Crossing Border of Laos to Vietnam Tour 13 Days

It is worth an early wake up to watch beautiful sunrise over lime stone mountain and wonder around the Ngoi village. After breakfast we embark to continue our journey up the Nam Ou past picturesque scenery. We stop for lunch served with local food on the river bank. We continue to Muang Khua for over night in a guest house. Muong Khua is a small town inhabited by Yunanese, Vietnamese and Lao. There are some colonial building can be found. The town is 45 km from Laos - Vietnam border, recently open to foreigner. From here, we’ll enter Vietnam end start the infamous North West loop.

After breakfast, we travel through one of the most remote area of Northern Laos toward Lao - Vietnam border. In the rainy season, there will be several river crossings along this bumpy ride! Our guide from Vietnam will pick you up at Tay Trang border and transfer you to Dien Bien Phu for check-in. Dien Bien Phu is well known through out the world as a battle field in the first Indochina War. The city, 45 km from the Laos border, locates in Muong Thanh Valley famous for its tasty rice and Thai minority traditional dance. After lunch, we visit the historical sites such as De Castrie’s bunker, the Dien Bien Phu museum, the A1 hill…

After breakfast, we drive to Sin Ho. The road twists and passes through the picturesque sceneries. Moreover, we’ll have chance to encounter with the minorities people as White Thai, White Hmong… We arrive in Sin Ho around lunch time. Sin Ho now day is famous for its medical plantation and its tropical orchid variety. After lunch, we continue the ride on a winding road to Paso, a little town lies on a confluence of Black River, famous for its giant cat fish. We arrive to Paso by late afternoon for check-in. The night will be spent in the hotel on the river.

The drive from Paso to Sapa is one of the most scenery and mountainous stretch of road in the whole of Viet Nam. We pass by many small villages of Red and White Hmong, Black Dao and White Thai ethnic minorities. We stop at Tam Duong for lunch. After lunch, the road weaves its way through the picturesque valley and mountain. We will drive uphill to the highest pass “Heavens Gate Pass” which is in a height of 2000 meter. If the weather is clear the views here are magnificent. There are plenty of possibilities for making photo stops. We arrive in Sapa in the afternoon.

Today we get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek into this beautiful mountain region. On the way we pass by the hill villages of San Sa Ho and Lao Chai which are home of the Black Hmong hill-tribe people. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. We finish our walking day on arrival at Ta Van village where we are guest of a Zay family. The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities. Overnight at Ta Van village.

The majority of local trails follows undulating mountainsides therefore our trek will involve some uphill and downhill walking, but it is still an unforgettable experience. A part of the pleasure of our adventure is the simple joy of seeing the verdant and rugged mountain scenery and the lifestyle of local people. We ascend a very steep slope before arriving at Den Thang. This remote village is conquered by the Hmong hill tribe people who are very poor, but have an interesting history and a colorful culture. Stay Overnight at Den Thang Village.

Upon leaving the village of our previous night we set off on a full day walk towards Ban Ho. The trekking of today is also challenging; however some physical preparation will allow you to maximize enjoyment from the walk. Along the way we pass through several hamlets, and are sure to attraction attention as this part of the country receives very few visitors. On arrival at Ban Ho village by mid afternoon we will have time to walk around this charming village, enabling us to understand a little more about their culture and lifestyle. Stay Overnight at Ban Ho village.

The extremely beautiful mountain region around Sapa is ideal for anyone seeking a true adventure and trekking expedition. We continue venturing into the lowland with stopover at the Xa Pho, Tay hill tribe villages, just some of Vietnam's most colorful ethnic minority groups. After a full walking day, we reach our final destination, the Tay hill tribe village of Thanh Phu which is situated in a picturesque valley. Here we will be toasted as honored guests and will be sample some of their homemade rice wine!. Stay Overnight at Thanh Phu village.

The impressive way to complete our trekking expeditions is a few hour walk along the local path. On arrival at the small village of Ben Den, we meet up with our local transport and take a short drive to Pho Lu for a night train back to Ha Noi. The train conditions are basic; however this journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real Vietnam'. The food on board is not the best you will have in Vietnam, so we recommend you to prepare some foods, water, snack. Stay Overnight on board.

07:30 - 07:45 Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta.
10:30 Stopover on the way for short break.
12:30 Arrive at Hon Gai wharf - Meet the captain, crews and join us for a welcome drink, cruise briefing, safety instructions and check-in cabins.
13:00 Lunch with fresh seafood is served while cruising towards Vong Vieng floating village, passing through extraordinary shaped-islands.
15:30 Drop anchor at Vong Vieng: visit local houses, fish farm, schools and have a chat with the friendly fish men. (You also swim here if you like) The other option is to travel by kayak (passenger row kayaks for themselves). The kayaking option is $10.00 per person unless pre-booked.
17:00 Back on board, enjoy the sunset and continue cruising to Luom Bo for anchoring.
19:00 Dinner is served.
21:00 Enjoy the comfort in your cabin or night fishing. Stay Overnight on Cruise

06:30 Enjoy the bay’s morning landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
07:30 Lightly breakfast is served.
08:30 Explore the mystery of Sung Sot cave, one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay.
09:30 Back on board, continue cruising, enjoy the stunning views of the Bay and relax.
10:30 Lunch is served on board while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier.
11:30 Check-out.
12:00 Arrive Hon Gai wharf. Farewell.
12:30 Return from Halong to Hanoi.
14:30 Stop-over in Dong Trieu town to visit a ceramics workshop.
16:30 Arrive in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.