Hiking in northern Vietnam: from Upper Tonkin to Ha Long Bay
In summary
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Sports
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Duration12 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationVietnam / Hạ Long Bay
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions5772 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
This trip to northern Vietnam offers an immersion in the region's rich cultural and natural heritage. From Hanoi, discover the "Ha Long Bay on land," before sailing aboard a private junk in Ha Long Bay, far from the tourist crowds, with kayaking excursions. Continue with a trek through the terraced rice paddies of the Song Chay Mountains, with authentic encounters with the Red Dao and Hmong people . Conclude with a guided tour of Hanoi to delve into Vietnamese history and traditions. A unique immersion amidst unspoiled landscapes .
The highlights
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Exploring the inland Ha Long Bay by boat and bicycle
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Immersive hikes to meet the ethnic groups of northern Vietnam
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Visit to the Thong Nguyen ethnic market
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 12 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 584 m
- Average daily descent: 367 m
Management
French
Program
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International flight to Hanoi
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You take your flight to Hanoi , the vibrant capital of Vietnam, to begin your adventure.
Day 1 -
Arrival in Hanoi and exploration of the old town
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon arrival at the airport, your French-speaking Vietnamese guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel, located in the heart of the Old Quarter. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets, renowned for its bustling alleyways and traditional shops, each specializing in a particular trade or craft. This first glimpse of Hanoi will immerse you in a unique and captivating atmosphere. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant nestled in the heart of Old Hanoi.
Day 2 -
Discovering the inland Ha Long Bay and Hoa Lu
- Transportation 03h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early in the morning, you depart for the Red River Delta, known as the inland Ha Long Bay for its karst limestone formations. You board a small boat to travel up the Sao Khe River, which meanders between hills, rice paddies and caves, offering a peaceful and enchanting atmosphere.
In the afternoon, visit Hoa Lu , the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Dinh dynasty in the 10th century. Afterwards, set off by bicycle to explore the region. The route winds through rice paddies and past limestone formations, with a stop at the Bich Dong temple , perched on a mountainside, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
After this day full of discoveries, check into your hotel in the heart of the inland Ha Long Bay.
Day 3 -
Ha Long Bay Cruise
- Transportation 03h
- Accommodation Motor cruise ship
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departing from the inland Ha Long Bay, you'll travel to Tuan Chau port. Boarding a private junk , equipped with comfortable cabins, you'll cruise through the legendary Ha Long Bay, avoiding the most crowded routes. The cruise offers breathtaking views of spectacular limestone formations and verdant islets rising from the tranquil waters.
Along the way, you'll encounter fishermen living in floating houses, and, weather permitting, you may have the opportunity to meet them. In the afternoon, a kayak excursion will allow you to explore secluded corners of the bay, with swimming breaks on tranquil beaches.
The day ends on board the junk, with dinner in this exceptional setting before a night lulled by the waves.
Day 4 -
Morning in Ha Long Bay and departure for Lao Cai
- Transportation 04h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The day begins with waking up to the magical atmosphere of Ha Long Bay . After breakfast on board, the junk continues its journey through this UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll admire the spectacular landscapes of the Gulf of Tonkin , dotted with limestone karsts and hundreds of islands and islets.
In the mid-morning, you disembark and head towards Hanoi . After a break in the capital, you board a night train in the evening to Lao Cai for the next leg of your journey.
Day 5 -
Arrival in Lao Cai and start of the trek
- Transportation 04h30
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You arrive early in the morning at Lao Cai train station. After a hearty breakfast, you depart for Tien Nguyen , the starting point of your mini-trek. There, you meet your local team, consisting of your guide, porters, cook, and assistants, who will accompany you for these two and a half days of walking through the heart of the rice paddies and ethnic minority villages.
You begin your hike with a route of approximately 3 hours on accessible terrain, leading to the village of Hong Son, the first stage of this adventure.
Day 6 -
Hiking between rice paddies and traditional villages
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The day begins with a climb through fields of cassava and corn to a small pass offering panoramic views of the Hong Son Valley. After a break, you'll follow a trail that gently descends through magnificent terraced rice paddies. Lunch is planned at a local home, providing an opportunity to savor local cuisine.
In the afternoon, the landscape changes: you pass through centuries-old tea plantations, then a dense bamboo forest. The views over the Son Thanh Ha valley, dotted with terraced rice paddies, are breathtaking. The descent towards Nung Cu is gradual, although some sections are steeper, but you make steady progress.
In the evening, you are welcomed into a Nung family. The men wear black shirts, and the women, dressed in sampots , style their hair with indigo turbans held in place by silver brooches. The indigo dye comes from a locally grown plant used in their traditional clothing. You share dinner and spend the night with the family, experiencing an authentic atmosphere.
Day 7 -
Last day of trekking and arrival in Nam Hong
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After thanking your hosts, you begin another day of hiking. The trail follows a stream before gradually climbing through terraced rice paddies that cling to the mountain slopes. At the summit of the pass, a spectacular panoramic view of the valley unfolds before you.
You'll have lunch with a Red Dao family, known for their richly decorated traditional costumes. In the afternoon, you'll continue your trek to Nam Hong , where you'll settle into a comfortable guesthouse. The rest of the day is free: enjoy the peaceful surroundings and admire the scenery while sipping a cold beer. Overnight in Nam Hong.
Day 8 -
Visit to Thong Nguyen market and return to Hanoi
- Transportation 06h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you'll head down to the center of Thong Nguyen to explore its local market. On Sundays, this vibrant place comes alive with residents from the surrounding villages, who come to trade or sell their wares: fruits, vegetables, alcohol, livestock, clothing… But the market is much more than just a marketplace. It's a meeting place where lively conversations flow, where singles try their luck, and where some simply come to stroll.
For the occasion, members of ethnic minorities, such as the Hmong , Dao, and Tay , don their colorful traditional costumes. This authentic market, untouched by mass tourism, offers a unique immersion into local life. After this vibrant morning, you'll travel to Hanoi , marking the end of your journey in this remote region.
Day 9 -
Discovering Hanoi
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast, you'll set off to explore Hanoi , a city steeped in charm and history. Its neighborhoods, adorned with lakes and lined with trees, offer a tranquil setting, while its cafes invite discussions about poetry and culture. You'll observe the morning bustle around Hoan Kiem Lake , where locals practice tai chi or play Chinese chess near Ngoc Son Temple .
The tour follows the principles of the royal urban plan, influenced by Confucianism and Feng Shui , which once structured the city according to social hierarchies. You will discover iconic sites such as West Lake , Tran Vu Temple , the One Pillar Pagoda , the Temple of Literature , and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum .
The evening and dinner are free, giving you the opportunity to stroll through the city at your own pace. Overnight in Hanoi .
Day 10 -
Last moments in Hanoi and departure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This day is dedicated to your free time, ideal for doing your last-minute shopping or continuing to explore Hanoi at your own pace. Stroll through the lively alleyways of the Old Quarter and soak up one last time the unique atmosphere of the Vietnamese capital.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure. Meals for this day are not included.
Day 11 -
Return flight and arrival in Paris
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You are taking your return flight to Paris , marking the end of your trip. Arrival is expected later that day.
Day 12
Note
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- International flights departing from Paris
- Land transport
- Return transfer between the airport and your hotel
- Various accommodation options in shared double rooms: train, hotel, homestay and boat
- Full board from day 3 to day 8, as well as: breakfasts on days 2, 9 and 10, lunches on days 9 and 10 and dinner on day 2
- The excursions mentioned in the trip itinerary
- Entrance fees to the sites listed in the program
- Supervision by a French-speaking tour guide
- The services of a logistics team for the trek: porters, cook and local guide
The price does not include
- Meals on days 1, 11 and 12, lunch on day 2, and dinners on days 9 and 10
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
- Tips for the management team
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 sleeping bag liner (silk liners can be purchased locally: lightweight and comfortable)
- 1 toiletry bag and bath towel
- Sunscreen (face and lips)
- Mosquito repellent spray or cream
- 1 headlamp with spare batteries
- 1 lightweight, insulated water bottle (minimum 1.5 liters)
- 1 pocket knife, ideally multi-purpose
- Toilet paper
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 pair of telescopic hiking poles
- Earplugs
Clothing to bring
- 1 cap or hat for the sun
- 1 scarf to protect the neck
- T-shirts, preferably made of quick-drying technical fabric
- 1 lightweight fleece or equivalent
- 1 warm fleece or equivalent (useful from December to February)
- 1 waterproof and breathable windproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex type)
- 1 rain cape
- 1 or 2 long shorts
- 1 pair of comfortable walking trousers (ideally with detachable legs)
- 1 pair of waterproof, comfortable trekking shoes with a high-top upper and a grippy sole (Vibram type)
- 1 pair of light shoes or sandals for the evening or for getting around town
- Pairs of walking socks
- Hat and gloves (useful from December to February)
They traveled with us
