6 Day Trip including 2 in Ha Long Bay.

We then head towards Thac Ba Lake, the largest closed reservoir of northern Vietnam.

We are in the small village of Ngoi Tu on the bank of Thac Ba lake welcomed by the family and the students of our project : LaVieVuLinh, which includes education, culture, sustainable development and ecotourism.

In the afternoon, relax, enjoy the site, go boating on traditional Dao foot-rowboats or take a short walk around.

Distances / Timing: ~ 150km ~ 5h.
Road: 80 km fast road/Small countryside road
Accommodation / Minorities: Homestay / Tay

Less travel today, so there’s time to enjoy more of the lake this morning.

Afterward, we follow a magnificent road along the fjords of the lake, surrounded by sugar loaf hills and palm trees.

Then the road rises to the foothills around the lake providing stunning views, then descending to the valley of Luc Yen, located on the west end of the lake.

Luc Yen is a lively small town with its local economy activity based on mining and selling gems.

We stay overnight away from the city, in the stilt house of our Tay friends on the edge of a pond in the village below.

Distances / Timing: ~ 80km ~ 3h
Road: Small countryside road
Accommodation / Minorities: Homestay / Tay

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. This village has a matrilineal culture—don’t be surprised to see the men care for the children while the women drink rice wine!

Then we hit the road again, driving through Red Dao and Flower H’mong territories. Depending on the weather conditions, we drive on a dirt road along the Chay River.

We enter the magnificent mountain range between China and Vietnam.

Distances / Timing: ~ 180km ~ 6 h
Road: Small countryside road
Accommodation / Minorities: Hotel

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.

At the end of the afternoon, we head towards Lao Cai. From there, we return comfortably to Hanoi by night train. Arrival around 5:30 am the next morning.

Distances / Timing: ~ 210km ~ 7h
Road: Mountain Road
Accommodation / Minorities: Hotel

6h20: Departure from Hanoi
The guide will come & pick you to your hotel. Then, your driver will take you to Haiphong.
8h30: Arrival to Hai Phong.
Overthere, you will take a speed boat to go to Cat Ba Island (40-60 minutes) where our boat are fixed. You will take a cab or a xe om (motorbike taxi) to get to the home base (5 minutes).
10h: Start cruising in Halong bay
You will start the cruising sailing across a floating village.
You will do a break in a quiet place. As the crew will prepare lunch, you will enjoy swimming or sailing with a traditional craft for exploring around.
After lunch, the cruising will go on. You will help the crew for lifting the sails. You will also ask for a short lesson of sailing!
Dinner and overnight on board on the roof (outside) or in the cabin (inside) in a creek.
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Road:
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You will wake up in a magical place enjoying quiet area where you could only hear bird.
After breakfast, the cruise go on as you discover charms of Halong Bay.
You will visit a little creek with the craft. If you want, you will also do a fishing contest with the crew!
14h: End of the cruising
You will do the same itinerary as the first way.
14h45: Speed boat to Haiphong
16 h: Return to Hanoi by car
18 h – 18h 30: arrival to Hanoi

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Road:
Accommodation / Minorities: