Adventure The Northeast Vietnam 6 Days
4.4 8

Itinerary

This northeast 6 days tour combines remote mountain areas with Halong Bay, covering Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc Waterfall near the Chinese border, and ending with an overnight cruise. You’ll spend the first half in basic homestays in ethnic minority villages, then finish with comfortable cruise accommodations. It’s a good mix if you want both adventure and relaxation, but be prepared for long driving days on mountain roads.

Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc areas see few tourists, so interactions feel genuine. After a few days in the mountains, the Halong cruise provides a break with proper amenities and seafood meals. If mountain homestays aren’t your style or you’d rather skip Lang Son, reach out via  this form or email [email protected] to design your trip.

Highlights:

  • Ba Be Lake – Boat on the mountain lake, visit Tay and Hmong villages, stay overnight with a local family
  • Ban Gioc Waterfall – See Vietnam’s largest waterfall on the China border, take a bamboo raft ride
  • Lang Son – Stop at the border town and Dong Dang market (optional, can adjust route)
  • Halong Bay – Overnight cruise with private cabin, kayaking, cave visits, and onboard meals

You may also go through our Vietnam tours, which provide a large selection of trip kinds and lengths, for more ideas for itinerary options.

Show full itinerary

DAY 01: HANOI - BA BE LAKE

After breakfast, at 7:30 am, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi then take a drive on a 250-kilometer journey to Ba Be National Park. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant on the way then heading towards Ba Be National Park, one of the largest natural lakes in Vietnam, home to many kinds of birds, scenic valleys, towering rocky mountain, a gigantic cave and local ethnic minorities, including the Tay, Red Dao, and Hmong.

Upon arrival, explore Hua Ma cave, a huge grotto with thousands of stalactites, spend free time walking around the village enjoying the fresh air and peaceful atmosphere here before settling down at a traditional house of the Tay ethnic people to experience their way of life.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Amazing Ba Be Lake

DAY 02: BA BE TREKKING & BOATING

After breakfast, follow your guide’s lead on a trek through the mountains with a breathtaking landscape. You will pass several villages of Tay, Dao, and Hmong people, and it is a great chance to learn about their unique culture and customs.

Have a break for lunch. In the afternoon, take a boat trip along the Nang River to discover Ba Be Lake, Puong Gotto, the rapids of the Dau Dang Waterfall, and tiny Window Island. These poetic landscapes will bring you a relaxing time with fresh air and a green environment.

End your day with the same local family for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Marvelous Cao Bang

DAY 03: BA BE- CAO BANG - BAN GIOC WATERFALL

After breakfast, 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. You will learn about the history of the village and the product made here. After lunch, head towards to Ban Gioc area.

The peaceful and poetic landscape along the way with many terraced rice paddies dotted with traditional houses, will keep you awake the whole long drive and non–stop for taking pictures. Arrive at Ban Gioc waterfall, the fourth largest waterfall in the world. After spending some time relaxing and taking nice photos, you have an opportunity to raft nearly the fall and feel the water blob wind to your face.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

DAY 04: BAN GIOC - NGUOM NGAO CAVE - LANG SON

After breakfast, drive for about an hour to Nguom Ngao Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in the northeast of Vietnam. The small path with many beautiful and well-shaped stalactites and stalagmites excites your imagination.

Get back in the car and transfer to Lang Son province, admire the beautiful countryside, watch the daily life, and visit To Thi Mountain, which received its name from the local legend. The night will be spent in a hotel in Lang Son.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

The tranquil of Local life

DAY 05: LANG SON - HALONG BAY

After breakfast, at around 7.15 am, we are ready to be picked up at Halong Bay. On arrival, you are welcomed on the boat and have lunch set while cruising in the bay.

Depending on which cruise you choose, the detailed itinerary will basically include a visit to Sung Sot grotto, kayaking (an extra option for most of the boats, some boat has kayaking included), swimming in crystal water, and enjoying the landscape or relaxing at the sundeck.

Dinner and overnight on the cruise.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

day 5 halong bay 6 days

DAY 06: HALONG BAY - HANOI

Wake up on the bay to the sounds of waves, fresh air, and a breeze welcoming the new day. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto, then walk back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock.

The boat arrives at the harbor by 11.30 am, and your driver is waiting to take you back to your hotel in Hanoi. End of our services.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English-speaking guide

kayaking in halong bay

Pricing

Category Price from Jan 01st – Dec 31st, 2026 (per person in US dollar)
2 people 3 – 4 people 5 – 6 people 7 – 8 people Single supplement
Superior $870 $728 $576 $504 $196
Deluxe $909 $768 $615 $550 $223

Note: If you’re planning to visit Vietnam in 2025 or at another time, please fill out the form below or email us at [email protected] to get a quote with a customizable itinerary.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Below is our suggested accommodations. As we offer private tour, your hotel can be selected to match your travel interests.

Cities Hotel Category
Superior Deluxe
Ba Be Lake Ba Be Farmstay
Bungalow		 Ba Be Farmstay
Bungalow
Cao Bang Saigon Ban Gioc
Superior		 Saigon Ban Gioc
Deluxe
Lang Son New Century Hotel
ROH		 Muong Thanh Lang Son Hotel
Deluxe
Halong Renea Cruise
Deluxe		 Peony Cruise
Deluxe Balcony

Include & Exclude

TRIP INCLUSIVE

  • Accommodations base on twin sharing room with daily breakfast
  • Private transfer with air-conditioned car for airport pick up/drop off
  • Bottle of water and cold towel daily on the private car
  • Regional and experienced English speaking guides
  • Meals as indicated (without beverage)
  • All entrance and sightseeing fees.
  • Services charges and government tax

TRIP EXCLUSIVE

  • Travel insurances
  • Drink and meals not mentioned in Inclusive column
  • Personal tipping and gratuities
  • International flight ticket
  • Vietnam Visa

Note:

* Check in time: 02.00pm – Check out time: 12.00pm

* Special offer in Low Season from May 1st – Sep 30th is applied. Please contact us for more details.

* Price is based on a minimum of 2 people sharing 1 double/ twin room. Single supplement is surcharged when one person occupies one room.

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