Vietnam in 3 Weeks: Northern Tribes & Central Heritage

Arrival in Hanoi, the ancient capital of Vietnam. You will be welcomed by your local Spanish-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center (room available from 2:00 PM). The day's schedule will be adjusted according to your arrival time. The 3-week journey in Vietnam begins.

Departure for the first visits to the city center to soak in the charm of the thousand-year-old capital:

• The Ly Thai To Monument, to discover the long history of the Vietnamese capital.
• Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword), the heart of Hanoi, featuring Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain) and the Turtle Tower.
• The Old Quarter with its 36 trade streets: a walking tour through the artisan lanes named after the products that were once made and sold there, such as Silk Street, Cotton Street, Iron Street, Sugar Street, and Herbal Medicine Street.
• Colonial Heritage: A cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the French Quarter to see key landmarks like the Hanoi Opera House, the Metropole Hotel, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the Central Post Office.

Overnight at the hotel.

Discovery of Hanoi's most notable cultural sites and historical monuments:

• The Temple of Literature, a symbol of feudal education and one of the emblems of Hanoi.
• Ba Dinh Square, the area where the former Governor's Palace of Indochina (now the Presidential Palace), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Ho Chi Minh's stilt house are located.
• The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, a collection of 25,000 ancient and contemporary artifacts that bear witness to the history of the local populations.

In the evening, a water puppet show, a characteristic feature of Vietnamese culture.

Overnight at the hotel.

Journey to Hoang Su Phi, the most untouched region of Ha Giang province, famous for its majestic, pristine natural landscapes and magnificent mountain ranges.

Arrive in Hoang Su Phi in the afternoon and check in at Pan Hou Eco Lodge, which features traditionally built bungalows set amidst the mountains and rice terraces of the Hoang Su Phi valley.

The rest of the day is free for personal relaxation and exploring the Eco Lodge. In the evening, a performance by the local Dao ethnic group will be held in the central area of the retreat. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere and learn more about their culture.

Overnight in a bungalow.

A full day of fascinating trekking awaits you today, from Thong Nguyen commune to Nam Son commune. This journey unfolds amidst an impressive landscape, featuring vast rice fields and encounters with local ethnic communities. You will have the opportunity to participate in their daily activities, such as gardening or tending to chickens and pigs, offering a genuine glimpse into their daily life.

The tranquility and beauty of the surroundings are unique characteristics of the mountainous regions of northern Vietnam. While the trek is generally of moderate difficulty, it includes some challenges like slopes and picturesque stream crossings, which make it an even more rewarding adventure. The estimated duration is approximately 5 to 6 hours.

Midway through the trek, you will enjoy a picnic-style lunch at a local home, a perfect opportunity to recharge your energy.

The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at another cozy local homestay, allowing you to continue soaking in the region's authentic charm.

Depart for the northeast region, delving into the pristine landscapes of Ha Giang. The journey passes through imposing terrain, with majestic mountains and hills stretching as far as the eye can see. Along winding mountain-side roads, you will enjoy extraordinary views of green valleys and rugged peaks.

Located in the country's far north, Ha Giang is a wild land dominated by limestone peaks, granite needles, and dizzying canyons. Its breathtaking panoramas make it a true paradise for nature and adventure lovers.

Arrive in Ha Giang late in the day and check in to your hotel.

Say goodbye to your hosts as you continue your journey towards the Dong Van Karst Plateau, one of the largest geoparks in Asia. Today's route winds through twisting roads and towering massifs, offering unique and extraordinary landscapes of countless limestone peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. This leg of the journey promises to be the most impressive of the trip.

Several stops are planned along the way:

• Lung Tam: Visit a Hmong women's linen cooperative to discover this ancient handicraft. You will learn about the linen production and weaving process and see a wide range of products like clothing, bags, and wallets, all inspired by the rich culture of the local ethnic groups.

• Pho Cao: Walk through a small neighborhood of traditional mud-walled houses with tile roofs, built long ago.

• Sa Phin: Visit the Vuong Family Palace, a mix of Chinese and local architecture. It belonged to Vuong Chi Duc, a renowned king of the Hmong tribes in this region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Arrive in Dong Van in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. The evening is free to rest or take a leisurely stroll through this mountain town.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Ngai Lau, following the famous Route 4C which crosses the impressive Ma Pi Leng Pass. This pass, known for its steep cliffs, was once considered impassable due to its large limestone wall.

You will take the small, zigzagging paths that descend to the base of the pass. Along the way, enjoy the views of numerous karst peaks and valleys dotted with the traditional houses of ethnic minorities. Stop in Ngai Lau, a charming Hmong hamlet.

Afterwards, continue by road to Bao Lac, a quiet town on the banks of the Gam River. Visit Khuoi Khon, a high-altitude hamlet surrounded by rice terraces and inhabited by the Black Lolo ethnic group.

Settle in for an overnight stay in a traditional house with a Lolo family in Khuoi Khon.

After breakfast, depart for Quang Uyen, a small district on the route to Cao Bang, near the Chinese border.

Upon arrival, take a walk to explore the craft villages of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, known for their traditional houses with Yin-Yang tiled roofs and a way of life that remains largely untouched by modernity.

You will visit:

• Phia Chang village: specializing in forging knives from special steel.
• Phia Thap village: famous for its incense production.

Few ethnic groups in the northern mountains practice as many traditional crafts as the Tay and Nung people in Quang Uyen.

Settle in at the homestay of a Tay family in the incense village. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in their traditional stilt house.

Depart towards the easternmost part of this region of Vietnam, near the Chinese border, crossing conical-shaped hills and mountains covered in lush vegetation.

Upon arrival in Trung Khanh, visit the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful in Asia. It is also ranked as the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world (after Iguazu, Niagara, and Victoria Falls). Swimming is possible here at certain times of the year.

Afterwards, transfer to Dam Thuy to discover the majestic Nguom Ngao Cave, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites formed over centuries.

Return to Cao Bang for an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, return to Hanoi by road.

Arrive in the city in the late afternoon, where you can relax with a foot massage session at a local center.

Enjoy a free evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Depart for Ninh Binh, a land of limestone rocks, sugarloaf mountains, and rice paddies flooded by rivers and lakes year-round.

Upon arrival in Ninh Xuan, visit Mua Cave (Hang Mua). By climbing a white staircase of 486 stone steps to the summit, this bell-shaped mountain will offer you a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region.

Afterwards, transfer to Tam Coc for a relaxing bicycle ride to discover this fabulous region.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip along the Ngo Dong River to discover Tam Coc. This long river winds through rice fields and karst peaks, passing under the three caves at the foot of the limestone mountains.

Return to Hanoi at the end of the day for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Depart for Ha Long, the most beautiful bay in Vietnam and one of the most magical landscapes in Asia. Board a traditional junk boat. Receive a welcome from the crew and set sail for a magnificent cruise through the bay. The cruise will visit Bai Tu Long Bay (the northern part of Ha Long Bay):

• Admire the picturesque islands and islets with their various shapes (such as Sail, Dog, Rooster, and Incense Burner).
• Take a small boat or kayak trip to discover the Vung Vieng fishing village, with opportunities to meet the local people.
• At the end of the day, relax on the upper deck of the junk.
• Participate in an onboard cooking demonstration to learn how to prepare nem (Vietnamese spring rolls).
• Enjoy delicious lunches and dinners featuring fresh seafood.
• The evening is free for your personal rest and relaxation, with activities like card games or night fishing available.

Overnight on board.

Wake up early to enjoy a doubly unique moment of splendor: watching the first rays of sun emerge from the bay's hundreds of karst peaks while participating in a Tai Chi session on the sun deck.

Continue the cruise through the lesser-known parts of Ha Long Bay. Visit its splendid caves, such as Thien Canh Son, whose stalagmites and stalactites date back thousands of years.

Have lunch on the junk, disembark, and then return to Hanoi.

Take an evening flight to Hue, the ancient imperial city in the center of the country.

Overnight in Hue.