North Vietnam: Road Less Travelled

Get the camera ready as soon as we land—overloaded motorbikes accompany us towards the center. To acclimatize, we take a relaxing stroll in the lively area around our hotel as our guide welcomes us to his country with a smile. Get to know each other and taste local Vietnamese coffee at a coffee briefing. Afternoon at leisure with optional water-puppet show—'roi nuoc' dates back almost a thousand years and is one of the most authentic expressions of Vietnamese culture.

We start with a visit to Bac Ninh Province, the cradle of Red River Delta culture. Dinh Bang Commune House is one of the largest and finest in Vietnam. Taste Phu The (Husband & Wife) wedding cake and chat with local villagers. Continue to the frontier city Lang Son. Visit Tam Thanh Cave and hear the legend of To Thi Mountain.

Heading to Cao Bang, one of the most beautiful mountainous regions in Vietnam. The green of the forest and mountains and blue sky make the journey north a continuous fantastic view. A green market by the roadside offers local specialities from surrounding villages and forest.

The largest Ban Gioc Waterfall is a natural border between Vietnam and China—with a 300 m span it impresses everyone who visits. We continue to Ba Be National Park and visit Pac Ngoi village, a Tay minority village on the shore overlooking the lake. Join in their daily life and overnight in homestay.

Waking up to fresh mountain air. A relaxing boat trip along the Nang River on Ba Be Lake—calm waters, stunning views and scenery, limestone cliffs covered with rainforest.

After a lazy breakfast we head up along an outstanding scenic road to spectacular Meo Vac in Ha Giang province. The route is breathtaking—green unspoilt mountains and rice terraces. If lucky you will see local people growing corn on the mountainside.

Keep the camera ready—it is hard not to stop all along the way from Meo Vac. Dong Van Karst Plateau is a UNESCO Global Geopark. Ma Pi Leng Pass (1,500 m) has astonishing views down to Nho Que River. The geopark is home to Hmong, Tay, Dao and other ethnic people who still keep traditions.

Wake up in the ancient town of Dong Van and visit the beautiful old market with its restored 100-year-old trader house. Visit the Vuong family building, once considered the King of the H'mong in the Dong Van highlands. Continue to Ha Giang and visit a local H'mong house with typical rocky fence and thick walls.

The road climbs steadily to reveal moss-coloured valleys below. We pass colourfully dressed women with bundles on their heads and men working in the fields. In a small valley, literally in the middle of nowhere, is Panhou Eco Lodge. After a short relax, an easy trek with a local guide to visit Tay and Dzao villages.

Free day at leisure. Relax or stroll around the lodge and explore by yourself.

Bac Ha is famous for its minority market—a meeting point for people from different villages. Women trade and show their sewing talents in beautiful costume; men enjoy rice wine with friends. Visit to enjoy the atmosphere, learn culture and handicrafts and chat with locals.

On the way to Sapa we pass several Hmong villages and make stops. See the striking coiffures of Red Hmong women and visit minority villages to understand their daily life better.

Sapa is a magical combination of alpine landscapes and ethnic cultures. Full day at leisure or optional trekking: visit Sapa Market where hill tribes buy and sell, then hike along rivers and bamboo groves to hill tribe villages. Witness the rhythms of rural life—harvesting rice and plowing with water buffaloes.

Full day at leisure. Relax in the morning or hike down into the valley through fields and minority villages. Around sundown, see rice terraces on the mountainside as we drive to Lao Cai station to board the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Early morning arrival in Hanoi. Do as the locals do—Tai Chi by the lake, then a steaming bowl of Pho for breakfast and a walk around the centre lake to discover real Hanoian life. Full day at leisure or optional day tour to Halong Bay. Back to Hanoi for the last night.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. End of programme.