Ha Giang Adventure – Off the beaten track

Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
 

Start your afternoon with a visit to the Ngoc Son temple set on a tiny island on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. The temple is reached by crossing the Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams. Hear the legend of an emperor, a magic sword and a giant turtle, and how the lake took its name. 

Take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, a place where Hanoians buy everything from noodles to light fixtures to Buddha statues. The quarter’s 36 streets were named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares.

Then your guide will take you on a culinary adventure, sampling street food in the Old Quarter. It’s a great opportunity to try all those weird and wonderful foods you see but just aren’t sure what they are! Start your Hanoi Street Eats tour at Bia Hoi corner to try the local brew, a draft beer that traces its roots to Eastern Europe. Do as the locals do and pull up a stool and enjoy a drink while watching the world go by. 

Continue through the old quarter’s narrow streets as your guide points out a range of tasty noodles, breads and snacks. At night the sidewalks are packed with locals perched on stools, amongst sizzling woks and bubbling pots. These small pop up restaurants are a nightly feature that all but disappear during the day. Sit down and enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers. End the night with dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour.

Please note: In case of rain, the itinerary may include a visit to a covered noodle stall.
 

Departure from Hanoi at 8am this morning for drive to Thong Nguyen. On the way you will have oppotunity to stop for photos and having lunch. Upon arrive Hoang Su Phi, check in Pan Hou Lodge and stay overnight. 

After breakfast at the lodge, you will spend full day for a further trek to explore the mountains of Hoang Su Phi. This area is well - know for its dramatic rice terraces and also has been recognized as the national heritage. The highlights of the day also include the local hiltrible who you will meets on the way such as Tay, Black Yao or Yao with long tunic and the Red Dao. Your picnic lunch will be served on the way at local family. In the afternoon, return to the lodge for overnight.

After breakfast, we will check out hotel and drive to Karst Geo-Park. The drive up to the highland region of Ha Giang will offer you some good photos opportunity on the way. Lunch is at the local restaurant in Ha Giang. The scenery will get more stunning in the afternoon with high passes and august mountains. The typical photos is at Quan Ba pass and Quan Ba Heaven Gate with some steps to view at the top of the hill. Arrive at Quan Ba town and move on to Nam Dam village for an easy walk around the village before going to town for overnight at local guest house.

Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Meo Vac village Ma Pi Leng Pass - Dong Van An absolutely unforgettable day! You will leave Ha Giang for the rock plateau of Dong Van. Sightseeing en route as you pass over Quan Ba, known as Heaven Gate, leaving the winding roads, passes behind and below, it is a great panoramic view over the vast mountain areas. Lunch at Yen Minh Village In the afternoon, arrive to Meo Vac village, we will have the wonderful chance to see Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of lime peaks, "stone forests", and canyons unique in the world. We then drive to Dong Van plateau. Overnight in Dong Van.

After breakfast, it starts with the visit of the market of Dong Van, where the locals shop before returning to their eagle nest. We then climb a pass up to the French Fortress of Pu Lo, built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945, from which we enjoy a spectacular view of the entire region. We leave to Dong Van, a series of long passes and deep valleys. We then cross a landscape of pine forest and arrive at the astonishing King of the H'Mong's Palace, home of Mr. Vuong Chi Sinh, the last H'Mong King in Ha Giang, with its traditional Chinese madarine style. We then drive through Dong Van rock plateau, an open geology museum to many scientists, to Lung Cu Flag Tower. It is great panoramic view over the vast mountain areas. This is the northernmost point of the country. There may not be any political meaning to international travelers to visit this dividing point between Vietnam and China but the scenery is worth the effort. We stop at Yen Minh village for the lunch. After that, we drive to Ha Giang for overnight.

After breakfast, you will have a long drive back to Hanoi. Full day driving (Around 300km). Arrive Hanoi early this evening and check in your hotel

Depart from Hanoi and drive about four hours to the port of Halong Bay. Take a small tender boat to meet your junk which will be anchored just offshore. After a short safety briefing set sail to the outer reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay, passing by the stunning limestone karsts jutting out of the jewel like waters.

Cruise to Cong Dam to learn about the unique geology of Bai Tu Long bay before kayaking around the hidden lagoons and geological park in Cong Dam. Enjoy a BBQ lunch on the beach before cruising around Cong Do area and Thien Canh Son cave. In the evening cruise back to Cap La and enjoy dinner and overnight on board.

Take a traditional rowboat to the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng. Watch as the people go about daily lives shaped by the ageless rhythms of the sea. Enjoy your last glimpses of Halong Bay over an early lunch as you cruise back to the port for transfer back to Hanoi.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight. End of services.