Day 1: Hanoi to Ba Be National Park
Today, we head out of Hanoi over the Chuong Duong bridge to the sprawling farm lands of the Red River Delta. We drive north along Highway 3 to Thai Nguyen for a stop to enjoy a local lunch. We also take a look at the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups. Leaving the delta behind, we start climbing into the mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. We take a short boat trip to a Tay village for dinner and homestay in a local house.

Day 2: Ba Be to Cao Bang
Ba Be National Park, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, is Vietnam’s only natural mountain lake. This important eco-system is best known for its 330 species of butterflies! After breakfast, we take a boat trip to explore the lake, passing through the lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains. We stop for a trek to Dau Dang waterfall. We meet our Jeep and head north through striking mountain passes to the city of Cao Bang. Overnight in a local hotel.

Day 3: By Jeep to Ban Gioc Waterfall
On this day you’ll take a scenic day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc waterfall on the Chinese border. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53m-high and has an impressive span of 300m. The drive there offers unique landscapes with limestone karsts formations surrounded by the farms of local ethnic minorities including Tay, H’mong and Dzao. On the way back to Cao Bang, we stop to explore the expansive 2,144m Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its brilliant stalactites. We then return to Cao Bang and overnight in Hotel.

Day 4: Cao Bang to Lang Son
Before departing Cao Bang, consider climbing the hill up to the War Memorial, which offers a great panoramic view of the area. We hop in the jeep for a ride along famous Highway 4. The road winds its way through steep, mountain passes where much of the land remains untouched, the vista views are truly spectacular! Lang Son is the capital of this mountainous area and is an important crossing and trading route with China, and the area is home to Dzao, Man, Tho and Nung ethnic minority groups. Overnight in a local hotel.

Day 5: Lang Son to Hanoi
As a trading post, Lang Son has two markets worth visiting, the Old Market and the Dong Kinh Market. Here we find everything from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Its definitely buyer beware, as there’s lots of knock-offs and copies. If the markets aren’t your thing, then just outside town are two large, beautiful caves and the ruins of the Mac Dynasty Citadel, all worth a visit. Tam Thanh Cave contains a pond and offers great views of the surrounding farmlands. Nhi Thanh Cave, formed by the river that flows through it, has poems carved into the entrance by the man who discovered the cave in the 18th century. After a morning of exploration, it’s time for lunch and the trip back to Hanoi. The trip ends in Hanoi.