse's nose"—which is approximately 2,000 meters high and 20 kilometers long, connecting Dong Van district to Meo Vac district, built on ancient sediments formed hundreds of millions of years ago.

Arrive in Dong Van and check into your hotel.

Located in northern Vietnam, Dong Van is part of the karst plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark, renowned for its spectacular landscapes and geological richness.

In the heart of the city, the old street of Dong Van charms visitors with its ancient stone houses, remnants of the colonial era and testaments to the region's cultural past.

Overnight in Dong Van.

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

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning we take the road to Lung Cu. There, you will climb the Lung Cu Flag Tower. Nearly 35 meters high, it is crowned by a 54-square-meter flag representing the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

After climbing the flag tower, we return to the vehicle and depart for Ha Giang. 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, or Hmong, as king for ruling 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.

Then, we'll head to Ha Giang via Quan Ba ??and Yen Minh, stopping to visit and take photos in ethnic villages.

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

Have lunch on the way.

Arrival in Ha Giang, check in at homestay. Dinner and night in homestay. 

Ha Giang - Thac Ba (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we go visiting ethnic villages in approximately 2 hours.

Then, the driver awaits to take us to Thac Ba.

Have lunch in a local restaurant.

Arrival in Thac Ba, installation at our host and ride on a power-driven boat for two hours at the rate of the activities of the inhabitants living at the border of the lake: forestry and plantations of manioc, fishing in the place and the levying of the traditional lockers with shrimp, fish breeding in cage, bovine and caprine breeding, …

Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

Thac Ba - Nghia Lo (B,L,D)

Breakfast at homestay.

Departure for the western extreme of the province of Bai Yen toward Nghia Lo. Bypassing the lake of Thac Ba by the South, we cross the Red River near Bai Yen and raise on the foothills of the mountain range of Hoang Lien Son.

We arrive at Muong Lo (The Thai word for Nghia Lo) at the end of the morning. Meeting and lunch with a Thai-white owner's house in the village of Nghia An leaned in a hill of the very beautiful rice valley of Muong Lo, 2nd bigger rice valley of the northwest, after that of Dien Bien Phu.

In the afternoon, ride a bicycle or walk in the ethnic village of Muong Lo which shelters Hai-black, Thai-white and Muong.

Back home for dinner with our guests who are pleasured to talk about the past and current customs of the Thai of Muong Lo.

Night at homestay. 

Nghia Lo - Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai (B,L,D)

Breakfast at homestay. 

In the morning, we depart at 8:30 am for Mu Cang Chai via the Tu Le district, then cross the Khau Pha Pass at 1700m altitude. We'll take a stroll through the village of Lim Mong before ascending to the pass.

We'll stop for photos at the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the Tu Le valley. We'll then continue to La Pan Tan, where a hike through the most beautiful areas of Mu Cang Chai, recognized as a National Heritage Site, is highly recommended.

Dinner and overnight stay at a homestay in Mu Cang Chai.

Mu Cang Chai - Visits and walking (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the homestay.

A day of exploring the terraced rice paddies: La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha. Visit to H'mong villages and photos of the rice paddies, followed by a visit to the H'mong village of Mo De.

A small road branches off to the left of the Suoi Moi hotel, leading to the H'mong village of Kim Noi.

Return to Mu Cang Chai after sunset over the rice paddies.

Dinner and overnight stay at the homestay.

Mu Cang Chai – Hanoi (B,L)

Breakfast at homestay. 

This morning we take road back to Hanoi. Stops along the way. 

Arrival at Hanoi at the end of the day.

Free time for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay (B,L,D)

Morning is the departure for maritime Along Bay.

Arrival on the site at about 12:30 am, boarding on the 3 stars Junk for the cruise of 24 hours in the Halong Bay, classed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Visit of the natural caves during the cruise, rest and stroll on beaches as bathing will be the striking points of the cruise.

Dinner and overnight on board in Private Cabin.

(Activities: swimming, fishing for squids ...) vary according to junks - program on board.

Bai Tu Long Bay – Hanoi (B,L)

In the early hours on the outside deck, exercises of Taï' Chi for those who wish it. (It depends on the season).

Light breakfast at the onboard restaurant, then we take advantage of the cruise which navigates in the middle of magnificent landscapes, by-passing different islands.

Around 10, it is time to release the cabin.

Brunch at about 09:30 am on board before landing at about 11:00 am.

The driver waits for us for return to Hanoi by the road of the crossbar of Tonkin

Arrival at Hanoi. Free time for dinner and at overnight in Ha Noi

Note: the order of the activities during the cruise (visit of the cave, visit of fishermen's village, Kayaking) may be changed according to the tide and the weather conditions.

Hanoi Departure (B)

At a good time, travelling to Hanoi Airport for your onward flights. Ends of service.

Note: The room is disposal until noontime only