After purchasing the mandatory permit at the Immigration Office, you will journey along a spectacular road with a series of long passes and deep valleys leading to Dong Van. After enjoying lunch in the small mountain town of Tam Son, you will then travel through a pine forest to arrive at an extraordinary palace which belonged to a H’mong King. You will arrive in Dong Van at around 18:00 where you will have dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight in a hotel.

Today will begin with a trip to Dong Van Market where local people go to stock up on daily supplies. You will then climb a pass up to the French Fortress of Pu Lo which was built in 1890 and vacated in 1945. As well as being of historical significance the fortress offers remarkable views of the region. You will then drive along one of the most astonishing roads in Vietnam, which climbs 15 km up to the top of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of unique limestone peaks and canyons. You will then descend into the valley of Meo Vac, visiting Meo Vac Market before continuing on the snaking road through the mountains, crossing the river, and arriving in Cao Bang. You will have dinner and spend the night in Cao Bang.

You will make an early start along the mountain road from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc Waterfall which will take about 2 hours. Ban Gioc Waterfall is the most spectacular waterfall in the country and sits directly on the border of Vietnam and China. Here you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the breathtaking sights and take photos. You will then visit Nguom Ngao Cave and explore part of the magical underground cavern. After visiting the waterfall and cave, you will travel down a beautiful road which is unknown to many. The road winds through the mountains before reaching the Nung village of Quang Uyen. You will be welcomed by Mr. Hung Dao, an amazingly friendly blacksmith. You will have dinner and spend the night in a traditional Nung house.

Your day will start with breakfast at the hotel followed by a three-hour drive to Cho Ra where you will stop for lunch. You will board the house owner’s boat and take a trip through the three lakes which make up Ba Be Lake and up the Nang River to Puong Cave, a 300-meter long tunnel through a mountain. If it is hot, you can have a swim in the cool, refreshing water before you visit the stilt houses in Coc Toc, a Tay ethnic minority village. You will spend the night here in Mr Linh's Homestay where you will experience the amazing hospitality of the Tay community.

You can welcome the morning with a relaxing stroll along the riverfront to visit some lovely villages and hike to the upper reaches of the lake, surrounded by massive limestone peaks and mountains. On the way, you will pay a visit Pac Ngoi Village where you can see more examples of the beautifully crafted stilt houses. You will then enter Hua Ma Cave which is famous for its thousand of stalactites and columns. Your driver will take you through a pass which we call “Dog Flower Pass” where you can stop to take some amazing photos of the terraced fields. After lunch in a local restaurant, you will begin your journey back to Hanoi, arriving at around 18:00.