This trip has been designed for those who relish wide vistas and great views. It covers the north east of the country combining Ba Be Lake, Cao Bang, the border town of Lang Son and Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay, with its 3,000 islands rising from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and a World Heritage Listed site. Ba Be Lake National Park is a incredibly beautiful area boasting waterfalls, rivers, deep valleys, lakes and caves set amid towering peaks. Members of the Dao minority who live in homes built on stilts inhabit the area. The town of Lang Son is known for its markets with cheap goods smuggled across the border from China.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Hanoi - Ba Be Lake
We depart Hanoi at 0730 bound for Ba Be lake. This drive of 270 km will take approximately seven hours. Our journey will take us through the flatlands of the Red River Delta and up into the mountain areas north of Hanoi. As we progress further north, the scenery becomes more and more picturesque. Our scheduled lunch stop will be at Bac Can town. From here it is only around two and a half-hour to our destination. Arriving in Ba Be town by around 1430 we will check into our guest house and then head out for a bit of exploration before the sunsets. (Breakfast included)
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Hanoi - Ba Be Lake
We depart Hanoi at 0730 bound for Ba Be lake. This drive of 270 km will take approximately seven hours. Our journey will take us through the flatlands of the Red River Delta and up into the mountain areas north of Hanoi. As we progress further north, the scenery becomes more and more picturesque. Our scheduled lunch stop will be at Bac Can town. From here it is only around two and a half-hour to our destination. Arriving in Ba Be town by around 1430 we will check into our guest house and then head out for a bit of exploration before the sunsets. (Breakfast included)
Day 2 : Ba Be Lake
After breakfasting at our guesthouse we drive the short distance to the jetty. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise on the lake. Weather permitting we can have a swim in crystal clear waters before having lunch on board. Following lunch we will have the opportunity to work off our feast with a three-hour trek to a Dao village. This will enable us to witness how little the lives of the people in these remote areas have changed. Arriving back at the jetty we will transfer back to our hotel. Tonight we spend our second night in Ba Be. (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Day 3 : Ba Be Lake - Cao Bang
This morning finds us on the road for the 90 km. drive to Cao Bang at 0830. It is at Cao Bang that the H"mong, Zao, Tho and Nung ethnic minority people live in harmony. We will arrive at Cao Bang at around 1030. We will spend a little time sharing cultural experiences with these people. After lunch we will visit Pac Po, Ho Chi Minhs hideout when he came back to Vietnam after 30 years of self imposed exile, and the place from where he organized his resistance army against the French. From there it"s a 3 hour trek to a village of Nung minority people. Late this afternoon we drive back to Cao Bang for our overnight stay at the local hotel. (Breakfast included)
Day 4 : Cao Bang
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Ban Gioc waterfall at 0730. It is a three-hour drive from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc waterfall, which forms a natural border between Vietnam and China. While here we will have a swim and a picnic lunch near the waterfall. This afternoon we will return to Cao Bang for our second nights stay. (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Day 5 : Cao Bang - Lang Son
This mornings drive covers 150 km. to Lang Son on the Chinese border. This town has become a booming trading town since the normalization of relations between China and Vietnam in the early 1990"s. After lunch we go to visit Nhi Thanh Cave, Tam Thanh Pagoda and the market at Dong Kinh, the biggest market in the area fully stocked with Chinese goods. Tonight we stay at Lang Son. (Breakfast included)
Day 6 : Lang Son- Ha Long Bay
Departing Lang Son for the 180 km. drive to Ha Long city at 0800, we pass along some very scenic roads on our way south. We will arrive in Ha Long City in time for a late lunch and a walking tour of the area. We spend tonight in Ha Long City. (Breakfast included)
Day 7 : Ha Long Bay
After breakfast we depart the hotel for the 15-minute drive to the boat landing. Here we board our private boat for a cruise around the majestic waters of Ha Long Bay. While cruising there will be the opportunity to explore some of the limestone caves in the area and have a swim. A sumptuous, fresh, local seafood lunch is served on the boat to quell any hunger pains. After a pleasant day on the water we return to Ha Long City for our second night here. (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Day 8 : Ha Long - Hanoi
This morning it is time to turn towards our starting point eight days ago. With Hanoi only four hours away we will depart at 0830. On the way we will have two comfort and refreshment stops. The first stop is at Dong Trieu, one of two traditional ceramics villages in Northern Vietnam. The second stop is at the Sao Do charity center. The latter is a non-government organization run to raise money for disabled people. We arrive back in the nations capital at around 1300. (Breakfast included)
Inclusive services : 7 nights accommodation in twin sharing room. Daily breakfast. Meal as specified in itinerary. Tranfer and tour by private air conditioning car with English Speaking guide as stated in itinerary. Service charges, room tax and baggage handling Entrance fees and permits during guided excursions
