Discover stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures, and authentic Vietnamese life in this off-the-beaten-path adventure. North Vietnam itinerary is away from typical tourist routes. Leaving Hanoi journey through dramatic mountain passes, rice paddy fields, pine forests and canyons; cross the hair-raising Ma Pi Leng Pass, Rocky mountain and stop at mountain towns like Dong Van, Tam Son and Cao Bang. Along the way, visit landmarks like the King of the H’mong Palace and Ban Gioc waterfall tour; explore the Nguom Ngao cave.
Off the beaten path North Vietnam adventure itinerary
Taking the road less travelers as we locals do organize highlighted tours to Cao Bang Ban Gioc waterfall, Ha giang loop from Hanoi less known roads and scenic routes.
Visit unexpected villages of H’mong, Thai, Tay ethnic people on the way that how we see hill tribes live and their customs at works.
Real Vietnam off the beaten path tour
Main focus is on experiencing the “true” Vietnam. Trip is for places and activities that will give you a deeper understanding of the local culture, traditions, and everyday life.
Exploring local foods and try to taste all kinds of dishes homemade in its local flavor and ingredients
Day 1: Hanoi – Ban Gioc waterall Cao Bang
Picking up at your hotel in Hanoi at 8:30 am, beginning your journey to the stunning mountains of Lang Son border with China where you will slowly see the scenery around you change from bustling metropolis to rolling countryside. Our road trip today will take up 7 hours drive to Ban Gioc waterfall. On the way we will do stop for coffee breaks and some spots during a day. Peace in mind that our first night will stay in the old village nearby the waterfall. Here is home of Tay tribe on the bank with China. Enjoy evening friendly with locals by dinner.
Otherwise food cooking is favorite of family styles in what surrounding garden has. Seeing major is variety of choice such as chicken, beefs, pork, fish, seasonal vegetables
Day 2: Ban Gioc waterfall – Nguom Ngao Cave
A new day is coming to explore the biggest cave name Nguon Ngao, on the mountain hike about an hour. This is the natural created stalagmites and stalactites in the world existed for years.
Noon is good time to take a visit to Ban Gioc waterfall due to nice sun falling and more water than other hours. So you will get and take a good shot of photography and its surroundings.
see a rural viewpoint and visit local living styles of Tay ethnic group in touching with its customs and their traditions.
Stay at second night at the village of Ban Gioc fall.
Day 3: Ban Gioc waterfall – Cao Bang
Our first stop on the go is a handicraft making incense and blacksmith. It’s not only farming rice, corn but also locals will have its own business family works. By chance you will see how their living styles is much simple and easy progress
Here and there is a man looking after some buffaloes, some puppies go along with, an woman wear a bamboo hat grow some plants in her garden. you may be invited into her family house for some drinks, some nice talks about lives.
Stay overnight at Cao Bang city that is so much vibrant city of character.
Day 4: Cao Bang – Dong Van old town
Take a road trip through Plateau of Cao Bang to Ha giang territory that extended the loop off beaten path Dong Van old town.
Windy road heading to Meo Vac town where home of H’mong people have lived for years. if it will be on right time of Sunday market, boosting busy time of a weekend to trade in the meantime. Wandering around the market, you will love this moment of North Vietnam adventure itinerary.
Some hiking in rocky mountain and take a viewpoint of scenery Ma Pi Leng pass, Nho Que river
Tonight will stay at Old town of Dong Van.
The Old Quarter of Dong Van is the historical center of the city. This part of the town is surprisingly cozy, for a town so far away from everything and not being as developed. Around the square you will find a lot of old houses dating back from the French colonial times that are now being used as small restaurants and shops to cater mainly the travelers. The houses have many influences from Chinese architecture; two-story houses with yin and yang structured roofs decorated with red lantern.
Day 5: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Ma PiLeng pass
The Old Quarter of Dong Van is the historical center of the city. This part of the town is surprisingly cozy, for a town so far away from everything and not being as developed. Around the square you will find a lot of old houses dating back from the French colonial times that are now being used as small restaurants and shops to cater mainly the travelers. The houses have many influences from Chinese architecture; two-story houses with yin and yang structured roofs decorated with red lantern.
The Dong Van market is extremely colorful as all the female minorities dress up in their most colorful costumes. The ethnic people of the area, such as the Hmong, Tay, Nung and Hoa, come here to sell their goods. That could be anything, from clothes to farm equipment and from simple house hold goods to phones and chargers.
There are often a few games that can be played and people getting a hair cut right on the street on the market. There are also animals on the market such as cows, buffaloes, ducks and chickens, but also small pigs and dogs that people use to sort of show off.
Day 6: Rocky mountain to Yen Minh – Ha Giang
Following up itinerary North Vietnam adventure, we continue journey of Ha giang city for overnight stop. So upon time of the year, we are going to see rice paddy fields, take a walk into hillsides village on our tour. it seems show up a small village of nowhere to explore.
Stay overnight at the city.
Day 7: Ha giang city – Hanoi
Our trip will be back Hanoi. End of the trip
Questions About Northern Vietnam Adventure?
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