7-Day Far North Vietnam Grand Loop: Ha Giang, Ban Gioc & Ba Be

This morning start the ascent up the mountains towards the Chinese border and the town of Dong Van, which stands 1,300 meters above sea level. Stop along the way to view the unique limestone formations of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and visit the colorful ethnic villages of Green H’mong people. Upon arrival in Dong Van, see the ancient houses of the old quarter before a dinner of local hot pot and, for those who please, local rice wine.

If in Dong Van on a Sunday, you’ll have a chance to experience the colorful local market where thousands of people gather from the surrounding villages to exchange agricultural goods, handicrafts and livestock.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 6 hours including frequent stops and lunch | TREKKING: Approx. 5 km/3 miles | SLEEP: Hotel in Dong Van

Today it’s all about the journey. As you traverse the 21-km Ma Pi Leng Pass you’ll see why this is declared the most spectacular stretch of road in all of Vietnam. Giant cone-shaped limestone mountains tower, with brilliant green-clad cliffs cascading into the steep river valleys below. Places like this are what travel dreams are made of.

Pass by H’mong people going about their daily work as you trek out to viewpoints to get the best panoramas.

TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: Approx. 110 km | TREKKING DISTANCE: Approx. 7 km/4.5 miles | SLEEP: Hotel in Bao Lac

This morning visit a village of Lo Lo people, a small ethnic group living high up on the mountain who have preserved their original culture, including their colorful, intricate traditional clothing and wooden stilt houses. Next continue on towards Ban Gioc, driving through beautiful countryside before reaching the resort at Ban Gioc.

TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: 200 km | WALKING DISTANCE: Approx. 1-2 km/1 mile | SLEEP: Resort at Ban Gioc

This morning visit Ban Gioc waterfall, the fourth largest national border waterfall in the world and sourced from Quay Son River. This peaceful river starts in China and carves its way through rugged karst mountains before cascading down a series of dramatic falls into Vietnam. Both Vietnam and China enjoy the benefits of this majestic natural wonder.

Next, take a short drive to a nearby pagoda before walking up to a viewpoint where you can see a panoramic view of the entire waterfall and over to China and the Quay Son River.

After that, explore nearby Nguom Ngao Cave, a 2,700-meter cave that was created over millions of years and today features beautiful, unique stalagmite and stalactite formations not found in other caves in Vietnam. Listen to the roaring sounds created by an underground stream running over the rocks below, and you’ll understand why the local Tay people named this Tiger Cave. Travel on to Ba Be Lake.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 6 hours | SLEEP: homestay at Ba Be Lake

Spend today exploring and relaxing among the peaceful, natural beauty of Ba Be Lake. Here, limestone cliffs covered in primary forest reflect off the mirror-like surface of Vietnam’s largest natural lake to create a picture-perfect setting.

You can start the morning with a 10 km trek up the mountains and through the jungle where you’ll see more ethnic groups such as Green H’mong and Dao people. Return to the homestay for lunch before an afternoon spent cruising the lake by boat. Alternatively, for groups who want more trekking, you can instead hike 15 km out to Dau Dang waterfall where you’ll be picked up by boat to cruise around the lake, stopping for lunch and swimming as you like before the boat takes you back at the homestay.

TREKKING DISTANCE: Approx. 10 km/6 miles (moderate difficulty) or 15 km/9.3 miles (difficult terrain), depending on group itinerary | SLEEP: homestay at Ba Be Lake