8:30 AM: Our driver will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. We will then head to Thong Nguyen, one of the 23 communes in the Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. It's approximately a 6-7 hour journey from Hanoi. Upon reaching Thong Nguyen around 3:00 PM, you will check in at your accommodation and take some time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings.

After breakfast, we'll kick off a 6-hour trek right from our accommodation to the nearby mountain. The hike starts with a steady ascent, offering expansive views of distant mountains seemingly merging with the undulating slopes of terraced fields.

Our path leads us to a village inhabited by the Red Dao ethnic group. Here, women don vibrant red dresses and gleaming brocade, tending to medicinal plants used for treating muscle pain, arthritis, flu, or simply for relaxation. 

After a satisfying lunch, our journey continues through picturesque rice terraces, rolling hills, and tea plantations. Eventually, we'll reach a village where the Yao people reside, easily recognizable by their distinctive long tunics. 

Finally, we'll make our way back to our accommodation, wrapping up an unforgettable day of exploration.  

Our driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Thong Nguyen and transfer you to Ha Giang City. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours, with an optional short break along the way.

Embark on a short stroll to the Me, Lup, and Tha villages, inhabited by the Tay ethnic group, and known for their serene beauty. These villages boast hundreds of wooden stilt houses, their roofs thatched with palm leaves. In front of each house, you'll find small ponds used for fish farming, accompanied by areas cultivating water hyacinths for pig feed. The villagers are renowned for their exceptional hospitality and will greet you with warm smiles. Don't miss the chance to visit a traditional house and gain a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle. Your journey concludes in Tha Village, nestled among verdant palm-covered hills and rice fields, offering a tranquil haven for rest.  

8:00 AM: Our adventure begins in Ha Thanh village, where we’ll explore part of the Tay Con Linh Mountain range. This region is renowned for its rice terraces, palm forests, limestone mountains, and numerous hill tribe villages.

The first part of our journey is mostly uphill and can be a bit challenging, but the effort is well worth it for the stunning natural landscapes along the way. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of lush valleys and mountain peaks.

After a few hours, we’ll arrive at Lung Vai village, home to the Dao ethnic group. Here, you'll have time to explore the village and enjoy lunch in a local home.

After lunch, we’ll take a short break to soak in the views of the rice terraces before following an asphalt road for about 3-4 km to reach Khuoi My village, inhabited by both Dao and Tay ethnic groups. Here, villagers live in simple wooden stilt houses with palm-thatched roofs.

From Khuoi My, we’ll take a narrow trail winding through rice terraces, tea plantations, and bamboo forests. The path mostly descends, offering splendid views of the terraces and glimpses of daily village life.

Finally, we’ll reach Thon Tha village, where our adventure concludes.

Walking distance: approximately 16-18 km

8:00 AM: Travel to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route. Before arrival at the Quan Ba pass, we will stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Yis a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).

Continue drive to the Limestone rock plateau zone, considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a special type of house) by a walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground. Next, visit the Palace of the H'mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check in accommodation and relax.

Depart to Lung Cu, located 1470m above sea level. This is well known as a Northern Vietnam landmark. Lung Cu flag pole highlights our nation's sovereignty. Walking up 900 steps will give you the magnificent view of the mountains, valleys and villages in the vicinity then discover the Lo Lo Chai village where the Lo Lo ethnic group lives.

Return to Dong Van town at noon and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, trek to the villages in Dong Van through Hau De – Ma Pia – Ma Pang Village along the Nho Que river that separates Vietnam and China. Travel back to Dong Van at the end of the day.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off from Dong Van toward Meo Vac, crossing the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking views of limestone mountains, the winding Nho Que River, and traditional H'mong village nestled along the slopes.

From there, we’ll continue to Bao Lac, a region renowned for the Black Lo Lo ethnic community. The area gained prominence through the French documentary, "The Journey into Unknown Land", filmed in Khuoi Khon village—just 9 km from Bao Lac town—by rugby player Frédéric Michalak.

We’ll enjoy lunch in Bao Lac town before heading to Coc Xa village in Na Van commune. This Lo Lo village retains a more authentic charm compared to Khuoi Khon, which has become a popular tourist spot since the documentary’s release. Here, you’ll stroll through rice fields and scenic trails, visit local homes, and have meaningful exchanges with the residents, giving you a deeper understanding of their way of life and traditions.

Later, we’ll return to town, where you’ll stay overnight in a local hotel.

Depart to Ba Be via Tinh Tuc, 30km from Bao Lac, in Hung Dao commune, there is a beautiful village of San Chi ethnic. Of course, we will stop to visit and discover the beauty of the village. You are one of a small number of travelers who get to visit this area because of its hidden location behind the hill. The village has hundreds of houses on stilts nested on the side of mountains and views of the beautiful valley. To reach to the village, you will have to walk up a 2km steep incline. The higher you walk, the better view you get. Visit a family to understand the authentic life of this ethnic group.

Continue to Ba Be, where you will be surprised by the magnificent nature where the mountains gently meet the valleys of rice terraces. Stop to film or take photos whenever possible. Upon arrival in Ba Be, check in your accommodation in Pac Ngoi Village and go cycling through several villages of Tay ethnic groups to Hua Ma Cave (5km from the village). This is an attractive place with amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Finally, come back to your accommodation.

In the morning, transfer from the village to Buoc Lom Pier to take a boat trip along the Nang river and enjoy the beautiful scenery of forests along the river. The boat will pass through Puong cave, home to thousands of bats, toward Dau Dang waterfall.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant by the waterfall. In the afternoon, take the boat back to the lake, stopping at the Fairy pond located in the middle of the primitive forest. Here, you will gently cruise around the lake and it's possible to swim if the weather permits. Disembark at around 04:00 PM. Rest of the day on your own free and easy, enjoy sunset over mountain ranges.

Enjoy breakfast and pure air in morning at the national park, then travel to Tan Trao, a former Viet Minh resistance base during the first Indochina war. Visit the historic banyan tree, Na Lua shack house and Tan Trao communal house where President Ho Chi Minh and his team lived and worked before August, 1945 Revolution.

Continue on the less touristic journey which is distinguished by the Tay ethnic villages whose houses stand on stilts, with a backdrop of tea plantation hills, palm plantations and rice valleys. Visit the villages to meet the locals along the way and obviously do not miss some stops to take the photos of the scenery whenever possible.

Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time after the mountain getaway.

8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter). Enjoy three hour drive from Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay. Your journey will pass the series of villages and rice fields in the Red River Delta. Have a stop for drink and restroom. Continue your driving, arrive at the harbor around noon, get warmly welcomed at cruise reception.

07:30 – 8:30: Our driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter (for private transfer) or at our Shuttle Bus stop (for shared transfer). We will head to Halong city. 

12:15: Arrival at Sunworld Harbor, where you'll have a short time to relax before boarding the Garden Bay Classic Cruise.

12:30: Transfer to Garden Bay Classic Cruise Boat by tender (5-10 minutes). Warmest welcome drinks, listen to safety briefing, then check into your cabin.

13:00: Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese Set Menu while our boat cruises leisurely to the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, Cap La area.

15:30: Embark on a kayaking adventure to discover the breathtaking natural scenery of limestone islands and islets. You can also indulge in swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.

17:30: Join the Sunset Party on the Sundeck while the boat cruises to the Cong Do area to anchor for the night (Happy Hour offer from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm).

18:30: Participate in a cooking class where you can learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese cuisines.

19:30: Indulge in a sumptuous BBQ dinner on the Sundeck (not available until October).

21:00: Free time to relax on the Sundeck or try your luck with squid fishing. Board games are also available.

06:30: Wake up early in the morning for Tai Chi exercise.

07:00: Have a light breakfast with Western styles while the boat cruises toward the most beautiful fishing village in Ha Long Bay.

07:30: Transfer to Vung Vieng Fishing Village by tender.

08:00: Ride on the rowing boat (rowed by the local fisherman) to explore the Vung Vieng fishing village and learn about the local fishing life.

09:00: Return to the main boat for the cruise back to the harbor by a different route.

09:30: Check out.

10:00: Have lunch onboard (Fusion style).

11:00: Disembark at Sunworld Harbor. Our driver will pick you up at the port, and bring you back to Hanoi. Expected arrival time in Hanoi at about 3:00 PM.

Welcome by driver at the harbor then enjoy travel back to Hanoi. Have a rest at the middle of the way. Drop off at your hotel (in the Hanoi Old Quarter).

Our driver will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter and take you to Noi Bai Airport. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes, whether you're heading to the international or domestic terminal, depending on your needs.

Notes: Hotel check out is before 12:00 PM. Late check-out is subject to hotel availability and may incur an additional fee. For international flights, it's recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure, and for domestic flights, 2 hours before.