KIM AND DOUG PLAN: VIETNAM ITINERARY 15D14N IN THE NORTH

Welcome to Ha Noi! The capital city of Viet Nam.

Get picked up by our local driver from the airport.

Transfer to your hotel. Hotel check in!

Overnight in Ha Noi – Eliana Premio hotel

AFTERNOON: Discover Hanoi like a true local! Our Food Tour is not just about indulging in the city’s iconic dishes—it’s a journey through its culture, history, and hidden treasures that most tourists miss.

🌟 What’s on the Menu?

Savor Hanoi’s most beloved dishes, all carefully selected to showcase the city’s culinary excellence:

• Phở: Vietnam’s world-famous noodle soup.
• Bún Chả: Grilled pork and vermicelli, a dish that captivated even President Obama!
• Bánh Mì: A perfect blend of French and Vietnamese flavors in a crispy baguette.
• Nem Rán: Crispy spring rolls with delightful fillings.
• Cà Phê Trứng: Hanoi’s signature creamy egg coffee.

Dessert: End with a choice of chè or fruit yogurt for a sweet finish.

🚂 Unique Highlight: Train Street Experience!

Overnight in Ha Noi – Eliana Premio hotel

Check out hotel. Driver picks up to Mu Cang Chai. Travel time about ~7 hours.

Highlights:

Along the way from Ha Noi to Mu Cang Chai you will see the scenic viewsthrough Nghĩa Lộ and Tú Lệ.
Stop at Khau Phạ Pass – one of Vietnam’s most stunning mountain passes

Having dinner in a local homestay (dinner on your own)

Overnight in Mù Cang Chải – Le Champ Tu Le

From late September to early October it is perfect season to visit Golden Terrace Ricefields. You will have motorbike ride with local riders to see the beautiful views in Mu Cang Chai.

You also visit rice terraces and hill tribe villages (Hmong people)

Driving through La Pán Tẩn and Chế Cu Nha villages

Having lunch in local restaurant along the way.

Overnight in Mù Cang Chải – Le Champ Tu Le

Have a breakfast then check out homestay.

The journey from Mu Cang Chai to Sapa about 5 hours.

Drive via Than Uyên & Ô Quy Hồ Pass and you can have a break for a coffee at the top of Ô Quy Hồ Pass (amazing views)

Arrive in Sapa in the afternoon

Have your own free time to explore Sapa night market or try salmon hotpot.

Overnight in Sapa – Cat Cat Galleries D’art

Have breakfast at the restaurant.

Morning, Start trekking about 6 km to the Southeast of Sapa along the slopes of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of Black H’mong. After that, we will continue walking about 3 km to Lao Chai village of the H’mong people. Tourists need to walk through a small tunnel/over a small bridge leading to Muong Hoa valley to get inside the village.

Having lunch at Ta Van village

Afternoon, Tour guide will take you to the villages of the local people with terraced fields and streams.

The trekking distance is about 10-12 km and it lasts for 4-5 hours

Check in homestay; get to know the family of Dzay People. Spend time enjoying the mountain life on Sunset. You may attend cooking local dishes with the family and enjoy dinner in peace.

In the evening, you can join the local bar nearby with music and socialize with other tourists then overnight at the homestay.

Overnight at Ta Van Homestay

Have breakfast prepared by the family and start a new day with a more interesting trek.

After breakfast, keep walking to the rice paddies, where you have a nice photo session of the amazing surrounding landscapes. A trek through the bamboo forest and a stop to have a panorama view of Giang Ta Chai village – home of red Dzao People.

The trekking distance is about 6 kms and it lasts for 3-4 hours

Have lunch

Trek through the Giang Ta Chai Bridge to the main road.

Then the car picks you up to Ha Giang. Long drive (~6 hours)

Overnight in Hà Giang City – Phoenix Ha Giang

Having breakfast at the homestay then begin the Ha Giang Loop. Check in all the highlights:

• Quan Ba Heaven Gate
  
• H’mong King’s Palace (Dinh Vua Mèo)
  
• Thẩm Mã Slope – one of Asia’s most epic roads
  

Stop at Dong Van Old Quarter for dinner

Overnight in Đồng Văn 

Check out homestay in Dong Van. Drive through the stunning limestone landscape

You will have local experiences:

• Morning market in Đồng Văn (if weekend)
  
• Mã Pí Lèng Pass – one of Asia’s most epic roads
  
• Boat trip in Nho Quế River
  
• Continue towards Bảo Lạc (gateway to Cao Bằng)

Overnight in Bảo Lạc 

Depart early from Bảo Lạc and head toward Trà Lĩnh District (~3 hours)

On the way we pass Khau Cốc Trà (one of the most iconic pass in Cao Bang)

Main Highlight: Visit Angel Eye Mountain (also known as Núi Mắt Thần)

• A stunning limestone mountain with a huge circular hole in the middle — often called the “Mountain with the Giant Eye”
• Located in a peaceful valley surrounded by lush grasslands and small ponds
• Great spot for photography, drone shots, or a short hike/picnic

Then continue driving to Ban Gioc in the afternoon.

Overnight in Ban Gioc – Lan’s Homestay

Have a breakfast at homestay and check out!

Top sights: Bản Giốc Waterfall & Ngườm Ngao Cave

• Bản Giốc Waterfall – the largest waterfall on the Vietnam–China border
  
• Ngườm Ngao Cave – a magical limestone cave
  

Relax by the river or visit Phật Tích Trúc Lâm Pagoda, Khuổi Ky Stone Village on the way

Having lunch at local restaurant on the way.

Drive back to Hanoi via QL3. Long drive 6-7 hours.

 Overnight in Ha Noi– Eliana Premio hotel

8:30 Get picked up from your hotel. Driver take you to Tuan Chau port by private car.

Upon arrival at Station number 17 – OVERNIGHT CRUISE PORT, Tuan Chau Maria, Ha Long passengers will be welcomed by receptionist at La Casta’s waiting lounge.

11:30 – 12:00: After taking a rest, our high-speed tender will transfer you to the main boat (Around 25 minutes).

Get onboard and warmly welcome from La Casta crew team with welcome drink.

After that, you will be given a short briefing about La Casta Cruise and safety guideline at our restaurant.

Complete the check-in procedure and check-into your cabin

13:00: Enjoy a lunch in the restaurant. La Casta Cruise start to depart for the voyage to discover the Lan Ha Bay.

15:45: Visit the Ba Trai Dao area and the natural lagoon of Lan Ha Bay – this area includes the beach breaths a romantic atmosphere and three smaller islets like three giant peaches on the sea. You can join with our activities such as: kayaking, swimming, sightseeing and explore the Ba Trai Dao area.

(In unfavorable weather conditions, to ensure the safety of our guest, this destination would be change into Dark and Bright cave– famous for the pristine natural beauty and poetic, attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. You can join with our activities such as: kayaking, sightseeing on the   bamboo boat, … This is the best time for you to enjoy bamboo boats or swimming which is an interesting activity to discover the truest beauty of the stunning limestone structure and the blue sky of Lan Ha Bay).

17:30 – 18:30: Come back to our La Casta cruise and enjoy the pre-dinner sunset party with Happy Hour Promotion (buy 2 get 1 free with some kinds of drinks) at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset.

18:00: Join a cooking demonstration, our chef will guide you how to make some simple signature Vietnamese dishes.

19:30: Enjoy special seafood and typical Vietnamese food on the cruise.

21:00: Evening entertainment: Squid fishing, karaoke…

Overnight on the La Casta Cruise. 

06:15: Wake up early, join the Tai Chi session on sundeck area, enjoy the fresh atmosphere and watch the sunrise in Lan Ha Bay.

07:00 – 07:45: Have breakfast. Admit morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

08:00: Stroke the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets

Visit the famous Tra Bau, it is time for freely kayak and explore the landscape, or swim…

09:00: Back to your cabin, relax and check carefully all the luggage before leaving your cabin.

09:30: Check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check out procedure and enjoy your brunch at La Casta cruise.

10:30: Enjoy the brunch at restaurant.

11:30: Disembark at Tuan Chau harbor, we hope you have enjoyed your time with us and wish you a safe onward journey.

Note: The itinerary is subject to change without notice, in accordance with the weather and other operating conditions.

15:30 Arrive to Ninh Binh.

Overnight in Tam Coc – Tam Coc Wonderland Bungalow

10:00: Have a breakfast at the homestay and check out

The first destination in this trip is visit Hoa Lu ancient capital. This is the first capital of Vietnam. Come to visit Hoa Lu, you will learn about why the capital was moved to Hanoi nowadays. You are impressed on an outstanding architecture when entering temples of King Dinh and King Le, the first and second emperors of ancient Vietnam, built in the 17th century. Try to feel ancient atmospheres in Hoa Lu ancient capital.

11:45: Have lunch at local restaurant.

13:00: Visit Trang An which was recognized by UNESCO as The world Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has the wonderful tunnel cave system so that Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island “. Boat trip to visit Trang An to see the amazing beauty of this landscape with many caves such as: Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dark cave), Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine), green river and natural view.

15:30: Keep heading to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach to the top of Lying Dragon Moutain, have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.

16:30 Finish Ninh Binh day trip. Heading back to Ha Noi.

Overnight in Ha Noi – Eliana Premio hotel

Have breakfast. Enjoy last morning in Ha Noi city.

Check out hotel. Driver picks up to the airport

Trip ends. See you next time!

Note: Driver picks up 3,5 hours before your departure flight!

Thank you for travelling with Jenny From The Blog!!!