Exotic Northeast Vietnam 10 Days

Awaken to the crisp mountain air of Lao Cai and enjoy breakfast at a local eatery before heading to Sapa. Traverse the picturesque Muong Hoa valley and explore the H'mong village of Lao Chai. Then, embark on a trek through stunning landscapes to the Giay ethnic village of Ta Van. Return to Sapa for a leisurely evening.

After breakfast, delve deeper into local life with a visit to Cat Cat village, known for its captivating scenery and vibrant culture. Explore the village on an easy trek, capturing colorful moments and engaging with the friendly locals. Later, journey to Bac Ha for a taste of its bustling markets and laid-back charm.

Dive into the vibrant tapestry of Bac Ha's weekly markets, each day offering a different experience. Depending on the day, you might encounter the bustling Coc Ly market, the vibrant Sin Cheng market, or the lively Can Cau market. Witness the colorful tapestry of ethnic groups as they come together to trade goods, share stories, and celebrate their unique cultures.

Discover the untamed beauty of Vietnam's Northeast, where every moment promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore the wild landscapes of the region and the local ethnic villages on a day hike through the Tay Con Linh mountain range.
The itinerary takes you through the green landscapes of terraced rice fields, palm forests, bamboo forests, ancestral tea plantations, mists, and streams. Palm trees are very common in this region, and the locals use their leaves to make the roofs of their stilt houses.
You'll arrive at the Lung Vai and Khuoi Mi hamlets, which are inhabited by the Dzao people who primarily live off of green tea cultivation.
From the top of the mountain, you'll descend to a hidden waterfall in a tranquil basin. There is the possibility of swimming if the weather permits. Lunch will be a picnic with local dishes.
In the late afternoon, you'll continue on to Dong Van.
Check in to your hotel and relax for the evening.

Visit the Ma Pi Leng Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Tia Cua village of the Hmong people.
After breakfast, you'll visit the Ma Pi Leng Pass, which is known as the "Splendid Pass" of Vietnam. The steep verticality of this giant limestone wall made it impassable in the past.

You'll have the opportunity to take photos of spectacular landscapes of karst formations and plantations, as well as the panoramic view of the Nho Que River, the green mountains, and valleys.

Near Meo Vac, you'll hike one of the trails that offers varied and close-up views of the area. Along steep paths, you'll head to Tia Cua, a small village of White Hmong people who speak their own dialect. You'll learn about their activities, such as hemp weaving, under the enthusiastic gaze of the children.

You'll then return between the picturesque black limestone rocks, forming a loop, along a rocky trail that is sometimes quite steep. It leads to a lost basin behind the mountain slope, covered by a bamboo forest and crops of hemp and corn. Return to your hotel.

Drive back to Hanoi, stopping along the way to visit the stunning scenery and local villages.
After breakfast, you'll return to Hanoi by road in about 9 hours.
Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi. Enjoy your free time.

Explore the limestone karsts, rice paddies, and villages of Ninh Binh Province.
After a 2-hour drive, you'll arrive in Ninh Binh Province. You'll board a boat on the Ngo Dong River for a ride through Tam Coc, also known as the "Ha Long Bay on land." This long river winds its way through rice paddies, limestone karsts, and under three caves at the foot of the limestone peaks. You'll then visit the Bich Dong Cave, which is home to a pagoda.
Finally, you'll visit Hoa Lu, which was once the capital of Dai Co Viet (the ancient name of Vietnam), and see the ruins of temples from the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Take a cruise through Halong Bay - one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• In the morning, you'll drive to Halong Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world. You'll board a cruise ship and set sail for a day of exploring.
• Admire the picturesque islands and islets with their diverse shapes (veil, dog, rooster, incense...).
• Visit the splendid caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, home to stalactites and stalagmites that date back thousands of years.
• Continue your cruise to Cap La, where you can go kayaking and swimming in the bay's crystal-clear waters (weather permitting).
• In the afternoon, relax on the upper deck of the junk boat.
• Participate in a cooking demonstration on board, learning how to make spring rolls or nems.

Enjoy lunch and dinner on board.

Wake up early to enjoy a unique moment of splendor: the first rays of sunlight rising over the thousands of limestone karsts of the bay and participate in a Tai Chi session on the terrace.
Go kayaking or boating to explore the fishing village of Vung Vieng, where you may have the opportunity to meet the locals.
After enjoying a brunch on the boat, disembark and return to Hanoi. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport to catch your flight. 
Until next time!