Vietnam Soft Adventure Tour 12 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (G)

Start your adventure as soon as you land at Noi Bai airport where you’ll be greeted and taken to your hotel to settle in. Spend your first day soaking in the vibrant energy of Hanoi with a cyclo tour through the Colonial and Old Quarters, showcasing a unique blend of architectural styles.

In the afternoon, enjoy the quintessential Vietnamese cultural experience with a Water Puppetry performance, offering insights into the agricultural roots of northern Vietnam.

The evening will be free to explore at your leisure.

Day 2: Exploring Artisan Villages around Hanoi (B, L, G)

In the morning, you’ll be picked up and driven to Bat Trang, a village located approximately 15km downriver from Hanoi, renowned for its fine ceramics. Your guide will lead you through the bustling tourist area to the quieter, old part of the village along the riverside. Here, you can wander the narrow streets, observe the manufacturing process, and meet the craftspeople. If you like, you can even try your hand at making a ceramic product to take home as a souvenir.

Next, you’ll head to Lung Khe village, where you’ll enjoy a lunch prepared by a local family. Afterward, you’ll experience traditional Quan Ho music performed by villagers in the commune house. These singers have recently been officially recognized as part of Vietnam’s ‘living heritage.’ In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Hanoi for a brief rest.

In the evening, our car will pick you up and take you to Hanoi railway station, where you’ll board the overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai.

Despite being called a ‘village,’ Bat Trang is more like a small town. The upper area is highly commercialized, focusing on glazed ceramic artifacts, while the riverside ‘ancient’ village specializes in earthenware and pottery products. Additionally, there is a large ceramics market with many small businesses offering a wide variety of items.

Day 3: Sapa Exploration (B, L, D, G)

You’ll arrive in the early morning and be driven to Sapa. After checking into your hotel and taking a short break, you’ll transfer to a trekking point near Thanh Kim. From there, you’ll walk downhill on a small trail towards the Thanh Phu suspension bridge over the picturesque Muong Bo River. The trail takes you through rice paddy terraces and hillsides, offering magnificent valley views and opportunities to see animals like water buffalos, goats, and mountain pigs, which belong to the local Tay and Red Dao minorities but roam freely.

You’ll then head up to Thanh Phu village for lunch in a local house. After lunch, you’ll trek to Sin Chai village via Nam Cum village, both inhabited by the Red Dao minority. You will stay overnight in a local house in Sin Chai village, enjoying the warm hospitality of the Red Dao.

Approx: Grade 3 of 5 with 45 minutes driving & 6 hours walking.

Day 4: Immersive Trek from Sin Chai to Nam Cang (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast in a peaceful setting, you will begin your second day of trekking with an easy walk to Nam Nhiu village, inhabited by the Red Dao minority. From there, you’ll visit Nam Than village, the only village in the area inhabited by the White H’mong minority. Next, you’ll descend to Nam Cang village for lunch in a local Red Dao house.

In the afternoon, you’ll walk to Nam Sai village along a small road with stunning views of mountains and a waterfall. After leaving the village, you’ll return to Thanh Phu village, home to the Tay minority. Here, you’ll enjoy a well-prepared dinner and stay overnight in a local family’s stilt house.

Approx: Grade 2 of 5 with 6 hours of walking.

Day 5: Thanh Phu to Hanoi via Sapa (B, L, G)

On the last day of the trek you will cross several suspension bridges and trek through lush rice paddy fields and stunning scenery. You have a unique opportunity to meet Xa Pho minority in My Son village, one of the smallest ethnic group living in Northern Viet Nam. They always maintain their unique costume and nomadic life. You trek uphill to Nam Toong village of Red Dao minority, where you have lunch in a local school.

In the afternoon, your trek will be mostly downhill to Ban Ho village. You then arrive at Ban Ho village, the area’s largest village, spreads along the two banks of Muong Bo Rivers. Here the Tay minority still live their ancestor life on traditional stilt house. Your vehicle will then pick you up at Ban Ho village and transfer you back to Lao Cai station for your night train back to Hanoi.

Approx: Grade 2 of 5/ 1 hour driving/ 5 hours walking

Note: The difficult level of this trek depends on the condition of weather. Therefore, the itinerary is subjected to changes.

Day 6: Arrival in Hanoi and Flight to Dong Hoi (B, D, DP)

Early in the morning, you’ll arrive back in Hanoi. A short break at a hotel allows you to refresh and have breakfast before you’re transferred to the airport for your flight to Dong Hoi. Upon arrival in Dong Hoi, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the local area or relax at your hotel. This provides a gentle pause in your adventure, preparing you for the next leg of your journey in the stunning landscapes of central Vietnam. In the evening you will dropped off at your hotel in Phong Nha Town with dinner included and a free evening to enjoy your new surroundings.

Day 7: Discovering Phong Nha’s Caves (B, L, D, G)

Your adventure begins when your guide and driver pick you up from your hotel in Phong Nha, whisking you away to the Oxalis office in Tan Hoa Village, about 70 km away. Here, you’ll get a quick briefing on your trekking itinerary and safety regulations, pack your bag, sign the release form, and gear up with essential safety equipment.

The journey kicks off with a scenic 2.5 km hike through lush corn and peanut fields leading to the Rao Nan River. After crossing the river and scaling a small rocky hill, you’ll descend into the tranquil Hung Ton Valley. This is where you’ll take a well-deserved break and enjoy lunch at the entrance of Hung Ton Cave.

After lunch, the trek gets a bit more exciting with some steep hills that lead to the picturesque Tu Lan Valley campsite by the waterfall. In the afternoon, dive into some fun with swimming and exploring Ken Cave, which is conveniently close to the campsite.

As the day winds down, you’ll return to the campsite for a delightful dinner prepared by our talented chefs. With the serene mountains, forests, and the soothing sounds of the waterfall around you, you’ll drift off to a peaceful night’s sleep, amongst the wonderful nature of this area in Vietnam.

Day 8: Exploring Tu Lan Cave System (B, L, D, G)

Today’s adventure takes you through the stunning Hang Tu Lan and Hang Kim caves, leading to the picturesque To Mo Valley. You’ll trek, explore, and swim through these spectacular caves, stopping for lunch at the serene To Mo campsite. Afterward, swim into Hung Ton Cave beside a beautiful waterfall, where you’ll climb a 10-meter ladder with safety harnesses for an added thrill. A short hike brings you to the cave entrance, offering breathtaking views of Hung Ton Valley, perfect for photos.

After enjoying the scenery, you’ll trek back to the Oxalis Tan Hoa office through Hung Ton Valley, crossing the Rao Nan River and lush peanut and corn fields. At the office, relax, shower, and enjoy a drink while saying goodbye to your team before heading back to Phong Nha for your overnight stay.

Located in Tan Hoa Village, Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh, about 70 km northwest of Phong Nha, the Tu Lan cave system (including Hang La Ken) is a treasure trove for adventure seekers. The trek involves 12 km of easy to moderate hiking, including up to 2 km of caving, with a 300-meter elevation gain and 1 km of swimming inside the caves. You’ll also descend a 15-meter ladder inside one of the caves. This area features a valley and limestone mountain range with four caves adorned with stunning stalagmites and stalactites, a small waterfall, and an underground river.

Day 9: National Park Exploration and Return to Hanoi (B, L, G)

After breakfast, embark on a journey to the mesmerizing Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, known for its impressive limestone formations, grottoes, and caves, all surrounded by Vietnam’s largest primeval forest.

The main cave, Phong Nha, shares its name with the entire network of caves and sinkholes. It’s the most accessible and captivating, featuring formations with whimsical names like the Fairy Caves, Royal Court, and Buddha. For speleologists, the cave’s intricate network of underground rivers and passageways offers a deeper fascination, although access to the larger complex is restricted for research purposes.

After exploring the park, return to Dong Hoi for your overnight train journey to Hanoi, carrying unforgettable memories of Phong Nha-Ke Bang’s natural splendour.

Day 10: Ha Long Bay Adventure Begins (B, L, D, G)

Arrive at Hanoi Station in the early morning, where your driver and guide will take you to your hotel for breakfast and refreshment. Then, head to Ha Long Bay, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest marine limestone karst landscape. You’ll board a wooden junk to cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, visiting a less frequented cave. Continue toward Cong Do for swimming or kayaking through a hidden lagoon. The route avoids busy areas, ensuring a peaceful overnight stay.

For your two-day Ha Long excursion, you’ll board the Dragon’s Pearl Junk, a newly designed wooden boat modeled after old Chinese court vessels. With eleven air-conditioned cabins, the boat offers ample space. Each cabin, about 9 m², features windows overlooking the bay, hardwood interiors, and en-suite bathrooms. Cabins are furnished with twin or double queen beds, wardrobes, pillows, cotton sheets, and toiletries. All meals, mainly fresh seafood, are provided on board, and kayaking is included.

Day 11: More of Ha Long Bay and Return to Hanoi (B, L, G)

Wake up to the fresh air of the bay and enjoy a swim or relax on the sundeck. After breakfast, continue your cruise to visit a fishing village and explore a hidden lagoon in a rustic rowing boat. The route ends at a Pearl Farm, where you can see the process of making high-quality pearls.

Then, cruise back to dock around noon and head back to Hanoi. Arrive at your hotel in the mid-afternoon, with the rest of the day free for your own activities. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 12: Departure from Hanoi (B, GP)

Your final day is free for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Hanoi. Depending on your flight schedule, explore more of the city’s cultural sights or simply relax at a café. Later, you will be transferred to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your memorable 12-day adventure through Vietnam.

Key

B = Breakfast

L = Lunch

D = Dinner

G = Guide

GP = Guide pick-up

DP = Driver pick-up