Trekking on the Trails of Northern Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

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  9
  DAYS
  
  TRIP STARTS
  
  03 Jun 2026
  
  TRIP ENDS
  
  11 Jun 2026

Trekking on the Trails of Northern Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

Tour code: NA03E
Duration: 9 days 8 nights
Route: Hanoi - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ba Be

Day 1: Hanoi to Ha Giang - Mountain Trails (L/D)
- Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi at around 8:00 AM. We then set off towards Ha Giang, travelling through Tuyen Quang and passing tea plantations, mountains, rural landscapes and ethnic minority villages along the way.
  Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Tuyen Quang before we continue the journey deeper into the northern mountains. We expect to arrive in Ha Giang in the late afternoon. Time permitting, you can take a short walk around the nearby village, meet the local people and get your first taste of mountain life.
  Dinner will be served at a local Tay house, where you will also spend the night..
  Physical activities: 3-5km hike
Day 2: Ha Giang Fullday Trek (B/L/D)
- Today, your trekking adventure truly begins. After breakfast at the homestay, we start walking through the beautiful countryside of Ha Giang, following off-the-beaten-track trails towards Lung Vai village.
  The trek takes you through terraced rice fields, palm forests, quiet valleys and mountain paths, with spectacular views opening up along the way. You will also have the chance to meet people from different ethnic minority groups, including the Man and Dao, who still preserve many of their traditional customs and ways of life.
  A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in nature before we continue towards the remote village of Khuoi My. Along the route, you may see local farmers working in the fields, and if time allows, you can even join them for a short hands-on experience.
  In the afternoon, we continue to Ban Tha village, where our driver will pick us up and transfer us to Nam Dam. Tonight, enjoy a home-cooked dinner and spend the night in a homestay run by a local Dao family.
  Physical activities: 15-17km trek
  
  ► Why not give the Ha Giang Loop a try?
Day 3: Dong Van Karts Plateau - Highland Trek (B/L/D)
- After breakfast, we leave Nam Dam and travel towards Dong Van, crossing the dramatic landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. Along the way, we pass through Quan Ba Heaven Gate, mountain passes, limestone peaks and small villages hidden among the rocks.
  We continue towards Yen Minh before visiting the H’mong King’s Palace in Sa Phin, an impressive historical site built in the early 20th century. This area is also known for its cornfields, stone fences and highland villages, where local people continue to farm and live in close connection with the mountains.
  Upon reaching Dong Van, we enjoy lunch and take time to explore the old town and local market area, where ancient houses, traditional costumes and highland culture create a special atmosphere.
  Dinner and overnight stay will be in a hotel in Dong Van..
  
  Physical activities: 7-10 km trek
Day 4: Ma Pin Leng Pass Trek - Canyons & Meo Vac (B/L/D)
- After breakfast, we take time to explore Dong Van Old Quarter before starting a trek off the beaten track up to Pu Lo Fortress, which was built in 1890 and later evacuated in 1945. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over Dong Van and the surrounding mountains.
  We then continue towards one of the most spectacular parts of the journey: Ma Pi Leng Pass. The route takes you through a dramatic maze of limestone peaks, stone forests, deep valleys and canyons. This is one of the most iconic landscapes in Northern Vietnam and a true highlight of the trip.
  After reaching the top of the pass, we descend towards Meo Vac, a small mountain town surrounded by rugged scenery and ethnic minority villages. Dinner and overnight stay will be in Meo Vac.
  Physical activities: 8 -10 km trek
Day 5: Meo Vac Mountain Trek (B/L/D)
- After breakfast at the hotel, we begin the day by exploring the mountain villages around Meo Vac. This is a beautiful day spent among remote valleys, limestone mountains and local communities in one of the least-travelled areas of Northern Vietnam.
  We then continue towards the mountains north of Bao Lac, where we visit villages of the Lo Lo people, a small ethnic minority group known for preserving their unique traditions, colourful clothing and strong cultural identity.
  This part of the journey offers a deeper look into local life far away from the usual tourist trail. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Bao Lac, where we have dinner and spend the night.
  Physical activities: 7-10km trek
Day 6: Bao Lac to Ba Be National Park (B/L/D)
- Before leaving Bao Lac, you will visit Bao Lac Market, a special local market that is only held once a week. This is probably one of the most colourful and photogenic places you will visit in Northern Vietnam, where many ethnic minority people come to trade, meet friends and enjoy the market day.
  After the market visit, we drive to Lung Muoi, where you will start a short trek through rice fields and a beautiful valley. Lunch will be served in a local house before we continue by vehicle on a bumpy road along the river, passing rice fields, villages and mountain scenery.
  We’ll arrive in Ba Be National Park in the late afternoon, then enjoy dinner and spend the night in a traditional Tay house by the Ba Be lakeshore.
  Physical activities: 5-7km trek
Day 7: Jungle Trekking in Ba Be National Park (B/L/D)
- This is set to be a wonderful day of jungle trekking in Ba Be National Park. After breakfast at Ba Be Jungle House, your guide will take you towards Nam Cuong, following local trails through bamboo villages, bamboo forests, valleys and remote mountain paths.
  Along the way, you will have the chance to enjoy the peaceful countryside and see local life in the villages before reaching Lung Quang. From here, we take a short transfer for lunch and continue to visit Silk Waterfall, where you can relax and enjoy a refreshing swim if the weather allows.
  In the afternoon, we continue trekking to Tham Phay Bamboo Lodge, a quiet and beautiful place surrounded by cornfields and mountains, where we will have dinner and spend the night.
  Physical activities: 12-15km trek
  
  ► Where to stay and what to eat in Ba Be National Park ?
Day 8: Tham Phay Cave Expedition (B/L/D)
- After breakfast at the bamboo lodge, we prepare for a very special adventure day. Today you will explore the underground river cave system of Tham Phay, one of the most unique expedition experiences in Ba Be.
  The cave expedition takes around three hours and is completely different from a normal sightseeing tour. Inside the cave, you will discover impressive stalactites and stalagmites, underground pools, white cave insects and a mysterious river system hidden beneath the mountains. One of the most interesting parts of the cave is where two different water streams meet, with cold water coming from one side and warmer water from the other.
  The expedition will be guided by our safety team and instruction guides, who will support you throughout the adventure. After returning from the cave, we will have lunch at the bamboo lodge, then trek back to the pickup point and transfer back to Ba Be Jungle House for the night.
  Physical activities: 5-7km trek
Day 9: Ba Be Lake Boat Trip & Return to Hanoi (B/L)
- After breakfast, we start the final day of our adventure with a relaxing boat trip on Ba Be Lake, one of the most beautiful natural freshwater lakes in the mountains of Vietnam.
  You will spend around three hours exploring the lake system, passing through its three connected lakes, peaceful waters, limestone cliffs and forested mountains. The boat then continues along the Nang River, where the scenery becomes even more dramatic as we travel between high mountain walls before reaching Puong Cave.
  The boat will take you through the cave, a huge limestone tunnel stretching across the river, before arriving at the harbour. From here, our driver will pick you up and take you back to Hanoi. The drive takes around four hours, and the tour finishes upon arrival in the city.

Tour Includes:

•    Private door to door pick-up drop-off services
•    All private transfer and transportation
•    Accommodation at ecolodges, hotels, homestays as mentioned
•    English speaking guide as per program
•    Breakfasts (B) Lunches (L) Dinners as mentioned
•    All sightseeing tickets and travel permits
•    No extra charge after confirmation

Tour Excludes:

•   Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
•   Travel insurance
•   International flight and taxes.
•   Beverage
•   Other personal expenses: drinks, souvenir, etc…

What To Take:

• Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking.
• It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat...

Chat with a Guide

Accommodation List

Please note that the hotels mentioned in this list are for reference only. Depending on availability and your preference, they can be changed. If we are unable to book any hotel, it will be replaced by another hotel at least of equivalent standard and value.

Hoa Cuong Hotel Dong Van

Address: Dong Van Town, Ha Giang Province

Hoa Cuong Hotel is located in the center of the ancient town of Dong Van district - Ha Giang, where the center of the Highland area of stone was recognized by UNESCO. The hotel opened in early 2015 is the most modern hotel in Ha Giang province

Mr Doan's Homestay

Address: Ha Thanh village, Phuong Do, Ha Giang City, Ha Giang Province

Visit Mr Doan, his wife and his two sons in a traditional stilts house of Tay ethnic minority group in North of Vietnam. He is a good chef and kind owner

Mr Hung's Homestay

Address: Na Nghe Village, Boc Bo, Ba Be District, Bac Kan Province

On the remote village of Na Nghe. Mr Hung built his homestay based on the traditional stilts house of Dao ethnic minority.

Ba Be Jungle Houses

Address: Coc Toc village, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan province

A step up in amenities to Ba Be's homestays, this lakeside place in Coc Toc village takes the form of six small, spic-and-span, wood-panelled private rooms, and a dorm. Visitors are well looked after by friendly English-speaking staff.

Review

5 average based on 9 reviews.

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Claire S

Wrote a review 3 - 2025

Professional, personalized and well organized

Review of: Trekking on the Trails of Northern Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

A 10 day hiking tour was planned. I was a solo traveler and was very well taken care of the entire trip. It was a relief not to have to plan where to go and where to stay. The experienced guide, Juan Hoan, adjusted the trip to match what I could handle. I went to 7 locations in 10 days. The driver and the guide were very kind. Simply amazing! Thank you!

Date of experience: 3 2025

BarryJM

Wrote a review 3 - 2023

Great trip through Northern Vietnam

Review of: Trekking The Northern Trails of Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

What a fabulous 9 days trekking in Northern Vietnam with Mr Linhs Adventures It was very special to see and experience such a diversity of ethnic minority groups still living a traditional lifestyle and take in the stunning scenery along the way and we can’t speak highly enough of our driver and guide who got us through unscathed In such remote country there are always challenges that arise but they were all dealt with in a most efficient manner
Would recommend Mr Linhs Adventures to anyone
Barry and Tanya

Date of experience: 3 2020

Mr Linh's Adventure

Thank you so much Barry and Tanya for sharing your experience. We had plenty of fun organizing this tour and giving you the best team to help you experience paths known by locals only, and homestay with different ethnic minority families. A trek is definitely one of the best ways to explore the North of Vietnam. We hope to see you again someday! Mr Linh's Adventures Team

Written 4/20/2023

Cathy V

Wrote a review 3 - 2023

Great

Review of: Trekking The Northern Trails of Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

Trekking with Mr Linh’s Adventures was fantastic! Well organised, knowledgeable local guide (Loi) & bus driver. We went as a group of 13 hikers from Brisbane. Great response from Cathy Ha in Mr Linh’s office for payment & planning. Combination of hotels & home stay accommodation in traditional minority homes. Great hiking days, through villages, jungle & across the Sky path. Highly recommend this company

Date of experience: 3 2020

Bea D

Wrote a review 3 - 2023

Absolutely first class trip - love love love

Review of: Trekking The Northern Trails of Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

This was one of best trips I’ve done. 13 of us from Brisbane bushwalking club spent 9 days with the wonderful Mr Loi and Mr Duy from Mr Linh’s Travel staying at home stays and trekking. Some of the best scenery I’ve ever seen. Organisation was superb from our first contact with Mr linh’s Travel. Accommodation, food and all details perfect. Mr Loi in particular was brilliant and made our trip the best ever. Thank you so much.

Date of experience: 3 2020

Mr Linh's Adventure

Thank you so much for your kind words, it was such a pleasure to arrange this trip for your lovely group. The team had as much fun as you did! We hope to see you again someday, and why not on the trekking trails in Australia ;) Mr Linh's Adventures Team

Written 0/0/0

Brenda B

Wrote a review 4 - 2023

The Best of the Best!

Review of: Trekking The Northern Trails of Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

This is a cultural and scenic experience beyond joy! I celebrated my 60th birthday on this trek on the day we walked Ma Pi Leng Pass. Mr Linh's Adventures is superior in offering the true Vietnam experience. Authentic delicious food, comfortable village homestays and hotels. Superior guides. Outstanding scenery that will make your heart sing! Bucket list must do!!

Date of experience: 4 2023

Mr Linh's Adventure

Ma Pi Leng is quite a stunning landscape for a birthday indeed! We are so glad you enjoyed your time with us and discovered Vietnam through the local ethnic minorities. It feels much more privileged this way and you got to experience a lot from unknown trails to well-known 'happy water'! Happy belated birthday from all the team! Mr Linh's Adventures Team

Written 4/20/2023