The Best of Northeast Vietnam

Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, your Topas guide will welcome you to the capital before heading straight to your hotel in the heart of the city. The day is yours to spend at your leisure to discover Hanoi on your own, perhaps wandering the streets and alleys of the iconic Old Quarter and enjoying the evening promenade around Hoan Kiem Lake. You can of course speak to your guide for some tips for what to do.


Distance and Activities: 45’ drive

An early start to the day to make the most of what we have in store for you. We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi at 07:30am and then hit the road north towards Ba Be National Park.
The route will take us up through the mountains and tea plantations to Ba Be Lake, an amazing green lake in the middle of a natural green forest. You will then travel to the Tay village of Coc Toc, with its beautiful stilt houses and friendly population of Tay people, who make their living by fishing in the stunning Ba Be lakes and farming.

Upon your arrival at Ba Be Lakeside Bungalow around 1 pm, you will have the opportunity to savor a delightful lunch and take a brief respite.

In the afternoon, we will embark on a short walk to explore Coc Toc village and a hidden cave. Following this, you will enjoy kayaking on Ba Be Lake before returning to the bungalow for dinner and your overnight stay.


Distance and activities: 5h30' drive

8 am: On this day, we will combine two exciting activities: trekking and motorboat cruising. Our trek will cover approximately 20 kilometers, taking us to the breathtaking Dau Dang waterfall. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit Tay and H'Mong villages, as well as their kindergarten. During this trek, a picnic lunch will be provided. After lunch, we will explore the waterfall and then embark on a motorboat tour to discover Puong Cave, the picturesque Fairy Pond, An Ma Temple, and a charming small island where you can take a refreshing dip in the lake's crystal-clear waters. We will return to Ba Be Lakeside Bungalow for dinner and another comfortable overnight stay.


Distance and activities: 20km trekking - Moderate level

8 am: This morning, leaving Ba Be and transferring to Cao Bang.
Enjoy lunch and start trekking to Lan Duoi Village - a handicraft village, you have a chance to interact with the local villagers and can make the handmade baskets on your own way. Then, we keep trekking to the mountain trails to Khao and Dia Duoi Villages with 8km trekking.
After exploring the local daily life in the Lung O village, you will back to your hotel for relaxation.


Distance: 8km trekking

8 am: Start your day by visiting Ban Gioc has gained a name for being one of the 4 largest cross-border waterfalls of the world generally, and particularly among the most famous in Vietnam. For the last few years, there has been a surge of tourists who cross the globe to observe its uniquely exotic, natural beauty.

Nguom Ngao Cave - an astonishing cave with stalactites of various shapes, is the most famous limestone grotto in the northern mountain province of Cao Bang thanks to its uniqueness and size. Visiting the cave, you will be captivated by its wild beauty.

Next stop is Khuoi Ky Village - The Stone village has has 14 rock houses on stilts , lie at the foot of the mountain, in front of a small stream named Khuoi Ky, which is murmuring day and night like a happy water music. Next to the village is a large field green all the time of the year. Coming here in the season of ripe rice, visitors will see firsthand the beautiful natural painting. It is a shiny golden paddy field like a bright yellow carpet, creating a focal point between the mountains and forests.

Transfer to your hotel in Cao Bang city.

8 am: Say goodbye to your local host and your journey to Meo Vac along the mountainside which has romantic and spectacular scenery. Along the way you will visit the retreat Lo Lo village of Khuoi Khon, located in the mountainside with spectacular views of the valley beyond the valley. The Lo Lo is one of the smallest ethnic groups in North Vietnam. They still keep the traditional culture, simple life, and limited communication with the outside, and most of the elderly villagers cannot speak the common Vietnamese language.


Distance: 7h drive

8 am: After breakfast, we transfer to Ma Pi Leng Pass to enjoy one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Vietnam: the “King” of Vietnam’s pass, or Great Wall of Vietnam, or the Pyramid of the Meo. At the top of Ma Pi Leng Mount is the “happiness” road with a stone stele recording the marks in the construction process. Next to the road is the abyss; below is the Nho Que River, one of the most unique tectonic valleys in Vietnam, from Pay Lung, you can trek to Ta Lung, visit H'mong Village, then transfer from Ta Lung to Dong Van.

Arriving at Dong Van town in the afternoon and checking in hotel. In the evening you can walk around the town with the nice ancient houses of Tay ethic.


Distance: 9km trekking - Moderate Level

8 am: The scenery today is spectacular – a vast limestone mountain range and perpendicular walls of rock. You’ll call in at the infamous Vuong Palace, once the home of a high-ranking H’mong family during French colonial rule. On the way, we also visit the traditional Pao's house, located in Sung La Village - the most beautiful highland commune of Dong Van stone plateau. From the road looking down, you will see Sung La as a beautiful and peaceful picture. Apart from the green color of corn and rice, tourists can see the purple color of circuit triangle flowers, the yellow color of sunshine, and the dark green color of the forest. Then, Arrive Nam Dam (Nậm Đăm) village, have a short rest before enjoying the first lunch with the host family. Afternoon our local guide will lead you walk around the village. You will have chance to see the local traditional houses made of compacted soil which are cool in the summer and warm in the winter to protect people here from severe weather in the high mountains. You are welcomed to visit the houses whose owners are very friendly and hospitable. As you walk in the village, you will have the opportunity to observe daily life of the Dao people. Depending on the season of the year, if you want to learn about the local products, you can visit households that produce honey, corn or rice wine, or visit the tailoring and embroidering group in the village. After the walk, you come back to your homestay for a refresh and have dinner.


Distance: 5h drive and walking around the village

8 am: Have breakfast at homestay, then depart Nam Dam to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Check in your hotel and the rest of the day is free at your leisure.


Distance: 7h drive

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your departure flight. End of services.