DISCOVER COLORFUL NORTHWEST & NORTHEST OF VIETNAM –14 DAYS

(Itinerary: Hanoi- Moc Chau- Nghia Lo- Mu Cang Chai- Sapa-Cao Bang – Ban Goc-Ha Long- Bai Tu Long- Hanoi)

Tour code XSEV 0028- ADVENTURE & TREKKING TOURS

Highlights:

  • This is a place of breathtaking landscapes, diversity of cultures, ethnic-minority markets, adventure loop roads with incredible passes, spectacular rice terraces,
  • Light trekking tour will offer you the peaceful and attractive spots in Northern mountainous Vietnam such as: Moc Chau –Nghia Lo, Mu Cang Chai….
  • Moc Chau: visit tea gardens and pine forest
  • Nghia Lo: visit local market, dancing with local people and valley..
  • Mu Cang Chai: Beautiful rice terraces Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan and Ze Xu Phinh
  • Sapa: Fansipan, Lao Chai - Ta Van, Ham Rong
  • Discover the Wonder of the World – a Ha Long Bay with its bewitching scenes
Make are enquire

Overview

This tour is for travelers who want to experience the natural beauty and lifestyle of ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam. It also allows you to discover the beautiful mountain landscapes and all the corners of the northern region. Your discovery will be through the most favorite areas for all those who love nature and trekking: Moc Chau, Nghia Lo, Tu Le, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Cao Bang …..You will undoubtedly spend some strong moments during your excursion with winding road, mountain landscapes, rice terraces, limestone hills, rocky slopes,… This is not only a discovery of beautiful landscapes but also the experience gained by the special atmosphere after meetings with ethnic minorities.

Tour summary:

MAP 28

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING (L)

Private driver & tour guide

Distance: Noi Bai Airport – Hanoi Central: 35 km à 45 minute
Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center and transfer you to your hotel for check-in
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability).
This afternoon, you will visit the iconic sites of the city.
Explore Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university). Constructed in the 11th century, Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam, with its colorful gardens and well-preserved buildings, offers a historical glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Continue to visit Hoa Lo Prison museum or the Museum of Vietnamese Women.
Next up, we walk slowly through the narrow and busy Hanoi Old Quarter. It is where each street is named after the specific goods it once sold. Then, we stop to visit a local wet market before enjoying a Water Puppet show – a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from the rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hanoi 

DAY 2: HANOI –MOC CHAU  (B,L,D)

Private driver & guide

Distance: 193km = 4,5 hours
8:00AM: Our guide and driver will pick you up you at your hotel and start tour to Moc Chau.
On the way, we stop en route in Hoa Binh for refreshment.  Arrive in Moc Chau at 12:00 noon. Check in homestay and have lunch.
In the afternoon, you will visit tea gardens and pine forest, and visit local people and discover their life… Dinner and night homestay.
Highlights and activities: visit village – tea Garden & Pine forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:  Moc Chau Homestay           

DAY3: MOC CHAU- NGHIA LO-MUONG LO VALLEY(B,L,D)

Private driver & guide

Highlights and activities: 200 km – 4hours  de route
Breakfast and say good bye to hosting family at about 09.00 am.
Continue along the road Nghia Lo Town. A pretty mountainous town,
Arrival in Nghia Lo. Settling in an inhabitant of the white Thai ethnic group. His house on stilts, built of wood, lies on a hill overlooking Muong Lo valley, the second largest valley of North Vietnam and considered as the homeland of the Thai ethnic group (according to some hypotheses, Thais have immigrants from here to settle in Laos and Thailand). While your hosts prepare dinner, you will go for a walk in the village of Nghia An and surrounding villages, populated mainly by black Thais to discover their living environment and their daily activities. Back to the home. Dinner with your hosts who will tell you the past life and presents Thais, their customs and original customs. Dinner and night homestay.
Highlights and activities: Muong Lo Valley- Ethnic group.
Meals: breakfast at homestay, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay           
 

DAY 4: NGHIA LO- TU LE – MU CANG CHAI  (B, L, D)

Private driver & guide

Highlights and activities :100 km – 2.5 hours
After breakfast, visit Nghia Lo City Central Market before continuing the trip to Mu Cang Chai along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, the longest in Vietnam’s far north. Stop at Khau Pha pass to contemplate the beauty of the Tu Le Valley, the land of Vietnam’s best sticky rice. The Tu Valley offers breathtaking rice terraces that attract thousands of photographers and artists from Vietnam. The terraces are particularly amazing Hiking in the villages around the Tu Le region, far from mass tourism through ethnic villages and rice terraces. Between Tu Le and Mu Cang Chai, several stops along the way are planned to visit the villages of ethnic minorities and terraced rice fields which are classified as national natural heritage. This road is better known as the road of the photographers. These rice fields are extremely beautiful between the month of May (cultivation) and the month of October (harvest). Dinner and overnight at the inhabitant
Highlights and activities: Mu Cang Chai, Hoang Lien Son, Tu le Valley
Meals: breakfast at homestay, Lunch, Dinner            
Accommodation: Mu Cang Chai homestay  

DAY 5: MU CANG CHAI – O QUY HO- SAPA – HAM RONG (B,L)

Private driver & guide

Highlights and activities :2-3 hours trek
Morning: Early morning sunrise to get up, breakfast and enjoy the fresh air northeastern highlands.
Departure to Sapa. On the way, stop at O Quy Ho  Pass– the most spectacular gorge in the north with a length of nearly 50 km connecting the two provinces of Lao Cai and Lai Chau
Lunch: Go to Sapa. Lunch is at the restaurant. Then the hotel to get rest.
Afternoon: depart to visit Ham Rong (Dragon mountain). You discover Ham Rong mountain resort Indochina orchid garden visit, Chinese tea shops, sun Gate 1, Gate 2 sun, Hon Con Coc … Sapa panoramic view from above the town and take commemorative photos. Return to the center free to visit the ancient stone church, shopping in Sapa market, buying Brocade Hmong, Dzao people. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Highlights and activities: O Quy Ho pas, Ham Rong .
Meals: breakfast at homestay, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Sapa

DAY 6: CAT CAT VILLAGE – Y LINH HO VILLAGE – MUONG HOA VALLEY – LAO CHAI & TA VAN(B,L)

Private driver & guide

Trekking to visit ethnic villages in Sapa 2-3 hours
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Sneak through the Sapa market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. Stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before continuing the trek on a trail through rice paddy terraces. Admire tjhe spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. Arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river.
Head toward Muong Hoa valley. Pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. Return to Sapa.
Highlights and activities: Y Linh Ho village, Muong Hoa Valley, Lao Chai& Ta Van
Meals: breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Sapa

DAY 7: SAPA – YÊN SƠN  (B,L,D)

Private driver & guide

 Highlights and activities : 230 km – 5 hours
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and then pick up you and transfer direct to Yen Son
Great walk on foot: small dirt road which offers a sumptuous landscape on valleys and villages of ethnic minorities. You cross palm trees, bamboos. This walk promises beautiful encounters and discoveries in a totally “off the beaten track” spirit. Another possibility: depending on the season, you could participate in field work with loacants: rice transplanting, buffalo rice paddy tillage, rice harvesting, tea harvest … Dinner and night Homestay in a house on stilts
Highlights and activities: Yen Son Village
Meals: breakfast at homestay, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yen Son homestay           

Day 8: YEN SON- BABE NATIONAL PARK (B,L, D)

Private driver & guide

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
07:30 Departure from Yen Son to Babe National Park.
10:00 Visit Duom Temple, where people use for worshiping the leader of Tay ethnic – named Duong Tu Minh, who was prince consort twice under the Ly dynasty.
12:30 Arrival in Cho Ra town, you have lunch at the restaurant.
14:00 Arrival at Buoclom wharf, embark the boat to Babe lake. Take a boat-trip along the Nang river. Stop at Puong cave, a small one but very famous with thousand of bats. 16:00 Get in Babe lake. Visit to Anma temple, Widow islet then enjoy the bamboo rafting and swim in the fresh water in the summer.
17:30 Hiking to the homestay (about 1km) in Pac Ngoi village, a small village of Tay people (Tay ethnic). Check in homestay and rest.
19:00 Have dinner
21:00 Overnight at homestay (the house on the stilts).
Highlights and activities: Ba be national park , Puong Cave , Ngoi Village
Meals: breakfast at homestay, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation :Ba be homestay

DAY 9: BA BE LAKE – HUACAVE – QUANG UYEN (B, L, D)

Private driver & tour guide

After breakfast with your host family, your journey today will start with a visit to Hua Ma, a dry cave with thousands of amazing stalactites, followed by a drive around Ba Be Lake. Then as you cross through rainforest leaving Ba Be, you will stop for lunch in Cho Ra Town, before continuing on to Quang Uyen, a district inhabited primarily by Nung ethnic minority communities. Due to their isolation and the remote nature of the district, their centuries old traditions and culture remains recognizably distinct from other minorities in Vietnam. This remoteness and traditional simplicity is what makes Quang Uyen so appealing, and you will be able to experience this first-hand as you overnight in the village.
Highlights and activities: Hua Ma Cave, Quang Yen
Meals: Breakfast at homestay. Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Quang Uyen homestay

DAY 10: QUANG UYEN - BAN GIOC WATERFALL – NGUOM NGAO ( B,L,D)

Private driver & guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Pick up and transfer to Cao bang around 2,5 hours. Check in the hotel. Lunch is at the local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam; Ban Gioc Waterfall. This breath-taking 300-metre wide cascade sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. While you’re here you can spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the spray on your face, practically sitting at the very edge of Vietnam, so close to China that you can actually touch it. After enjoying the waterfall, you will venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave to discover the rock formations which have been carved by erosion over millennia, before heading to a local market where local people from across the region come to buy and sell locally produced products, as well as socialize with people from other communities. You will then hike to Phat Tich Temple which as well as giving great insight into local beliefs, offers unrivalled views of Ban Gioc Waterfall with China in the background. Dinner is at the local restaurant. Stay overnight in Ban Gioc.
Highlights and activities: Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave
Meals: Breakfast at homestay. Lunch, Dinner at local restaurant.
Accommodation: Homestay
 

DAY 11: CAO BANG – LANG SON – HANOI  ( B,L,D)

Private driver & Tour guide
Before leaving Cao Bang, you can partake in the optional activity of climbing the hill up to the War Memorial, which will present a great panoramic view of town and the surrounding countryside. As we leave Cao Bang, following the windings roads of Highway No.4 through beautiful valleys flanked by steep mountains and spectacular vistas, we will eventually reach Lang Son, the capital of the area and an important crossing and trade route to nearby Non Nuoc. The village and surrounding area is very diverse, being home to Dzao, Man, Tho, and Nung people. The highlight of the town itself is undoubtedly its two markets, the Old Market and the Dong Kinh Market, where you can find anything from traditional crafts to modern electronics. Time permitting; we will make a stop at the beautiful caves situated amongst the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel, just a few kilometres outside of Lang Son. Among these caves are Tam Thang, which contains a small lake and offers great views of the surrounding farmland, and Nhi Thanh, formed by a river that flows through it and featuring poems inscribed on the wall dating back to the 18th century. In the afternoon we will take you from Lang Son back to Hanoi along a well maintained and comfortable modern 4-lane highway, arriving at your hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Highlights and activities: Lang Son, Dong Kinh Market
Meal: Breakfast Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hanoi 

DAY 12: HANOI – HON GAI HARBOR – BAI TU LONG BAY – CONG DO – CAP LA ISLAND – TRA SAN(B,L,D)
Distance: Hanoi – Ha Long: 160 km à 4 hours
Shuttles bus & tour guide on cruise
Explore Ha Long Bay by deluxe cruise.
Notes: Ha Long Itinerary is subjected to change based on weather conditions and each Cruise.
08:00 – 8:30: We will pick you up from your hotel and head to northeast of Vietnam
12.30: Arrive Ha Long, transferred a by tender to Cruise on Bai Tu Long bay
12.45: Enjoy a welcome drink with all staffs on board, listen briefly to safety on boat and activities included then check in cabin.
13.30: Delicious Vietnamese set menu while leisurely cruising to the core of Bai Tu Long Bay.
15.00: Arrive to Cap La Island the beautiful area in Bai Tu Long bay. Enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing
17.30: Get back to the boat and enjoy sunset tea (enjoy tea and fresh fruit).This time is regarded as “Happy hour”- Buy two get one free while our cruise sailing to the overnight anchorage.
19.00: Sumptuous set-dinner on board.
20.30: Free time for joining games, you may also try your luck with squid fishing.
(Please inform our guide if you want to join in karaoke activity)
Overnight in Bai Tu Long bay cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner Accommodation : Overnight on Ha Long cruise

DAY 13: TRA SAN – THIEN CANH SON CAVE – HON GAI HARBOR- HANOI (B,L)
Distance    Ha Long- Hanoi : 160 km à 4 hours
Shuttles bus & tour guide on cruise
06.30: Freshen up your new day with doing Tai Chi 
07.00: Breakfast will be served in Western style and furthermore with Vietnamese traditional food. Tea and coffee is available
08.00: Explore Thien Canh Son cave. Your guide will explain the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and this Cave, made by Mother Nature
 09.30: Back to your boat by tender then finish packing.   
Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).
10.30: Cooking demonstration is organized by our guide at this time. You have a chance to make Vietnamese cuisine- “Banh Cuon” by yourself.
11.00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
12.00: Disembark in Hon Gai pier
12.30: Say goodbye Ha Long Bay then returns to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation  at a selected hotel in Hanoi 

DAY 14: HANOI  DEPARTURE (B)

Private driver

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Free and easy until you will transfer to airport for flight home.
Saying goodbye to Vietnam & Xuan Son Travel see you again.
Meals: Breakfast

Since this can be private or group tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!

NOTES
1/ He weather & our latest advice on the weather

Light clothes regardless of the season in the south but for the visit of temples and pagodas, make sure you have a top with sleeves (shoulders must be covered) and bottoms going at least up to the knee. From November to March it can get pretty cold in the North, make sure to have warm clothes for mornings and evenings.

Northern Vietnam:

  • Dec – Feb: 10°C to 25°C, mostly dry, grey.
  • March: 15°C to 30°C, season change, dry.
  • April – June: 25°C to 35°C, some heavy showers.
  • Sept – Oct: 25°C to 35°C, clear weather, occasional showers.

          Note: from 5°C to 10°C less in the mountains; make sure you have warm clothes.

2/ Visa
  • To go to Vietnam you must have a valid passport valid at least 6 months after the date of return.
  • The Government of Vietnam promulgates the Resolution on Vietnamese Entry Visa Waiver for Citizens of Five European Countries: UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This exemption is applied for a maximum period of 15 days regardless of passport categories and purpose of entry into Vietnam, and is valid until June 30, 2021.
  • For any stay lasting more than 15 days, or for a multiple entry stay in a period of less than 15 days, a visa is required. A period of 30 days is required after the last exit from Vietnam in order to once again benefit from the visa waiver measure for a stay not exceeding 15 days.

To get more info => Click Here

3/ International flight
  • Our offer does not include international flights between your country and Vietnam for two reasons:
  • International flights from your country are more expensive if purchased in Vietnam. It is therefore more beneficial for you to buy them from a ticketing agency in your country.
  • The payment and booking conditions for international flights are strict while it is difficult for us, a local agency, to apply the same conditions to you (full payment before travel). Since international financial transactions give rise to significant bank charges, you will be led to pay unnecessary surcharges.
4/ Which language?
  • The official and most widely spread language is Vietnamese.
  • English is spoken in all touristic areas.
5/ Cancellation Policy:
  • More than 30 days before arrival: no cancellation charge will be done (Client’s non-refundable deposit will be forfeited)
  • 14-29 days before arrival: 10% of the cost of the tour is forfeited
  • 10-13 days before arrival: 40% of the cost of the tour is forfeited
  • Within 10 days before arrival: 100 % of the cost of the tour is forfeited
6/ What to Bring
  • Sun Glasses, Sun Block, Wide Brim Hat, Insect Repellent, Swimming Suits
  • Warm Clothes (in winter from November to April)
  • Original Passport
ACCOMMODATION

LIST OF OUR HOTELS:
The hotels offered by Xuan Son Travel classified from 02 to 05 stars at international standard, comfortable with all the required services.

  1. Homestay/local homestay: we have developed fair tourism, through contacts with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with locals and sharing their daily lives. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well assured and with the best possible conditions
  2. Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are decent, clean, equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and air conditioning.
  3. Superior Category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious and the services and facilities are more numerous.
  4. Deluxe category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a wide choice of quality services have swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi
  5. Luxury Category: 5 stars. Hotels with excellent comfort and a wide range of excellent services. Swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi…)
CITIES /AREASHOME STAYHOTEL-STANDARD
HOTELS-SUPERIOR
HOTEL-DELUXE
HOTELS- LUXURY
HANOI….Maison d’Orient Hotel..Hong Ngoc Dynastie/ Icon 36/ Flower / Hanoi Era/Gondola hotel..La Siesta Classic Premium / Golden Silk/ Pearl/ Thang Long opera/Flower GardenSofitel Legend Metropole / L’Opera/ Movempick Hotel
CRUISE….….Oriental Cruises/ V’Spirit Cruises….Swan Cruises/ Renea cruise/Calypso cruise/ Victory cruise ….Dragon Legend cruise/ Heritage/Dynasty/Orchird/ Genesis cruise……
SAPASapa homestay….Sapa Aroma hotelSapa charm/Lotus Arora hotel/Amazing/Bamboo Sapa hotel/ Pistachio..Silk path Grand resort
MOC CHAUHomestay….….….….
MUONG LOHomestay….….….….
CAO BANGHomestay….….….….
YEN SONHomestay….….….….
QUANG UYENHomestay….….….….
BA BEHomestay….….….….
SERVICES & PRICE

TRAVEL PRICE: NORTHWEST & NORHTEST LOOPS OF VIETNAM -14DAYS 13NIGHTS
From…. To… usd /per
Excluding international flights

Inclusion

  • Accommodation/homestay based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast.
  • 2 days 1 night overnight on Ha Long cruise.
  • Water puppet show in Hanoi
  • Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner).
  • All transfers with the air-conditioned private vehicle
  • Experienced English speaking tour guide on location
  • Water & cool towels.
  • Government taxes & service charge.

 

Exclusion

  • International Airfares.
  • Early check in/ late checkout.
  • Meals not indicated.
  • Drinks & beverage.
  • Vietnam visa stamp fee.
  • Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
  • Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
  • Tips and gratuities.

 

Children Policy:

  • Child from 0 – 4 Years old is = 50% Adult`s cost.. Sharing the same bed with parents
  • Child from 5 – 11 years old = 75% Adult`s cost. Private Bed (extra Bed) within the same room as parents
  • Child from 12 – up = 100% Adult`s cost. Private Bed (extra Bed) within the same room as parents
  • Triple room = 3 Persons sharing one room (01 Double Bed + 01 Single Bed)

Customize this tour

This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.

PARTICIPANTS AND DATE OF TRAVEL

Your group includes: *

The date of your trip: *

2. Your personal information and contact details

Contact us

  • +84 914374251
  • xuansontravel@yahoo.com.vn

My name is Nicky, English & French speaking advisor at Xuan Son Travel. I have been the specialist in tailor-made trips to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 18years. I love the charm of the small streets of Hanoi as well as the charm of the countryside, with magical landscapes, warm and smiling inhabitants in all regions of Vietnam. As a Travel Consultant, I put it at your disposal and will assure you that your wishes and desires are perfectly suited to your trip to Asia.

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