14 day 14 night Grand Loop North North Vietnam.

We leave Hanoi early to reach our first destination, We drive on small secondary roads, winding along forests and valleys. Landscapes are wild after Thai Nguyen city. Lunch on the road. Arrival at Cho Ra at the beginning of afternoon, and take a boat waiting for you at Buoc Lo harbour. You will then continue visiting the village of Ban Cam from the Tay ethnicity located on the shore of the river. Afterwards, the boat vill take you to the Dau Dang village, also a Tay village. Night by the waterfalls at our friend Ong Pirate’s house, the chef of the jungle.. Distances / Timing: ~ 235km ~ 6h. Road: 80 km fast road/Small countryside road Accommodation / Minorities: Homestay / Tay

A full day to enjoy the National Park. In the morning we go for a walk by the Nang river until the waterfalls of Dau Dang. We come back to take a boat to cross the Nang river and begin the treck throught the Hills. During the walking we cross several villages and pay a visit to our H’mong, Dao, Tay friends lost in the forest. We finally reach the Lake of Ba Be where a boat waits for us. Then,we cross the lake to get to the village of Pac Ngoi and have rest. We spend the night at Mr. Manh’s home the cook of the jungle. Ba Be is a national Park covered by one of the last primary forest of Vietnam. Distances / Timing: ~ km ~ h Road: Small countryside road Accommodation / Minorities: Homestay / Tay

Early departure for a long and beautiful ride. Small, easy road which recently replaced a dirt road. Scenery changes as we climb the mountain. Mountain, pass, no traffic at all! We go through the territory of black Tay, Doa, H’Mong, San Chi, to end in the Lo Lo ethnic area. Depending of the day of the week, we can visit the ethnic market of Bao Lac. Distances / Timing: ~ 180km ~ 6 h Road: Small countryside road Accommodation / Minorities: Hotel

One of the most stunning rides in Vietnam along the Chinese border. Many incredible mountain passes, valleys, ethnic territories. Mystical atmosphere for a trip from another time. Distances / Timing: ~120 km, ~4h Road: Mountain Road Accommodation / Minorities: Hotel

Very nice step in the heights of the province along China. Crossing passes, valleys estates, many countries with different cultures. We pass through several villages of our friends Hoa, Pu Peo, the Phu … It is also an opportunity to see some vestiges of French and Hmong constructions, including the H’mong Castle. Mystical atmosphere. Magnificent step between China and Vietnam Sublime out of time journey. Overnight in hotel Distances / Timing: ~150km, ~5h Road: Countryside road / Mountain road / Track Accommodation / Minorities: Hotel

Short stage yet we have to go through the Cong Troi pass which offer beautiful panorama. We will have time the afternoon for a walk to discover Hoang Su Phi surroundings.We are welcomed by our friends in the lodge, good comfort nice meals and gorgeous view with forest river and gardens. Distances / Timing: ~90km, ~3h Road: Mountain road / 8km track / Small countryside road Accommodation / Minorities: H’mong et Phu LaHomestay / Tay

Alternatively sealed road and tracks through remote areas. Sceneries are changing every 15 km and we cross many different ethnic cultures. Dao white and red, Tay, Cao Lan, flower H’mong on the Chinese border, Lo Lo and about 8 other ethnic groups. Night in hotel. Road between Vietnam and China Distances / Timing: ~100 km, ~5h Road: Fast road Accommodation / Minorities: Hotel / White and Red Dao, Tay, Cao Lan, flower H’mong

You have time to enjoy a little bit more the place, and then we leave by a nice road after lunch. Small hills covered by tea plantations, Karstic mountain peaks, the Tam Dao mountain range, and fast road back to Hanoi. Arrival around 6 pm. Distances / Timing: ~130km, ~4h Road: Fast road

If we haven’t been the day before, we can climb up to the red Dao village to meet our friends. Or we start directly by taken a beautiful small road, still in the middle of limestone and palm trees. We ride up in the foothills of the lake then ride down to go along its fiords until the village of Vu Linh. We are welcome in a superb stilt house by our Dao Quan Trang friends right on the bank of the lake. We launched over there a sustainable development project including ecotourism and education. Depending on time and schedule, we can rent a boat to go for a cruise on the peaceful lake and hopefully enjoy one of the nicest sunset of the trip on the three thousands islets of this huge lake. Arrival around 6 pm. Distances / Timing: ~80km, ~3h Road: Beautiful road along the lake

We go west to Tuyen Quang ; then north to Green Vietnam ; ecological project managed by a dynamic vietnamese agricultural family. We sleep in the stilt-house in the heart of an extraordinary garden of fruit trees. It’s opportunity to discover and participate in the development of a unique project in Vietnam. Arrival around 6 pm. Distances / Timing: ~80km, ~3h Road: Beautiful road along the lake

Quiet morning with our friends from Green Vietnam, we have time to enjoy the site visit the neighbourhood before hiting the road again, to get back to Hanoi. Hôtel Arrival around 6 pm. Distances / Timing: 173Km – 5H Road: Fast road

6.20 am : the guide and the driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi. Transfer to Haiphong by private car (2-hour drive). Then, you will take a speed-boat to Cat Ba island in 40-60 min. You will get the junk after a five min drive by taxi. 10.00 am : welcome on board You will start the cruise across a floating village. You will make a break in a quiet place. As the crew will prepare lunch, you will enjoy swimming or take the small row-boat for exploring around. After lunch, the cruising will go on. You will help the crew for lifting the sails. You will also ask for a short lesson of sailing! You will head for Bai Tu Long bay. Dinner and overnight on board on the roof (outside) or in the cabin (inside) in a creek. Distances / Timing: Road: Fast road

Today, you will go on for a day of cruising with sails and without motor if there is wind enough. After breakfast, cruise to Lan Ha bay. You will pass between the islands of Cong Dong and Cong Tay. You will also discover the activity of the bay with the big cargos anchored in full bay, waiting their load of coal. You can visit the Viet Hai village by bicycle. Dinner and overnight on the boat on Lan Ha bay. Distances / Timing: Road: Fast road

After breakfast, you will go on discovering charms of Lan Ha bay. You will visit a little creek with the craft and meet a family of fishermen in their small floating house. Kayaking at Ca tunnel If you want, you will also do a fishing contest with the crew! 1.30 pm : End of the cruising  You will do the same itinerary as the first way. 2.00 pm : Speed-boat to Haiphong 3.15 pm : Return to Hanoi by car 5.30 pm : arrival in Hanoi Distances / Timing: Road: Fast road