Vietnam’s dramatic interior is easily reached from capital Hanoi and this fascinating journey is a wonderful introduction to what is a relatively undiscovered region of north-east Vietnam.
An area famed for its untouched local traditions, unique cultures and colourful minority people, this itinerary is an excellent way to understand and explore Vietnam’s unrivalled diversity whilst marvelling at spectacular mountain scenery. Highlights include Ba Be National Park, the Sunday markets at Meo Vac and Dong Van, the rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi and the minority villages around Yen Minh.
Please note some accommodation may be more basic due to the remote locations visited. We also advise to depart the UK on a Wednesday to experience Bac Ha market on Sunday
Hanoi – Ba Be National Park – Meo Vac – Yen Minh – Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi – Bac Ha – Hanoi
Trip Highlights
- Discover French colonial buildings and bustling markets in Vietnamese capital Hanoi
- Forested Ba Be National Park supports butterflies, birds, pangolin and slow loris
- Mountainous Ha Giang province provides a rugged home to many minority groups
- On your holiday attend a variety of colourful markets for which this region is famed
- Marvel at the staggering rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi, the finest in the country
- North Vietnam is home to many minority groups including Hmong, Tay and Lo Lo
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the direct Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi.
To ensure that the markets of Meo Vac and Dong Van are visited on a Sunday, we recommend that this itinerary is started on a Tuesday. Alternatively, should you prefer to visit the Sunday market in Hoang Su Phi, this itinerary should commence on a Friday or Saturday.
Day 2
Arrive Hanoi
Arrive into Hanoi for a two night stay. A handsome city of tree-lined boulevards, temples, lakes, parks and a frenetic, vibrant old colonial centre, Hanoi’s charm lies in the preservation of a distinct North Vietnamese culture and way of life distinct to that of the south of the country.
Silk Path Hotel
Capella Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Day 3
Hanoi
Today explore the bustling city of Hanoi with your guide. Start at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and house and then explore the compound of the former Presidential Palace and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda which was originally built during the 11th century AD. Here you can also explore the parks and ponds and take time to reflect on Vietnam’s compelling history. In the afternoon, explore the atmospheric old quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake where craftsmen and artisans have sold their goods made from silver, silk and bamboo for over 2,000 years.
- Breakfast
Silk Path Hotel
Capella Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Day 4
Hanoi to Ba Be National Park – 220kms
Following breakfast, this morning leave Hanoi and drive to Thai Nguyen to visit the local ethnology museum which has an interesting exhibition on the local ethnic groups of northern Vietnam. Continuing north, travel through beautiful scenery to Ba Be National Park which where the afternoon will be spent exploring the reserve by boat. Stay for two nights in a local village homestay.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Local homestay
Day 5
Ba Be National Park
Today further explore Ba Be National Park and the many caves that dot this beautiful reserve. Ba Be’s diversity of flora and fauna is staggering with the park home to over 400 species of plant, 100 species of butterfly and 110 species of bird.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Local homestay
Day 6
Ba Be National Park to Meo Vac – 235kms
After breakfast continue by road north to Meo Vac where you will stay overnight. Crossing the spectacular Colia Pass, visit the small village of Bao Lac, home to the San Chay, and after lunch enter the remote province of Ha Giang arriving into Meo Vac during the afternoon. Later explore the Niem Son Valley and discover the cultural life of the different minority groups that live in the surrounding area.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Local homestay
Day 7
Meo Vac to Yen Minh via Dong Van – 100kms
Follow Vietnam’s northern border to Yen Minh visiting the wonderful Sunday markets at Meo Vac and Dong Van. Rising early, spend the morning at Meo Vac’s market – a colourful affair frequented by Hmong, Tay and Lo Lo people – before driving to the market at Dong Van. The scenery today is spectacular with the Ma Phi Leng Pass a particular highlight. Leaving Dong Van continue to Yen Minh, stopping en-route to visit Hmong, Ma Le and Lung Tao villages, and stay overnight.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Thao Nguyen Hotel
Day 8
Yen Minh to Ha Giang – 100kms
Crossing the Yen Minh Pass, arrive in the commune of Lung Tam and visit a local workshop where Hmong and Zao women produce works of traditional weaving and embroidery. Travel on, arriving in Ha Giang during the afternoon, and later visit the nearby village of Me. Occupying a picturesque position on the banks of the Lo River, the provincial capital sits at the heart of a region rich in minority culture and life. Stay overnight in Ha Giang.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Phoenix Hotel
Day 9
Ha Giang to Hoang Su Phi – 95kms
Leaving the mountainous limestone scenery behind, today continue on to the district of Hoang Su Phi where you will stay for the next two nights. Covered in lush and green forest and sprawling tea plantations, this region is home to the most impressive rice terraces in the country. Winding roads give way to precarious mountain roads while picturesque wooden villages cling spectacularly to precipitous lime-green hillsides.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Pan Hou Lodge
Day 10
Hoang Su Phi
Today explore Hoang Su Phi, the surrounding countryside and nearby villages. If today is a Sunday, spend the morning at the local market where Hmong, Red Zao, Nung and Tay arrive for a day’s trading. The cattle market in Hoang Su Phi is a particular highlight. Later spend time visiting local villages and hiking the terraced fields which have been cultivated for centuries and provide valuable crop-growing space.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Pan Hou Lodge
Day 11
Hoang Su Phi to Bac Ha – 90kms
After breakfast follow the Chinese border west towards Bac Ha where you will stay overnight. Stop en-route and visit the village of Lung Cai which occupies a dramatic setting high on a ridge looking down a narrow valley where the glinting Chay River winds its way between Vietnam and China. In the afternoon visit Hoang A Tuong Castle, built at the start of the 20th century, and the Ban Pho valley.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Sao Hai Bac Ha Hotel
Day 12
Bac Ha to Lao Cai – 75kms / Lao Cai to Hanoi – by train
Today you are at leisure before continuing by road to Lao Cai where a day room will be available for use at a local hotel. In the early evening transfer to the railway station and board the Vic Sapa Train for the overnight journey back to Hanoi. Offering elegant accommodation, the Vic Sapa Train transports passengers in luxurious sleeping carriages between the Vietnamese capital and the country’s far north.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Victoria Express train
Day 13
Arrive Hanoi
Arrive into Hanoi in the morning where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
- Breakfast
Silk Path Hotel
Capella Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
Day 14
Depart Hanoi
Today transfer to Hanoi Airport for the onward flight home back to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Pu Luong is a hiker’s paradise. Take a guided trek and admire the ever-changing landscape as you weave between farmland and wild fields, rivers and mountains, and stopping at small villages to meet local communities.
After returning to Hanoi, extend your holiday with a stay in Ninh Binh. Known for its towering limestone peaks, emerald rice paddies and snaking rivers, explore the area by traditional sampan boat and visit Hoa Lu and the Temple of Dinh Tien Hoang.
Add a two-night cruise in Lan Ha Bay, a more serene alternative to Ha Long Bay, that is an incredible vision of thousands of limestone pillars rising from the sea. Explore hidden bays and inlets, kayak through the emerald waters and uncover incredible cave systems.
Head south to central Vietnam where you can combine two of the country’s cultural highlights, Hue and Hoi An. Discover Hue’s grand Imperial City, a vast complex of palace, gardens and temples and wander the atmospheric streets of ancient Hoi An that are lined with pastel-coloured colonial buildings and bright Chinese lanterns.
Guide to Price
14 days from £3600 - £4600 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Train travel as specified
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with accompanying English speaking guide
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £3600 - £4600
Travel Information
Getting There
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are available from Vietnam Airlines. Indirect flights are also available. Thai Airways fly via Bangkok to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and other airlines including Emirates, Malaysian, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways travel via their regional hubs.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights take around 12 hours. Flights with stops en-route take around 16 hours.
Time Zone
Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Visa-free travel for stays of up to 45 days. For holidays longer than 45 days, you can apply for an e-visa that allows a 90-day stay and multiple entries.
Do’s & Don’ts
It is illegal to import, transport, use, store or sell vapes or e-cigarettes in Vietnam. This ban applies to both visitors and locals. If found in possession of a vape or e-cigarette the device will be confiscated and a fine, or more significant penalty, enforced. We strongly advise not to bring or use any vape or e-cigarette during your stay in Vietnam.
Whenever entering someone's house make sure you remove your shoes.
Ensure you do not point your feet in the direction of other people as this is considered very rude.
Money
The national currency in Vietnam is the Dong. ATMs are plentiful and credit cards are widely accepted. Although US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are all often taken, it does depend on the particular vendor and their chosen exchange rate at the time. Whatever currency you are using, make sure the notes are well-kept and not torn, otherwise they will not be accepted.
Tipping
You will not be expected to tip in most places in Vietnam, yet when you do it is very much appreciated. If you liked the service you received then a generous tip is most appreciated. A guideline for tipping drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Rice, noodles, fresh vegetable and herbs all play big roles in Vietnamese food making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. You will find that each region tends to have its own range of specialities although as a general rule southern dishes contain more spice than their northern counterparts. Whereas the bulk of the restaurants are based in the major cities, smaller vendors and stalls can be found virtually anywhere. And no matter where you go, everyone drinks the national beverage at all social gatherings – green tea. There is still a strong French influence in Vietnam’s cuisine, baguettes and patisseries are readily available, and there are numerous French restaurants.
Accommodation
The general standard of accommodation across the country is high, so no matter your budget, Vietnam will cater for you. Eco lodges, homestays or simple local hotels with basic facilities are typical in rural and remote parts of Vietnam where the focus is on experiencing the location rather than where you are staying. In contrast, cities and towns offer a whole range of accommodation with a selection of impressive high-end luxury and boutique hotels similar to the rest of Southeast Asia. Vietnam is known for its breadth of cruises and vessels vary in size, standard and style. At Ha Long Bay cruises take place in small to medium-sized junk boats whilst in the Mekong Delta smaller sampan-style boats are used for exploring the narrow tributaries and larger cruise boats for extended upstream expeditions to Cambodia. Throughout the coast between Central and South Vietnam you will find many beautiful boutique spa hotels perfect for a luxury beach holiday.
Shopping
With countless street markets, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to handicrafts ranging from lacquerware to textiles. Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An especially offers excellent value for money when it comes to tailored clothing, fine cotton goods, hand embroidered fabrics and various jewellery and shawls.
Suggested Reading
The usual good sources of information, such as Bradt and Footprint, are always helpful. If you want a more visually appealing guide to Vietnam, then Nguyen Van Huy's ‘Vietnam: Journeys of Body, Mind and Spirit’ carries a number of stunning photographs from journeys through the heart of the country. ‘Vietnam: A Traveller's Literary Companion’ is interesting and Qui Doc Nguyen's collection of stories by various local writers allows you to get an insight into the country's culture through its own folklore and literature. We would also highly recommend a couple of books by Pam Scott, namely 'Vietnam: Hanoi Stories' and 'Life in Hanoi'.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Vietnam the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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