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The North East mountainous areas of Ba Be Lake, Cao Bang and Ba Be lake offer
breathtaking views and interesting subcultures. It is the least travelled area
of the north and attracts hardier travellers craving a glimpse of some of the
more remote ethnic minority people.
Day 1: Ha Noi - Thai Nguyen - Ba Be National Park (L, D)
Depart early from Hanoi for a long drive through the Red River Delta north along
Hwy 3 to Thai Nguyen. Of interest here is the Museum of the Cultures of Viet
Nam's Ethnic Groups. Leaving the delta behind, you'll start climbing into the
mountainous area of Ba Be National Park. Take a short boat trip (30 minutes) to
a Tay village for dinner and home stay in a local house.
Day 2: Ba Be to Cao Bang (B,L,D)
Ba Be Lake, surrounded by rugged limestone mountains, is Viet Nam's only natural
mountain lake. This important eco-system is well known for over 330 species of
butterflies! Have breakfast with your Tay hosts before exploring the lake with
lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains. Reach the end of the lake and
trek to Dau Dang Waterfall before heading north through the mountains to the
city of Cao Bang. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: Ban Gioc Waterfall (B,L,D)
Take a scenic day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall on
the Chinese border for a picnic lunch. This picturesque, cascading waterfall is
53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. The unique landscape
includes limestone karst formations soaring from the verdant rice paddies of Tay,
H'Mong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. On the way back to Cao Bang, explore the
expansive 2,144 meter Nguom Ngao Cavern to discover its brilliant stalactites.
Overnight in the hotel in Cao Bang.
Day 4: Cao Bang - Lang Son - Ha Noi (B,L)
Before departing Cao Bang, consider climbing the hill up to the War Memorial for
a great panoramic view. The famous Highway 4 winds its way through steep
mountain passes with spectacular vistas! Lang Son, the capital of this
mountainous area, is an important crossing and trading route with China. The
area is home to Dzao, Man, Tho and Nung ethnic minority groups. Lang Son has two
markets, the Old Market and the Dong Kinh Market, where shoppers can find
everything from electronics and gadgets to textiles and house wares. Just a
couple of kilometers from town are two large, beautiful caves and the ruins of
the Mac Dynasty Citadel that are worth a visit, time permitting. Tam Thanh Cave
contains a pond and offers great views of the surrounding farmlands. Nhi Thanh
Cave, formed by the river that flows through it, has poems carved into the
entrance by the man who discovered the cave in the 18th century. The late
afternoon trip back to Hanoi from Lang Son is along a modern 4-lane divided
highway. Arrive in Hanoi around 20:00
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