Adventure in Ban Gioc Waterfall - Ba Be Lake - Halong Bay - Group Tour

Our tour guide will pick you up by car at your hotel around 7:30-8:00am, transferring you to Lang Son. We will start by driving in the direction of the Chinese border for about 3 hours, before stopping at Chi Lang Pass - a 20-km-long gorge created from a narrow valley between two mountains.

This place occupies an important position in Vietnamese history, being the place of many victories against various Chinese invasions over the centuries and millennia, as far back as 981AD. As such it bears the reputation of Vietnam’s strongest citadel and bastion. Here you will have roughly an hour to walk around and explore the area around the Quy Mon Quan Gate, which translates as “The Gate of Monsters”, named for the many invasion forces that would spill through the pass over the course of history only to be beaten back by stalwart Vietnamese defenders.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Dang, you will continue your trip into the pass, stopping to visit Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – an important historical site where The Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. In fact, this was the very first battle of the Indochina Wars, and the fighting here took place through September and October 1950, ending in a resounding victory for the Viet Minh.

In the evening you will get to enjoy dinner and overnight rest in a local homestay owned and operated by a local Nung family.

Highlights and activities: Chi Lang, Quy Mon Quan Gate, Dong Khe Battle Site, Ethnic Villages.

Physical Activity: Walk of 3-5 km

Meals: Lunch, dinner

After enjoying breakfast at the homestay, you will depart for Trung Khanh which lies right on the border with China. Here you will have another chance to meet and interact with the local Nung people living in the village of Phuoc Sen, a mountainous village famous for its traditional blacksmithing. The farming tools made here are an integral part of the lifestyle which is evident in the surrounding rice paddies and fields.

Nestled amongst these amazing landscapes is the breath-taking Ban Gioc Waterfall which spans over 300 meters, split half and half between Vietnam and China. You’ll get some time here to simply take in the amazing atmosphere surrounding the falls, which presents an excellent opportunity for some fantastic photography.

Once you’ve finished at the falls, it’s time to head over to Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites.

You will then return to Cao Bang town and head down the “snake pass” to Ba Be Lake, where you will stay overnight in a homestay constructed in traditional Tay fashion and owned and operated by a local Tay family. Here you can relax and unwind from the day and enjoy a delicious and authentic home-cooked meal.

Highlights and activities: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Ethnic Villages

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour of by boarding a boat and setting off onto the lake. It’s up to you how to spend your time on the boat, whether it’s relaxing and enjoying the views or going for a swim in the cool waters to refresh yourself. The views consist of stunning karst formations all around you covered with patches of wild vegetation and a rich wildlife.

The boat will then continue along the Nang River, giving you a chance to explore the caves of Puong Grotto where you can marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites created through river erosion, as well as observe the thousands-strong bat colony that lives here.

Now that you’ve reached the end of your tour, you’ll be driven the roughly 230 kilometres back to Hanoi, with a stop at a tea plantation nestled among rolling hills. We arrive in Hanoi around 05:00 – 05:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Between 08:00 and 8:30, depart from Hanoi city heading to Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay town, Ha Long city. Upon arrival, take a moment to refresh at the lounge. Embark on Oriental Sails around 12:00 to 12:30, where you'll be welcomed with a drink and receive a brief introduction to the cruise and safety guidelines. After checking in to your cabin, indulge in lunch while cruising through the magnificent Ha Long Bay, reveling in the captivating natural scenery. The cruise will anchor at the Titop Island area.

Between 15:00 and 16:00, participate in a guided visit to Sung Sot Cave, also known as Amazing Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. Then, from 16:00 to 17:00, climb to the peak of Titop Island for a panoramic view of the bay. Descend and unwind on the beach, taking a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters. Return to Oriental Sails by 17:20, where you can enjoy the sunset during Happy Hour at the bar.

At 18:00, partake in happy hours with discounted drinks, and engage in a cooking demonstration and food decoration with the Chef. Dinner is served between 19:00 and 21:00, with the option for a private dinner upon request. From 21:00 to 22:00, you can join squid fishing with the crew, sing karaoke, or simply relax in your cabin. The night will be spent on Oriental Sails.

Welcome the new day with the stunning dawn on the Legendary Gulf of Tonkin at 06:30. Refresh your body and soul with a Tai-chi lesson on the sundeck. Between 07:00 and 08:00, enjoy the morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee and have breakfast while charming the labyrinth of Karst.

From 8:00 to 9:00, join a guided exploration of the hidden parts of the bay, visiting Luon cave. You can share a sampan with other tourists or take a kayak on your own.

After your cave visit its time to check out of your room at the boat and return to port, docking at noon after having early lunch on-board. Our driver will be waiting for you at the pier and will transfer you back to Hanoi for an arrival at your hotel around 16:30. At this point it’s time to say goodbye to your guide, driver and group, hopefully with life-long memories gained and friendships made.