Vietnam Adventure Tour - 4 Day Fast And Furious: Highlights Of The Northeast Mountains

Leave Hà Nội early morning (7 or 7:30 a.m.) to travel to Bản Giốc. Stop for lunch and to stretch your legs in Cao Bằng before driving the remaining 80 km to the resort at Bản Giốc.

TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE: Approx. 8 hours / 300 km | SLEEP: Resort at Bản Giốc

This morning visit Bản Giốc waterfall, the fourth largest national border waterfall in the world and sourced from Quây Sơn River. This peaceful river starts in China and carves its way through rugged karst mountains before cascading down a series of dramatic falls into Vietnam. Both Vietnam and China enjoy the benefits of this majestic natural wonder.

Next, take a short drive to a nearby pagoda before walking up to a viewpoint where you can see a panoramic view of the entire waterfall and over to China and the Quây Sơn River.

After that, explore nearby Nguom Ngao Cave, a 2,700-meter cave that was created over millions of years and today features beautiful, unique stalagmite and stalactite formations not found in other caves in Vietnam. Listen to the roaring sounds created by an underground stream running over the rocks below, and you’ll understand why the local Tày people named this Tiger Cave. Travel on to Ba Bể Lake.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 6 hours | SLEEP: homestay at Ba Bể Lake

Spend today exploring and relaxing among the peaceful, natural beauty of Ba Bể Lake. Here, limestone cliffs covered in primary forest reflect off the mirror-like surface of Vietnam’s largest natural lake to create a picture-perfect setting.

You can start the morning with a 10 km trek up the mountains and through the jungle where you’ll see more ethnic groups such as Green H’mong and Dao people. Return to the homestay for lunch before an afternoon spent cruising the lake by boat. Alternatively, for groups who want more trekking, you can instead hike 15 km out to Dau Dang waterfall where you’ll be picked up by boat to cruise around the lake, stopping for lunch and swimming as you like before the boat takes you back at the homestay.

TREKKING DISTANCE: Approx. 10 km/6 miles (moderate difficulty) or 15 km/9.3 miles (difficult terrain), depending on group itinerary | SLEEP: homestay at Ba Bể Lake

After waking up lakeside, stretch your legs on a cycling excursion to Hua Ma Cave where you’ll see a variety of stalactites and stalagmites. Travel back to Hà Nội, returning around 4:30 or 5 p.m.

TOTAL DRIVING TIME: Approx. 5-6 hours | CYCLING DISTANCE: Approx. 14 km/9 miles round trip | ARRIVE IN Hà Nội: Approx. 4:30 or 5 p.m