Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Ha Noi - Ha Giang (Quang Binh) (L, D)

After breakfast we depart for Ha Giang at 7.30am with Lotussia Travel guide. This is a private car and takes approximately 6 hours to get there. It is very interesting as you get to see and pass through several Provinces. It is really scenic, and will stop for lunch and drinks. After arriving in Ha Giang (Quang Binh), we will check out a local Cave, called PacT ham. This cave is very interesting and has a stream running through it and a big pool which is deep. You can have a swim here if you desire! You will be taken by bike or car to stay over night in a stilt house and meet and dine with a local family.

 Day 2: Ha Giang (Quang Binh) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, the Tour guide will take you either trekking or motorbike riding through the magnificent mountain ranges. On the way up to the mountain top, you will pass through several little villages. This is an excellent chance to get some great photo's and take in the absolute beauty of the place. After arriving back to the stilt house you will have traditional food with the family and spend the night with them, having fun chatting and may be a few drinks or to.

Day 3: Ha Giang (Quang Binh) - Bac Ha - Sapa (B, L, D)

After breakfast, and saying goodbye to the Local Family we depart for Bac Ha. After arriving in Bac Ha (approx 3 hours) you can visit the Bac Ha local markets where there are many traditional foods, drinks, clothing and handicrafts as well as all the local produce such as pigs, dogs, cats, horses and buffalo for sale. This is interesting as you also get to meet all the different Minority people also doing their shopping. Later in the afternoon, we depart, and on to Sapa. After arriving there you check into the hotel and have the rest of the evening at your own leisure. 

Day 4: Sapa (B)

After breakfast, your guide will arrange for you to explore the Sapa Markets, and Sa Pa town. The location of the town is 1, 650 metres above sea level and is really the most beautiful place. There is so much to see and experience there. In the afternoon, a trek to the village of Cat Cat. This is pleasant, along the way you will meet the Black H'Mong people, see all the rice terraces, and admire the highest peak of Mount Fanisfan....The roof of Indo China. You will see the waterfall in Cat Cat and nearby the Hydro Water Station which was built by the French. Arriving back to your hotel. If your trip coincides that you are there on a Saturday, you can go to the Love Markets of the 5 different Minority Peoples. Ask your guide to recommend places to visit for local entertainment in the evenings.

Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi (B)

After breakfast and check out, the car will take you to Ta Phin village. You will meet the Red Dzao, Black H'mong, and Tay People. This valley is beautiful. You will no doubt be un-indated with offers for you to buy their handicrafts and jewelry. After a refreshing drink in the local Cafe we again depart for Hanoi.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more information and Book this tour.

Itinerary in brief

Day 1: Hanoi - Tuyen Quang - Quang Binh (-,L,D)
 

- Depart at 08.00 from Hanoi with Lotussia Travel guide by vehicle for Tuyen Quang Town Ship via Viet Tri, Phu Tho which takes about 4 hours including some tea breaks and viewing stops along the way. The drive of this part offers lively scenery of the northern country side from the Red River Delta to the midland of Phu Tho province with palm forest and tea plantation on the hilly land.
- Arrive in Tuyen Quang Township at about 12.00, lunch break.
- Leaving Tuyen Quang at 13.00 for 2 hours driving uphill along the Lo River 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. Checking 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 - Quan Ba(Tam Son town let)(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 38 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 and then uphill 43 km to Quan Ba. Clients will enjoy stunning landscapes along the Lo river from Nam An to Ha Giang and then the real high mountains cenery for an hour from Ha Giang to Quan Ba. At about 16.00 arriving at Quyet Tien Commune locating near the top of Quan Ba pass at 1000 m above sea level. Here the group will spend an hours 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.
- Continue by road 6 km to the top of the pass for another stop to admire magnificent scenery of a the large valley which is surrounded by high mountains including Quan Ba town let. Then driving down hill to Quan Ba before it get dark. Check in hotel, freshen up and dinner.
• Total driving is 136 km. walking for about 3 hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight Tam Son Guesthouse: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 3: Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Pho Bang - Dong Van (107 Km) (B,L,D)
 

- Breakfast, check out hotel at 08.00, the group will pay a visit to a village of the Zao ao dai(Zao with long dress) 6 km away from the hotel which is well located in a fabulous valley with perfect nature setting for a culture discovery of this ethnic group in the region.
- Continue by road 4C along the Mtem river which sneaks its way between 2 high mountain ranges for 16 km to the foot of yen Minh pass. Here the group will take a walk for about 30 minutes to explore a village of the La Chi ethnic, one of smallest ethnic groups with only over 3000 individuals in Vietnam. - Passing over Yen Minh mountain pass with several stops for stunning scenery of the surrounding area, paying visit to a small Red Zao village near the top of the pass before descending downhill to Yen Minh town let for early lunch break.
- Leaving Yen Minh at about 12.00, the road gets steeper heading the limestone highlands. Rock and rock everywhere along the two sides of the road. Rarely appeared some narrow pieces of land and these are real treasure of the region for the local peoples, mainly H’mong to grow corn for their staple food. In this hard highland, peoples learn the best value of soil and water! Out of imagination but a truly fact that the H’mong peoples get soil from these pieces to carry uphill in back basket to put it in rocky holes to grow corn. - After 27 km driving through lime stone highland, the group arrives in Pho Bang, the ancient market and town let of the H’mong famous for the traditional two storey houses with clay wall of the H’mong. Spend an hours walking around this charming town let. - Leaving Pho Bang and driving back 5 km then getting downhill to the bottom of a long valley for another stop to visit Lung Cam village, paying visit to several homes of the H’mong including a 70 years old house where the famous Vietnamese film: The story about Pha’s life taken.
- Continues driving towards Dong Van for 14 km and arriving to the Vuong family palace, known as the King of the H’mong. The site is recognized as national historical site for its unique architectural structure as well as of its charm. - The last portion 14 km of the road to Dong Van offers unforgettable memory of the nature magnificence. Arriving at Dong Van at about 17.00, check in hotel, freshen up and clients may take an easy walk around the old street of Dong Van and the market.
• Total driving is 107 km. walking for about two and a half hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight 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 - Meo Vac - Bao Lac (B,L,D)
Opt1: On week day:
 

- Wake up early, breakfast at 6.30 and depart at 7.30 for Lung Cu, 26 km from Dong Van for visiting the northern most commune of Vietnam, especially paying visit to the only Red Lolo ethnic village. If on Friday, clients will have chance to attend the local communal market here, where some hundreds of ethnic peoples from H’mong, Zao and Lolo ethnic gather once a week not only for shopping but also for socializing. - Driving back to Dong Van, having a short rest, check out hotel and leaving for Meo Vac.

Opt2: On Sunday:
 

- Breakfast and joining the local for the market. Dong Van Sunday market is the biggest and famous market in the region taken place every Sunday. Same as the market in Bac Ha, Lao Cai, local ethnic peoples for villages in the region wear their best traditional costumes to go to the market as joining a festival for meeting, socializing…
- Check out hotel at 10.00 and leaving Dong Van for Meo Vac.
- This portion of the road is famous for tough road but stunning landscapes of Ma Pi Leng pass. The narrow road winds its way on deserted and walled-up lime stone mountain sides up and down hill for 21 km. Take a long break at the top of the pass to pay visiting to a small hamlet of the H’mong built on rock, then stop at the monument awarding to the builder of the road to admire marvelous scenery before descending to Meo Vac town let for Lunch break.
- Leaving Meo Vac at 13.30 along the newly built road for 50 km through the remotest region of the far north. Stop at Niem Son commune for enjoying the beautiful scenery of the valley where the Nho Que river meets the upstream portion of the Gam river. Continue driving along this back road for 20 km till Ly Bon commune where it meets national road 34, turn left and follow road 34 along the Gam river to Bao Lac(Cao Bang Province).
- Arriving Bao Lac in late afternoon at about 17.00, check in hotel, freshen up and then take a short walk around this charming town. If on Saturday, the town will be lively with ethnic peoples coming downhill from remote villages for the market on Sunday morning. There is a chance to meet the Black Lolo peoples who live in very high mountain and always wear beautiful traditional costumes when come down for the Sunday market.
• Total driving is 155 km. walking for about two hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight Bao Lac Guesthouse: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 5: Bao Lac - Tinh Tuc - Ba Be national Park (164 Km) (B,L,D)
 

- Breakfast, check out hotel and leave Bao Lac at 08.00. If on Sunday, the group will spend an hour here for joining local tribal peoples at the market place and leaving later at about 09.00.
- Driving 73 km along national road 34 to Tinh Tuc with some stops along the way for beautiful landscapes. Walking about half an hour to visit a small village of the San Chay ethnic peoples at Hung Dao Commune.
- Lunch break at Tinh Tuc and then leaving the national road 34 for the provincial road 212, passing over the 15 km long Golia pass with stop at the top for magnificent scenery of the lowland of Cao bang province.
- Continue driving for another hour along this narrow road and arrive at Na Khao commune in mid afternoon. Here the group will pay visiting to the Lanh village of the Zao Tien(Zao with coins).
- Then take the last portion 30 km of the road to the hear quarter of Ba Be national park in an hour. Check in hotel, relax and free walking to explore the beautiful nature of the famous nature reserve.
• Total driving is 152 km. walking for about two hours for sightseeing and visiting villages.
• Staying overnight at Ba Be National Park Hotel: Air-coned and clean room, private bathroom with hot shower, western toilet.
• Lunch & Dinner: Vietnamese set menu

Day 6: Ba Be Lake boat cruise - Road trip to Hanoi (B, L,-)
 

- After breakfast, the group will take a 45 minutes walk through the well protected forest of the park to the lake side.
- Boarding a boat for the 3 hours cruise around the lake, one of the largest natural lakes in Vietnam which is encircled by walled-up limestone mountains covered with thick forest. The boat cruise will be highlighted with the Fairy Pond, Dau Dang waterfall and especially part of the Nang river where the water pour to the lake.
- Arrive back to the head quarter of the park at 11.00, having an early lunch and then leaving for Hanoi.
- The whole afternoon is for driving 260 km for Hanoi along national road 3 via Bac Can and Thai Nguyen with some break along the way. Arriving in Hanoi at about 18.00 and the trip ends.
• Total driving is 260 km. walking for about one hour for, three hours boat trip.
• Lunch: Vietnamese set menu

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 : Hanoi - Arrival
 

Up on arrival at the airport in Hanoi, you will be met and transferred to hotel for check in until we injoy in a welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurant in Hanoi City.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Include: Private car, Hotel in Hanoi, Tour guide, Dinner
 
Day 02 : Hanoi City tour
 
Our tour today starts after breakfast at the hotel, the destination will be Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum with Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, outside Ho Chi Minh Museum; the Temple of Literature. Free at leisure in the afternoon. At 5PM we have one hour cycle tour around the Old Quarter; after that we will enjoy the Water Puppet show at the Theater.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Include: Private car, Hotel in Hanoi, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Entrance fee

Day 03 : Hanoi – Ba Be Lake
 
AM: Depart for Babe Lake, a mountain area which is nearly 200km far from Hanoi. Arrival on midday.
PM: Visit Ba Be area: Nang river, grotto's, waterfall, O/N at ethnic village Pac Ngoi where visitors can learn about the Tay people's customs. Enjoy meals of ethnic minorities. Overnight in guest's house.
Include : Private car, Hotel in guest's house, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 04 : Trekking To Tay's Villages
 
7 hours hard trekking to visit Tay's village accompanied by local guide. Take away lunch will be arranged. It takes 5 hour walk to the village - spend time with ethnic people. Overnight in the village of Tay people.
Include : Private car, Homestay, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 05 : Back To Ba Be LaKe
 
Trekking back to Babe Lake. At leisure on the day. Overnight in Babe guest house
Include: Private car, Guest's house, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 6: Ba Be – Tuyen Quang
 
Depart for Tuyen Quang. Lunch on the way. Overnight in Tuyen Quang
Include: Private car, Hotel in Tuyen Quang, our guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 7: Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang
 
Off for Ha Giang, the remote northern province of Vietnam, where H'mong poeple consider as their capital. Meet many ethnic villages en route with rich culture. Overnight in Ha Giang
Include: Private car, Hotel in Ha Giang, our guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 08: Ha Giang-Meo Vac-Dong Van
 
Depart early morning to visit the wonderful world of ethnic people. Get picture of many impressive scenery en route and colorful weekly market. visit the palace of H'mong king. Overnight in Dong Van.
Include : Private car, Hotel in guest's house, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 09 : Dong Van-Ha Giang-Tuyen Quang
 
Transfer back to Tuyen Quang. Overnight in Tuyen Quang
Include: Private car, Hotel in Tuyen Quang, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 10: Tuyen Quang-Bac Ha
 
Continue your trip to North West. Leave Tuyen Quang for Bac Ha. This day is a hard travelling by car but the scenery on route is incredible. Overnight in Bac Ha.
Include : Private car, Hotel in Bac Ha, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 11 : Bac Ha
 
Visit Can Cau Market, an outstanding feature of ethnic people in the North. Buying souvernir from ethnic people. Short walk to discover some surrounding villages. Overnight in Bac Ha
Include: Private car, Hotel in Bac Ha, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 12: Bac Ha-Sa Pa-Tam Duong
 
Depart for Tam Duong. Stop enroute to visit Sapa market which is organized weekly only in Saturday. 5 hours trekking to discover villages of ethnic minorities such as Sandiu, Hanhi, Xa that remains natural and unspoiled by mass tourism. Overnight in Tam Duong
Include: Private car, Hotel in Tam Duong, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 13: Tam Duong-Sin Ho-Lai Chau
 
Trekking by shortcut to SinHo villages. Car will run free and meet you at Sinho village. Continue to drive to Lai Chau town. Overnight in Lai Chau.
Include : Private car, Hotel in Lai Chau, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 14 : Lai Chau - Dien Bien Phu
 
Leave Lai Chau for Dien Bien Phu. Visit the old battle field. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu
Include: Private car, Hotel in Dien Bien Phu, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 15 : Dien Bien Phu-Son La-Mai Chau
 
Leave Lai Chau for Mai Chau. Enroute visit the prison of French war. Arrival in Mai Chau, join the activities to Thai minority. Overnight at house-on-stilt in Mai Chau.
Include: Private car, Homestay, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 16 : Mai Chau-Ha Noi
 
Leave Mai Chau for Hanoi. Free time.
Include : Private car, Hotel in Hanoi, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Entrance fee

Day 17 : Ha Noi-Halong Bay
 
08h30: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi and drive to Halong
12h00: Arrival dock, get on the junk, check in, welcome wine
13h00: Lunch
13h30: Visiting Ha Long bay, Thien Cung cave (Palace of Heaven), Dau Go (grotto of wood), round over Tuan Chau island, Dog island, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi (fighting cock mountain), Turtle island, Titov beach. Enjoying sunset, having dinner, fishing-drinking and overnight on the junk.
Include : Private car, Boat trip in Halong Bay (A/C private cabin for 02 persons on boat), Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Entrance fee

Day 18 : Halong Bay – Hanoi
 
7h00: Breakfast
7h30: Visiting man’s head island, Tortoise island, Luon cave, Bai Tu Long bay, Bai Tho mountain and Ha Long market
11h00: Lunch
12h00: Return to wharf.
12:15: Pick up and transfer back to Hanoi. Arrives in Hanoi at 16:00.
Include: Private car, Hotel in Hanoi, Tour guide, Breakfast, Lunch, Entrance fee

Day 19: Hanoi Departure
 
Free time until transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home.
Include: Private car, Breakfast.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Hanoi
 

Arrival in Hanoi. Welcome from the Lotussia Travel guide and transfer to your hotel. Free time to rest and get acquainted with the town. Welcome diner. Hanoi by night with a cyclo-pousse tour. Night at the hotel. Diner included.

Day 02: Hanoi – Vu Linh
 

Morning departure for the province of Yen Bai. After around 60 km, superb road snaking between majestic lime peaks and the rice fields. Arrival in Vu Linh for lunch with our Dao friends in their magnificent stilted house with an exclusive view of the lake. Swimming, strolling around… One savors that magnificent site. Diner and night in our friends’ lake house, a diner during which you will discover what Lotussia Travel means.Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 03: Vu Linh
 

Breakfast alongside the lake, then boat ride on the lake covered with hundreds of small islands shaped like upside-down bowls. Small tour of the local market before lunch. In the afternoon, walking, bicycling, cooking class, fishing, swimming, or, why not, learning how to row with your feet. Diner and night in our friends’ lake house.  Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 04: Vu Linh – Pan Hou
 

En route for Hoang Su Phi on a very beautiful countryside road. Arrival at the Tay ethnic tribe’s village of Pan Hou and check in our eco-lodge. Trekking, massage, herbal bath, etc. up to you to decide! Night in the eco-lodge bungalows. Breakfast, lunch and diner included.

Day 05: Pan Hou
 

Trekking day in the surrounding mountains, from terraced rice fields to Tay villages. Night in eco-lodge  bungalows. Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 06: Pan Hou – Ha Giang
 

After breakfast, visit of the local market, meeting place of all the region’s mountain tribes. Road to Ha Giang Province, at the border with China, famous for its wild preserved scenery. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 07: Ha Giang – Meo Vac
 

Today, we drive on one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam. Breathtaking scenery, end-of-the world atmosphere. Mountain slope road overlooking magnificent terraced rice fields, followed by a forest of lime peaks where Nature seems to have become insane and petrified for eternity in its delirium. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 08: Meo Vac – Bao Lac
 

Discovery of Dong Van extraordinary weekly market Dong Van (Sunday). Mountain trekking to some villages. Night and diner in a Lolo home. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 09: Bao Lac – Ba Be
 

We cross the Lolo territory on a winding, wild, gorgeous to reach the one of the San Chi, H’Mong, and Dao, and arrive in the afternoon among the Black Tay, on Ba Be Lake, encircled by an extraordinary jungle. Night along side the lake in a stilted local home. Breakfast, lunch and diner included.

Day 10: Ba Be
 

We start our day of discovery of that magnificent national park with a boat ride to the Dau Dang Waterfalls. Lunch at Mr. Hien, a highly colorful man and a cook reputed in the entire region. Then trekking in the surrounding mountains covered with jungle and inhabited by Tay, H’mong, and Dzao. Diner and night in our friends’ lake house. Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 11: Ba Be – Hanoi
 

Small tour of the local market, then, road to Hanoi. Lunch on the way and visit of the Thai Nguyen Ethnographic Museum. Early evening arrival. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 12 : Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
 

Morning departure to Halong Bay. Infinite rice fields and the daily life of the Red River hamlets enlighten our trip before our arrival at the bay around twelve noon. Checking on our junk boat for a fairy tale cruise on the jade checkerboard. Sumptuous seafood on board. Night in a boat private cabin. Breakfast, lunch and diner included.

Day 13: Halong Bay – Trang An
 

Breakfast in the middle of the City of Lime Palaces enrobed in a morning mist. We continue our cruise of the mirrored waters. Return to the pier around 11AM, road to the fabulous site of Trang An via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh. In the province of Thai Binh, we visit a Keo pagoda, the imposing wooden architecture of which emerges in the middle of a magnificent village. End-of-the-afternoon arrival. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 14: Trang An – Hanoi
 

We board a small sampan to explore the recently discovered site of Trang An, an “Halong Bay on the Ground”. Instead of the emerald green waters of the bay, it is the green of the rice fields which dominates. One of those sites where Nature seems to have become insane and petrified for eternity in its delirium. Boat ride amidst the lime rocks. Visit of Bai Dinh Pagoda in the village of Van Long. Stroll on an ox cart. Return to Hanoi to discover the pagodas disseminated in the countryside. Then boat discovery of the Kenh Ga floating village. Night at the hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 15: Visit of Hanoi
 

Thorough discovery of the capital of Vietnam. We start with the Small Lake or “Lake of the Reconstituted Sword of the Giant Turtle”; then, visit of the Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple. In the afternoon, visit of the extraordinary Museum of Ethnography. Hanoi by night in a cyclo-pousse. Night at the hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 16: Hanoi Departure

Free time until your transfer to the airport. Take advantage for the last time of Hanoi’s atmosphere, its small street shops, a good little soup, and goodbye Hanoi!

Breakfast included.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival in Hanoi
 

Arrival in Hanoi. Welcome from the Lotussia Travel guide and transfer to your hotel. Free time to rest and get acquainted with the town. Welcome diner and night at the hotel. Diner included.

 Day 02 : Hanoi –  Nghia Lo
 

Morning departure towards Son Tay, visit of the very ancient village of Duong Lam. Lunch at Mrs Thuy , one of our great cook friends. Then, en route for Nghia Lo, amidst the rice fields, the tea hills, and the sleeping rivers. Visits on the way. End-of-the-afternoon arrival in Nghia Lo. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 03 : Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai
 

Keep your eyes wide open, it’s going to be grandiose!!! Spectacular road, stunning pass panoramas, and encounters with numerous mountain tribes. In our opinion, one of the most beautiful road sections in Vietnam. Lunch in a local restaurant. Arrival in Mu Cang Chai in the afternoon. Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 04 : Mu Cang Chai
 

Day of trekking through an incredible scenery of terraced rice fields over the river, a patchwork of cultures and flowered slopes. Lunch in a village. Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 05 : Mu Cang Chai – Tam Duong
 

Superb road between terraced rice fields and tea hills. On the way, visit of a tea manufacture. Picnic in the nature or lunch in a local restaurant local, as you like. Arrival in Tam Duong in the afternoon. Walk. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 06 : Tam Duong
 

If the town itself is relatively ugly, the surroundings are splendid, going through oasis valleys surrounded by lime peaks that we discover during a day of trekking. Lunch in a Black Dao family home. Return to the hotel at the end of the day. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 07 : Tam Duong – Lai Chau
 

In the morning, visit of the weekly market (Thursday), a place of intense meetings between the various mountain tribes. After having been taken by such a particular atmosphere, ride towards Lai Chau. Magnificent road alongside the Nam Na River, an important affluent of the Black River. Visit of the Black Thai village of Chan Nua. Arrival midday in Lai Chau. Small stroll in the surroundings. Night in an inn. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 08 : Lai Chau – Dien Bien Phu
 

Visit of the local market local, small but busy. En route for Dien Bien Phu. Arrival after lunch. General sightseeing of the Indochina War remembrance with the visit of the Military Museum and of Colonel de Castries’ headquarters (reconstructed). Stops on the battlefield and at the French and Viet Minh cemeteries. Walk alongside the Nam River Valley, inhabited by the Black Thai. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 09 : Dien Bien Phu – Son La
 

The sublime scenery compensates for the bad state of the road. On the way, encounters with numerous mountain ethnic minorities ethnic. Arrival in Son La, visit of the penitentiary, then bath in the local hot springs. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 10 : Son La – Hang Kia
 

Visit of the market, then road to the south. We enter a splendid valley inhabited by the Thai, Muong, and H’Mong minorities. Lunch and numerous stops on the way. Arrival at the small village of Hang Kea, welcome from our White Thai hosts. Night and diner in their stilted house. Breakfast, lunch and diner included.

Day 11 : Hang Kia
 

Trekking day in that magnificent valley. The mountain is full of activity, colors, and “hellos” shouted by smiling little children. Second night in our hosts’ home.  Breakfast, lunch, and diner included.

Day 12 : Hang Kia – Trang An
 

In the morning, visit of the Muong’s Xa Linh market. Lunch with our hosts, then en route towards the province of Ninh Binh on a very beautiful countryside road. Night at the hotel.  Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 13 : Trang An
 

We recently discovered the site of Trang An, comparable to Tam Coc minus the crowd, plus even more spectacular scenery where the green of the rice fields superbly dominates among impressive karst sugarloafs. Numerous rivers flow under the mountains through tunnels that we shall visit during a magnificent boat ride. After lunch, stroll on a bike or in an ox cart to discover the pagodas disseminated in the countryside. Then boat discovery of the Kenh Ga floating village. Night at the hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 14 : Trang An – Halong Bay Cruise
 

Morning departure to Halong Bay. Arrival around twelve noon, checking on our junk boat for a fairy tale cruise on the jade checkerboard. Seafood lunch, visit of an impressive grotto, kayaking, swimming, etc. Night in a boat private cabin. Breakfast, lunch and diner included.

Day 15 : Halong Bay – Hanoi
 

How beautiful Halong Bay is at dawn, an elegant lace knit by the wind and a light mist covering the water! Visit of a floating fishing village. Lunch on board before returning to the pier. Drive back to your Hanoi hotel. Water puppet show. Night at the hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 16: Tour of Hanoi
 

In the morning, we start the town tour with the visit of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Tran Quoc pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple. In the afternoon, visit of the Temple of Literature, renown as Vietnam first university, and of the extraordinary Museum of Ethnology. Hanoi by night in a cyclo-pousse. Breakfast and lunch included.

 

Day 17: Hanoi - Departure
 

Free time until the transfer to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight. Breakfast included.

The 4-day tour, provided by Lotussia Travel in Ba Be National Park, the north-eastern Vietnam includes such travel highlights as jungle trekking, overnight at local homes in Tay village, ethnic culture, river kayaking on the Nang River. After a 6-hour drive from Hanoi, you will arrive Ba Be national park, Bac Kan province where you will enjoy the day hike to local ethnic villages, meeting up with local Dzao and Tay people. The best time to travel this itinerary are May and October. The adventure is still available in summer time but not recommended in winter or in rainy season. Contact your Lotussia Travel consultant for more details.

Day 1: Hanoi – Ba Be National Park.

8:00: You will be met up at your hotel in Hanoi by Lotussia Travel guide, driver.

Leave Hanoi for Ba Be via Bac Kan. Throughout the first stage, we are crossing small villages, they are handicraft and culture villages. Meet the daily life in the wild environment.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Arrive in Ba Be in the afternoon. Check in the house on stilt in Pac Ngoi Village.

Dinner and overnight in a house on stilt (at terrace entire view of the lake)

Day 2 : Trekking Ba Be national park (Visit a Red Dzao village)

After breakfast on the terrace of the house, we start the day of trekking at 8h00.

We fistly walk along the small river with beautiful view of rice field, then hike up on a mountain pass to Ban Dao, home of the Dao’s peoples. Visit a family then stop for picnic lunch prepared by the family where we stay in Babe.

In the afternoon, we take a diferent way to get back to the village.

Homestay in a local stilt house of Tay's village.

Day 3: Ba Be lake river rafting.

Today, we drive to local dock out of the National Park, then we paddle along Nang River, it's the highlight of the trip with so beautiful and peaceful view.

We stop for lunch then boat into Babe Lake.

We continue to paddle about 5 km over the biggest natural lake in Vietnam, then we take a swim before 2km easy-hiking back to Pac Ngoi village.

Dinner and overnight in a stilt house.

Day 4 : Travel back to Hanoi.

We say goodbye to the family where we stay to come back to Hanoi, lunch en route. Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon. End of Lotussia Travel's service.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.