Lift Yourself Up to the Tops of Vietnam

• Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. In the evening, set out on a guided food tour through the Old Quarter, tasting local favourites like Bún Chả, Bia Hơi, and Vietnamese coffee at the iconic Train Street. Along the way, discover hidden alleys, handicraft shops, and family-run businesses that reveal the city’s living heritage. It’s the perfect introduction to Hanoi’s vibrant flavours, timeless stories, and unique character.
• Overnight in Hanoi.
• Optional tours:

Vespa tours

Temple of Literature by night.

• Leave Hanoi behind and journey into Vietnam’s highlands, where tea-scented hills and mountain villages reveal the country’s cultural and natural riches. Begin in Thu Cúc, donning a conical hat to pick and process tea alongside local artisans before tasting the fragrant results of your work. 
• Over lunch, hear stories from ethnic Dao, Thái, H’Mông, Tày, and Kinh communities who live in harmony with the land. Continue into Phình Hồ, where H’Mông families welcome you into their homes and fields, sharing rice wine, farming traditions, and breathtaking terraced landscapes.
• By evening, arrive in Mường Lò, a quiet town and cultural crossroads of the Northwest, where you’ll spend the night surrounded by warmth and tradition.
• Overnight in Mường Lò

• Depart Yên Bái this morning and journey north toward Sa Pa, “the City Amidst the Mist.” After a scenic 3.5-hour drive, pause in Lào Cai for lunch, where the Red River marks the border with China—a reminder of centuries of cultural exchange. 
• On the way to Sa Pa, stop at a seasonal orchard to taste fresh mountain fruits, and sample locally crafted “happy water” infused with natural flavours. 
• By afternoon, arrive in Sa Pa town and explore its bustling central market, alive with textiles, herbs, and handmade tools from the region’s ethnic minorities. Later, set out on a two-hour trek through the Black H’Mông villages of Sa Xéng and Sáu Chua, wandering past terraced fields, bamboo groves, and mountain streams while meeting families along the way. 
• Return to town by evening and check into your hotel, where cool air and misty peaks set the tone for your stay.
• Overnight in Sa Pa

• Rise above the clouds today with two unforgettable highland experiences. Begin at Fansipan Mountain, riding the record-breaking cable car over misty valleys and flower-filled slopes before ascending to the summit at 3,143 meters—the “Roof of Indochina.” Along the way, shrines and pagodas turn the climb into both a spiritual and scenic journey. From the peak, sweeping views stretch across Vietnam, Laos, and China. 
• In the afternoon, test your courage on the Glass Bridge, suspended more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Whether standing still to admire the mountains or adding thrills with ziplining or bungee jumps, it’s a perspective like no other. 
• By evening, return to Sa Pa to relax after a day spent between earth and sky.
• Overnight in Sa Pa.

• Travel from Sa Pa into Vietnam’s far north, where culture and spirituality meet on the road to Hà Giang. Begin with a stop at Bắc Hà Market, alive with colour and energy as H’Mông, Tày, Nùng, Dao, and Phù Lá communities gather in traditional dress to trade textiles, produce, livestock, and more. It’s a weekly celebration of highland life, offering a rare chance to witness authentic traditions. 
• In the afternoon, pause at Hoàng Bay Temple on the banks of the Red River, where locals pray to Lord Hoàng Bay for peace and protection. The serene setting offers a moment of reflection before you continue north. 
• By evening, arrive in Hà Giang City—the gateway to the legendary karst plateaus and mountain passes that await.
• Overnight in Hà Giang City.

• Today takes you from Hà Giang City into the heart of Vietnam’s far north, where landscapes are carved from limestone and history lingers in every stone. Begin with a short hike to Thắm Luông Cave, where stalactites and stalagmites shape a natural cathedral of rock. 
• Continue to Quản Bạ Heaven Gate, a mountain pass that opens onto sweeping views of mist-shrouded ranges and the legendary Twin Mountains—said in folklore to be the breasts of a fairy. 
• After lunch, journey deeper into the karst plateau to visit the H’Mông King’s Mansion, a fortress-like estate blending French, Chinese, and H’Mông design, once home to the opium lord Vương Chính Đức. 
• By evening, arrive in Đồng Văn, a frontier town where stone houses and lanterns glow against the dramatic karst backdrop. Check into your hotel and enjoy a quiet night at the edge of Vietnam’s northernmost highlands.

• Overnight in Đồng Văn.

• Cross from Hà Giang into Cao Bằng today, travelling through landscapes that define northern Vietnam’s wild beauty. Begin with the Mã Pí Lèng Pass, a winding road clinging to cliffs high above the valleys, where endless limestone ridges create one of the most dramatic panoramas in Asia. From there, descend into the canyon and board a private boat on the Nho Quế River, gliding between sheer cliffs reflected in turquoise waters—a serene counterpoint to the morning’s dizzying heights.
• In the afternoon, continue your journey eastward on a 5.5-hour drive through remote highland scenery, arriving by evening in Cao Bằng City, gateway to the northeast’s natural wonders. Settle in and rest for tomorrow’s adventures.
• Overnight in Cao Bằng.

• Travel deeper into Cao Bằng today, where sacred landscapes meet centuries-old craftsmanship. Begin at God’s Eye Mountain, a limestone peak pierced by a perfect circle, rising above emerald rice fields like a divine watchtower. 
• Continue to Phúc Sen Village, where more than 150 families keep alive a thousand-year-old blacksmithing tradition—transforming scrap metal into blades with skill and fire. 
• After lunch, visit Dìa Trên Village, home to the Nùng An people who still practise traditional papermaking, soaking and pressing bark into sheets used for rituals and daily life. 
• By evening, arrive in Trùng Khánh, a peaceful borderland town surrounded by karst peaks, where you’ll rest before tomorrow’s natural marvels.
• Overnight in Trùng Khánh

• Your final day in the far north brings a fitting crescendo of natural wonders. Begin at Bản Giốc Waterfall, Southeast Asia’s largest cascade, where the Quây Sơn River plunges in thundering tiers along the Vietnam–China border. Stroll the grounds, ride a boat to the base for a misty thrill, or capture unforgettable photos with a horse against the backdrop of the roaring falls. 
• Afterward, step into the underground world of Ngườm Ngao Cave, a vast system where legends of tigers linger and limestone formations resemble curtains, columns, and mythical beasts. The cool air and shimmering stone chambers offer a meditative balance to the waterfall’s power. 
• In the afternoon, set out on the 6-hour drive back to Hà Nội, watching as mountain peaks fade into rolling farmlands and finally the bustling capital. By evening, check in to your hotel, bringing your northern odyssey full circle
• Overnight in Hà Nội.

• Today is kept free for you to relax and enjoy at your own pace before your journey home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may wish to enjoy a final stroll around Hà Nội’s Old Quarter, shop for last-minute souvenirs, or simply relax at your hotel.
• At the appointed time, your driver will be ready to transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

• As you bid farewell to Vietnam, you carry with you not just photographs, but also the memories of winding mountain roads, emerald rivers, cascading waterfalls, and encounters with resilient highland communities.
• We look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.