5-Day Northeast Vietnam Loop: Bac Son Valley, Ban Gioc Waterfall & Ba Be Lake

Our first day on the Northeast Vietnam tour begins with an incredible journey to Bac Son Valley – a lush paradise encircled by forested mountains. This area is home to various ethnic groups, including the Tay, Dao, and Nung, who have lived here for generations. Bac Son is a hidden gem, untouched by mass tourism, where you can immerse yourself in the authentic local culture, savor traditional foods, and experience the warmth of a homestay with a local family.

Trekking to Nalay peak in Bac Son valley

8:00 AM, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Bac Son Valley. Along the way, you’ll be treated to scenic views of mountains, valleys, and rural life, with opportunities to stop for photos. Upon arrival at Quynh Son Village around midday, you’ll enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch in Tay’s stilt house. Take your time to savor the delicious dishes and engage with the friendly hosts.

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk around the village to observe the Tay people’s daily life. Later, continue on a challenging trek up to Na Lay Peak, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Bac Son Valley.

Dinner and overnight will be at a local homestay.

Inclusions : Private car transfer Hanoi- Bac Son valley, tourguide of English speaking, entrance sightseeing fees, meals ( L-lunch, D-dinner), homestay at Quynh Son village

Ba Be Lake and its surrounding national park are the top attractions in Bac Kan Province that you must visit during your Vietnam holidays. Ba Be, meaning “Three Lakes,” consists of Pe Lam, Pe Lu, and Pe Leng. The lake stretches over 8 km in length, reaches up to 3 km in width at its widest point, and sits 150 meters above sea level. A boat trip around the lake offers breathtaking views of the tropical rainforest and limestone mountain cliffs encircling the lake & pay a visit to some top places along the lake.

Ba Be lake view

After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to the local family and drive to Thai Nguyen City, making a stop at the Museum of Ethnology. This museum provides an engaging exhibition of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll continue our journey to Ba Be Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam located within Ba Be National Park.

Upon arrival, check in at a local Tay family’s home in Pac Ngoi Village. Enjoy some free time to stroll around the village or watch the sunset over Ba Be Lake.

Dinner and overnight stay will be at the homestay.

Inclusions : Private car transfer with driver, tourguide of English speaking, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (B- breakfast L-lunch, D-dinner), homestay at Pac Ngoi village

You can start your day early to enjoy the fresh air of the region or catch the breathtaking sunrise over the lakes. After breakfast, ride a boat tour along Ba Be Lake and the Nang River. During the cruise, you’ll have the chance to visit Fairy Pond or An Ma Temple on the island, as well as Puong Cave, the largest cave in Ba Be National Park.

Around noon, our driver will pick us up from Puoc Lom Harbor and take us to Cho Ra town for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Cao Bang City, where you’ll spend the night at a hotel. 

Inclusions : Private car transfer with driver, tourguide of English speaking, entrance sightseeing fees, meals ( B-breakfast, L-lunch), double/twin-shared room at Sunny Hotel or similar

Due to its remote location from Hanoi, Cao Bang Province is a less-visited and secluded area that shares a border with China. This allows visitors to experience the untouched natural beauty of Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave in this northeast Vietnam tour

Majestic Ban Gioc waterfall

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the remote Trung Khanh district. Along the way, make a short stop at Phuc Sen Village to learn about traditional blacksmith techniques used in making farming tools.

Around 11:30 AM, you’ll arrive at Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Vietnam’s most stunning natural landmarks. Enjoy a short walk down to the Quay Son River to admire the majestic waterfall, then head to a nearby local restaurant for lunch.

Afterward, take a leisure hike to Ban Gioc Pagoda, a tranquil spot that beautifully combines natural scenery with spiritual peace.

In the afternoon, explore Nguom Ngao Cave, renowned for its unique limestone formations. Marvel at the spectacular stalagmites and stalactites before returning to Cao Bang.

Overnight in Cao Bang.

Inclusions : Private car transfer with driver, tourguide of English sepaking, entrance sightseeing fees, meals ( B-breakfast, L-lunch), double/twin-shared room at Sunny hotel or simlar

After breakfast at the hotel, we will continue our journey to Lang Son. Along the way, we’ll stop at Dong Khe, a significant historical site where the Battle of Dong Khe took place during the First Indochina War. This battle, fought from September to October 1950, marked the first major conflict of the Indochina Wars and ended in a decisive victory for the Viet Minh forces.

Next, we’ll head to Dong Dang town to see the Mother’s Temple, a revered spiritual site dedicated to the Mother Goddess in Vietnamese folklore. The temple holds great cultural importance, especially during festivals when locals gather to perform traditional rituals and offer tributes to the Mother Goddess.

Chi Lang Pass – Quy Mon Gate

We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Lang Son before heading back to Hanoi. On the way, we’ll drive through the Chi Lang Pass, a 20 km long gorge nestled between two mountains. This historic pass has been the site of numerous victories against Chinese invasions dating back to 981 AD. Known as Vietnam’s strongest citadel, Chi Lang Pass is home to the Quy Mon Quan Gate, or “Gate of Monsters. You’ll have about an hour to explore this area before we continue to Hanoi, concluding the trip with a drop-off at your hotel.

Inclusions : Private car transfer Hanoi- Bac Son valley, tourguide of English sepaking, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (B- Breakfast, L-lunch)