Northern Vietnam Trails 14 Days

Upon our arrival in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning, we have a scenic drive to Sapa town, which is only 35 km away.
After shower and a simple breakfast, we head out to discover Sapa and its nearby villages of Sa Seng and Hau Thao, located in an idyllic valley and home to Black H'mong people. We have ample chances to obtain wonderful insights into their daily life.

Along the way, we stop at a delightful villages and enjoy a picnic lunch. Finally, we arrive in the Giang Ta Chai village, nestled in a stunning region. Tonight we spend a memorable night in the house-on-stilts of a Zay family. 

Accommodation: Homestay

The beautiful Giang Ta Chai is surrounded by verdant hills and rice terraces. We enjoy a hike through lush rice terraces and along verdant hills, before we return to Sapa. In free time, why not wander through a local market and appreciate the laidback lifestyle in this beautiful township. 

Afternoon finds us in the villages of Hau Thao and Thanh Phu, situated in a region of sculpted rice terraces and home to Black H’mong people, we walk around peaceful villages and farmlands at an easy and leisurely pace to suit everybody. 

At night we stay over in a home stay in the village of Thanh Phu, home to Tay ethnic minority people.

Accommodation: Homestay

The day begins by crossing hills and hiking through rice terraces, passing peaceful villages. This is followed by a short drive to Binh Lu. Here we take a delightful hike around villages and along towering stunning mountains. 

En route we meet local villagers going about their daily life. Arriving in Sin Ho, we explore the charm of the township and nearby villages. Tonight we spend the night in a hotel. 

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa 

After breakfast we take a hike along beautiful towering mountains, through lush rice terraces and around tiny villages. Later in the morning we walk to our waiting vehicle and make our way to Dien Bien Phu. The night is spent at a comfortable hotel. 

Accommodation: Hotel in Dien Bien 

We continue our journey due north to Son La province by car, viewing spectacular mountain scenery, we break our journey with some stops along the way to explore some beautiful villages, home to Black Thai and Hmong people. 

Arriving in Son La we enjoy this town's laid-back atmosphere and retire to a comfortable hotel for a good night's rest.

Accommodation: Hotel in Son La 

The day begins with a scenic drive from Son La to Black River. En route we take a beautiful hike through the tiers of splendid rice terraces and past several idyllic villages.

This is followed by an enjoyable bicycle ride around a spectacular area, which features verdant hillocks, lush farmlands and beautiful mountains. 

Finally, we descend to the Xom Moi village, located by the Black River and home to the Muong people.

Tonight we settle in with a Muong family in a traditional wooden house to experience their way of life. 

Accommodation: Homestay

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding beauty, cultural interest and high biodiversity value stretching from Mai Chau in the northwest to Cuc Phuong National Park in the south east. The region is blessed with rich forest, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. 

We depart from Black River and hike along paths amid verdant hills and pictursque villages, before arriving at the reserve where we begin our hike to the Thai village of Hang.

We relax in the cool climate, enjoy their hospitality and culture over our dinner. We spend the night in our lodge. 

We take a hike through farmlands and rice terraces, along verdant hills. We see the villages and local people going about their day.

Later in the morning we hike to our waiting vehicle and journey alongside the beautiful Ma river. We head out into the countryside to a typical village in the Red River Delta. Here, we retire to a local family for the night. 

Accommodation: Homestay

We take a short drive to to Ninh Xuan area, a firm favourite with walkers, we enjoy a wonderful boat ride along a scenic canal. This is followed by a delightful hike through spectacular scenery, and dramatic limestone peaks rising up from open rice fields. 

Those who are more interested in local cuisine than just sightseeing can settle in with a local family and learn how to make some authentic Vietnamese food. Dishes include succulent Spring Rolls, zesty sauce dips and sticky rice. We then enjoy the family’s gracious hospitality as they share lunch with us.

After lunch we cycle around several villages and witness the tight-knit community at work. We learn about agriculture, such as rice cultivation, and the growing of peanuts and assorted vegetables. There is plenty of time for us to experience the way of life in the delta. 

We also observe the various steps required to make rice noodles, which are time-consuming and labour-intensive. The night is spent in the same local family. 

Accommodation: Homestay

The fantastic beauty of the bays has given rise to many legends, some of them dating back to the ancient past. It is said that a dragon descended into the deep water spitting out gems as he did so. And thus the rocky islands were formed.

Departing our local family we journey to Ha Long City. Upon our arrival we embark on a boat trip among some of the spectacular limestone peaks – time to relax and appreciate the sublime beauty of the bay. Time is also spent kayaking among towering rock formations.

In the evening we indulge in the uniquely fascinating nature as we stay overnight on our boat. 

Accommodation: Halong bay cruise 

A morning boat trip brings us to some of the bay’s truly awesome scenery – vertical and unusual rocks and islets emerge from the sea. Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to swim in the clear waters.

This is followed by a drive to Cai Rong Island. Here, we embark on a boat trip among the spectacular limestone peaks. Weather permitting, there is an opportunity to enjoy a kayaking ride through stunning rock formations and fishing villages.

Arriving on Van Don Island, a serene and beautiful island, we head to our lodge for the night. 

Accommodation: Hotel in Van Don Island

Van Don is located in Bai Tu Long Bay. The island is blessed with stunning beaches, scenic hills, sand dunes and surroundings sprinkled with tiny villages. 

After a quiet morning strolling around the picturesque village of Quan Lan and watching the day unfold on the island, we board our boat to discover further northern reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay - time to appreciate the sublime beauty of the bay. 

This is followed by our journey back to Hanoi, arriving there at about 6pm.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi