15-day North Vietnam tour in a small group: Ha Giang, Cao Bang & Ban Gioc

Embark on a 15-day tour in North Vietnam, through some of the most spectacular and unspoilt mountainous regions of the country. From Hoang Su Phi to Ha Giang, then from Dong Van to Ban Gioc Falls, this route takes you to the heart of rural Vietnam where rice terraces, karst mountains and ethnic villages punctuate each stage.

The journey begins in the gentle landscapes of Thac Ba Lake before joining the rice fields of Hoang Su Phi and the highlands of Ha Giang. You then take the vertiginous roads of the Dong Van Geopark, discover the Ma Pi Leng pass and sail on the Nho Que river, before continuing towards Cao Bang and the majestic falls of Ban Gioc.

Designed in the spirit of Senteurs du Vietnam, this tour favors small roads, accessible hikes, local markets and meetings with locals. An adventure for travelers who want to take their time and discover the authentic, wild and deeply human North of Vietnam.

Tour in the mountains of northeastern Vietnam

Day 1 - Hanoi - Thac Ba Lake | L, D

Departure from Hanoi towards the province of Yen Bai and Lake Thac Ba, vast expanse of water punctuated by hundreds of green islets. Arrival and installation at a family of the White Dao ethnic group.

In the afternoon, ride on a traditional motor boat through the peaceful lake landscapes. A first immersion in the heart of rural Vietnam, between mountains, villages and nature.

Night in a homestay at Thac Ba lake.

Day 2 - Thac Ba Lake - Hoang Su Phi | B, L, D

Peaceful morning by the lake or walk in a White Blanc village, before taking the road towards Hoang Su Phi.

You gradually cross the mountainous landscapes of the Chay Pung massif, by a winding road offering beautiful views of the valleys and the first terraced rice fields.

Arrival at Hoang Su Phi at the end of the day and installation.

Night in Hoang Su Phi.

Day 3 - Hoang Su Phi Market - Hiking | B, L, D

Departure for the market of Hoang Su Phi, a true meeting place of the mountain populations of the region, in particular the Hmong Fleuris and the Dao with long tunics. A great opportunity to observe the daily life and animation of a traditional ethnic market.

In the afternoon, accessible hiking through valleys and terraced rice fields, particularly beautiful during this period before the harvest.

Night in Hoang Su Phi.

Day 4 - Hoang Su Phi - Immersion and hiking | B, L, D

Day dedicated to the discovery on foot of the landscapes of Hoang Su Phi, in the remote areas of Ban Phung or Ban Luoc.

Hiking between rice terraces, mountains and small isolated villages. Along the way, meetings with locals and discovery of some activities and local craft skills.

A day focused on walking, landscapes and immersion in mountain life.

Night in Hoang Su Phi.

Day 5 - Hoang Su Phi - Ha Jiang | B, L, D

Departure towards Ha Giang, gateway to the mountains of the great North of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, visit of the provincial museum of Ha Giang, allowing to better understand the history and cultural diversity of the region. Continuation by a walk in one of the surrounding Tay villages, Thon Tha or Lang Can, in the middle of rice fields and traditional houses.

Night in Ha Giang.

Dong Van Geopark

Day 6 - Ha Jiang - Quan Ba - Nam Dam | B, L, D

Departure to the highlands and entry into the spectacular landscapes of the Dong Van karst geopark.

Passage by the Gate of the Sky of Quan Ba, from where you enjoy a superb panorama on the surrounding mountains and the famous Mounts of the Fairy.

Continuation to Nam Dam, a small traditional village where you settle for an immersion within the Dao community.

Night in Nam Dam.

Day 7 – Nam Dam – Sa Phin – Lung Cu – Dong Van | B, L, D

Drive through the karst landscapes to Sa Phin and visit the former palace of King Hmong, remarkable testimony of the history of the region.

Continuation to Lung Cu and ascent to the flag tower, located in the extreme north of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, discover the surroundings before going to Dong Van and its old town with traditional houses.

Night in Dong Van.

Day 8 – Dong Van – Ma Le – Lo Lo Chai | B, L, D

Day of hiking in the heart of the mineral landscapes of Ma Le, between karst peaks, rocky valleys and small mountain paths.

You will discover several traditional villages with adobe houses and stone walls, characteristic of this isolated region of northern Vietnam, notably the Lo Lo Chai area.

Back to Dong Van at the end of the day.

Night in Dong Van.

Day 9 – Dong Van – Col de Ma Pi Leng – Nho Que River – Meo Vac | B, L, D

Departure by one of the most spectacular roads in Vietnam towards the Ma Pi Leng pass. Walk along the Sky Path, offering magnificent views of the mountains and deep Tu San gorges.

Descent to the river for a boat ride on the waters of the Nho Que, between impressive limestone cliffs.

Continuation to Meo Vac.

Night in Meo Vac.

Day 10 – Meo Vac Market – Pac Bo | B, L, D

Morning discovery of the Meo Vac Sunday market, one of the most important ethnic markets in the region. Inhabitants of the surrounding villages meet there to sell their products, exchange and share a moment of local life.

Then departure to the east by a long but beautiful mountain road passing through Bao Lam, before joining the region of Pac Bo.

Installation at Me Farmstay.

Night in Pac Bo.

Cao Bang, Ban Gioc and the Bac Son Valley

Day 11 – Pac Bo – Nguom Ngao Cave – Ban Gioc | B, L, D

Road through the mountainous landscapes of Cao Bang towards the Chinese border.

Visit the spectacular cave of Nguom Ngao, vast underground network shaped over time by water and rich in limestone formations.

Continuation through the beautiful valley of Phong Nam, surrounded by karst peaks and rice fields, before joining the region of Ban Gioc.

Night near the Ban Gioc Falls.

Day 12 – Ban Gioc Falls – Cao Bang | B, L, D

Morning discovery of the majestic falls of Ban Gioc, in the softer light of the early day. Located on the Sino-Vietnamese border, they offer one of the most emblematic natural landscapes of the Northeast.

Back to Cao Bang with several stops in the artisanal villages of the region.

At the end of the day, discover the spectacular Mountain of the Angel’s Eye, amazing limestone formation open in its center by a huge natural cavity.

Night in Cao Bang.

Day 13 – Cao Bang – Bac Son Valley | B, L, D

Departure to the south through the karst landscapes of the province of Lang Son, alternating limestone mountains, agricultural valleys and small villages.

Arrival in the valley of Bac Son then ascent of mount Na Lay. From its summit, superb panorama of the valley and its rice fields, particularly pleasant at sunset.

Night in Bac Son.

Day 14 – Bac Son – Thai Nguyen | B, L, D

Morning dedicated to the discovery of the valley of Bac Son, with the visit of an old military cave followed by a walk in the surrounding rural landscapes.

In the afternoon, go to Thai Nguyen, a region particularly famous in Vietnam for the quality of its tea.

Night in Thai Nguyen.

Day 15 – Thai Nguyen – Hanoi | B, L

Departure for the tea hills of Tan Cuong, whose plantations draw beautiful green landscapes. Walk in the heart of cultures and tasting to discover one of the most famous teas of Vietnam.

After this last immersion in the Vietnamese countryside, go back to Hanoi.

Arrival in the afternoon and end of our services.

Price of the trip from October 2 to 16

Group of 4 to 8 pax - 1.350 € / pax

Supplement single room - 150 € / pax

The spirit of this trip

This tour offers a real immersion in the mountains of Northern Vietnam, focusing on small roads, walking, villages and encounters. From the rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi to the karst landscapes of Dong Van, from the Nho Que river to the Ban Gioc falls, each stage reveals a different face of these still deeply rural regions.

A trip designed to take the time to discover, walk, meet and above all experience North Vietnam closer to its inhabitants.