Discover the Hidden Gems of Northeast Vietnam

“Xin chào” - Welcome to Hanoi. You will be welcomed by Viet Exquisite Travel's guide and driver upon arrival then transfer to hotel in city for check in. (Check in time: 14.00. Early check in at surcharge). Free at leisure on your own.

Located at the center of Red River Delta and with more than one thousand years’ history, Hanoi became the capital of Vietnam. Visiting Hanoi, you will not only witness a busy developing city through modern architects and busy streets but also learn more about history, culture, nature and friendly local people

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Depart from Hanoi after breakfast (around 7:00 AM) for a scenic drive to Ba Be National Park in Bac Kan Province (approx. 6 -7 hours). En route, pass through peaceful rural landscapes, rice paddies, and traditional stilt-house villages of the Tay ethnic people. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Thai Nguyen or Bac Kan town.

Arrive at Ba Be National Park, often called the “Halong Bay on land,” famous for its emerald lake surrounded by limestone mountains and lush forests. Check in to your homestay or eco-lodge near the lake (typically in Pac Ngoi or Coc Toc village). Enjoy a relaxing boat trip on Ba Be Lake, gliding through tranquil waters and visiting Puong Cave, home to thousands of bats and unique rock formations. Return to the homestay, where you’ll be welcomed with a family-style dinner featuring local specialties (by your own account)

Overnight at homestay in Ba Be.

After breakfast, take a scenic drive (approx. 2 hours) toward the Ban Gioc Waterfall, located right on the Vietnam–China border. Stop at Phuc Sen village, known for its traditional blacksmithing craft. Observe local artisans forging knives by hand using ancient techniques.

Continue to Ban Gioc Waterfall – the largest and most breathtaking waterfall in Vietnam, cascading down three tiers surrounded by lush karst peaks. Enjoy free time to walk along the river, take photos, or hop on a bamboo raft ride to get closer to the falls.

Have lunch at a local restaurant near the falls. Visit Nguom Ngao Cave, just 5 km away – an impressive limestone cave stretching for several kilometers with striking stalactites and stalagmites. Return to Cao Bang City in the late afternoon, admiring the beautiful countryside along the way. Dinner and overnight at your homestay in Ban Gioc.

After breakfast, depart for Pac Bo, a historically significant site near the Chinese border (approx. 4-5-hour drive). Enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery along the way — terraced fields, forested hills, and rural life. Visit Pac Bo Historical Site, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in 1941 after returning from exile. Explore landmarks such as: Lenin Stream, Karl Marx Mountain, Coc Bo Cave

Enjoy a simple lunch at a local restaurant near Pac Bo then continue driving to Cao Bang City (about 1 hour). Check in to your hotel and have some time to rest or explore the local night market. Dinner at a local restaurant (by your own account) - try Cao Bang specialties like ant egg cake (bánh trứng kiến) or five-colored sticky rice.

Overnight at hotel/homestay in Cao Bang.

After breakfast & check out your homestay in Ban Gioc, you’ll have a ride along the impressive road to Meo Vac. Along the way, there is much to see, and you’ll want to stop everywhere. The massive mountains that disappear into the clouds are mysterious, and you’ll see numerous small waterfalls flowing along the mountain edges.

Overnight at your hotel/homestay there.

The Nho Que River flows into Vietnam from China and is situated right in the mountains. You’ll board a tour boat and glide through the Tu San Canyon section of the Nho Que River on the impressive river and observe locals fishing on the water.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Head to Dong Van, on the way you’ll have chance to admire Ma Pi Leng Pass. It is one of the most awe-inspiring mountain passes in Vietnam, offering breathtaking vistas of the surrounding valleys and rivers

Visit Lung Cu Flag Tower. The Lung Cu Flag Tower sits at an altitude of 1400 meters (4593 feet), and the Vietnamese flag flies proudly at the top. Further along the route to Lung Cu, you’ll pass through Lo Lo Chai Village. This charming hamlet is home to the Lo Lo ethnic group, and it offers an opportunity to understand the culture and traditions of these indigenous people. A stop here is like taking a step back in time.

Head to your homestay in Dong Van to check in & relax.

Overnight at your homestay in Dong Van

Breakfast & check out your homestay in Dong Van.

Our guide & driver take you to visit Vuong Palace. The palace, built in 1889 & features noticeable French influences, which are clearly seen in the palace’s architecture.

Next, you’ll continue the road trip to the Sung La Valley, where you can admire the Pao’s House - Following the success of the movie “The Story of Pao,” Pao’s House has turned into a must-visit spot. Surrounding Pao’s House is the quaint Lung Cam Village, home to over 60 households. The unique architecture of the local H’ Mong houses capture visitors’ attention, featuring aged walls and moss-covered tiled roofs.

Head to your homestay in Quan Ba to check in & relax.

Overnight at your homestay in Quan Ba

 Check out your homestay in Quan Ba & head to Hoang Su Phi

On the way, visit Quan Ba ​​Heaven Gate & Twin Mountains.

Quan Ba Heaven Gate or Quan Ba pass, feels like the doorway to real mountains of Ha Giang. It is here where the scenery changes rapidly to towering mountains with small villages dotted in the valley. It is around 40 km from Ha Giang City and it has some great viewpoints of the topped limestone mountains. On the top of the pass is a small coffee shop with a view, and with cold weather it is recommended to get a hot cup of chocolate here. The Twin Mountains of Quan Ba are, as the name suggest, (almost) identical mountains next to each other. It is also called the Fairy Breast Mountains.

Continue your transfer to Hoang Su Phi. Continue your scenic drive toward Hoàng Su Phì, passing winding mountain roads and traditional villages of the H’ Mông, Dao, and Nùng ethnic groups. Stop along the way for photos or a local-style lunch at a mountain eatery.

Upon arrival in Hoàng Su Phì, check in to your hotel or ethnic homestay, often nestled amidst rice terraces or hillside gardens. Overnight at hotel/homestay in Hoang Su Phi

Wake early to admire the mist rolling over the Hoàng Su Phì rice terraces, recognized as one of the most beautiful terraced landscapes in Vietnam (especially stunning during planting or harvest season). After breakfast, take a short walk through nearby villages to experience the authentic charm of rural mountain life - wooden stilt houses, farmers working the fields, and children heading to school along dirt paths.

Begin your return journey to Hanoi (approximately 8-9 hours by car). Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Tuyên Quang or along National Highway 2. Continue the drive through changing landscapes, from mountains to plains, arriving back in Hanoi in the late afternoon or early evening. Drop off at your hotel in Hanoi.

Breakfast at your hotel the free at your leisure with coffee, shopping in the Old Quarter. Our driver will come to pick you up at 9:00 pm then take you to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight. If time permits, shop around for some last-minute purchases or simply relax before your onward flight. END OF SERVICE!