Authentic North Vietnam Tour – 12 Days

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Nam Dinh – Lao Cai – Ha Giang – Halong – Hai Phong – Hanoi
Duration: 12 Days/ 11 Nights
Departure Date: Any Time You Wish
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (L, D)
Day 2: Hanoi Village Tour (B, L, D)
Day 3: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An – Tam Coc (B, L, D)
Day 4: Hoa Lu Citadel – Co Le Pagoda – Pham Phao Cathedral – Hai Ly Ruined Church – Night train to Lao Cai (B, L, D)
Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa – Bac Ha Local Market (B, L, D)
Day 6: Ta Phin Trekking – Sapa (B, L, D)
Day 7: Ha Giang – Dong Van (B, L, D)
Day 8: Dong Van – Bao Lac (B, L, D)
Day 9: Bao Lac – Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall (B, L, D)
Day 10: Cao Bang – Halong Bay, Welcome on Boat (B, L, D)
Day 11: Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)
Day 12: Hanoi Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (L, D)

Welcome to Hanoi, you will be picked at the airport and taken to the hotel by our local guide and driver. Today is free for you to relax and discover your own first impressions of Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi Village Tour (B, L, D)

Today starts with the scenic drive outside of Hanoi which focuses on discovering the traditional villages in Hanoi. The first stopover is Duong Lam ancient village. There is a cycling tour available for you. You ride the bike around the village, visit local markets, some old houses, communal house, and the worship temples. Then, you have the chance to meet locals, listen to their stories, and sips a cup of tea before having lunch with them.

In the afternoon, we set out from Dong Ngac, also cycling on mostly lanes through surrounding villages to Lien Mac, a beautiful place of vegetables and flowers. After the route from Lien Mac back to Dong Ngac village, you have a short break for a drink at the local family, and then back to the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 3: Bai Dinh Pagoda – Trang An – Tam Coc (B, L, D)

Today begin with a nice breakfast before a nice drive to Ninh Binh. At first, we visit Bai Dinh Pagoda with 500 La Han statues and then transfer to Trang An. Relax on a local rowboat as soon as arriving in Trang An. Then we meander within the karst landscape, floating through some local caves. Later, the local Vietnamese foods are served for lunch.

In the afternoon, a short transfer to Tam Coc, on arrival visit the nature here, visit the Mua Cave and then back the land, check-in hotel, and have dinner. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Day 4: Hoa Lu Citadel – Co Le Pagoda – Pham Phao Cathedral – Hai Ly Ruined Church – Night train to Lao Cai (B, L, D)

After breakfast, a short transfer to Hoa Lu Citadel for short visiting before a drive to Nam Dinh province. On arrival Nam Dinh, we first visit Co Le Pagoda, which was built in about one century ago under the Ly Dynasty. Passing many incidents, the pagoda was rebuilt and has the appearance as we see today.

Before savor lunch, we visit Pham Phao Cathedral and the House Bridge, built in the 16th century and printed in the books and notebooks. Meet the local and see their daily life, and find out more about the ancestor worship village.

In the afternoon, we move to Hai Ly Beach can contemplate Hai Ly Ruined Church. Transfer back to Hanoi and ready for the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.

Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa – Bac Ha Local Market (B, L, D)

Arriving Lao Cai in the early morning and then have a drive to Sapa Town for a short rest, hot shower, and a light breakfast before the inspiring trek. We will leave Sapa behind and drive to Bac Ha. It is very photogenic and can be considered as one of the most wonderful and colorful markets in North Vietnam. In Bac Ha market, there are many thousands of local people in their traditional clothes, they buy and sell textile products and live animals.

In the afternoon, we will take a walk to Ban Pho Village, home to the Flower H’ mong people. Tourists have a chance to interact with the locals and stroll around the tribes.
Back to Sapa for overnight accommodation.

Day 6: Ta Phin Trekking – Sapa (B, L, D)

At the first gleam of daylight, enjoy the sounds of a morning in a tribal village. You can take part in some morning activities of the locals like feeding the animals, gardening, or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we wander around the village or savor the scenery by yourself. Enjoy lunch with the locals.

In the afternoon, you are free to 4 PM to relax and explore the village around. At 4 PM, we have a drive to Ha Giang, tonight we have dinner and overnight at homestay of Tay People.

Day 7: Ha Giang – Dong Van (B, L, D)

Today you will encounter some stunning landscapes. At first, we will begin the journey to Dong Van across a lot of long passes. We will have lunch en route in the small but beautiful mountain town of Tam Son. After that, we head to the majestic King of the H’ mong Palace. The palace was built in 1900 and designed in the ancient Chinese style of the Man Qing era. Continuing the journey, you will arrive at the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 8: Dong Van – Bao Lac (B, L, D)

Today will start with a visit to the local market of Dong Van (Sunday), where the locals sell and buy a variety of hand-made products and live animals. After that, we will climb a pass up to the French Fortress of Pu Lo, which was built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945. From the peak, you can get a spectacular view of the entire region.

Conquer the road climbs up to the top of the Ma Pi Leng Pass and then descend into Meo Vac Valley to the village of Bao Lac and enjoy the lunch. Take the mountain road to Bao Lac and overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Bao Lac – Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall (B, L, D)

From Bao Lac, we take a trip to Cao Bang province. Drive to Ba Be from Cao Bang. A stunning road snaking through the mountains to Tay village and then down to the Tay village of Coc Toc where you will be welcomed by the locals in their traditional stilt house. You will enjoy the superb dinner on the river terrace.
After lunch, we will depart for Cao Bang, close to Vietnam’s northern border with China.

Like the Tays, Nungs largely live by farming the terraced rice paddies that you will see when you travel to Ban Gioc Waterfall. It is the majestic waterfall that demarcates the border between Vietnam and China. Spend some time for relaxation and buy souvenir photos when you soak up the sublime atmosphere here.
Returning to Cao Bang for overnight stay.

Day 10: Cao Bang – Halong Bay, Welcome on Boat (B, L, D)

After four hours of driving from Cao Bang to Lang Son, then Halong Bay. Upon arrival, you will embark on a boat where you can enjoy the magnificent surroundings and a delicious lunch.

After lunch, you have time to discover the distinct lifestyle of the community living in the Vung Vieng floating fishing village. You will then experience a bamboo row boat to delve into the village sitting in a picturesque location in a lagoon at the foot of the limestone mountains. Overnight in Halong.

Day 11: Cat Ba Island – Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)

A scenic drive to Cat Ba Island starts the day. Move to the center of the Cat Ba national park for a short trek in the jungle park up to Ngu Lam peak for the universal mesmerizing view of Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy the tropical forest and the national biosphere of Cat Ba.

After lunch, a special boat trip takes us to discover the hidden gem – Lan Ha Bay. Spending the afternoon for kayaking around to discover the hidden bay with long tunnel grottoes and quiet lagoons. Also, visit the fishing villages to learn more about the locals’ daily life. Enjoy the last moment at the Bay and then transfer to Hanoi departure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi Departure (B)

A free morning to relax and prepare for the flight back to the departure. Your Authentic North Vietnam Tour ends.