The 8-day tour includes easy outdoor activities that can be suitable for children, parents, senior people - walking, hiking, river boat trip, countryside cycle, boat cruise, sea kayaking. Highlights of the tour are day tour in Hanoi, boat cruise in Tam Coc, hike in Mai Chau, visit Cao Son market, trek in Sapa, boat cruise Halong bay, cyclo ride in Hanoi. The tour is highly recommended to small group family holidays, couples and those seeking a real life experience.


Day 1: Hanoi – Tam Coc, Ninhbinh.

Depart for Ninh Binh.

Visit the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel of Dinh & Le in Hoa Lu.

Travel to Tam Coc where we will have lunch before taking a 2-hour boat trip along the Boi river. The river trip in Thung Nang is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops.

After the boat trip, enjoy a half hour easy cycle around Tam Coc before checking-in hotel for overnight.

 

 Day 2: Tam Coc – Mai Chau.

Transfer to Kenh Ga – “The Chicken Canal” for another boat trip along the Hoang Long river to experience the real life of a Vietnamese catholic community. Set on the banks of the Hoang Long River, Kenh Ga is a remarkable place, not only because it is surrounded by the same massive rocks that dominate Hoa Lu, but also because for most of the year the entire community lives on the water itself. The floating village of Kenh Ga receives relatively few visitors compared to nearby Hoa Lu and the peoples' aquatic way of life has changed little over the centuries.

After the boat trip, continue our journey to Mai Chau valley where we stop for overnight.

In the evening, assist to the traditional music and dance show which is performed by the Thai young girls and boys who all come from the village. Try also some rice alcohol which is made of traditional plants and local sticky rice.

Overnight in a stilt-house.

Day 3: Maichau – Hanoi. Overnight train to Laocai.

Breakfast will be provided in a Thai stilt house. Then we leave the village for a half day walking around. We will pass many different Thai hamlets, through rice fields, hill sides…We will stop by some local houses to talk with local people to understand their customs and culture.

After lunch, we will take our journey back to Hanoi.

Enjoy one-hour body massage in one of the most luxury spa salon in town before take the overnight train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on board train.

Day 4: Arrive Lao Cai. Travel to Cao Son. Visit Cao son market. Trek Cao Son villages.

Arrive in Lao Cai Railway station early this morning. You will be welcome by Lotussia local guide, driver then transferred to a local restaurant in Lao Cai city for breakfast and short rest before proceeding to Cao Son region. Stop en route for photos.

You will join the Cao Son trekking stream of people from Lung Khau Nhin and some nearby villages heading to Cao Son. Free to discover the market with our tour guide. Heading for the lunch in Cao Son Ecolodge. In the afternoon, visit the primitive forest in La Pan Tan commune. Back to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Travel to Sapa. Hiking Sapa villages.

After breakfast, transfer to Sapa. We will arrive in Sapa around noon. Check-in hotel and have your lunch in a local restaurant in town.

In the afternoon, there will be a walking tour to a H’mong hill tribe village of Ma Tra (or Cat Cat). As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.

Overnight  in Sapa.

Day 6: Continue trekking Sapa. Travel to Lao Cai. Overnight train back to Hanoi.

After breakfast, we will travel by car downhill to Mong Sen where we start a dirt trail through rice fields and villages. Enjoy spectacular view along the way.

Your picnic lunch will be provided on spot.

After lunch, we continue our trek downhill towards Taphin village inhabited by Red Dao and Black Hmong minorities. These are two largest ethnic groups living in Sapa area. Stop by some house to meet local people and talk with them to understand their culture, customs and traditions. Late afternoon, we will trek back to to main road to get on our vehicle for the journey to Laocai railways station.

Day use will be provided in a standard hotel before taking the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Overnight on board train.

Day 7: Arrive Hanoi. Travel to Halong bay. Boat junk cruise with kayaking tour.

Arrive in Hanoi early this morning, transfer to the Morning Flower Market for a short visit before departing to Halong Bay.

Breakfast will be provided in a local restaurant en route.

Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit or take a kayaking trip to explore the Bay (optional). Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner.

Overnight on board junk.

Day 8: Halong bay – Hanoi.

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. Disembark at the dock at Halong City at 11:00 and travel back to Hanoi.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Day 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen - Tuyen Quang – Quang Binh ( –,L,D)Vietnam Mysterious Limestone Highland Discovery

Depart at 08.00 from Hanoi by vehicle for Thai Nguyen City. Arrive in Thai Nguyen at 09.30. Paying visit to the famous Museum of ethnology here.
-10.00 Leaving Thai Nguyen for Tan Trao. Visit the historical site of Tan Trao which is called the capital of the resistant forces(Vietminh) in the war against the French from 1946 – 1954. Visit Ha village of the Tay ethnic peoples.
-12.00 lunch at a local restaurant in Tan Trao Commune.
-The road trip from Thai Nguyen to Tuyen Quang along national road 37 also offers beautiful landscapes featuring the midland between the northern mountainous region and the Red River delta with large valleys lying amongst hilly land and mountains. The region is also home to several ethnic groups such as Tay, Dao, Cao Lan.
-Leaving Tan Trao at 13.00 for 2 hours driving via Tuyen Quang Town and then following national road 2 uphill to Vinh Tuy.
-Take a short break at Vinh Tuy before taking a back road to travel through the prosperous lowland of Ha Giang province. This region stretches for over 50km long, lying between the Chay and Lo rivers with dozens of beautiful valleys separated by low mountain passages and being homes to the Tay ethnic peoples.
-16.00 stop for visiting Chi village consisting of nearly 100 wooden houses built on stilts in the traditional style of the Tay which lies at the center of a spectacular valley.
-17.00 leaving Chi village for Quang Binh town let little bit late. Check in hotel, freshen up and Dinner.

•Total driving is 306 km. walking for about two hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
•Staying overnight Ha Phuong Guesthouse: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
•Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

 Day 2: Quang Binh – Nam An –  Ha Giang – Bac Me (B,L,D)

-Breakfast and leaving Quang Binh at 08.00 and driving 12 km to My Bac Commune and spend 20 minutes to visit the communal market before walking around My Pac village, paying visit to local homes to discover the unique culture of the Pa Then ethnic peoples. There is opportunities to see Pa Then women making traditional brocade and costumes.
-09.30: Leaving My Pac Village and driving 37 km for about an hour to Nam An. This is a special tip of the day! At the top of the mountain pass about 3 km for the main road, great view of the below valleys, the Lo river… opens wide and far. Nam An used to be a narrow and deep valley, built into a lake for water storage to run a hydraulic power plant and now has become spectacular lake with a peninsular for eco-tourist sport. The group will spend an hour walking around the lake to pay visit to a Red Zao village whose culture and living style is remaining as its was for hundreds of years. Lunch in a house built by the water and relax. Clients may swim in the emerald clear water or moving around the lake on bamboo rafts or boats.
-Leaving Nam An at about 13.30 driving 45 km to Ha Giang. Clients will enjoy stunning landscapes along the Lo river. Paying visit to a beautiful valley located 3 km from Ha Giang township. Walk about 3 km around Me village of the Tay ethnic peoples, visiting local homes for discovery of the Tay’s way of life.
-Continue the road trip through Ha Giang, along national road 34 for an hour and arrive to the upstream region of the Na Hang reservoir. Stop for visiting the village of the immigrants who have given their land for the construction of the Na Hang hydraulic power plant and some other small hamlets of the Tay and Zao scattering around a stunning valley, surrounded by high mountains and lush forest.
-Drive the last portion of the road to Bac Me town let, arriving in Bac Me at about 17.30. Check in hotel and free walk to explore this charming town let, which is beautifully set on the bank of the Gam river.

•Total driving is 145 km. walking about two and a half hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
•Staying overnight at Song Gam hotel: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
•Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 3: Bac Me – Meo Vac – Dong Van( B,L,D)

-Breakfast, check out hotel at 08.00 and departure for Meo Vac. The first portion 47 km of the road weaves its way along the the Gam river amongst high mountains and thick forest offers beautiful scenery with several photo stops.
-Crossing the Gam river and following the newly built road uphill for about 27 km, the group will arrive to Niem Son commune and spend almost an hour here for visiting the local market and paying visit to a small village of the H’mong ethnic peoples.
-Driving 25 km uphill through the remote and deserted region to Meo Vac. From here visitors will see the contrast between the tough topography and climate of this remote highland and what they have seen in two days before while traveling through the lower land. Getting close to Meo Vac, there appeared some small hamlets of the H’mong built on the immense limestone hill sides. Stop for visiting one of these hamlets for the first impression of the very hard life on this mysterious limestone highland.
-Arriving in Meo Vac at noon, take a quick look at the market and lunch break.
-After Lunch, the group will pay visit to a small village of the Lolo, an ethnic group with only about 4,700 peoples near the town before leaving Meo Vac for the real discovery of the limestone highland. The narrow road winds its way on the wall-up and deserted limestone mountain side with the view of a valley deep down where the Nho Que river sneaking, bending…amidst mountain feet. This is Ma Pi Leng, one of the most famous mountain passes in Vietnam for its magnificent beauty and danger! After several stops for spectacular land scapes, the group will take a walk for half an hour to visit Ma Pi Leng village of the H’mong which is consisted of only about 20 houses built on the rocky land. Here visitor will see unimaginable and hard life of the H’mong living on this highland for hundreds of years. Also here the true value of cultivated land and water can be seen!
-Continue along the road for 16 km to Dong Van. Check in hotel upon arrival and having a short rest.
-At about 17.00, the group gathers again for a leisure walk around the market place and the old street of Dong Van. It is really a good chance to see one of the uniqueness of local minority life If on Saturday. This part will be crowded and lively for many H’mong and Zao peoples come from remote and isolated villages to attend the week-end market which took place from early Sunday.

•Total driving is 160 km. walking about two hours for sightseeing visiting to villages
•Staying overnight at Rocky Highland Hotel: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
•Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 4: Dong Van – Lung Cu - Vuong Palace – Pho Bang – Yen Minh – Quan Ba (B,L,D)

-Breakfast, check out hotel at 08.00 and drive 26 km to Lung Cu commune located on the northernmost tip of Dong Van highland and Vietnam as well. Here clients will pay visiting to two villages: One of the H’mong ethnic – majority of Dong Van district - and one of the Red Lolo – A very small ethnic group.
•If on Friday: The group will leave Dong Van earlier for having about an hour more to attend the communal market of Lung Cu, which is colorful and interesting.
•If on Sunday: Spend 2 hours in the morning for attending the famous Dong Van market and leave for Lung Cu at 09.30. In this case arriving in Quan Ba late at about 19.00.

-Leaving Lung Cu down hill for about 25 km, the group will enjoy sightseeing at the famous historical and cultural site: The Vuong Family Palace once ruled over the H’mong in the region and popularly known as King of the H’mong.
-Continue by road for 17 km to Sung La commune beautifully set at the foot of Pho Cao mountain pass. Here the group will walk around the Lung Cam village, paying visiting to H’mong families, especially the very old typical and beautiful house here.
-Driving uphill a stunning mountain pass, enjoy viewing stop before turning right for 5 km to Pho Bang ancient town let. This town let was built hundreds of years ago as a regional trading center between the local and Chinese traders. Walking for about an hour to explore this charming town let which is featured with two storey wooden houses, clay walled, Yin and Yang tiled roofs and leisure atmosphere.
-Leaving Pho Bang for a driving down hill to a lush valley where Yen Minh town let located for late lunch break.
-Leaving Yen Minh for a drive uphill of a long and high mountain pass, enjoying marvelous scenery the lush forest and stop at the top of the pass for great view of the surrounding region.
-Take a break at the foot of the pass far walking to visit a village of the La Chi, another small ethnic group with only over 3,000 individuals in Vietnam whose culture is really unique and strong.
-Continue by road 4C along the Mtem river for an hour, walking to visit Nam Dam village of the Zao ao dai (Zao with long dress) located at the center of a large and stunning valley before arriving in Tam Son town let of Quan Ba district. Check in hotel for freshen up and relax. Evening is at leisure.

•Total driving is 132 km. walking for about nearly 3 hours for sightseeing visiting to villages
•Staying overnight at Tam Son Hotel: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
•Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 5: Quan Ba – Ha Giang – Ha Noi (B,L,-)

-Breakfast and check out hotel for a long driving day back to Hanoi today.
-Driving uphill 5 km to the top of Quan Ba mountain pass, stop for admiring the magnificent scenery and great view of Quan Ba valley. Then driving few kilometers further for visiting the Quyet Tien Commune locating near the top of Quan Ba pass at 1000 m above sea level. Hear the group will spend an hour enjoying marvel of nature and paying visit to 2 villages: One is Lung Muoi village of the H’mong with traditional living style of the highlander ethnics and the other, Vinh Tien village of the Kinh peoples immigrated to the region in 1980s in a government project attempting to give local minority ethnic peoples an example about intensive farming so that they can learn better farming technique from these immigrants.
-Driving downhill for another hour and take a coffee stop at Ha Giang before continue along national road 2 to Bac Quang. Lunch break.
-The whole afternoon is for traveling along national road 2 for Hanoi with several stops along the way.
-Arrive in Hanoi in late afternoon at about 19.00 to end up the trip
•Total driving is 360 km. walking about one and a half hour for sightseeing visiting to villages.
•Lunch: Vietnamese set menu

This 7-day North Vietnam Tours is specially customized by the hanoi tour operator Lotussia Travel for individuals, small group tours and family holidays, those seek an off the beaten path tour itineraries in the northern Vietnam. The overland tour begins with a car transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang where you start visiting the beauty of the wild nature, untouched hill tribe villages, corn fields. You meet up with different ethnic people such as the Lolo, the Tay, the Dzao, the H’mong. Stops are made en route for you to take picture, to meet up with local peoples. You travel through Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van,Meo Vac, Saphin, Bac Me to Cao Bang where you visit the giant waterfall before driving back to Hanoi. This trip is provided with English-speaking tour guide, vehicle, basic hotel accommodation, local food.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive Hanoi – Ha Giang
8:00: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to Ha Giang via Tuyen Quang province.

Enjoy natural landscape, green fields, palm hill and villages. Upon arrival in Tuyen Quang town, we can make a stop and visit a village of the Tay. We will arrive in Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. Check into a local house for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Travel Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Dong Van

After breakfast, we will have a short visit of the Ha Giang museum before we continue our drive towards Dong Van rocky highland. We make some stops en route for admiring the scenery and taking pictures.

Lunch will be provided a local restaurant in Yen Minh town.

After lunch, we continue traveling to Dong Van. Stop en route for visiting a local Hmong village in Cao Pho, and the Hmong King Palace in Saphin.

We arrive in Dong Van around late afternoon. Check into a local hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Dong Van – Meo Vac.

After breakfast, we will have a short visit of the ancient town of Dong Van. Then we continue our trip driving to Meo Vac.

We make stops en route for visiting local Hmong village and admiring the scenery, taking picture of  Ma Pi Leng pass.

We arrive in Meo Vac at noon, check into a local hotel.

Lunch will be provided either in the hotel or in a local restaurant in town.

After lunch, we will have a short walk visiting a Hmong village near the town.

Overnight in Meo Vac.

Day 4: Continue traveling Meo Vac – Bac Me.

After breakfast, we  depart for Bac Me. We may have the opportunity to visit the Lung Phin Market, the biggest tribal market in the area. The market is open following Vietnamese lunar calendar.

Lunch will be provided in Mau Due.

After lunch, we continue traveling towards Bac Me. We will pass by rice terrace fields, primary forest and hilltribe villages such as Duong Thuong, Du Gia, Minh Son….

We will arrive in Bac Me around late afternoon. check into a local guesthouse for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Travel Bac Me – Cao Bang.

After breakfast, we continue our trip driving towards Cao Bang. Other stops will be made on the way for you to visit more local hilltribe village, experiencing more their real authentic life.

We will arrive in Cao Ban around late afternoon. Check into a local hotel for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 6: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc waterfall – Cao Bang.

Heading out of town, we start venturing into the most remote northern regions of Cao Bang Province. The scenic roads traverse Trung Khanh before arriving at Ban Gioc Waterfall, which boasts the biggest waterfall in Vietnam (although not full of water in the dry season). There is an enormous cave with two main entrances, one branch reaching almost all the way to the waterfalls where there is a second "secret" entrance. On the way back, we may break en route, as you wish, to visit hill tribe villages and take pictures.
 
Day 7: Cao Bang – Hanoi.

Enjoy full day drive from Cao Bang to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi around mid-afternoon. End of Lotussia Travel service.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.