on the road of happiness

Ha Giang is the remote province in Northern Vietnam, about 320 km far from Hanoi. Though rural, Ha Giang is blessed with a beautiful wild nature and untouched local culture, the town is inhabited by almost 90% of the population of ethnic minorities with their own cultures and lifestyles.

Road to Ha Giang district. Along the way, admire the natural landscape, lush rice paddies, sloping hill and villages covered by a row of palm trees. Stop to visit an ethnic village of black Tay. 

Arrive in Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Ha Giang.

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After breakfast, drive to Dong Van plateau (155km) located at 1025m above the sea level inhabited by H’mong and Tay ethinc groups. Stop at Heavenly gate of Quan Ba before arriving at Yen Minh - a beautiful valley nested in the mountains.

Take a walk through the Pho Bang town, which is called by the name of “Falling into the oblivion town” where live the the Hoa and H’Mong people. The local people have a quiet lifestyle, living in the clay houses decorated with a pair of couplets written in Chinese scripts of good luck and prosperity wishes.

Continue visit to the Palace of H’Mong King Vuong Chi Sinh which is a symbol of the past glory of the H’mong people built in 1914.

Overnight in Dong Van.

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After breakfast, departure to Meo Vac located along the Chinese border, this is a small but charming district capital hemmed in by steep karst mountains. The road offers the most picturesque villages in the northern tip of Vietnam.

After lunch, continue the journey along the spectacular Ma Pi Leng Pass. It’s probably one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam. The road has been cut into the side of a cliff with a view of rippling hills tumbling down to the distant waters of the Nho Que River far below. Right at the top of the pass is a lookout point where you can stop to take a shot of this splendid scenery. 

Arrive and overnight in Cao Bang.

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Enjoy a scenic day trip north of Cao Bang to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall on the border of Vietnam and China. The unique landscape includes limestone karst formations soaring from the verdant rice paddies of Tay, H’Mong and Dzao ethnic minority groups. This picturesque waterfall is 53 meters high and has an impressive span of 300 meters. It's one of 4 biggest waterfalls on frontier after Iguazu, Victoria and Niagara.

After lunch, visit the Nguom Ngao Cavern before returning to Cao Bang. Overnight in Cao Bang.

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Depart about 150 km east from Cao Bang to Ba Be Lake National Park. This is one of the largest and highest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam, home to many kinds of birds, scenic valleys, towering rocky outcrops, underground river tributaries, and a gigantic cave. 

Upon arrival, take a walk around the village to visit a Tay minority community, the second largest ethnic group in Vietnam after the Kinh (Viets), mostly living off the cultivation of rice. 

This amazing village has about 40 stilt houses located at the slope of the mountains. Although the traditional stilts have been eliminated completely in most parts of the province; the antique, original and unique houses are still preserved and highly valued in this village. Exploring the beautiful sceneries of these villages with impeccable sites and a lot of activities is a breath taking experience.

At night in the chilling fresh air, you can join with your local host to prepare for dinner beside the bonfires. 

Overnight at homestay in Pac Ngoi Village.

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Ba Be actually means "three lakes" (Slam Pe) in the local Tay language. This is an ancient name that refers to the way that the lake comprises three relatively wider sections. Ba Be is however a continuous body of water with numerous small inlets and islets, stretching for nearly 8 km north to south. The surface area of the lake fluctuates between 300 and 500 ha depending upon the season and unlike most lakes in karst limestone landscapes, Ba Be Lake remains full all year round. Due to this rugged splendor Ba Be is sometimes referred to as the 'Ha Long Bay of the mountains'. 

Waking up early in the morning breeze with the sound of little birds around, the atmosphere in Pac Ngoi will give you a peaceful feeling that you can hardly forget. 

Breakfast and start our day with a bike ride, embark a little boat to cruise the emerald Ba Be Lake and soak in its sublime serenity and beauty. The surrounding mountains are covered with lush vegetation, home to diverse flora and fauna. We continue our cruise towards the scenic Puong cave. 

Road back to Hanoi. On the way, stop to visit the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups in Thai Nguyen City where you can browse the objects, photographs and exhibits that give a better understanding of the various ethnic groups and their agricultural tools, handicrafts and traditional costumes worn for worshipping.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

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