Ba Be Ban Gioc Tour 3 days 2 nights: A Natural Escape

You will be picked up from your hotel in Hanoi between 7:30 and 8:00 AM for the journey to Ba Be Lake, which is about 150 miles (230 kilometers) away. As you head north, you’ll leave the hustle and bustle of the city and enter the beautiful countryside of Vietnam. Along the way, you will have the chance to visit a Tay minority community and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Upon arriving at Ba Be National Park, you’ll take a boat trip along the Nang River to explore the stunning Ba Be Lake, including the dramatic Puong Grotto and Widow Island, which is rich in local legends. After the boat trip, you’ll hike a short trail to the viewpoint at the ranger station for some fantastic views. You’ll also have the opportunity to kayak as the sun sets, creating a magical atmosphere before returning to your homestay.

In the evening, you can visit the stilt houses of the Tay community in Coc Toc Village, where you will spend the night with a local Tay family.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at your homestay before departing for Cao Bang, one of Vietnam’s northernmost provinces that borders China. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to meet the Nung people in Phuc Sen Village, known for its traditional blacksmith craft. Similar to the Tay people, the Nung community primarily farms the terraced rice paddies surrounding the area as you head towards the breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall, which spans the border between Vietnam and China. Take some time to relax and capture photos of this stunning waterfall.

On your way back to Cao Bang town, you'll stop at the impressive Nguom Ngao Cave, known for its beautiful stalactites.

After a day of exploration, enjoy dinner and spend the night at a homestay in a Nung Village in Quang Uyen.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll begin the last day of the tour by heading to Dong Dang. You’ll stop to see Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe, a historic site where the first battle of the Indochina Wars took place in 1950, ending with a key victory for the Vietnamese Army.

Next, we’ll drive to Lang Son for lunch before making our way toward the Chinese border. Our next stop is Chi Lang Pass, a beautiful 20-km gorge between two mountains. This area is important in Vietnamese history, known for many victories against Chinese invasions since 981 AD. You’ll have about an hour to walk around and explore the Quy Mon Quan Gate, or “The Gate of Monsters,” named after the invading forces that passed through but were stopped by brave Vietnamese defenders.

We’ll finish the tour back in Hanoi around 6:00 PM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch