Essence of the Far North – Colours of the Highlands: Ha Noi – Lang Son – Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Ha Giang – Dong Van – Lung Cu

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: HA NOI - LANG SON - CAO BANG (Lunch, dinner)

The Vietravel coach and guide meet the group at the meeting point and depart on the "Northern Essence – Highland Colours" journey, discovering Vietnam's beauty from the thousand-year-old capital to the nation's northern frontier, with historic sites and majestic landscapes.

• 07:00: Pick-up at meeting point 1 – Vietravel Ha Noi (03 Hai Ba Trung).

The coach departs to visit:

• Thang Long Imperial Citadel: an architectural complex built by successive dynasties over many periods, now one of Vietnam's most important heritage sites and recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2010. Guests can take photos in traditional Vietnamese costumes (costume hire at own expense).
• On the way to Lang Son, rest stop at the Hoa Hoi (Star Anise) Rest Stop, Chi Lang, a spacious stop displaying many local products, especially famous star anise oil.
• Enjoy Lang Son's famous specialties such as sour pho and roast duck…
• Souvenir photos at Border Marker 1116 at Huu Nghi Border Gate (formerly Nam Quan Pass), one of the most important gateways for trade with China in the North.

Continue to Cao Bang City, check in and have dinner. Evening: free time to stroll Kim Dong Walking Street (open every Friday and Saturday), shop for specialties such as black grass jelly, dong vermicelli and huong persimmons, or relax with a foot, neck and shoulder massage.

Overnight in Cao Bang City

DAY 2: THE LANDSCAPES OF CAO BANG - TRUNG KHANH (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel.

7:30: the coach departs to explore the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, recognised by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2018. The journey takes guests to its famous sights:

• Nguom Ngao Cave: admire the magical beauty of this cave, formed by millions of years of limestone weathering, with stalactites in countless shapes and deep ties to Tay culture.
• Khuoi Ky Stone Village: soak up the peace of this stone village more than 400 years old, where unique stilt houses are built from natural stone slabs.
• Ban Gioc Waterfall: see the majestic beauty of one of Vietnam's most beautiful waterfalls, where the gentle Quay Son River marks the Vietnam–China border.
• Guests may choose a boat ride on the Quay Son River, admiring the lovely scenery on both the Vietnamese and Chinese banks (at own expense).
• Visit the Phuc Sen knife workshop, famous for finely hand-forged knives.
• God's Eye Mountain (Thung Mountain): marvel at this unique geological masterpiece of Non Nuoc Cao Bang; view Na Ma Valley, lush green in April–May or magically flooded in June–July.

Enjoy the best of Cao Bang cuisine at a local restaurant, with famous specialties such as black grass jelly and chicken stewed in pumpkin with chestnuts… Free evening.

Overnight in Cao Bang City

DAY 3: CAO BANG - MEO VAC - DONG VAN (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Breakfast and hotel check-out.

7:30–8:00: the coach and guide pick up guests and depart for the Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, recognised by UNESCO in 2010. Stops along the way:

• Khau Coc Cha Slope: admire this 15-tier slope, one of the most treacherous on Me Pia Pass.
• Rest stop and lunch at a local restaurant, with the signature flavours of the Northeast mountains.

Continuing, guests explore this spectacular karst plateau across Ha Giang's four northern districts: Meo Vac – Dong Van – Yen Minh – Quan Ba.

• Pa Vi community-tourism village: a peaceful village at the foot of Ma Pi Leng Pass. Take souvenir photos at the gate shaped like a giant Hmong khen pipe and see homestays rich in Hmong culture.
• Admire the majesty of the Nho Que River, Tu San Canyon and Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the "Four Great Passes" of Vietnam's northern mountains.
• Panorama Cafe: guests receive a complimentary entry-and-drink combo at this "super chill" spot atop Ma Pi Leng Pass, with sweeping views of the Nho Que River and Tu San Canyon.
• Souvenir photos at the Youth Volunteers Monument and a visit to the Happiness Road Museum, which preserves heroic historical stories.

Optional experience (at own expense):

• Guests may take a boat trip on the Nho Que River through Tu San, the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia, to fully enjoy nature's grandeur (reference price: VND 120,000 per adult; VND 60,000 per child, including boat and shuttle).

In Dong Van, check in at the hotel and enjoy local cuisine: "the dream of stone", the men men corn dessert typical of the karst plateau. Evening: free time to stroll Dong Van Old Quarter, meet local people, sip hot ginger tea at Old Quarter Cafe, or enjoy a herbal foot soak and relaxing massage with the local au tau balm.

Overnight in Dong Van

DAY 4: DONG VAN - YEN MINH - QUAN BA - HA GIANG (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Breakfast and hotel check-out.

7:00: the coach and guide pick up guests to continue exploring the Dong Van Karst Plateau:

• Admire the Lung Cu Flag Tower, with views over peaceful villages such as Lo Lo Chai and Then Pa, and especially two symmetrical lakes that locals liken to "dragon's eyes".
• Visit the Northernmost Point, the sacred symbol of the nation's frontier, and see the Nho Que River winding softly below the mountains.
• Admire the poetic Sa Moc tree road from Lo Lo Chai village to the northernmost point, the "Green Border Belt" project planted by Vietravel travellers and local people together.
• Enjoy a cosy lunch in Lo Lo Chai village and capture memories at the Lo Lo people's unique Bronze Drum house.

12:30: the coach continues to Ha Giang, stopping to visit:

• The Vuong Family Mansion, a centuries-old residence with unique and rare architecture on the stone plateau.
• Lung Cam Cultural Village in Sung La Valley, setting of the award-winning film "Pao's Story", where guests learn about Hmong culture.
• Take in the panoramic majesty of Tham Ma Slope and enjoy a coffee there (drinks at own expense).
• Admire the Quan Ba Twin Mountains, a symbol of the Dong Van stone plateau.

On arrival, enjoy bong fish, named one of Vietnam's 121 signature dishes in 2022, and check in at the hotel. Evening: free time to stroll, enjoy coffee atop Cam Mountain, or try Ha Giang's signature au tau porridge (at own expense).

Overnight in Ha Giang City

DAY 5: HA GIANG - TUYEN QUANG - NOI BAI AIRPORT (HA NOI) (Breakfast, lunch)

Breakfast and check out.

7:30: the coach departs to visit:

• Souvenir photos at the Km0 Marker, the start of the legendary Happiness Road linking Ha Giang with the four highland districts of the karst plateau – where "even stones blossom".
• Free time to shop for local OCOP specialties such as Shan Tuyet tea, bringing the flavours of the mountains home as gifts.
• Visit the Ha Giang Museum, the province's first digital museum, with impressive displays, notably the "Ha Giang Museum" name model shaped like the arcing mountain ranges embracing Ha Giang.
• Rest stop and lunch at a local restaurant, enjoying the signature flavours of Tuyen Quang.

END OF TOUR – FAREWELL!

*Notes:

• The order of destinations may change depending on actual conditions.
• Sightseeing (swimming, flower viewing, experiences…) is easily affected by the weather. This is force majeure and we appreciate your understanding.
• Hotels may be located away from the city centre in peak seasons.
• Due to objective factors, attractions may close and be replaced with suitable alternatives.

Pricing for Children

- Children under 5: no service charge; parents take care of the child and pay any extra costs (e.g. height-based charges). Two adults may bring only 1 child under 5; a second child pays the rate for ages 5 to under 12 plus the single-room supplement. Air, rail and public transport tickets follow the carriers' rules
- Children from 5 to under 12: 50% of the adult tour price (no separate bed). Two adults may bring only 1 child aged 5 to under 12; any additional child must buy a single bed.
- Children 12 and over: 100% of the adult price.

Tour Change and Cancellation Policy

After payment, if you wish to cancel the tour, please bring your ID card and payment receipt to the Vietravel office to complete the cancellation procedure. Cancellations by phone are not accepted.
- Cancellation time is counted in working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays/Tet.
- Arriving late for the flight is treated as a cancellation 1 day before departure.
Refund and cancellation terms follow the Travel Ticket Sales Conditions attached to the contract. - Cancellation after registration – cancellation fee 10% of the tour price
- Cancellation 15 days before departure: cancellation fee 50% of the tour price
- Cancellation 5 days before departure: cancellation fee 70% of the tour price
- Cancellation 2 days before departure: cancellation fee 100% of the tour price.

Cancellation Policy for Public Holidays and Tet

Cancellation after registration – cancellation fee 10% of the tour price
Cancellation 30 days before departure: cancellation fee 50% of the tour price
Cancellation 20 days before departure: cancellation fee 70% of the tour price.
Cancellation 10 days before departure: cancellation fee 100% of the tour price.