The treasures of Cao Bang and Halong Bay

On the way to Ba Be Lake, the green jewel of Northern Vietnam located at 145 meters above sea level in the heart of a beautiful National Park renowned for the richness and diversity of its ecosystem. Many tribes such as Tay, Mong, Dzao, peacefully coexist here.

Upon arrival, you'll take a cruise to explore Ba Be Lake and the surrounding mountains covered with lush tropical vegetation. Ba Be Lake is a natural lake ranked among the 20 most beautiful in the world. It has a rare beauty with imposing limestone peaks. The three bays of the lake, Pelam, Pelu, and Peleng, offer visitors a variety of landscapes, with numerous waterfalls, rivers and lakes, valleys, and caves. Throughout the cruise, you can admire sumptuous scenery.

You'll embark on an easy hike towards the Tay village of Cam Ha. After visiting the village, you'll continue your walk to discover beautiful karst landscapes.

Then, you'll resume the cruise until disembarking in a neighboring village. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family in a stilt house by the lake.

After breakfast at the homestay, you'll head towards the "Eye of God" mountain, passing through Ma Phuc Pass. Upon arrival, you'll embark on a walk that will allow you to enjoy the magnificent karst landscapes of the valley at the foot of the "Eye of God" mountain.

Then head to Co La Waterfall. Upon arrival, you'll start a hike along the Quay Son River, you'll stop to visit villages and discover the terraced fields, and Tay ethnic villages.

The Best Landscapes Of Cao Bang: Ban Gioc- Gioc Rung – Ban Gioc (B, L, D)

Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Gioc Rung, immersion in Tay culture.

Visit of Ban Gioc, located on the Sino-Vietnamese border, you'll be mesmerized by the beauty of its falls, reputed to be the most beautiful in Vietnam and the fourth longest in the world after Iguazu, Victoria, and Niagara.

The best time to visit this waterfall is during the rainy season (from July to October), but the visit is incredible all year round.

Option: A short bamboo rafting excursion on the Quay Son River will allow you to get up close to the Ban Gioc Waterfalls.

Visit the Nguom Ngao caves with magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations, considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam.

Then, head towards the Gioc Rung massif, located on the Chinese border in the far north of Vietnam. This hamlet, traversed by the Quay Son River, is nestled in the heart of a superb rice valley. A short hike to the top of a hill will offer you a panoramic view of the valley and the opportunity to capture magnificent photos of the karst massifs. It's in the tranquility of this lush place that you can take a moment to admire the sunset over the mountain. You'll also discover the water wheels that enable local ethnic minority groups to irrigate their lands.

Overnight in Ban Gioc

After breakfast, for those interested in colonial military history, we can visit a village where Camp No.1 was established, where French officers captured by the Viet Minh were gathered between 1950 and 1954.

Then, hit the road to Lang Son. Lunch will be at a restaurant en route. In the afternoon, head towards Dong Khe, taking the famous RC4 road - "the blood road," which runs along the Chinese border and remains famous for its importance in the country's history. Along the way, you'll pass through the towns of Dong Khe and That Khe, sites of several battles in October 1950 against the French army, with stops at Luang Phai Pass, Bascou Bridge, and That Khe.

Visit the remains of the French fort. We'll arrive in Lang Son in the late afternoon. Overnight in Lang Son.

Depart early in the morning towards Halong Bay, continuing on RC4 through the sites of Dinh Lap and Tien Yen. Stop at Dong Trieu and Mao Khe, where General de Lattre de Tassigny inflicted two defeats on the Viet Minh in March 1951.

Arrive in Ha Long around noon, then embark and have lunch aboard a splendid junk. The cruise navigates through the emerald sea and karst islets of the magnificent Halong Bay to the less frequented area of Bai Tu Long Bay.

You'll explore the caves and then have free time to relax while admiring the scenery or to go kayaking in Halong Bay.

Dinner and overnight stay on board the boat.

06:30 AM: Early wake-up call to admire the sunrise over the Bay.

07:00 AM: Light breakfast.

08:00 - 08:30 AM: Continue the cruise in Halong Bay, and depending on the boat company, there may be an option for a rowing sampan excursion. Brunch on board, then disembarkation around 11:30 AM. You will then hit the road back to Hanoi.

There will be a stop en route to visit the Con Son Kiep Bac Temple dedicated to Mr. Nguyen Trai.

You will arrive in Hanoi around 5:00 PM.

You will have your leisure time at the hotel, then a car will pick you up to transfer to the airport for your departure flight. GP Travel sincerely hope you've enjoyed your trip, and we thank you for choosing us! We wish you a safe flight and we look forward to traveling with you again soon.