A complete journey to discover the North and Central of Vietnam

This 2-week trip to Vietnam invites you to visit the most beautiful faces of the country, between spectacular mountains of the North and historic charm of the Center.
Designed for travelers eager for discovery and authenticity, this 14-day and 13-night tour reveals a multiple Vietnam: rural, cultural, natural and deeply human.

From Hanoi, the millennial capital, go to the mountains of Ha Giang and the northern loop, a still confidential region where breathtaking landscapes intertwine with villages of minority ethnic groups.
Here, life flows to the rhythm of rice terraces, colorful markets and sincere smiles.

Your adventure continues towards Cao Bang and the Ban Gioc Falls, a natural treasure nestled on the Chinese border, before reaching Halong Bay, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of nature.
A peaceful cruise between the karst formations will punctuate this first part of the journey under the sign of contemplation.

The tour then continues in the Center of Vietnam, land of history and refinement.
From the imperial citadel of Hue to the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An, you will discover a more intimate and poetic Vietnam, where traditions mingle with the sweetness of everyday life.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide and housed in charming accommodations, you will live a complete experience, balanced and memorable, between nature, culture and human encounters.

A tailor-made trip that reveals the essence of Vietnam – authentic, contrasted and deeply inspiring.

 

14-day itinerary – Between mountains, culture and sea

 

Day 1 | Hanoi

Our driver will meet you at the airport on your arrival and transfer to the hotel.

 

Day 2 | Hanoi | B, L

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel around 9 a.m.

Dive into the atmosphere of Hanoi in the 36-guild district during a cyclo ride.

Take a gourmet break and enjoy the egg coffee, a specialty of the city.

Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shores of Ho Tay Lake.

After lunch, discover the Temple of Literature, before ending the day with a visit to the Vietnamese women’s museum where traditional women’s costumes are remarkably highlighted.

 

Day 3 | Hanoi – Ha Giang | B

Leisure day in Hanoi, then, around 4 p.m., transfer by minibus to Ha Giang where you arrive around 10:30 p.m. and overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 4 | Ha Giang – Pho Bang | B, L, D

After breakfast, around 8 a.m., meet our English-speaking guide and departure by car.

Leave the plains and enter the mountainous region of Quan Ba. Discover the Heaven Gate built by the French to prevent foreigners from entering these lands filled with opium. Visit the H’mongs women’s cooperative in Lung Tam, where families still grow hemp, to make handmade clothes with their traditional symbols and designs before lunch.

Stop at the iconic Tham Ma Pass and walk through the border villages of Pho Cao and Pho Bang, with traditional architecture houses made of compacted earth and yin-yang tiles. Dinner and overnight in the surroundings of Pho Bang.

 

Day 5 | Pho Bang – Dong Van | B, L, D

After breakfast explore the palace of King H’mong with its many references to opium, Chinese culture and feng shui.

Then start on a road through mountains to the northernmost point of Vietnam, Lung Cu where a tower proudly carries the national flag. Then visit the village of Lo Lo Chai, where the Lo Lo live, which has managed to preserve its essence and traditional architecture. Lunch on the way.

Finally go down into the valley, passing through remote villages like Ma Le, to reach Dong Van. Dinner and night in Dong Van.

 

Day 6 | Dong Van – Pac Bo | B, L, D

After breakfast, join the pass of Ma Pi Leng, the most beautiful pass of Vietnam, with a view on the turquoise river of Nho Que then take the snail road famous for its sharp turns.

Continue through the town of Bao Lac, entering the province of Cao Bang. Lunch on the way in Bao Lac. Arrival finally in Pac Bo, a peaceful valley surrounded by a peaceful river for dinner and night.

 

Day 7 | Pac Bo – Ban Gioc | B, L, D

After breakfast start the day towards Thung Mountain, known as the “Eyes of God”, a giant hole then small hike to admire the landscapes of the region.

Continue the route via Trùng Khánh, crossing peaceful valleys and small ethnic villages to Ban Gioc waterfalls.

Lunch near the waterfall, then visit the impressive Nguom Ngao Cave.

Dinner and overnight stay near Bản Gioc.

 

Day 8 | Ban Gio – Hanoi | B, L

After breakfast, leave the waterfalls to go south, following the course of the river through quiet villages and limestone cliffs. Visit the blacksmith village of Phúc Sen, where artisans still make knives by hand, using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

Then continue to the remote valley of Phía Thap, where the Nùng An people live in stone houses and still make incense from forest bark. Then cross the picturesque pass of Ma Phuc, one of the most emblematic, before arriving at Cao Bang.

Lunch in Cao Ban then around 4 p.m., minibus to Hanoi.

 

Day 9 | Hanoi – Tu Long Bay | B, L, D

Departure by minibus around 8 a.m. to go to the harbor of Ha Long.

On the boat, meet the English-speaking tour guide and start your cruise with the lunch in the middle of the impressive rocky peaks of Tu Long Bay.

In the afternoon, a kayak tour will immerse you in the magnificent landscapes of the bay near Cap La Island.

At the end of the day, admire the amazing sunset igniting the bay before dinner. Then discover squid fishing after dinner or relax with some board games, perfect for a family evening.

 

Day 10 | Tu Long Bay – Hue | B, L

If you are an early riser, marvel at the splendor of the sunrise over the immensity of the bay during a Tai Chi session.
After breakfast, discover Thienh Canh Son Cave.

Come back to the boat for check out and lunch, then return to the harbor to take the road to Hanoi where you arrive around 3 p.m.

In the evening, night train to Hue.

 

Day 11 | Hue | L, D

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the station upon your arrival around 9:30 a.m. to go visit the Imperial City.

Then discover Thien Mu pagoda before embarking on a traditional dragon boat and navigate the Perfume River to return to the city center.

After lunch, go to the countryside of Hue to discover the history of the Tomb of Tu Duc and to walk the paths of its gardens in the middle of the bodies of water.

Then, make a photo stop at the incense village and go back to the hotel.

In the evening we will meet to enjoy a dinner together, which will be an opportunity to share about Vietnam.

 

Day 12 | Hue – Hoi An | B

Departure from your hotel around 9 a.m. with our driver.

Take the road to Hoi An and enjoy a photo break at the Lang Co Lagoon.

Then from the Hai Van Pass, contemplate the region’s sumptuous landscapes, with its lush forests and panoramic sea views before arriving in Hoi An late morning.

 

Day 13 | Hoi An | B, L

Transfer around 8.30 a.m. to reach this cafe restaurant in the middle of the rice fields of Hoi An.

Then departure by bicycle to reach the local market at about 1 km to discover the colorful stalls and buy some ingredients necessary for your cooking class.

The English-speaking chef will then guide you to prepare 4 traditional Vietnamese dishes for about 2 hours.

Finally taste the fruit of your work in this exceptional setting and return to the hotel by car.

 

Day 14 | Hoi An | B

Leisure day in Hoi An.

 

Day 15 | Hoi An – Return flight | B

Transfer to Danang airport during the day for you return flight.

 

TRIP PRICE 2026 :

1.480 € per pax for 2 pax

1.270 € per pax for 4 pax

Complete 21-day itinerary for a Vietnam overview

For your stay in Vietnam, this Horizon Vietnam tour offers you to start your visit with Hanoi, the capital, a lively and captivating city, renowned for its gastronomy and rich cultural heritage. Between temples and pagodas, historical monuments and typical neighborhoods with traditional houses, you will be amazed by its beauty.

At the rice fields of Tam Coc, a green setting surrounded by steep mountains, you will be dazzled by the splendour of landscapes unique in the world, then enjoy an unforgettable cruise to Halong Bay, a true natural treasure of Vietnam, unique with its rocky peaks plunging into the turquoise waters.

In Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, the refinement of the Imperial City, with its temples and gardens, will captivate you and discover Hoi An, a picturesque port city, fascinating, at nightfall, with its thousands of multicolored lanterns.

Discover the incredible landscapes of Dalat, before relaxing on the beaches of Mui Né.

End your stay in the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh.

 

The North of Vietnam – cultural immersion and landscapes

 

Day 1 | Hanoi

Our driver will meet you at the airport on your arrival and transfer to the hotel.

You will then receive our Travel Book with useful information and restaurant recommendations for your trip and your eSim.

 

Day 2 | Hanoi | B, L

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel around 9 a.m.

Dive into the atmosphere of Hanoi in the 36-guild district during a cyclo ride.

Take a gourmet break and enjoy the egg coffee, a specialty of the city.

Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shores of Ho Tay Lake.

After lunch, discover the Temple of Literature, before ending the day with a visit to the Vietnamese women’s museum where traditional women’s costumes are remarkably highlighted.

 

Day 3 | Hanoi | B

Departure at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. to discover the history of coffee, the national drink of Vietnam. Learn more about its cultivation and preparation, from tips for recognizing the right coffee beans, to preparing 4 types of coffee according to the advice of our expert, including the famous egg coffee and coconut coffee (coconut coffee).

 

Day 4 | Hanoi – Tam Coc | B, L

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel around 8 a.m. After 1 hour and 30 minutes of driving between town and countryside, join the Yen river covered with water lilies leading to Chùa Hương, the Perfume Pagoda.

A one-hour sampan cruise will take you to the foot of this complex of pagodas nestled in the mountains.

Climb the 2 kilometers of steps to reach the top of this place and discover the cave that hides there.

Then go down again by cable car for a well-deserved lunch then take the road to Tam Coc.

 

Day 5 | Tam Coc | B, L

Early departure from the hotel around 8 a.m., with our English-speaking guide.

Enjoy a boat ride along the water, about 1h30, in the middle of the limestones. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the place, admire the green rice fields and the mountains carved out of caves.

Admire Bich Dong Pagoda by the water, a Buddhist sanctuary in the middle of nowhere, built against the rock, in a splendid green setting.

After lunch, discover another marvel of architecture, Bai Dinh Pagoda. It is the largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia, imbued with spirituality. You enter through the impressive Tam Quan gate before admiring the entire site, with its huge golden Buddha statues, caves and temples, surrounded by lush vegetation.

 

Day 6 | Tam Coc | B, L

Departure from the hotel around 9 a.m. with our English-speaking guide to go to Cuc Phuong National Park in the heart of a primary tropical forest sheltering an astonishing biodiversity.

Visit the Nguoi Xua cave and then discover the turtle rescue center. Then, go for a hike of about 7 km in the park to the millenary tree to discover the local flora.

Go back to the hotel after lunch.

 

Day 7 | Tam Coc – Lan Ha Bay | B, L, D

Departure by bus around 7 a.m. for the port of Hai Phong.

On the boat, meet the English-speaking tour guide and start your cruise with the lunch in the middle of the impressive rocky peaks of Lan Ha Bay.

In the afternoon, kayak ride in Bai Tra Dao then relax and swim.

At the end of the day, admire the amazing sunset igniting the bay and take part in a cooking demonstration before dinner. Then discover squid fishing after dinner.

 

Day 8 | Lan Ha Bay | B, L, D

After breakfast, embark on a smaller boat for the day to go deeper into the more remote areas of the bay. Visit the Dark & Bright Cave by kayak to immerse yourself in the scenery of the bay.

After lunch, sail deeper into the bay to enjoy its exceptional landscapes.

At the end of the day, return to the boat to enjoy the sunset before dinner.

 

Day 9 | Lan Ha Bay – Hue | B, L

In the morning, visit the village of Viet Ha during a bicycle ride in the middle of straw, clay, bamboo houses and discover the life of the locals.

Come back to the boat check out and lunch then return to the harbor to take the road to Hanoi where you arrive around 4p.m.

In the evening, night train to Hue.

 

The Center of Vietnam – history and traditions

 

Day 10 | Hue | L, D

Our driver greets you at the station then transfer to the hotel. Around 10 a.m., departure with our English-speaking guide, to discover Dong Ba market.

Late morning, a small boat awaits you on the lagoon for a boat ride. You will discover the local fishing, before enjoying a lunch based on seafood.

Discover the village of Thanh Thuy, its rural museum and its picturesque small wooden bridge covered with tiles.

Finally come back downtown to have a coffee and share a moment with people with disabilities during a waffle workshop.

In the evening we will meet to enjoy a dinner together, which will be an opportunity to share about Vietnam.

 

Day 11 | Hue | B, L, D

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel around 9 a.m. to go to visit the Imperial City.

Then discover Thien Mu pagoda before embarking on a traditional dragon boat and navigate the Perfume River to return to the city center. After lunch, go to the countryside of Hue to discover the history of the Tomb of Tu Duc and to walk the paths of its gardens in the middle of the bodies of water.

Then, make a photo stop at the incense village and go back to the hotel.

Marvin, Arnauld or Gaulthier will meet you at the hotel around 6 p.m.

Go with him to the city center to discover the street gastronomy of Hue with its many local specialties and enjoy a cyclo ride.

This will be an opportunity for you to discover more about the life of French immigrants in Vietnam and enjoy a moment of sharing and food tasting.

Discover the famous Nem Lui or the Banh Khoai or enjoy the cakes of Hué made from rice flour or cassava. Taste the famous Bun Bo. Let yourself be tempted by Che, this sweet dessert typical of Vietnam….

 

Day 12 | Hue – Hoi An | B

Departure from your hotel around 9 a.m. with our driver.

Take the road to Hoi An and enjoy a photo break at the Lang Co Lagoon.

Then from the Hai Van Pass, contemplate the region’s sumptuous landscapes, with its lush forests and panoramic sea views.

Then make a stop at the Marble Mountain and venture out on this solitary limestone, at the southern edge of Danang which houses a complex of caves and pagodas before arriving in Hoi An.

 

Day 13 | Hoi An | B, L

Departure from the hotel around 10:30 a.m. with our driver and spend a few hours outside of Hoi An to discover this distillery.

Visit the distillery during 45 minutes and discover all the equipments, the laboratory and the aging cellar, then enjoy a lunch while enjoying three white rums and two aged rums.

Leisure afternoon.

In the evening, walk to the Hoi An Moon Center in the city center of Hoi An for 5:30 p.m. to attend this acrobatic and dancing show of 1 hour.

Let yourself be carried by the intense rhythm of the music and the dances that are impressive by their strength and power while the faces of the artists radiate with joy.

 

Day 14 | Hoi An | B

Leisure day in Hoi An.

 

Day 15 | Hoi An – Dalat | B, L

Morning transfer to Danang airport for the Vietnam Airlines flight to Dalat.

Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport to discover Truc Lam pagoda on the shore of Tuyen Lam lake.

Then find your child’s soul in this magical world of Dalat and marvel at the gigantic statues of the Clay Tunnels.

In the afternoon, after lunch, stroll through the flower park to admire more than 300 different species.

End the day by venturing into the labyrinths of the Maze café in the middle of this extravagant universe while enjoying a cool drink.

 

Day 16 | Dalat | B, L

Our English-speaking tour guide meets you at your hotel around 8:00 a.m. to visit the flower market.

Then, discover the old train station of Dalat and enjoy a ride to Trai Mat.

Discover the beautiful mosaics of Linh Phuoc Pagoda, also known as the Broken Glass Pagoda, then venture into the middle of tea plantations.

After lunch, admire the architecture of the Bao Dai Summer Palace and end the day by discovering the incredible design of the Crazy House.

 

South Vietnam – relaxation and beach

 

Day 17 | Dalat – Mui Né | B

Around 9 a.m., transfer to Mui Né by car.

 

Days 18 and 19 | Mui Né | B

Leisure days in Mui Né.

 

Day 20 | Mui Né – Ho Chi Minh | B

Around 11 a.m., transfer to Ho Chi Minh by car.

 

Day 21 | Ho Chi Minh – Return flight | B

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport during the day for you return flight.

 

PRICE OF THE TRIP:

2.460 € per pax for 2 pax

2.100 € per pax for 4 pax

Go on a timeless journey in the North of Vietnam, in the heart of grandiose mountains and secret valleys, where life still follows the rhythm of the seasons and traditions.
This North Vietnam Ethnic Circuit leads you to meet the peoples of the highlands – Tay, Dzao, Hmong, Nung and Black Lolos – whose cultural richness and kindness are the true treasure of this region.

From Ba Be, with its peaceful lake bordered by tropical forests, to the spectacular landscapes of Ha Giang and Meo Vac, you will discover an authentic and vibrant Vietnam.
Each day is an immersion: crossing colorful markets, gentle walking in mountain villages, sharing meals with the inhabitants and sincere exchanges with local families.

Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide, you will learn to read the landscapes, understand the customs and appreciate the raw charm of North Vietnam.
This 8-day trip is above all a human experience, an immersion in the cultural diversity of the country, between wild nature, crafts, ancestral traditions and shared smiles.

A tour designed for those who dream of a preserved, deep and sincere Vietnam – a Vietnam that one discovers not as a tourist, but as a guest.

 

Programme of the Ethnies du Nord circuit (8 days / 7 nuits)

This 8-day tour in the North of Vietnam takes you to discover spectacular landscapes and peoples with centuries-old traditions.
Between villages on stilts, rice terraces and colorful markets, each day will bring you a little closer to the vibrant heart of mountain Vietnam.
An itinerary accompanied by a passionate French-speaking guide, to experience the country through its inhabitants.

Day 1 | Hanoi – Ba Be | L, D

Around 9 a.m. meet our English-speaking tour guide to take the road to Ba Be, the largest natural park in North Vietnam.

Formed by a set of several lakes and surrounded by lush forests, the region is populated by several ethnic minorities including the Tay, the Dzao and the Hmong.

On the way, enjoy a stop at Thai Nguyen to discover the green tea plantations. Also take different photo breaks along the way. Lunch on the way.

Arrival in Ba Be at the end of the afternoon, transfer to the village Nam Mau of the Tay minorities. Dinner and night at the hotel.

 

Day 2 | Ba Be | B, L, D

After breakfast, join the pier on foot for a cruise on a long motor boat on Ba Be Lake to admire the sumptuous landscapes of the region drawn by limestone cliffs and mountains with lush vegetation. Make a stop to discover the Dau Dang waterfalls.

After lunch, continue your cruise to the south of the lake to visit Hua Ma Cave and traditional villages of the Tay and Nung to discover the life of these minorities. Dinner and night at the hotel.

 

Day 3 | Ba Be – Nam Ngu | B, L, D

After breakfast, around 7.30 a.m. departure to Nam Ngu through roads number 3 and 4.

Arrival at the village of Nam Ngu in the late morning, go for a walk to discover the region and tobacco manufacturing with all tobacco ovens, depending on the season. Lunch on the way in the form of a picnic.

Contemplate the west of the Thong Nong Massif and the limestone peaks of the Mo Sat massif. In the distance, you can see the ridge lines of the Chinese border. This region, far from tourist circuits, offers an authentic and unique experience. Dinner and night at the Nung’s place.

 

Day 4 | Nam Ngu – Bao Lac | B, L, D

After breakfast, take the road to Bao Lac. On the way, enjoy several stops to admire the landscapes of the region where you arrive for lunch.

In the afternoon, go to meet the ethnic group of the Lolos Noirs, discover among others a traditional stilt house.

Take a walk in the fields and, depending on the season, learn about agricultural work: clearing land, plowing fields, growing rice or corn, collecting wood, weaving…

In the evening, dinner and night with the locals to discover their culture and lifestyle.

 

Day 5 | Bao Lac – Meo Vac | B, L, D

Early departure around 7:30 a.m., to go to Meo Vac.

Then go for a boat trip on the Nho Que River. of about 45 minutes, an opportunity to observe the grandiose landscapes of the valley from the river and the gorge of Tu Sản.

After lunch, go for a 4-hour hike in one of the most picturesque regions of North Vietnam, to admire the mountain landscapes, to meet the Hmong and other ethnic minorities living in the region in very remote villages and discover the hemp plantations and corn as well as a bamboo forest. In the evening, dinner and overnight at the homestay.

 

Day 6 | Meo Vac – Phuong Do | B, L, D

Early departure around 7:30 a.m., to join Ha Giang. Admire the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from Ma Pi Leng Pass. On the way, explore the palace of the H’mong King with its many references to opium, Chinese culture and feng shui.

Discover the panoramic view of the region from the Yen Ming pass before a break in the cob village of Nam Dan for lunch with the locals. Then walk in the village and the surroundings and relax near a waterfall to refresh.

Finally arrived in Phung Do at the end of the day. Dinner and night with the local.

 

Day 7 | Phung Do | B, L, D

Early departure around 7:30 a.m., for a hike of 9 or 13 km in the surroundings of Ha Giang with our English-speaking guide and a family member where you spent the night who knows the area well.

Get off the beaten track to enter a world of landscapes drawn by rice fields, the unusual serrations of the iconic karst mountains of the northern province of Ha Giang. Cross on the way 2 villages of the Red Dao and discover many facets the school system, the work in the field, the rice pounding, home life, etc.

Lunch during the day in the form of a picnic. Arrival at the village of Thon Tha, return by car to the house then relax.

Dinner and night with the local.

 

Day 8 | Phung Do – Hanoi | B, L

After breakfast, take the road back to Hanoi where you arrive around 4.30 p.m.

Lunch on the way.

 

Price 2026

2 pax: 1.070 € / pax

4 pax: 770 € / pax.

Le Nord du Vietnam, terre des ethnies et des montagnes

North Vietnam is undoubtedly the wildest and most fascinating region of the country.
Between limestone peaks, deep valleys and terraced rice fields, this land of contrasts is home to a mosaic of millenary peoples and traditions.
Here, the mountains are alive: they resound with the noise of markets, the pounding of weaving looms and the laughter of children running in the red earth paths.

The Haut Tonkin, which extends from Ba Be to Ha Giang via Meo Vac and Dong Van, is a true cultural sanctuary.
It is there that the mountainous ethnic groups of Vietnam live: Tay, Dzao, Hmong, Nung and Lolos Noirs, each with their costumes, customs and language.
Their life is intimately linked to the mountains, to the cultivation of rice, corn and a deep respect for nature.

A world suspended between sky and rice fields

In the valleys enveloped in mist, the rice terraces draw landscapes of striking beauty, hand-carved for generations.
Each season offers a different face: the tender green of the young shoots in spring, the gold bursting of the harvests in autumn.
The villages on stilts blend into this natural setting, and the inhabitants welcome you with a sincere smile, always ready to share a tea or a story.

A human experience above all

Traveling in the North of Vietnam means meeting a people deeply attached to their roots.
It is to attend a colorful ethnic market, observe the weaving of a handembroidered scarf or listen to the songs of a village festival.
Accompanied by a French-speaking guide, you will discover not only the grandiose landscapes, but also the stories, beliefs and gestures that perpetuate the identity of these communities.

Far from the urban turmoil, this region offers a journey of emotions and encounters, a return to simplicity and beauty of true things.