Treasure of Northern Vietnam – 11 Days

Would you like to explore Hanoi Vietnam from another point of view? Would you like to indulge in the real essence of Hanoi, and authentic Vietnam local tour? Perhaps the best way to understand the culture of any country is by meeting local people, talking, and listening to their stories. It’s also the reason why we recommend this tour is to explore the culture at many destinations, participating in a series of interesting activities, and being mesmerized by the local foods. Keep reading to find your inspirations for the Vietnamese exploration.

General Information

Tour Route: Hanoi – Sapa Town – Ha Giang Province – Ba Be Lake (Ban Kan) – Halong Bay
Departure Date: Any Time You Wish
Duration: 11 Days/ 10 Nights
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Day 2: Hanoi Discovery (B, L)
Day 3: Sapa (Lao Cai) – Bac Ha Market (B, L, D)
Day 4: Bac Ha Local Market – Hoang Su Phi (B, L, D)
Day 5: Trekking in Hoang Su Phi (B, L, D)
Day 6: Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang Province – Quan Ba Pass – Yen Minh – Dong Van Plateau (B, L, D)
Day 7: Dong Van Limestone Plateau – Ba Be Lake (B, L, D)
Day 8: Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan) – Hanoi (B, L, D)
Day 9: Hanoi – Wonderful Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L, D)
Day 11: Hanoi Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Upon arrival in Hanoi, our local guide and driver will pick you at the airport then transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is time for you to relax or free to explore Vietnamese capital. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi Discovery (B, L)

Your visit this morning focuses on the main highlights of Hanoi. First, we join in a one-hour cyclo tour and visit every corner of 36 iconic streets in Hanoi Old Quarter. The old quarter is home to various traditional handicrafts and private businesses. The name of these streets is called by the name of the major products sold there.

We then reach Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace beside, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and iconic One Pillar Pagoda. After visiting the Temple of Literature, we savor lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will experience the special Hanoi food tour, try some famous dishes in Hanoi as Egg Coffee, Shrimp cake, Bun Cha, Bun Dau… before getting back to the hotel and ready for a spectacular train ride to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train.

Day 3: Sapa (Lao Cai) – Bac Ha Market (B, L, D)

Early arriving in Lao Cai station and then transfer to Sapa Town. After check-in homestay, we have time to stroll along, sightseeing and meet the locals. Before transfer to Bac Ha local market, we have a cozy lunch with the locals.

Day 4: Bac Ha Local Market – Hoang Su Phi (B, L, D)

This morning, enjoy the area’s main highlights on an included guided sightseeing tour with experience on an authentic local market. Bac Ha market is always the must-visit attraction when visiting Sapa. It can be said that the fair is the wonderful holiday of ethnic groups living in and nearby region to meet and exchange products.

We will then visit the Palace of Hmong King, mixed architectures constructed by Chinese and French. Savor the lunch of local specialties at the market. In the afternoon, Hoang Su Phi is our next today highlight. Take advantage of time trekking in the breathtaking natural landscapes to capture the impressive photos of it before we visit some villages nearby. We spend a short trek to Nam Hong Village and Red Yao Village. Overnight in Red Yao Village.

Day 5: Trekking in Hoang Su Phi (B, L, D)

Today, take in scenic vistas of the mountainous area as you travel to Hoang Su Phi. You will be mesmerized by the astonishing rice terraces recognized as the national heritage site. Enjoy your time to undergo the life of the local ethnic groups including the costumes, stilt house, tradition, cultures, and special cuisine of some ethnic minorities as Tay, Black Yao, Red Yao. Savor lunch with a local family.

The rest of the day is time to get closer to the authentic life by taking part in the daily work of the locals such as weaving, farming, and cooking. Overnight in a local house.

Day 6: Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang Province – Quan Ba Pass – Yen Minh – Dong Van Plateau (B, L, D)

Today, leave the majestic Sapa behind and travel to Ha Giang for spectacular sceneries. We first visit the magnificent Vuong Palace with the design combining Chinese, French, and Vietnamese architecture. Then visit the heaven gate at Quan Ba pass, created by the twin mountains and nature at Yen Minh District. Arrive in Dong Van area before sunset and overnight here.

Day 7: Dong Van Limestone Plateau – Ba Be Lake (B, L, D)

The first highlight of today is Dong Van Rock Plateau, the magnificent geopark recognized by UNESCO thanks to the unique collection of limestone and featured biodiversity. Then we transfer to Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan province. One the way to get Ba Be. We stop at Ma Li Peng pass, the most majestic pass in northern Vietnam, spend time to capture nice photos.
Arrive in Pac Ngoi village which is home to Tay ethnic group in the afternoon. Explore the surrounding areas and enjoy the special dinner cooked by Tay women. Overnight in Tay stilt house.

Day 8: Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan) – Hanoi (B, L, D)

After breakfast, board a wooden boat to discover the Ba Be Lake and the Ba Be National Park. Listen to the legend of this magnificent lake while immersing in peaceful moments with cool breezes and pure water. The boat trip will lead you to Puong Cave, home to thousands of bats. Continue the tour at Nang River to visit Dau Dang Waterfall before transfer to Ra Market for lunch. In the afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi for overnight accommodation.

Day 9: Hanoi – Wonderful Halong Bay (B, L, D)

Wake up with a light breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, start the day by the scenic drive to Halong Bay and savor lunch at the cruise ship. At the bay, the cruise ship will take you to see some most famous islands as Dog Head, Swan Island, Incense Burner, and Thumb Islands before visiting Ba Hang Floating village. We then move to Titov Island or swimming and sunbathing then conquer its peak to take a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Participating in some interesting activities and overnight on boat.

Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L, D)

Get up early and take Tai chi exercise with the Master to relax your body before breakfast. After that, we visit Sung Sot Cave then turn the boat back for a cooking demonstration to learn some traditional dishes of Vietnamese. Leave the spectacular Halong behind and transfer back to Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi Departure (B)

After breakfast, the driver will transfer you to Noi Bai Airport for the flight home.
11-Day Explore Northern Vietnam Tour as Locals ends here, hope to see you on the next tour in North Vietnam.