8 Days Trip including 2 in Ha Long Bay

From the lowlands of Tonkin to the wild and remote province of Ha Giang, this itinerary passes through the country’s diverse ethnic cultures. Lakes, rivers, jungles, rice fields and dizzying mountain heights. Freewheelin’ Tours proposes this North-East loop for an intimate encounter with Vietnam.
Itinerary

North Vietnam Discovery, by Minsk 125 CC or car, 08 days – 07 nights

Itinerary Distances / Timing Road Accommodation / Minorities

 

Hanoi – Na Khan ~ 150km~5h 80 km fast roadSmall countryside road HomestayTay
Na Khan – Ba Be ~80km~3h Small countryside road HomestayTay
Ba Be – Bao Lac ~180km~6 h Small countryside road Hotel
Bao Lac – Ha Giang ~210km~7h Mountain road Hotel
Ha Giang –Bac Ha ~190km~ 7h Countryside roadMountain roadTrack Hotel
Bac Ha – Lung Phin – Luc Yen ~2X15km~2h~140km~4h Mountain road 8km trackSmall countryside road H’mong et Phu LaHomestayTay
Luc Yen – Vu Linh ~80km~3h Fast road EcolodgeDao Quan Trang
Vu Linh – Hanoi ~170km~5h Fast road
Description

 

 

  • Day 1 Hanoi – Na Khan :

We leave Hanoi early to reach our first destination, the small Tay village of Na Khan.

We drive on small back roads, winding through forests and valleys with wild landscapes.

We spend the night in the traditional Tay stilt house of Mr. Lo, village chieftain. Warm welcome and Ms. Bong, his wife, prepares a great meal.

  • Day 2 Na Khan – Ba Be :

Short drive from Na Khan to Ba Be on beautiful narrow road. Ba Be is a National Park covered by one of the few remaining virgin forests in Vietnam.

Lunch at the house of the boat captain, Mr. Manh. Then an easy cruise on the lake and through the jungle, down the Gam river to the Dau Dang waterfalls.

We spend the afternoon in the area, meeting up with our friends. We spend the night in the house of Mr. Manh with his family.

  • Day 3 Ba Be – Bao Lac :

Early departure for a long and beautiful ride. Small, easy road which recently replaced a dirt road. Scenery changes as we climb the mountain. Mountain, pass, no traffic at all!

We go through the territory of black Tay, Doa, H’Mong, San Chi, to end in the Lo Lo ethnic area.

Depending of the day of the week, we can visit the ethnic market of Bao Lac.

  • Day 4 Bao Lac – Ha Giang :

One of the most stunning rides in Vietnam along the Chinese border. Many incredible mountain passes, valleys, ethnic territories. Mystical atmosphere for a trip from another time.

  • Day 5 Ha Giang – Bac Ha :

Another long ride today. We leave Ha Giang province on twisting mountain roads surrounded by breathtaking landscape.

After reaching Xin Man and having lunch, we climb to Bac Ha on a dirt road giving us panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Then we ride down to Bac Ha and stay in a hotel.

From Xin Man, the car takes another route, with more magnificent high, mid-mountain and forest landscapes.

  • Day 6 Bac Ha – Lung Phin – Luc Yen :

We drive to Lung Phin, 15 km from Bac Ha. We are developing a branch of our project LaVieVuLinh in partnership with a H’mong family there. Their house is located in the middle of a beautiful mountainous site, as yet undiscovered by other tours. This is an opportunity for you to discover the area from the inside while you give a boost to their local project.

Then we drive down the mountain road towards Thac Ba Lake. We cross the territory of flower H’Mong, in the direction of the Thac Ba lake. We pass through Luc Yen, famous for its rubies.

Then we reach the lake area on a small road bordered with palm trees. We spend the night near a pond in the lower village in a nice stilt house of our Tay friends.

  • Day 7 Luc Yen – Vu Linh :

In the morning we pay a visit to friends, the Red Dao neighbors of the upper village, climbing 2 km on a path through jungle, by foot or motorbike—it’s up to you. This village has a matrilineal culture—don’t be surprised to see the men care for the children while the women drink rice wine!

We then go to Vu Linh village on a lovely road climbing a hill, giving a great view, before it descends and meanders around the lake. We are welcomed by the Dao Quan Trang family and our students from our sustainable, education and ecotourism project : LaVieVuLinh, which includes education, culture, sustainable development and ecotourism.

In the afternoon, relax, enjoy the site, go boating or take a short walk around.

  • Day 8 Vu Linh – Hanoi :

You have time to enjoy a little bit more the place, and then we leave by a nice road after lunch. Small hills covered by tea plantations, Karstic mountain peaks, the Tam Dao mountain range, and fast road back to Hanoi.

Arrival around 6 pm.

Services

 

From 7 to 15 people :

Included :

  • 1 guide + 1 mechanic
  • 1 car + driver + petrol + 1 extra motorbike + spare parts
  • 1 motorbike Minsk 125 CC each people + Insurance + petrol
  • Saddlebags 2×40 liters each motorbike + helmets
  • Accommodation during the trip and the cruise
  • Food during the trip and the cruise
  • 1 local guide in Lung Phin
  • Night train Lao Cai – Hanoi + motorbikes in the train
  • Transfer Hanoi – Ha Long – Hanoi
  • Private junk 2 days 1 night
  • All tickets and authorizations

Non included :

  • Drinks
  • Personal insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Accommodation the last night in Hanoi (day 6)*
  • Transfer airport – Hanoi *
  • Visa*All services not listed above

*Available if requested

From 4 to 6 people :

Included :

  • 1 guide/mechanic
  • 1 motorbike Minsk 125 CC each people + Insurance + petrol
  • Saddlebags 2×40 liters each motorbike + helmets
  • Accommodation during the trip and the cruise
  • Food during the trip and the cruise
  • 1 local guide in Lung Phin
  • Night train Lao Cai – Hanoi + motorbikes in the train
  • Transfer Hanoi – Ha Long – Hanoi
  • Private junk 2 days 1 night
  • All tickets and authorizations

Non included :

  • Drinks
  • Personal insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Accommodation the last night in Hanoi (day 6)*
  • Transfer airport – Hanoi *
  • Visa*
  • All services not listed above

* Available if requested

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