Depart your home country for your flight to Hanoi.
Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
November - April
Veer off the tourist trail towards the Chinese border on a journey that unveils Vietnam’s hidden gems: the enchanting Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc waterfall, and Tuyet Tinh Coc Valley.
Immerse in diverse cultures, witness awe-inspiring landscapes and explore geological wonders. From mist-covered lakes to cascading falls, each day promises a new marvel.
From the northern frontiers, you’ll head to Halong Bay. Rather than the standard 1-night option, we’ve suggested a two-night cruise here on a spectacular boat, which will take you beyond the main route to hidden corners of Cat Ba Island and the equally magnificent (but less visited) scenery of Lan Ha Bay.
This extraordinary journey finishes with a stay near the sacred Yen Tu Mountain in a converted monastery. An unusual end to an extraordinary itinerary.
Northern Frontier Adventure
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Hanoi
Hanoi is alive with culture, history and local day-to-day life bustling around you. Travelling by jeep and cyclo, you’ll learn a little about the cultural traditions at the Ethnology Museum, get lost in the hidden alleyways of the old quarter and taste some of the street food for which Hanoi is famous.
Day 5
Hanoi to Ba Be Lake
Embark on a 4.5-hour road trip from Hanoi to the captivating Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan province. With its diverse ecosystem, this national park offers a picturesque landscape of waterfalls, rivers, valleys, lakes, and caves. Thirteen villages, primarily inhabited by the Tay ethnic group, dot the area. The Tay are Vietnam’s eldest and largest minority group, relying on fishing and lakeside crop cultivation. The government supports villagers here in preserving the trees and fishing.
Your first day includes forest hiking and visits to tribal villages within the park. Enjoy a warm welcome at the traditional village of Coc Toc. Cool off with a swim after your hike, or opt for a relaxing kayaking session, a perfect way to unwind.
Day 6
Ba Be and Cao Bang
Glide across the lake on a motorboat. Experience the dazzling colours and sounds as you explore limestone mountains and visit fascinating sites like Poung Grotto and Dau Dang waterfall.
After a fresh local lunch, journey to Cao Bang, a province rich in geo-cultural wonders. Arrive in the bustling Cao Bang City, surrounded by rivers and lakes, and settle into your accommodation for the night. Get ready for more adventures tomorrow.
Day 7
Ban Gioc
Set out early from Cao Bang for the three-hour journey to Ban Gioc waterfall. Along the way, you’ll experience the beauty of Phong Nam Valley, considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful spots. At Ban Gioc, the Quay Son River tumbles dramatically over a 300-meter-wide limestone ledge, forming a natural border between Vietnam and China. The falls themselves straddle both countries. The white cascade is surrounded by foliage and framed by rugged limestone mountains, partly veiled by mist from the spray, creating a spectacular sight.
If time allows, explore Nguom Ngao cave, a geological wonder first discovered in 1921. Surrounded by unique karst terrain, the cave is nestled within a cluster-depression area at an altitude of 400-600m, featuring numerous hanging valleys and sinkholes.
Day 8
Tuyet Tinh Coc Valley
After breakfast, meet your guide and head to the mesmerizing Tuyet Tinh Coc Valley. The valley’s standout feature is Angel Eye Mountain. Around this range lie vast plains and interconnected emerald lakes, the largest being Thang Hen Lake. Nestled amidst mountains and jungle-clad cliffs, Thang Hen Lake maintains its emerald hue year-round, thanks to its pristine water source from an overhead cave.
Day 9
Lang Son
Set out from Cao Bang for a scenic drive to Lang Son Province. Pause at a local village to gain insight into their livelihoods centred around wet rice cultivation.
Continue to Chi Lang Passage, a natural, historic barrier against Chinese aggressors in Vietnam’s past. Upon arriving in the border city of Lang Son, explore the sacred Vong Phu Mountain, which is rich with historical and cultural relics.
Days 10 - 11
Halong Bay
This morning, depart early for your transfer journey to Halong Bay. On arrival, you’ll board your small boat (around ten cabins) for a two-night trip into the beautiful archipelago. Cruise past craggy peaks and small, beach-fringed islands and visit glittering stalactite caves. Dinner is served on board, where you can sit back, relax and watch the sunset behind the karst peaks of the bay.
Days 12 - 14
Yen Tu Mountain
You’ll cruise back into Halong Bay harbour this next morning and take a short road journey to the Yen Tu Mountain region, where you’ll check in to MGallery Legacy Yen Tu. Meticulously designed by renowned designer Bill Bensley, this is a relaxing retreat in an off-the-beaten-track location at the foot of sacred Yen Tu Mountain and a lovely place to round off your holiday in comfort.
Day 15
Fly home
Depart Yen Tu for the transfer back to Hanoi, where you’ll board your flight back home
An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia
There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
Sven
3 March 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Vietnam Experts
After living in Vietnam for almost a year, Chione knows the country inside out. From hidden street food gems in Hanoi to the best boutique stays in Hoi An, she helps travellers experience Vietnam beyond the obvious.
“A trip for the person who wants something completely different. This trip leads you far from the tourist trail, into the wilds of Ba Be Lake, the thunder of Ban Gioc Falls, and the mystical valleys of Tuyet Tinh Coc.”
Chione
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Vietnam. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Vietnam
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Important FAQs about Vietnam
With Experience Travel Group, Vietnam isn’t just another tick-box holiday. We take you beyond the usual sights – yes, you’ll see Halong Bay and the Cu Chi Tunnels if you want to, but we’ll also introduce you to the quiet corners that most travellers miss. Think cycling through the backstreets of Hue, cooking lunch with a local family in Hoi An, or spending a night on a peaceful river island that barely anyone’s heard of.
We design every trip with care – using handpicked hotels, the best local guides, and routes that cut out the tourist conveyor belt. Our holidays are built for travellers who want something richer than a generic tailor-made holiday – more character, more flavour, more stories to tell when you get home.
Vietnam’s weather can be a bit of a puzzle. With its long, thin shape and mix of beaches, mountains, and cities, each region dances to its own climate tune. The North, Central, and South all have distinct weather patterns – and that’s before you factor in the cooler highlands or the breezy coastlines.
Generally, November to April is the sweet spot when much of the country is dry and pleasantly warm. That said, Vietnam is almost a year-round destination, with good weather cropping up somewhere no matter the month. Whether you want winter sunshine, summer beaches, or a cultural escape with a side of adventure, Vietnam has a season for you.
Every ETG holiday to Vietnam is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Vietnam specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
