Ba Be, Cao Bang and RC4, Bac Son Valley

Breakfast with the host family, then depart by vehicle to Ban Gioc, located near the Chinese border in the far north of Vietnam.

First stop at Co La Waterfall where you will do a short walk along the Quay Son River, enjoy the tranquility of this picturesque place amid limestone peaks covered with vegetation. Discover the terraced fields,and Tay ethnic villages

If you're interested in colonial military history, you can visit the village where Camp No. 1 was established, which held French officers captured by the Viet Minh between 1950 and 1954.

Overnight in Ban Gioc.

Morning: Discover the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfalls and the stunning Nguom Ngao Cave. Considered the most beautiful falls in Vietnam and the fourth longest in the world after Iguazu, Victoria, and Niagara, Ban Gioc is especially impressive during the rainy season (July to September), though breathtaking year-round. Swimming is possible during certain periods.

Optional: Bamboo raft ride on the Quay Son River for a close-up view of the falls.

Explore the Nguom Ngao Cave with its remarkable stalactites and stalagmites.

Afternoon: Depart by vehicle to the Gioc Rung massif near the Chinese border. Upon arrival, take a walk through a remote Tay hamlet nestled in a scenic rice valley along the Quay Son River.

Optional: Climb to a hilltop for panoramic views of mountains and rice fields—perfect for photography and enjoying a peaceful sunset.

Continue on to Quang Uyen, a region of a thousand green karst peaks, located at 500m altitude and home to the Nung An ethnic group.

Overnight homestay with Nung An family

After breakfast, you'll discover Phia Thap, a Nung An village renowned for its incense stick production. You'll then explore a village specializing in traditional paper making and another in blacksmithing. Your final stop is Lung Ri, a village famous for its yin-yang roof tiles.These villages, home to the Nung An and Tay ethnic groups, are tucked away behind towering limestone peaks, largely untouched by modern life. The Nung An people, residing in traditional stilt houses with distinctive yin-yang tiled roofs, have deliberately preserved their ancestral way of life. Stepping into these communities feels like entering a peaceful, isolated world.

Optional: Depending on your preference and physical condition, you can choose a 3-hour walk to explore the handicraft villages of Quang Uyen from Phia Thap to Lung Ri.

Next, follow the historic RC4 road, your journey continues by vehicle to the Bac Son Valley in Lang Son province. Arrive in the late afternoon at Quynh Son, a traditional Tay village.

Dinner and overnight stay in a stilt-house homestay.

Discovering Bac Son valley

After breakfast with your host, choose from the following options based on your preference:

Option 1: A 1 km hike up Na Lay Mountain to a stunning viewpoint over the valley. The slope is gentle but involves climbing 1,200 steps. Be careful, as the steps can be slippery when wet.

Option 2: A 2-hour walk or bike ride to explore the village and visit a Tay family for a traditional tea and cultural exchange. This trip offers great photo opportunities and a chance to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Tay people.

Then, head to Huu Lung for an authentic lunch before returning to Hanoi.