Best of Northern Vietnam: Sapa – Ha Giang – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Ba Be Lake

22:00 – Sleeper train to Sapa
Board the comfortable Dream Train Express in Hanoi for your overnight journey to Sapa. You’ll have a soft sleeper berth in a shared 4-bed cabin with air-conditioning and local-style decor. Bedding is provided, and there's space under your berth for luggage. It’s a relaxing way to save daytime travel and arrive refreshed in the mountains.

Arrive at Lao Cai Station early morning. A short minibus ride brings you to Sapa town, where you can freshen up and enjoy breakfast before the trek begins.

Your local guide will take you on a scenic hike through Sapa’s famous terraced landscapes. Follow Cat Cat Road, cross a hanging bridge over the Muong Hoa River, and wind your way through bamboo forests and lush hillsides.

Stop for lunch in a small restaurant run by a Hmong family. Afterward, continue trekking to Lao Chai village and onward to Ta Van, home to the Giay minority. Your guide will explain the cultural differences between the groups you meet along the way.

A car will take you back to Sapa town where you’ll check in at your hotel and have the rest of the day to relax.

Start your day with a walk through forest trails alongside the Golden River to reach the peaceful Love Waterfall, hidden in the hills outside Sapa. The 30-minute walk keeps the crowds away, making it a quiet escape.

Drive over the Tram Ton Pass — the highest mountain pass in Vietnam — stopping along the way at the dramatic 200-meter-tall Silver Waterfall. Enjoy sweeping views before heading back to Sapa.

Have lunch in Sapa, then enjoy the rest of the day as you like. You might explore Sapa Market or take the cable car up to Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak.

Depart Sapa in a comfortable limousine van. The ride takes about six hours with a few short breaks along the way.

Arrive in Ha Giang and enjoy lunch before heading to your homestay.

Transfer to Thon Tha, a Tay ethnic village with traditional stilt houses surrounded by rice fields. You'll be welcomed by your host family.

Take a walk around the village, explore the rice terraces, or climb a nearby hill for panoramic views. In summer, you can also visit a small waterfall nearby.

Enjoy a cozy home-cooked dinner with your Tay host family and rest well for the adventure tomorrow.

Start your journey through Ha Giang’s most stunning landscapes. Stop at Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate for panoramic views from 1,500 meters high, then visit the Twin Mountains — a striking natural landmark.

After lunch in a local village, continue over the winding Tham Ma Pass. Visit Vuong Palace, the former residence of a local Hmong king, and stop by Lung Cam Village in the picturesque Sung La Valley.

Check into a hotel or homestay in Dong Van, depending on availability and season. Explore the Old Quarter in the evening at your own pace.

If it’s Sunday, visit the bustling minority market in Dong Van — a colorful scene of traditional clothes, bartering, and livestock trading.

Drive the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass — one of Vietnam’s most jaw-dropping mountain roads. Optional: Take a short boat trip on the Nho Que River (not included in price).

Stretch your legs and visit nearby minority villages with a local guide. Learn how people live in harmony with the rugged landscape.

Arrive at your homestay or hotel in Meo Vac and settle in for a peaceful night.

Today is a long travel day through even more remote northern landscapes. You’ll pass isolated villages and dramatic scenery before reaching Cao Bang province.

Arrive in Cao Bang city by late afternoon and check in at your hotel or homestay for the night.

Drive to the China border to see Ban Gioc, the largest waterfall in Vietnam. Surrounded by rice fields and limestone cliffs, it’s a surreal natural wonder.

Stop at Nguom Ngao Cave nearby to explore its impressive rock formations. There’s an easy walking path through one of the main chambers.

Return to Cao Bang and continue driving to Ba Be National Park. Spend the evening in a quiet homestay near the lake.

Enjoy a peaceful boat ride on Ba Be Lake, Vietnam’s largest natural lake. Glide past jungle-covered cliffs and small ethnic villages. The boat will also take you into a dramatic cave that opens onto the water.

Have lunch before the long ride back to Hanoi. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel around 18:30.