14-Day Sapa, Bac Ha, Ha Giang & Ban Gioc Tour with Bai Tu Long Bay

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Hanoi’s history and culture at the square in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where your guide will introduce important chapters of Vietnam’s modern history.

Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, peacefully located beside West Lake, before visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which provides an introduction to the traditions and cultural diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the Temple of Literature, one of Hanoi’s most important historic centers of learning. Afterwards, continue to Hoa Lo Prison to gain further insight into significant periods of the capital’s modern history.

Later in the afternoon, take part in an egg coffee-making experience, learning how this distinctive Hanoi drink is prepared before enjoying your own cup.

Return to your hotel afterward, with the evening free for you to relax or explore independently.

Activity level: Easy, with moderate city walking.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, leave Hanoi by private vehicle and travel northwest toward Sapa, a mountain town surrounded by valleys and terraced landscapes.

Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning your afternoon visit to Cat Cat Village, a traditional H'mong community located close to Sapa.

During the guided walk, learn more about local H'mong culture, traditional handicrafts and everyday life in the mountain region.

After the visit, return to Sapa town and check in at your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to rest or explore Sapa independently.

Overnight in Sapa

After breakfast, begin a 2–3-hour guided trek from Ma Tra to Ta Phin, passing through mountain landscapes and communities of H'mong and Red Dao people.

Along the route, take in views of the surrounding terraced countryside while learning more about traditional textile practices, including indigo dyeing and batik.

After completing the trek, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before leaving Sapa and travelling toward Bac Ha.

In the afternoon, visit Ban Pho 1 and Ban Pho 2, traditional H'mong villages known for the local production of corn spirit. Take time to walk through the surrounding rural landscape and gain another perspective on everyday life in the northern highlands.

Later, continue to your Tay family homestay and settle into the traditional stilt-house setting. Enjoy dinner with your hosts, with an opportunity to taste homemade rice wine.

Activity level: Moderate, including a 2–3-hour trek and additional village walking. Suitable walking footwear is recommended for added comfort.

Overnight: Tay family homestay in Bac Ha

After breakfast, visit the weekly ethnic market operating in the Bac Ha region on your tour date. The specific market is determined by the day of the week and departure schedule and may include Coc Ly, Sin Cheng, Can Cau or Bac Ha Market.

These traditional gatherings bring together communities including Flower H'mong, Dao, Tay, Phu La and Nung people for trading and social interaction.

Around midday, return to Bac Ha for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, drive approximately 6 km to Ngai Phu Cho, home to a Phu La community. From here, begin an approximately two-hour guided walk through the surrounding valley, with views of terraced fields and the highland countryside.

Return to Bac Ha after the walk and take some time to relax before dinner.

Activity level: Easy to moderate, including approximately two hours of walking.

Overnight in Bac Ha

After breakfast, visit Hoang A Tuong Palace, a historic residence in Bac Ha, before beginning the overland journey toward Ha Giang.

Travel through changing northern landscapes of mountain valleys, terraced fields, palm-covered hills and rural villages.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way, then continue to Tha Village, a traditional Tay community near Ha Giang.

Upon arrival, take a short guided walk through the village to see traditional stilt houses, surrounding fields and aspects of everyday agricultural life.

Later, check in at your local homestay, where showers and hot water are available. Enjoy dinner at the homestay before spending the evening at leisure in the peaceful village surroundings.

Activity level: Easy, with a short village walk and a longer overland journey.

Overnight: Homestay in Tha Village

After breakfast, leave Tha Village and travel deeper into the mountainous landscapes of Ha Giang.

Pass through Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, marking the gateway toward the Dong Van Karst Plateau, and stop to admire the surrounding limestone scenery and the distinctive Twin Mountains near Tam Son.

Continue toward Yen Minh, where lunch is served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, travel across the increasingly dramatic stone plateau to Sung La, home to H'mong and Lo Lo communities. Take a short walk through the village and visit the traditional wood-and-clay house associated with the Vietnamese film The Story of Pao.

Continue to the Vuong Family Palace in Sa Phin, an important historical residence set amid the rocky highlands.

Later, drive to Dong Van, take a short stroll through the old quarter and check in at your hotel. Enjoy your evening meal afterward.

Activity level: Easy to moderate, with short walks, some steps and an extended mountain-road journey.

Overnight in Dong Van

After breakfast, leave Dong Van and follow the spectacular Happiness Road toward Ma Pi Leng Pass.

Stop at viewpoints along the pass to admire the rugged limestone mountains and the Nho Que River winding through the valley far below.

Continue toward the river and board a boat for a journey along the Nho Que River through Tu San Gorge. Towering limestone cliffs rise on both sides of the water, offering a striking contrast to the panoramic mountain views experienced from the road above.

After the boat trip, continue to Meo Vac and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, travel onward through remote highland scenery toward Bao Lac.

Upon reaching the hotel, check in and take some time to unwind. An evening meal will be served later.

Activity level: Easy to moderate, with short walks, a boat trip and an extended journey on winding mountain roads.

Overnight in Bao Lac

After breakfast, leave Bao Lac and travel toward Khau Coc Cha Pass, taking a scenic detour into one of the dramatic mountain landscapes of the Bao Lac area.

The pass is known for its succession of sharp hairpin bends carved into the steep mountainside.

Stop near the pass and take a short walk to a panoramic viewpoint, looking across the winding road, surrounding limestone mountains and valleys below.

Continue the journey and stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way.

In the afternoon, travel through the mountainous countryside toward Cao Bang City.

Arrive in Cao Bang, check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time to rest before dinner.

Activity level: Easy to moderate, with a short scenic walk and an extended mountain-road journey.

Overnight in Cao Bang

After breakfast, leave Cao Bang and travel through the countryside toward Phuc Sen Village, known for its longstanding traditional metal-forging craft.

Visit the village and learn more about the techniques that have been preserved by local communities.

Continue to Ban Gioc Waterfall, dramatically situated among limestone mountains along the Vietnam–China border. Spend time exploring the waterfall area before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit Nguom Ngao Cave and walk through its limestone chambers to see naturally formed stalactites and stalagmites.

Later, continue to Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, set on a hillside overlooking the surrounding karst landscape.

After the visit, transfer to your accommodation in the Ban Gioc or Trung Khanh area and check in. Enjoy dinner and relax after the day’s sightseeing.

Activity level: Easy to moderate, with walking around the waterfall and cave, plus steps and an uphill section at the pagoda. Comfortable shoes are advisable for the walking portions of the tour.

Overnight: Ban Gioc/Trung Khanh area

After breakfast, leave the Ban Gioc/Trung Khanh area and travel toward Dong Khe, an important historical area associated with the former Colonial Route 4.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable local history guide, begin an approximately 1.5-hour guided walk through Quang Liet Valley. Follow the valley through rural hamlets toward the Coc Xa area while learning about the historical events connected with this strategic mountain corridor.

Return to Dong Khe and visit a local commemorative site overlooking the town.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing toward Lang Son.

Upon arrival, visit Tam Thanh Cave and, if time allows, take a short walk around the nearby To Thi area.

Arrive at your hotel and check in before enjoying dinner in the evening. Afterwards, relax at the hotel or explore Ky Lua Market independently if you wish.

Activity level: Moderate, including approximately 1.5 hours of walking on uneven terrain and an extended road journey. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

Overnight in Lang Son

After breakfast, leave Lang Son and travel toward the coast for your Bai Tu Long Bay overnight cruise.

Arrive at the pier around midday, board the vessel and receive a cruise briefing before settling into your cabin.

Enjoy lunch onboard as the cruise sails among the bay’s limestone islands.

Depending on the selected cruise program, weather and local operating conditions, the afternoon itinerary may include the Vung Vieng area or another scheduled destination, with the possibility of exploring by bamboo boat or kayak.

Later in the afternoon, return to the vessel and enjoy time to relax while taking in the bay scenery and sunset. Depending on the cruise program, an onboard cooking activity may also be available.

Enjoy dinner onboard in the evening. Afterwards, enjoy free time on the cruise, with activities such as night squid fishing available where included in the vessel’s program.

Activity level: Easy overall, with some moderately active elements. Kayaking is optional where offered by the cruise program.

Overnight: Onboard cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay

Begin the morning with an optional Tai Chi session on deck, followed by breakfast while enjoying the peaceful morning scenery of Bai Tu Long Bay.

Depending on the selected cruise itinerary, continue with a morning cave or sightseeing visit before returning to the vessel.

After checking out of your cabin, enjoy an early brunch onboard as the cruise makes its way back toward the pier.

Disembark around midday and meet your driver for the transfer back to Hanoi.

Upon reaching the hotel, check in and take some time to unwind.

In the evening, attend a traditional water puppet show, one of Hanoi’s distinctive performing arts experiences.

Activity level: Easy, with light walking during the morning cruise activity.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, enjoy free time in Hanoi to rest, explore independently or do some last-minute shopping.

Hotel check-out should be completed by 12:00 PM.

At the appropriate time, meet your driver for the transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

End of tour