Untouched Northern Vietnam: From Hidden Valleys to Majestic Mountains
Overview
Trip Highlights
General Information Of 14 Day Northern Vietnam Tour To Explore Vietnam’s Untouched Beauty.
This 14 day Vietnam tour allows you to get insights into the North of Vietnam: from the beautiful regions of Pu Luong Natural Reserve, Mai Chau valley & Ninh Binh – to the breathtaking mountain & rice terraced views of Sapa & Mu Cang Chai. You also have chance to experience daily life and culture of ethnic minority people while staying in traditional homestays & interacting with local people in remote villages during your visit. Explore the authentic local life, discover off-the-beaten tracks on a private trip with our guide and driver will definitely bring you an amazing overview about the magnificent nature and authentic insights of different ethnic hilltribes in Northern Vietnam.
Travel Map Route Of 14 Day Northern Vietnam Tour to Pristine Places
Special Highlights Of This Northern Vietnam Tour
- Experience scenic treks through magnificent landscapes in Ninh Binh, Pu Luong nature reserve & Mai Chau valley.
- Trekking in the remote areas of Sapa & Mu Cang Chai that you cannot meet in other tours.
- Enjoy beautiful caves & beautiful mountainscapes with boating, biking & hiking fun in Ninh Binh
- Numerous chances to interact with friendly local ethnics & get to know about their daily life & customs
- Admire the majestic and unspoiled scenery with the colorful ethnic life in the mountainous areas of the Northern Vietnam.
- Get lots of funs and laugh when experiencing the busy traffic of Hanoi capital by a traditional cyclo ride.
- Joining the overnight cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay to avoid the crowd and fulfill your trip by tons of exciting activities: kayaking, visiting caves, watching sunrise in Taichi class.
Itinerary
Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Our tourguide will meet you at the arrival terminal of Noi Bai Airport with your signed name…………., following your flight number……., landing at…… . He will warmly pick your family up and take you to Ninh Binh, the land of spectacular karst landscapes and rustic countryside.
After 2.5 hour drive, you will arrive at the habour of Van Long Nature Reserve and start a scenic bamboo rowing boat to enjoy wonderful scenery with reeds, lotus and towering limestone mountains.
The boat trip is a great way to view the diversity of rich fauna & flora in Van Long nature reserve.You can catch good view of many birds, storks, herons, pheasants flying around.If lucky enough, we can contemplate & have nice photos of the school of Delacour’s langurs playing around in mountains
After the boat ride, get driver transfered to the hotel in Ninh Binh. Check in & be free at leisure.
Today, you will have a full day exploring the places of pristine beauty in Ninh Binh by boating, hiking & biking.Firstly, we will do a morning hike in Mua cave area to conquer the summit of Ngoa Long mountain.The hike is a bit hard on steps but worth for your impressive captivation of beautiful limestone pillars, stunning rice fields & local villages in Ninh Binh.
Continue transfering to Nha Le pier in Tho Ha village for a relaxing sampan boat ride (4 people in each sampan) down a small canal to visit Thien Ha Grottoes, enjoying the natural scenery along the way.This is a newly-exploited eco-tourism attraction and said to be the most beautiful cave in Ninh Binh by tourists, offering endless photo opportunities.
After Thien Ha (Galaxy) cave, our boat ride continue routing thru Buddha cave, Ghe cave & Chua cave, passing Thung Nham bird sanctuary, which offer you the great exposure to outstandingly natural landscapes of limestone karst, hidden caves & wild natures.
The lunch of local Vietnamese dishes will be served in a local restaurant after the boat ride.
In the afternoon, you will have leisure bike to explore Tam Coc with stops between to visit local temple or pagoda along the way.Back to the hotel & be relaxed at leisure
After your breakfast, we will drive to Pu Luong via a breathtaking mountain pass giving you a panoramic view of the whole valley. Luch will be served en route to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
Stop at Ban Cong commune, we will start a 1.5 hour hiking trip along small roads in Thai’s village. You will be fascinated by plenty of water-wheels, a unique cultural feature of Thai and Muong people living in the nature reserve of Pu Luong.Get up close to each wheel and discover how water is moved from river to handmade bamboo aqueducts via simple constructions of all sizes.
Continue drive to the core area of Pu Luong area. Check in the hotel & free at leisure.
Overnight in Pu Luong.
Today is our full day trek up the mountains & down the valleys of Pu Luong nature reserve: chances for admiring beautiful mountainscapes & rustic villages & interacting with local Thai ethnics.
After breakfast, you check-out the rooms and ready for your day hiking across Don village to Doan town,
A picnic -lunch will served en route.
Then continue hiking across Co Lung village to reach Hieu village – a poetic one on a high mountain slope with a peaceful waterfall running day & night.
Check – in a local homestay of Black Thai Ethnic, have a cosy dinner with the family and spend our night here.
Have a breakfast of pancake with honey & banana prepared by the host, then we say goodbye to them for a morning hike down the valley & meet our driver for a scenic drive across Pu Luong nature reserve to Mai Chau valley.
Stop for a lunch in a local family in Mai Hich area – Mai Chau valley.Here, we will have a leisure walk along the valley, viewing surrounding villages & evergreen rice fields in this peaceful countryside.
Then we meet driver and drive to your hotel in untouched Mai Hich commune.Check-in the hotel and relax ourselves with sunset view & mountains
Dinner is on your own account at the resort.
Today is our driving journey further into Northwest Mountain region of Vietnam. You will drive up & down endless winding passes & experience impressive beauty of mountains & valleys on the way.
Stop for lunch in Son La city
Then continue driving to Mu Cang Chai, chances for your wonderful photos en route. In late afternoon, you will arrive at Mu Cang Chai – the land of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam.
Check -in the hotel & free at leisure at the hotel.
After your breakfast at the hotel, our guide & driver will pick you up for a full day trekking journey to wonderful hiking sites in Mu Cang Chai area.
In the morning, stop at La Pan Tan commune, where you will start a wonderful trek to view the majestic landscapes of rice terraces, local villages of Black H’Mong.This 7km trek is up & down along the community’s paths & then along buffalo trails to captivate Mam Xoi, the symbolic beauty of terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai
Down the valley at Ba Nha bridge – the ending point of this trekking route, you will meet the driver for a short transfer to Thai village in Kim Noi commune for lunch
Have some rest after the lunch, then proceed hiking up on mountain slopes in Cu Che Nha – the commune of many stunning rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai. The trek is even more amazing for your impressive captivation of rice stepped fields, Mu Cang Chai town and the daily life of villagers in Che Cu Nha.
Down the valley & the main road, you will get our driver pick up & transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Mu Cang Chai
Sapa – a place to list in any travellers’ itinerary travelling to Vietnam. Cool climate, beautiful landscapes & rich cultures are the reasons why people love to visit Sapa.
Our today’s journey is heading to Sapa & explore Sapa’s highlights : Tram Ton Heaven Gate – an ideal viewpoint to capture outstanding mountainscapes of Hoang Lien Mountain Ranges & Snaking Roads down O Qui Ho Pass; Silver Waterfall – the most beautiful one in Sapa.
Arrive in Sapa, check in your hotel & free time to hang around Sapa town on your own.
Overnight in Sapa
If today is Sunday, we will visit Muong Hum market, a special trade fair where local ethnics gather every Sunday to exchange their goods and meet eachother in Bat Xat- Lao Cai region
For the right moment of full market meeting, our private car with driver & local tourguide will pick your group up at 7h30 from your hotel in Sapa town and drive along scenic mountain & valley landscapes.Stop between for beautiful photos if you’d love to.The bumpy roads take you off the main tourist trails and enable you to discover the unspoiled hill tribe culture & natural landscapes.
After two hour drive, we arrive in Muong Hum Market – a lively Sunday trade fair setting up on a open flat land on the bottom of a large & scenic valley, by a small river. You will meet many local hill tribe groups coming here in their uniquely colorful dresses selling, buying, chatting, drinking happily – a nice journey to have a great sense of local ethnics’ rich cultures & pictureque photos.
Have a lunch of local dishes in a local restaurant or picnic lunch provided by the tourguide.
Proceed to Ta Giang Phin village for a scenic trek down & up Ta Giang Phin valley where you will meet friendly locals of Black Hmong. The trek is in 2,5 hours and good for your great insight of locals’ daily life & their culture. If you love, our guide can take you to visit a local home, you can have interact with them for better understanding of their authentic customs.On a clear day, it will be great to admire a stunning view of Ngu Chi Son Summit – the second highest mountain in Sapa.
After the hike, meet the car & driver and travel back to your hotel.
Overnight in Sapa
After breakfask, we drive to the area of Muong Hoa valley, start a trek on a small path down Muong Hoa valley. The journey offers you chances to view beautiful valley of rice terraces, streams & daily life of Black H’ Mong hill tribes in Y Linh Ho & Lao Chai villages.
Back to Sapa for lunch, then drive back to Hanoi on Noi Bai – Lao Cai express.
Check in the hotel & free at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
08.00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, our tour guide will come to the hotel and pick you up, then we will start the Hanoi city tour We will start with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the corpse of Uncle Ho kept there. Next you will visit the Presidential Palace – a nice French architecture in the garden and Ho Chi Minh House on stilt. Visiting the house you will see the simple life of Ho Chi Minh – the president in Vietnamese’s spirit forever. We will finish this area with One Pillar Pagoda – one of the most attractions in Hanoi you cannot miss with the special in architecture.
Having lunch and you will continue to the Temple of Literature – The first University of Vietnam.
The next destination will be Museum of Ethnology to learn more about Vietnam Culture.
Next we will explore Hanoi by traveling through the Old Quarter with 36 ancient streets in a traditional cyclo. This slow – speed tour will give your great chance to fully enjoy the classic and modern of the capital.
We will end the tour at about 04.00 PM then it is your free time to go shopping, relax in Hanoi
08:30-09:00 Pick up at hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter & Transfer to Bai Chay harbour for boarding Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
12:30 Check in aboard with Welcome Cocktail from crew member while manager introduce the safety briefing and the boat cruising forward to the Bai Tu Long bay.
13:15 Let your vacation start with a delicious lunch set menu in restaurant
15:30 Discover Thien Canh Son cave where located on top of mountain, contain the long history of geological value and the natural beauty.Recommend you bring camera and wear sport shoes for hiking.Swimming, Sunbathing and Relaxing at the beach if the weather is permitted
17:30-19:00 Enjoy your time with the beautiful sunset on the bay and join “Happy Hour” – 30% Discount off all drinks onboard
18:30 Cooking class on sundeck with the Deep Fried Spring rolls, one of the unique flavor of Vietnamese food.
19:30 Dinner will be served on sundeck.
21:00 Feel free to relax on boat, join Squid fishing at the area of Reception deck or singing karaoke on sundeck.
06:30 Start your day with the Taichi on sundeck.
07:00 Light breakfast serve in dining room.
07:45 Visiting Vung Vieng floating fishing village, one of the biggest village in HaLong Bay, you will have chance to learn about the living of fishermen and feel free with some option activities: bamboo boat or kayaking.
9:00 – 9:30 Back to the main boat for relaxing and check out at the reception, please put all your luggage at the outside of your cabin door, crew member will help to bring luggage on land.
09:30 Brunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.
11:00 Disembark at the harbor & get the luxury bus transfer back to Hanoi city
14h30 Arrive in Hanoi, check in & free on your own exploration of Hanoi old quarter.
Overnight in Hanoi
Today is your free time at your leisure to enjoy last moment in the North of Vietnam. About 03 hours before your flight, our driver will pick you up & transfer to the airport for your flight on ward
With the sincere thanks for your travel to Vietnam with us, hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam trip and look forward to see you again!
The trip includes :
- 11 nights at hotel based on Twin/Double sharing room, 1 night homestay at local family & 1 night on Halong bay cruise
- English speaking guide with legal license
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle
- Meals as stated in the program (B- breakfast, L- lunch, D-dinner)
- Entrance fees and tour activities as dedicated in the program
The trip excludes :
- Tip for tourguide and driver
- Drinks
- Online payment fees
- Visa fee to Vietnam (US$25/person)
- International airfare
- Peak season surcharge (During Christmas and New Year)
- Early Check-in (before 14.00) and late check-out (after 12.00)
- Personal expenses…………
Frequently Asked Questions
This itinerary prioritizes the hidden gems of the North, such as Van Long Nature Reserve (often called “the bay without waves”) and the remote rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, which are far less crowded than Sapa. Instead of standard tourist routes, we focus on deep immersion in Pu Luong Nature Reserve and Bai Tu Long Bay – a quieter, more pristine alternative to the heavily trafficked areas of Halong Bay.
The trekking in this region is moderate but flexible. While the terrain involves limestone karsts and winding mountain trails, Golden Holiday Travel tailors the pace to the group’s fitness level. You will walk through remote ethnic villages of the H’mong, Tay, and Nung people. Most of the challenging “climbing” is done by our professional drivers in private 4WD vehicles, allowing you to focus on the scenic walks and cultural interactions
This tour offers a rich cultural tapestry. You will stay in the valleys of the White Thai in Mai Chau, trek through the villages of the Black Thai and Muong in Pu Luong, and witness the incredible agricultural mastery of the H’mong people in Mu Cang Chai. We also visit the Muong Hum market, a vibrant gathering place for the Red Dao and Ha Nhi groups near the Chinese border.
The trekking on this tour is designed for moderate fitness levels. Day 4 in Pu Luong involves a full-day trek through jungle and terraces, while Day 7 in Mu Cang Chai features hikes through the famous La Pan Tan horseshoe terraces. However, as a private tour with Golden Holiday Travel, the pace and difficulty can be adjusted by your guide to suit your physical comfort and interests.
We include Bai Tu Long Bay because it offers the same majestic limestone karst scenery as Halong Bay but with significantly fewer cruise ships. This allows our guests to enjoy a more serene experience, cleaner waters, and untouched caves, aligning with the “untouched” theme of the 14-day program. It is the perfect peaceful conclusion to a high-adventure mountain trek.
For the most spectacular views, we recommend September to October, which is the “Golden Season” when the rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai and Sapa turn brilliant yellow before the harvest. Alternatively, March to May offers lush green landscapes and pleasant temperatures for trekking. Both windows avoid the peak heat of summer and the deep chill of the mountain winter.
Absolutely. While the 14-day program is a comprehensive “best-of” untouched North Vietnam, Golden Holiday Travel is a licensed specialist in tailor-made trips. We can swap trekking days for cultural workshops, upgrade accommodations to luxury eco-lodges, or adjust the route to include more or fewer destinations based on your specific travel goals.
Good to Know
Before travelling to Vietnam, please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and has at least two blank pages for immigration stamps and visa purposes.
Citizens from several countries, including France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. Visa policies may change from time to time depending on nationality and travel regulations.
If you intend to stay longer than the visa exemption period, or if your nationality is not included in the visa-free list, you can apply for an e-visa online.You are also welcome to contact our team for updated visa information and travel assistance before your trip to Vietnam.
Travel insurance is not included in our tour package; however, valid travel insurance is mandatory for all participants joining the tour. Your policy should provide adequate coverage for:
- Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Trip cancellation, delays, or interruptions
- All activities included in your itinerary, including outdoor and adventure excursions
We also recommend checking whether your credit card offers travel insurance coverage and purchasing additional protection if needed to ensure comprehensive coverage throughout your journey.
The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). While some hotels and tourist-oriented businesses may accept US dollars or euros, payments are generally preferred in local currency.
Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and larger establishments, especially in major cities and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used for local markets, small shops, and rural areas.
ATMs are easy to find throughout Vietnam, particularly in cities and popular travel destinations. Currency exchange services are available at international airports, banks, hotels, and licensed exchange counters.
Also, please make sure your banknotes are clean and undamaged, as torn, heavily worn, or marked foreign bills may not be accepted for exchange or payment in Vietnam.
Vietnam is a year-round destination, offering diverse weather patterns across its different regions. In general, spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are considered the most comfortable times to visit, thanks to pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and less rainfall.
As Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km from north to south, the climate can vary greatly depending on where you travel:
- Northern Vietnam: Experiences four distinct seasons, with cool and sometimes chilly winters (December to February) and hot, humid summers (May to August).
- Central Vietnam: Usually enjoys warm weather, though the rainy season typically occurs between September and November.
- Southern Vietnam: Has a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year, alongside occasional tropical showers during the rainy season from May to October.
We recommend packing light, comfortable clothing as well as seasonal items suited to the regions included in your itinerary.
International flights are not included in our tour prices, giving you the flexibility to choose the airline and flight schedule that best suit your travel plans and budget. If needed, our travel consultants are happy to assist you in finding the most convenient and competitive flight options.
For international departures, we highly recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight to allow enough time for check-in, immigration procedures, and any unexpected delays or issues that may arise.
If your itinerary includes domestic flights within Vietnam, all flight schedules, airline information, and booking details will be included in your final travel documents before departure.
For a smooth journey, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight. Please make sure to carry your passport along with your e-ticket or booking reference.
Baggage Allowance: Checked baggage allowance typically ranges from 20kg to 23kg depending on the airline and ticket class, while cabin baggage is generally limited to 7kg per passenger.
Important Notice: Extra baggage fees may apply for your overweight or oversized luggage. We strongly recommend reviewing the baggage policies of your airline in advance, such as Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, or Bamboo Airways.
Please note that domestic flight schedules may occasionally change due to airline operations or weather conditions. Should there be any updates, our team will inform you as soon as possible.
If your journey includes a connecting domestic flight within Vietnam, please keep the following information in mind upon arrival:
- Collect your checked luggage after landing.
- Complete immigration and customs procedures.
- Proceed to the domestic terminal for your onward flight. At some airports, this may involve a short walk or shuttle transfer between terminals.
- Airport staff are usually available to assist passengers, so feel free to ask for directions or support if needed.
Recommended connection time: at least 2 hours 30 minutes
This allows enough time for immigration clearance, baggage collection, customs procedures, terminal transfers, and possible flight delays.
Practical Tip: At major airports such as Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport, international and domestic terminals may be located in separate buildings. Please follow airport signage carefully and allow sufficient transfer time.
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Untouched Northern Vietnam: From Hidden Valleys to Majestic Mountains