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Embark on a thrilling 11-day adventure through the unspoiled beauty and rich culture of Northern Vietnam. From the vibrant streets of Hanoi to the breathtaking landscapes of Ha Giang, this tour offers a deep dive into the country’s most remote and picturesque regions. You’ll traverse winding mountain roads, visit charming ethnic minority villages, explore stunning natural wonders like the Ma Pi Leng Pass and Ba Be Lake, and cruise through the mystical waters of Halong Bay.
Along the way, immerse yourself in the rich history of ancient citadels, traditional H’mong architecture, and the serene beauty of nature, all while savoring authentic local cuisine. This journey not only offers spectacular scenery but also a meaningful connection with Vietnam’s people and their way of life. Whether you’re soaking in the tranquility of Ba Be Lake, cycling through the lush rice paddies of Mai Chau, or exploring the enchanting streets of Hoi An, every day brings a new adventure and a deeper appreciation for this stunning country.
Prepare to be amazed by the beauty and diversity of Northern Vietnam on this unforgettable tour, designed for those seeking a blend of culture, history, and breathtaking natural landscapes.
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to explore or relax at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: N/A
Early in the morning, you will leave Hanoi and drive to Ha Giang. Ha Giang is the furthest province to the north and is inhabited by many ethnic minority groups. On the way, you will visit the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel from the 15th century in Tuyen Quang.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
As long as you drive further to the north of Vietnam, you will reach the mountainous area, driving on winding single roads with breath-taking landscapes.
Overnight in Quan Ba town.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/dinner
Today our journey will continue with Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Dong Van town, passing most picturesque villages and single houses on rolling hills. The winding road seems to be non-stop, taking lots of your photo capture of the vast limestone mountain range.
You will visit the Vuong palace, which used to be the home of high-ranking H’mong family. The palace architecture is a combination of European and Chinese style and is well maintained till today.
You will proceed to Lung Cu in the northmost end of Vietnam territory. Here you will be able to view China and the border area.
You should not miss Sung La village, once filmed in Vietnam, to see how local people live.
Then you will head to Lung Tam village of H’mong minority to learn how they make traditional fabrics. In Dong Van town, the guide will show you the charming old street nearby the market in Dong Van town.
Overnight in Dong Van.
Meals: Breakfast /Lunch / dinner
Upon leaving Dong Van, we will transfer to Ma Pi Leng. About one hour from Dong Van town, you will reach Ma Pi Leng Pass, the most scenic road with a panoramic view of high mountains up to the sky and Nho Que river at the bottom. Then we will take a boat to explore the Nho Que river. This river is one of the most beautiful and majestic rivers in the country, flowing through a rugged and spectacular landscape. It has become a poetic legend and a beautiful symbol of Ha Giang tourism.
Explore the legends of the river and admire the stunning scenery of the Ma Pi Leng Pass and the surrounding villages through a river boat cruise, taking you through the deep and breathtaking Tu San Canyon, the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia.
Arrive in Meo Vac late in the afternoon, you will stay overnight here.
Overnight in Meo Vac at Homestay.
Meals: Breakfast at homestay / Lunch / dinner
After breakfast at homestay, we will leave Meo Vac to Ba Be with one stop on the way for lunch at Bao Lac town. Then we continued to drive south-west to Bac Kan province, home to Ba Be National Park called Three Lakes. When you arrive in Ba Be Lake, check into a local homestay of the Tay minority.
This afternoon is the opportunity to take a boat ride in this tranquil Lake for discovering its beauties. If time permits, you will visit the 300m-long cave which was a shelter during the war time. Back home and have dinner and share with local family to get more experience.
Overnight in Ba Be.
Meals: Breakfast at homestay / lunch / dinner
After breakfast, we will continue our trip to Mai Chau. The scenery changes dramatically from cityscapes to flatlands and finally entering the towering limestone cliffs of the valley.
Arriving in the picturesque Pom Coong village, you will be treated with a simple local lunch while soaking in the magnificent Thai’s home.
Then we cycle through the lovely villages in the valley of Mai Chau. You’ll see evidence of how life here has historically revolved around agriculture, and you will see tribes on their daily routines such as planting rice, herding buffaloes.
Overnight in Mai Chau.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
This morning, we will check out and drive to Ninh Binh. After lunch time we will visit Hoa Lu ancient capital before embarking a boat trip to explore in Tam Coc river and cave to see most spectacular landscape and see amazing limestone emerge on the rice paddies fields, and bamboo boat row though beautiful cave. You will enjoy and take beautiful picture, you will have around 2.5 to 2 hours boat trip in Tam Coc River then back to harbor and transfer to your hotel. Then you are free.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a drive on a countryside road through the paddy fields to Halong Bay, one of New Seven Natural Wonders. Upon arrival at the harbor, you will board a traditional boat – set sail through the limestone islands and have a seafood lunch – visit the most impressive cave of Sung Sot before making a stop off at a nice beach for a swim – return to the boat and attend a short cooking class – time to rest on the upper deck at sunset –
Enjoy a seafood dinner on board and enjoy the scenery of Halong bay during your dinner.
The rest of the day is your leisure. Why not play cards, try your luck at fishing, watch movies or simply enjoy some drinks and chat with your friends at the bar on board.
Overnight in the boat.
Meals: Breakfast / lunch
Start your day early with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the top deck, surrounded by the stunning limestone karsts of Halong Bay. Enjoy a light breakfast as the boat gently glides through the tranquil waters. Afterward, embark on a kayaking adventure to explore a hidden cave, revealing the serene beauty of the bay’s landscape up close.
Return to the boat to freshen up, check out of your cabin, and indulge in a delightful brunch as you sail back to the harbor. Upon arrival, you’ll transfer back to Hanoi for your flight to Danang.
Upon landing, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the charming town of Hoi An, where you’ll have the evening to relax and unwind.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast / Brunch
After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will take you on a pleasant walk around the charming town of Hoi An, a World Heritage site known for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and distinctive local cuisine. Hoi An’s architecture reflects indigenous and foreign influences. Enjoy exploring the historic old town on foot, an effective way to absorb the daily life here. Visit Tan Ky old house, Japanese covered bridge, and Chinese assembly hall, and visit local markets and shops along the way. Stop to taste local specialties at restaurants and street food stalls. the rest of the day is yours to explore or relax at your leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
After enjoying your breakfast at hotel, your adventure begins, we will bring you to Cua Dai Port in Hoi An, where you’ll set off on an exciting journey to Cham Island, a UNESCO-recognized site known for its lush forests, pristine beaches, and charming villages. As you approach the island, its natural beauty unfolds before you.
Upon arrival, you’ll explore the highlights of Cu Lao Cham Island, visiting notable landmarks such as the ancient Champa Wells, which are over 200 years old, and the protected marine sanctuary. You’ll also see the fisherman’s mooring area, a safe haven for boats during storms, and the historic Hai Tang Pagoda, a centuries-old temple that adds a spiritual touch to the island's atmosphere. The bustling seafood market is another fascinating stop, where you can observe the daily trading activities of the local fishermen.
Afterward, enjoy some leisure time to relax on the island’s stunning beaches, including Ong Beach, Huong Beach, and Chong Beach. You also have the option to rent a motorbike and explore the island at your own pace.
A delicious seafood lunch awaits you at a local restaurant, offering the freshest catch of the day. After lunch, take some time to unwind and soak in the island's serene atmosphere before boarding a speedboat for the return journey to Cua Dai Port, bringing your memorable island excursion to a close.
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast / lunch
After your breakfast we will bring you to the Da Nang international airport to continue your journey with your flight back home.
You will keep an unforgettable memory of your stay.
Meals : Breakfasts
Crafted Excellence: Discover Bespoke Tours in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with Viettourist.
If you want to visit Vietnam, you might be wondering what the weather is like in different months. Well, it depends on where you go and what you want to do. Vietnam has a diverse climate, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. But don’t worry, I’ll give you a general overview of what to expect in each month, based on the average weather patterns. You can also check out the holidays and events that happen in each month in Vietnam.
January
This is a good month to enjoy the dry and pleasant weather in most parts of Vietnam, except for the north. The north can get quite cold, especially in the morning and evening. You might need some warm clothes and jackets if you go to places like Sapa and Ha Giang. If you’re looking for some beach time, head to Phu Quoc, where the sun is always shining. Just be aware that Halong Bay can be foggy this month, so you might not see the best views.
February
The weather gets warmer in most of Vietnam, except for the north, which still feels chilly. This is a high season for tourism, so expect more crowds and higher prices. But it’s also a great time to experience the TET festival, which is the Vietnamese New Year. It’s a big celebration with lots of food, fireworks, and fun. Just keep in mind that many shops, museums, and restaurants are closed for about a week during TET.
March
This is one of the best months to visit Vietnam, as the weather is fantastic everywhere. You have more options for beach destinations, such as Mui Ne, Con Dao, and Nha Trang. Hoi An is also a lovely place to enjoy the beach and the old town. This is also a great time to visit Halong Bay, which should have clear blue skies and no fog.
April
Like March, April is another great month to visit Vietnam, with amazing weather everywhere. This is also a high season for tourism, so be prepared for more crowds and higher prices.
May
The weather gets hotter in May, but it’s still a good time to visit Vietnam before the rainy season starts. You might get some rain in the north and south by the end of the month, but nothing too serious. You can also take advantage of the lower prices after the high season.
June
You might get some rain in the north and south of Vietnam, but it’s usually not too bad. You can still enjoy the sunny days in Hanoi, Mai Chau, and Halong Bay. The best place to be is in central Vietnam, where the weather is still dry and sunny. You can relax on the beaches of Lang Co and Hoi An, or explore the countryside and culture. This is also a good time to travel before the school holidays start next month.
July
Central Vietnam is still the best place to be in July, with lots of sunshine and little rain. The rest of Vietnam might have some showers, but they won’t ruin your fun.
August
Central Vietnam is still a good place to visit in August, although you might get some more rain by the end of the month. The rest of Vietnam might also have some rain, but it’s not too bad. You can also enjoy some discounts on flights and hotels during the low season.
September
This is a good month to catch the last sun on the central coast of Vietnam before it gets too rainy. The north and south are usually very wet this month, but you can still find some bargains on hotels.
October
The weather gets better in the north of Vietnam in October, and this is a great time to visit places like Sapa or Ha Giang. You can admire the stunning scenery of rice terraces, valleys, and mountains that change color with the seasons. You can also hike, bike, or stay with the local people who live there. This is not a good month for beach lovers, but Vietnam has so much more to offer than just beaches. And traveling in October means you avoid the crowds.
November
The high season starts again in November, as many people come to Vietnam for the cooler winter months in the north. By the end of the month, most of Vietnam is hot and dry again, except for the central region, which might have some rain.
December
There is still a chance of rain in the central part of Vietnam in December; however, most of Vietnam is hot and dry again. The beach season starts again on Phu Quoc island. You should book early for Christmas time, as it can get very busy.
