13 Vietnam Hiking Tour with Halong Bay Cruise

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival – Night Train to Lao Cai.

Arrive at Hanoi International Airport, meet and transfer to the hotel for check-in hotel for rest some minutes then visit Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, which was built in 1010. Take a tour around this unique city to the sites of – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh House on Stilt, One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Museum of Art, Sword Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and ancient streets. Dinner and then transfer to Hanoi railway station for a night train to Lao Cai.
Summary:
Activities: Picking up and transferring to the hotel
Accommodation: Express train to Lao Cai
Meals: D
Transferring distance: 30 km

Day 2: Lao Cai – Muong Khuong – Lung Khau Nhin Village (B/L/D)

Breakfast at Lao Cai town bordered with China then transfers to Lung Khau Nhin village. It takes about 6hrs to trek on hard trails and difficult and high terrain. Have a picnic lunch on road. After many hours of trekking, we arrive at Lung Khau Nhin village. It is a very nice village for Hmong ethnic minority in this border region. Leisure at village, dinner, and overnight here for discovering the farming methods, life, and traditional customs of the Nung community.
Summary:
Activities:  Transferring and Hiking to the Village
Accommodation:  Ecohomestay
Meals: B/L/D
Hiking distance: 6 Hours/ 19 Km

Day 3: Lung Khau Nhin Village – Ban Me Village

After recharging our energy for a new hiking day, we commence our adventure tours from the eco-home village, trek on the village road leading to the hillside, and descent to Song Chay River. On the way, you will be rewarded with outstanding scenery and pristine nature. Visiting some inhabitants of ethnic minority Hmong and Nung. Arrive at Me village, have dinner and spend a night in a house on of stilt made by Nung.
Summary:
Activities:  Trekking from Village – Village
Accommodation: Ecohomestay
Meals: B/L/D
Hiking distance: 7 Hours/ 21 Km:

Day 4: Ban Me Village – Quan Than San Village

Take leave of inhabitants of Ban Me ethnic minority, it takes 12 Km to Quan Than San by trekking through many peaceful and nice villages. During the trekking, we can visit some villages along the streams and contemplate the imposing mountains. Leisure in the village, where visitors can meet more of Lao Cai’s colorful Flower Hmong people and the highly-photogenic ethnic minorities in North West of Vietnam. Have dinner and overnight in the village of Hmong.
Summary:
Activities: Trekking from Village – Village
Accommodation: Ecohomestay
Meals: B/L/D
Hiking distance:6 Hours/ 12 Km

Day 5: Quan Than San – Ta Chai

Having delicious meals with our host, we hop up to our journey from the village, hike on single track and dirt road lead Nam Mon village. Have leisure, lunch, and dinner at the village of Nung ethnic minority.
Summary:
Activities: Hiking from the village – Village
Accommodation: Ecohomestay
Meals: B/L/D
Hiking distance: 5 hours/ 12 Km:

Day 6: Tai Chai –  CanCau – Bac Ha

After having breakfast, visitors can leave the inhabitants here for Bac Ha town, Sunday: A scenic 3-hour trek to Can Cau on Saturday or drive to visit the famous Bac Ha Market, situated on the border to Yunnan.  Every Sunday the otherwise sleepy town is transformed into a bustling place full of various ethnic minorities. Here visitors can meet more of Lao Cai’s colorful Flower Hmong people, plus Nung, Dzao Tuyen, Tu Di, and several other ethnic groups such as the Thu Lao, the Pa Di, and the La Chi, and the highly-photogenic Lo Lo. Check-in Bac Ha hotel. Have dinner at a local restaurant.
Summary:
Activities: Hiking and transferring
Accommodation:  Ngan nga hotel**
Meals: B/L/D
Hiking distance: 4 hours/ 15 km

Day 7: Bac Ha – Coc Ly – Lao Cai – Hanoi

Breakfast starts trek down about 2hours to Coc Ly market(every Tuesday) located by the Chay River, which flows from China. Every Tuesday morning, minorities from surrounding villages such as Flower Hmong, Black Zao, and Tay, gather to sell and buy their products. After visiting the market, you travel by boat downstream. Along the ride, you can enjoy the magnificent sight of the beautiful caves and life on the riverbank. You will have lunch en router later in a village.
The trip will also offer you a visit to Trung Do village of the Tay minority, where you can stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. You will go further downstream until you arrive at Bao Nhai Bridge. Here you get on the car for the journey back to Lao Cai to take the express night train back to Hanoi
Summary:
Activities: Hiking Visiting and transferring
Accommodation: Express train back to Hanoi
Meals: B/L/D
Hiking distance: 14 Km. 5 hours

Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Kayaking

Early arrival at Hanoi station, Pick up and transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast and coffee and today we drive towards Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam’s most scenic impressive sights. On arrival in Halong Town, we are welcomed on a traditional junk with a refreshing drink and get some boat information as well as kayak orientation. This is time for us to settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for four days of exploring Halong Bay. The traditional boat cruises through Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, and Sung Sot cave before it anchors at the Soi Sim area, giving us free hand kayaking. We row our kayak passing by the limestone karst formations which are littered with beaches and beautiful caves. At sunset, we regroup at the escort boat for relaxation and dinner. The night paddle is available for kayaking fervors. O/N on board
Summary:
Activities: Transferring and exploring Halong Bay
Accommodation: On Cruise
Meals:B/l/D
Kayaking time: 2 hours

Day 9: Halong Bay – Cua Van – Ba Ham Kayaking

The sailing junks navigating past over 3,000 limestone islands and outcrops jutting out of the clear and emerald water of the bay make for a marvelous scene. We have an option to get up early to admire the splendid landscape and see the fishermen on a morning catch. The huge breakfast is an impressive way to start our active day. We continue cruising towards the Ba Ham area for the second kayaking. Today we paddle around this scenic zone at our pace to explore the mystical rock formations, hidden caves as well as many secluded lagoons. Kayaking is not the only activity in places. You have plenty of time for your pleasure; swimming or simply soaking up the sunshine. O/N on board
Summary:
Activities: Kayaking day
Accommodation: On a cruise
Meals:B/l/D
Kayaking times: 6 hours

Day 10: Ba Ham – Lan Ha Kayaking – Ba Trai Dao (B/L/D)

Upon leaving our last night stop area we weave our way towards Lan Ha Bay. On arrival, we get down to the turquoise water and row our kayak past the incredible rock formations of various shapes and sizes. The modern kayaking equipment will enable rowers to easily maximize speed and venture into the many hidden lagoons or secluded caves. They are particularly difficult to be accessed by different means of transport. We paddle across an open sea area to Ba Trai Dao. These unspoiled beaches are an ideal place for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape. The perfect way to round off our day is a sunset paddle or leisurely swim on beaches. O/N on board
Summary:
Activities: Kayaking and exploring
Accommodation: On Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Kayaking Times: 6 Hours

Day 11: Halong Bay – Ba Hang Kayaking – Hanoi

The traditional escort boat delivers us near the Ba Hang area. We spend a few more hours rowing our kayak past Con Vit, Cay Tao, and Veu rocks. These imposing islets are aptly named for their distinctive shapes. The amazing blend of the islands and the turquoise water is nothing short of spectacular. By mid-morning, we complete our exciting kayaking adventure and arrange our luggage to cruise back to the Halong pier. The shuttle bus will pick us up for a return journey. Overnight in Hanoi. Explore dinner on your own.
Summary:
Activities: Kayaking and transferring back to Hanoi
Accommodation: Mayde villa hotel
Meals: B/L/
Kayaking times:3 hours. Transferring 3 hours

Day 12: Hanoi – Fullday city tours

Today we have a tour of the city’s highlights including the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam’s first university, dating back to the 11th century. The temple is dedicated to one of the world’s most famous scholars, Confucius. Inside the temple grounds huge stone stele rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnamese culture the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who would later go on to become mandarins in the Emperor’s court. We also visit The Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake and the vibrant Old Quarter. The Old Quarter’s bustling streets are home to hundreds of small thriving businesses, each one identified by its names, such as Tin Street or Fish Street. Following lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, dedicated to the country’s 54 ethnic minorities. Farewell dinner.
Summary:
Activities: Visiting Hanoi city
Accommodation:  Mayde villa hotel
Meals: B/L/D
Visiting times: 8 Hours

Day 13: Hanoi – Departure

Free at leisure on your own for shopping or sightseeing. Transfer to the airport for your flight departure for your next destinations.
Summary:
Activities: Transferring
Accommodation: Onward
Meals: B/
Transferring  Distance: 35 Km