Itinerary

1. Day 1- Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Cao Bang (L, D)

   • Pick up will be between 7:30 to 8:00 am from your hotel in Hanoi. Then, you will begin with a drive on Highway No: 3. En route, you will also visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups at Thai Nguyen city. You can browse through the objects, photographs, and exhibits on display to better understand the various ethnic groups in Vietnam. You will also see their agricultural tools, handicrafts and the traditional costumes worn during worship time.

   • There will be a stopover for lunch before your transfer extremely north to Cao Bang, passing by scattered villages and rice paddy fields. You will get a chance to stop at a village known for its tobacco production (depend on the growing season). This is the road less travelled; therefore, it is sure to give you scenic views that you can enjoy in peace.

   • Tonight, you will have dinner and stay overnight at a homestay of a Nung's family in Quang Uyen.

2. Day 2- Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Ba Be Lake (B, L, D)

   • After breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh, which lies on the border with China. Here you will have the chance to meet the Nung people in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmith craft. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle, evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields. Nestled in amongst these amazing landscapes is the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, which spans over 300 meters, half in Vietnam and half in China. You will have time to soak up the powerful atmosphere of the falls and take some fantastic photos before heading to another natural wonder.

   • Proceed to see the Nguom Ngao Cave. This cave stretches out 2,144 meters underground and is filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites.

   • You will then make your way to return to Cao Bang town and go down through the snake pass at Ba Be Lake.

   • Tonight, you will stay at a traditional house of the Tay ethnic family. At the homestay, you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a meal of home-cooked local food.

3. Day 3- Ba Be Lake - Hanoi (B, L)

   • You can relax onboard, do some wildlife spotting or if you need to cool off, you can jump into the cool, clean waters for a refreshing swim today! As you float on Ba Be Lake, take in the scenery of the surrounding karsts decorated with patches of wild vegetation and inhabited by all sorts of interesting creatures. The boat ride along the Nang River will give you time to explore the stunning Ba Be Lake, the caves of Puong Grotto for stalactites and stalagmites formations that result from the erosion of the river. You will also see many bat colonies here.

   • You will depart for the journey back to Hanoi. The drive is approximately 150 miles (230 kilometres). You will stop at some hilly tea plantations before returning to your hotel in the bustling city of Hanoi.