GRAND NORTHERN VIETNAM OVERLAND ODYSSEY: HANOI, HALONG BAY, HA GIANG & BAN GIOC (9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS)

Description of the programme

• DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – COLONIAL CHARM & OLD QUARTER CYCLO (L or D)

  Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your private driver and English-speaking tour guide will meet you with a warm welcome and transfer you in a comfortable AC vehicle to your city-center hotel.

  Afternoon Experience: Immerse yourself in Hanoi's rich cultural tapestry with a 1-hour traditional Cyclo (Rickshaw) tour through the historic 36 Old Guild Streets. Stroll around picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, cross the scarlet Huc Bridge to visit sacred Ngoc Son Temple, and savor your first taste of authentic Hanoian cuisine.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

• DAY 2: HANOI – DUONG LAM ANCIENT VILLAGE – CULTURAL IMMERSION (B, L)

  08:30: Depart Hanoi for a 1.5-hour drive west to Duong Lam Ancient Village—the first village in Vietnam recognized as a National Cultural Heritage site.

  Explore centuries-old laterite brick houses dating back 300 to 400 years, ancient village communal halls, and Mia Pagoda adorned with 287 bronze and terracotta statues.

  Enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared with organic ingredients by a local host family inside a preserved ancient courtyard.

  Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

  Evening free to explore street food markets or enjoy egg coffee.

  Overnight in Hanoi.

  

   

• DAY 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY 3- 5★ LUXURY OVERNIGHT CRUISE (B, L, D)

  08:15: Board your VIP Limousine for a smooth drive to Halong Bay.

  11:45: Arrive at the harbor lounge and board your 5-Star Luxury Cruise Ship. Savor a gourmet seafood lunch while sailing past iconic limestone islets.

  15:00: Explore Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, go kayaking or bamboo boat rowing through turquoise lagoons at Luon Cave.

  17:30: Sundeck Sunset Party with complimentary drinks, cooking demonstration, and fine-dining seafood dinner under the stars.

  Overnight onboard in private luxury suite with ocean-view balcony.

  

• DAY 4: SUNRISE TAI CHI – HALONG BAY – OVERLAND DRIVE TO HA GIANG (B, Brunch, D)

  06:30: Sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck followed by a visit to Titov Island for panoramic bay views or swimming.

  09:30: Farewell Brunch onboard as the cruise returns to port.

  11:30: Disembark and meet your private 4WD driver for a scenic drive north toward Ha Giang Province—the frontier frontier realm of sheer limestone peaks.

  Arrive in Ha Giang City by evening.

  Check-in and enjoy dinner featuring regional mountain specialties.

  Overnight in Ha Giang.

  

   

• DAY 5: HA GIANG – DONG VAN KARST PLATEAU – MA PI LENG PASS – MEO VAC (B, L, D)
  • 08:00: Journey through the UNESCO World Heritage Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Stop at Heaven’s Gate in Quan Ba to admire the Twin Fairy Mountains, and visit the historical H'mong King Palace (Dinh Nha Vuong).
  • Afternoon Highlight: Conquer the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass—renowned as one of the most breathtaking cliffside drives in Asia. Gaze down 1,000 meters into the emerald depths of the Nho Que River winding through Tu San Canyon.
  • Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Nho Que River through Tu San Chasm (optional/weather permitting).
  • Overnight in Dong Van / Meo Vac.

  

   

• DAY 6: MEO VAC – BAO LAC – CAO BANG MOUNTAIN DRIVE (B, L, D)

  Morning: Visit the vibrant local hill-tribe morning market (if held on weekend/market day) where H'mong, Tay, and Dao ethnic people trade local crafts and produce. Take a scenic overland journey through Bao Lac and Phia Oac mountain passes toward Cao Bang Province.

  Stop at traditional craft villages along the way to observe black smithing and incense making.

  Overnight in Cao Bang.

  

   

• DAY 7: CAO BANG – MAJESTIC BAN GIOC WATERFALL & NGUOM NGAO CAVE (B, L, D)

  08:00: Drive to Ban Gioc Waterfall—the 4th largest international border waterfall in the world, sitting right on the border between Vietnam and China.

  Board a wooden raft to get up close to the roaring, multi-tiered white cascades cascading into emerald plunge pools.

  Afternoon: Explore Nguom Ngao Cave (Tiger Cave)—a vast subterranean cavern stretching over 2 kilometers, renowned for its lotus-shaped stalactites and glowing mineral formations.

  Return to Cao Bang City in the late afternoon.

  Overnight in Cao Bang.

  

   

• DAY 8: CAO BANG – BA BE LAKE NATIONAL PARK – PRIVATE BOAT CRUISE (B, L, D)

  Depart Cao Bang for Ba Be Lake National Park in Bac Kan Province—Vietnam's largest natural freshwater mountain lake.

  Check-in to your boutique lakeside resort or eco-lodge.

  Afternoon Boat Voyage: Board a private wooden motorboat on Ba Be Lake. Cruise past Pe Lam, Pe Lu, and Pe Leng lakes, explore An Ma Temple, and glide through Puong Cave where thousands of bats roost above subterranean river waters.

  Enjoy a warm dinner with Tay ethnic folk music performance (upon request).

  Overnight in Ba Be Lake.

  

  Lunch is served at local restaurant. After that, we are heading to Bac Kan. Check in hotel. Overnight in Bac Kan. 

• DAY 9: BA BE LAKE – SCENIC RETURN TO HANOI – DEPARTURE (B, L)

  Morning: Enjoy a peaceful breakfast surrounded by lush jungle hills and morning mist over the lake.

  Take a light walk through Pac Ngoi ethnic village to learn about traditional stilt house architecture and local agriculture.

  11:00: Begin the scenic drive back to Hanoi along the main highway.

  16:30: Arrive back in Hanoi. Drop-off at your city hotel or transfer directly to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

  End of an unforgettable 9-Day Grand Northern Vietnam Overland Odyssey with Link Asia Travel!