Mysteries of Vietnam 20 days North and Center
- Multi-day hike in the high mountains of the North
- Admire the most beautiful rice terraces in the North
- Learn about the lifestyles of different ethnic minorities
- Go off the beaten track
- Immersion in the Central Highlands
- Connection with a generous and green nature
- Learn about ancestral craftsmanship
Mysteries of Vietnam : 20 North and Center of Vietnam
Get closer to nature and local life, discover some mysteries of Vietnam through a trip to less touristy areas. From the high mountains of the north to the central highlands, dive into another time, between magical landscapes and ancestral traditions.
There’s nothing like starting the trip in the best way than going to Hoang Su Phi to soak up what is one of the most beautiful attractions of the land of the Dragon, the landscapes of rice fields terraces. Embellished by encounters with different ethnic minorities, it is an immediate plunge into Vietnamese culture. In order to go there in deep water, you will continue in the more remote parts of the province of Ha Giang, in the district of Xin Man. Then discover Bac Ha, with its famous Sunday market. Then visit the perched village of Si Thau Chai. The high mountains of the North will no longer hold any secrets, on the doorstep of unraveling the mysteries of Vietnam.
Return to Hanoi to take new paths. First in Hai Hau, Nam Dinh province, the birthplace of Christianity in Vietnam and a pioneer in different styles of craftsmanship. Then pass to Dong Du Lake and then to Pu Mat National Park. Minorities, waterfalls as well as unspoiled nature, you will only come across very few tourists in these regions. After visiting Hue, its historic center and artisan villages, relax at Bach Ma National Park and Lang Co Beach. You will end up with thrilling adventures in the central highlands. The ethnic minorities, very different from those of the North, will welcome you with open arms to help you discover their traditions.
Mysteries of Vietnam 20 days North and Center
- Day 1 > Hanoi
- Day 2 > Hanoi – Lao Cai
- Day 3 >Lao Cai – Nam Dich – Ho Tau
- Day 4 > Ho Tau – Suoi Thau
- Day 5 > Suoi Thau – Su Phi – Xin Man
- Day 6 > Xin Man – Bac Ha
- Day 7 > Bac Ha – Chu Va 6 – Si Thau Chai
- Day 8 > Si Thau Chai – Lao Cai - Hanoi
- Day 9 > Hanoi – Hai Hau
- Day 10 > Hai Hau – Dong Du
- Day 11 > Dong du
- Day 12 > Dong Du – Con Cuong (Pu Mat National Park)
- Day 13 > Pumat – Vinh – Hue
- Day 14 > Hue
- Day 15 > Hue – Bach Ma – Lang Co
- Day 16 > Lang Co - Danang
- Day 17 > Danang - Pleiku – Kon Tum – Kon Tu Ko
- Day 18 > Kon Tu Ko – Mang Den – K'Bang
- Day 19 > K'Bang
- Day 20 > K'bang – Quy Nhon
- Day 1 > Hanoi
- Arrival at the airport, welcome and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight.
- Day 2 > Hanoi – Lao Cai
Departure for the exciting local market of Ngoc Ha, stroll in the narrow alleys which make the characteristic of Hanoi. Break to enjoy a fresh fruit juice by the B52 lake, rich in history with the wreckage of an American fighter jet emerging from the water. Emblem of a Vietnamese victory over the enemy. Direction then the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, sacred place of Vietnam. After a local lunch, head to the Ethnology Museum to learn about the 54 ethnic groups scattered across the country. Stop at Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, located on the shores of West Lake. Back in the Old Quarter, it will be time to start a gastronomic tour of street specialties. Then transfer to Hanoi train station to take the sleeper train to Lao Cai- Day 3 > Lao Cai – Nam Dich – Ho Tau
Arrival at the station, local breakfast and transfer for the first stage which will take you to Nam Dich , in the district of Hoang Su Phi. On the way, short break in the village of Bac Ha (visit of the market on Sunday morning) and end of the road to Nam Dich for lunch with the Flower H'mongs . In the afternoon, you will begin a trek in the mountains to contemplate among the most beautiful terraced rice fields in Vietnam and cross villages of the Daos with long tunics and the Nungs. You will dine and sleep with the Man Pa Tan minority.- Day 4 > Ho Tau – Suoi Thau
- After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye to your hosts and resume the hike that will take you to the village of Ban Vam . The path will pass through bamboo forests, rivers, waterfalls and the "Ban Luoc Heaven's Gate ". Of course, the endless landscapes of espalier rice fields will take shape in front of you as the trek progresses. This is also the time to admire the locals working and living in their natural habitat. Lunch will be either with a Man Pa Tan family or at the “Ban Luoc gate ”. You will then arrive at Suoi Thau, located near the most impressive rice fields in the Hoang Su Phi district. The dinner and the night will be spent with a family of Daos with long tunics.
- Day 5 >Suoi Thau – Su Phi – Xin Man
- After a 2h30 walk, you will reach Su Phi where the car will pick you up to start the transfer to Xin Man, the poorest district but of rare beauty. Arrive for lunch which you will share with the Tay minority host family. The afternoon will be devoted to discovering the places, enjoying the delicious mountainous landscapes and the local life. The dinner and the night will be spent in the company of the host family
- Day 6 > Xin Man – Bac Ha
- After breakfast, we continue the visit of the Xin Man district to discover the minorities residing in the perched hamlets. Back at the guest house to freshen up, it will be time to hit the road again for the next stop, the charming village of Bac Ha where you will have lunch. If the visit to the market on Sunday morning is a "classic", local life outside market days remains very interesting. A hike in the surroundings will lead you to magnificent landscapes. You will visit a traditional house and share tea with the locals. You will also learn about botany and how minorities use them in their daily lives. You will share dinner with the host family for a friendly moment and exchange. Quiet night.
- Day 7 > Bac Ha – Chu Va 6 – Si Thau Chai
- The day begins with exploring the colorful and folkloric market of Bac Ha, only on Sundays. A real cultural crossroads with the weekly gathering of minorities from the surrounding area, you can witness the osmosis that reigns there , everyone exchanges, sells, buys everyday goods. If you are there on another day, a morning hike will be taken to admire the view, the rice fields and meet the locals. Then drive to Lao Cai for a lunch stop. The road will take the magnificent pass of O Quy Ho. A stop to visit the H'Mong village of Chu Va 6. Small isolated village with its new and very simple church, a mixture of ethnic tradition and fascinating Catholic. The day will end at the hilltop village of Si Thau Chai among the Flat Hat Dao. After settling into the guest house, you will take a tour of the village and be invited to a herbal foot bath before a family dinner. Night on site.
- Day 8 >Si Thau Chai – Lao Cai - Hanoi
- Wake up at dawn for a breakfast at the entrance of the village while watching the sunrise, a spectacular spectacle with a panoramic view of the valley and the mountains. Time will come to hike along the mountain to Tac Tinh Super Waterfall . The time will be for relaxation around the impressive waterfall, swimming if the weather allows it followed by a picnic on site. Back in the village for a relaxing break, the afternoon will be devoted to discovering the surrounding jungle and the way of life of the Daos , daily activities (program depending on the season) and use of the riches of nature. Transfer back to Lao Cai for dinner and board the sleeper train to Hanoi
- Day 9 >Hanoi – Hai Hau
- Arrival at dawn at Hanoi train station, breakfast will be taken at a local restaurant. Then head to Hai Hau , in the province of Nam Dinh for a day dedicated to exploring and discovering local crafts. First through the “ Rach Water Puppet Village ” – or the long-known Nam Chan Puppet Hall. Here you discover the history of the creation and development of the craft of water puppet makers in this region, understanding all the steps to make them from the work of scissors, assembly, painting and decoration. Then, head to the Co Le pagoda, with its unique architecture. It is a perfect combination between the architecture of Buddhism and Christianity. Buildings such as the Nine-story Flowering Tower and the Big Rose are the hallmarks of the history of the establishment and development of this temple. Lunch in the homestay for a tasting of local specialties. In the afternoon, visit the Bach Long salt field. You will then cycle to Pham Phao Church and then the traditional village of Hai Minh copper trumpets. You will see an old Japanese bridge recognized as one of the 5 most beautiful bridges covered in tiles in Vietnam, built in the 16th century. Return to the hostel for a herbal foot bath, dinner and peaceful night.
- Day 10 > Hai Hau – Dong Du
- Wake up to admire the sunrise and watch the village seafood market. Return to the guest house for breakfast and depart for the village of Sa Chau fish sauce, particularly famous since it was the one used by kings and nobles. Then head to Xuan Thuy National Park. This park has an extremely diverse mangrove ecosystem with rare mangrove and bird species. The main asset of this park is being able to have lunch in the “clam pavilion”. You can experience clam fishing in the area around the lodge or in the Ngan and Lu dune areas of the national park. Lunch of fresh seafood in the lodge and free time. Early afternoon, depart for Dong Du Lake in Nghe An province where you will arrive for dinner. Quiet evening in the homestay .
- Day 11 > Dong du
- Peaceful day cycling in the countryside. Visit a rubber farm, walk around Dong Du and Khe Hau lakes. Local lunch during the day. Exploration of local life in a non-touristy area. Dinner and night in the rural lodging.
- Day 12 > Dong Du – Con Cuong (Pu Mat National Park)
- After breakfast, departure for the Hong Son waterfall, a magnificent waterfall. You will take the time to refresh yourself there and breathe the pure air of the place. Fresh fruit tasting on site. You will then take the road to Pu Mat National Park, one of the places least impacted by tourism in Vietnam. You will stop at the charming village of Con Cuong , of the Thai minority. You will have lunch and settle into the homestay . In the afternoon, hike in the park to discover its hidden treasures, its rich fauna and flora. Back at the guest house, you will share dinner with the family and spend a quiet night.
- Day 13 > Pumat – Vinh – Hue
- The day will begin with a transfer to the starting point of the trek to reach the Khe Kem waterfall, a marvel of 150m altitude. A picnic will be organized on site. The trek goes through forest and jungle. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat trip on the Giang River where you can try your hand at local fishing and why not swim there depending on the season. You can contemplate local life and the lush nature on the banks. After this delicious day, you will take the road to Vinh to take the night train to Hue. Dinner will be taken at a local restaurant and overnight on board the train.
- Day 14 > Hue
- Arrival in the early morning, breakfast will be taken in a local restaurant. Then the visit will be devoted to the visit of local crafts. Visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village, Kim Long Cone Hat Village and Phuong Duc Foundry Village . Lunch break to taste local specialties. In the afternoon, you will visit Sinh Folk Painting Village, Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village and then proceed to Thanh Toan Japanese Bridge , an architectural masterpiece. Back in town, you will embark on a cruise on the Perfume River accompanied by dinner. Night at the hotel.
- Day 15 > Hue – Bach Ma – Lang Co
- After breakfast, check out and departure by car to visit the abandoned water park of Thuy Tien and its mystical atmosphere. Then head to Bach Ma National Park and its film landscapes. The hike will take you through viewpoints, through the jungle and discover the wealth of the park, including its waterfalls. A picnic will be organized in the park. At the end of the day, you will be transferred for a quiet night at the edge of Lang Co beach, dinner on site.
- Day 16 > Lang Co - Danang
- After breakfast, free time to enjoy the beach. Then, check out and transfer to Danang via the famous and sublime Cloud Pass. Arrive in Danang for lunch and enjoy local delicacies. In the afternoon, you will visit the Son Tra peninsula . You will discover the Linh Ung pagoda , the thousand-year-old Banian tree and the “fairy chess table”. In the evening, you can enjoy a quiet evening on the beach and discover the Dragon Bridge, spitting fire and water. Diner and night at the place.
- Day 17 > Danang - Pleiku – Kon Tum – Kon Tu Ko
- Departure at dawn for the airport and flight to the highlands at Pleiku . Arrived at the airport, you will take the road to Kon Tum . Once there, you will visit the charming cathedral and the Bishop's house. Lunch on site. In the afternoon, you will visit the village of Kon Ko Tu, inhabited by the Banar , with its communal house. You will be able to soak up the places and discover the local habits and customs. Dinner and night at the inhabitant.
- Day 18 > Kon Tu Ko – Mang Den – K'Bang
- After waking up in the charming village, depart for Mang Den, an hour's drive through the Mang den pass offering a spectacular view. Superb region located at 1000m above sea level, the landscapes are splendid and preserved. Rich ecosystem, you can bask in the sumptuous waterfall of Pa Sy and walk in the surrounding jungle. A picnic will be organized on site. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to K'Bang where you will visit a traditional village and can interact with the locals. Dinner and night at Banar .
- Day 19 > K'Bang
- Kon Chu Rang National Park with a local guide. You will walk in the middle of the rich fauna and flora to the impressive K50 waterfall where you can swim according to the weather and your desires. A picnic will be organized in the park. Returning mid-afternoon to the village, you will have free time to relax or explore on your own. In the evening, a local dinner accompanied by a traditional musical performance of the Banar will be offered. Night on site.
- Day 20 > K'bang – Quy Nhon
- Morning transfer to the seaside town of Quy Nhon , a new tourist destination in central Vietnam. End of the tour and time at your convenience to enjoy the beach. ( return transfer by plane to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh on request or extension of the tour possible.
Sample Description
- Included:
- Private comfortable car with air conditionning
- Transports mentioned (Night train Hanoi – Lao Cai and Lao Cai – Hanoi, Night train Vinh – Hue)
- Professional english-speaking tour guide
- Local tour guide in remote areas
- Accommodation
- Entrance fees
- All activities mentioned
- Water
- Excluded:
- Visa
- International flights
- Drinks
- Extra activities
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
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