DETAILED ITINERARY:

DAY 0: ARRIVE IN HA GIANG CITY                                                                                                                  (MEALS: ON YOUR OWN)

Travel independently from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Ha Giang City. Nomadic Soul Travel can assist with booking comfortable VIP sleeper buses with flexible departure times at 07:00, 12:00, 16:00, or 21:00. 

Upon arrival in Ha Giang City, guests may enjoy one complimentary pre-tour dormitory night at the Nomadic Soul Travel rest area. This allows travelers to relax and prepare before the official itinerary begins the following morning.

Km0 Ha Giang

DAY 01: HA GIANG – SAO HA VILLAGE – SANG TUNG – LAO XA – DONG VAN                                                                    (B/L/D)

The day begins at 7:30 AM with pickup and a short tour briefing at the Nomadic Soul office in Ha Giang City. Guests then transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast before starting the journey.

The journey continues north into the dramatic landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Mid-morning, visit Sao Ha Village, a hidden settlement of the Hmong people tucked deep within the forest. With fewer than thirty households, the village preserves a traditional way of life largely unchanged by tourism. The area is also known as a filming location for several Vietnamese productions inspired by the mysterious atmosphere of the remote highlands.

Lunch is served in Pho Cao village.

In the afternoon, explore one of the lesser-known scenic routes of the Dong Van Plateau, passing through remote villages and the striking Sang Tung Stone Desert. The barren karst formations here resemble a vast stone landscape stretching across the plateau, offering a unique perspective on the region’s geology.

Later, visit Lao Xa Village, a charming Hmong community known for its traditional silver craftsmanship. Artisans in the village continue to produce handmade silver jewelry using techniques passed down through generations.

Arrive in Dong Van town in the late afternoon. After check-in at the hotel, dinner is served featuring regional specialties.

In the evening, guests may stroll through Dong Van Old Quarter. On weekends, the area often hosts lively cultural gatherings and small bonfire activities in the historic square.

Overnight in Dong Van.

Sang Tung Stone Desert

DAY 02: WHITE CLIFF HIKE – NHO QUE 3 – MEO VAC                                                                                                               (B/L/D)

In the morning, after breakfast in Dong Van Old Quarter, the morning begins with a visit to the local market if the schedule coincides with the weekend market day, offering insight into the vibrant trading culture of the highland communities.

The journey then continues toward the White Cliff ridge trail near Ma Pi Leng Pass. Starting from the Youth Volunteer Monument viewpoint, guests begin a scenic hike of approximately four kilometers along the ridge path.

The trail offers spectacular panoramic views across the Tu San Canyon and the Nho Que River far below. Along the route, several unique rock formations and viewpoints provide memorable photo opportunities.

Lunch is served in Meo Vac town.

In the afternoon, continue toward the Nho Que River area for a motorboat excursion across the Nho Que 3 reservoir. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, this peaceful section of the river offers opportunities for kayaking or swimming depending on weather and water conditions.

By late afternoon, arrive at the homestay in Meo Vac. Guests enjoy a relaxed evening with a traditional barbecue dinner and overnight stay in the highland town.

Overnight in Meo Vac.

Light hike at the Ma Pi Leng ridge viewpoint

DAY 03: MEO VA - KHAU COC CHA PASS - PAC BO                                                                                                                     (B/L/D)

Leaving Meo Vac behind, the journey gradually shifts from the rocky heights of Ha Giang toward the greener mountain valleys of Cao Bang.

The route passes along beautiful roads beside the Gam River and through a series of quiet valleys before reaching Bao Lac, where lunch is served.

In the afternoon, the road climbs toward Khau Coc Cha Pass, one of the most dramatic and challenging mountain roads in Cao Bang. With its many switchbacks stacked along the hillside, the pass offers one of the most memorable driving landscapes of the journey. A short trek leads to a viewpoint where the full scale of the pass can be appreciated.

Later in the day, the route continues toward Pac Bo, with a stop to visit the Kim Dong historical site and pay respects at this important place of remembrance.

By evening, arrive in the Pac Bo area and settle into a peaceful farmstay setting. Guests may relax, walk around the homestay grounds, or enjoy the calm atmosphere by Lenin Stream.

Overnight in Pac Bo.

Lenin Stream

DAY 4: PAC BO HISTORICAL SITE – BAN GIOC WATERFALL – NGUOM NGAO CAVE                                                        (B/ L/ D)

The morning begins with a visit to Pac Bo, one of the most important historical sites in modern Vietnam. This is where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in the early days of his return to the country, and where the emerald waters of Lenin Stream create one of the most serene landscapes in Cao Bang.

After lunch in the Tra Linh area, the journey continues toward one of the most iconic natural sites in northern Vietnam.

Ban Gioc Waterfall appears at the border between Vietnam and China, spreading across a wide limestone backdrop and creating one of the largest and most beautiful transnational waterfalls in the world. Guests enjoy the waterfall from close range, including a boat ride that brings them nearer to the cascading water.

The experience continues underground at Nguom Ngao Cave, a vast cave system formed hundreds of millions of years ago, filled with extraordinary stalactites and chambers.

Later in the afternoon, a short visit is made to Khuoi Ky stone village, an ancient Tay village known for its unique stone houses and quiet setting.

Overnight near Ban Gioc.

Ban Gioc Waterfall

DAY 5: BA QUANG GRASS HILLS (VINH QUY) – PAC RANG BLACKSMITH VILLAGE – ANGEL EYE MOUNTAIN – CAO BANG (B/ L)

The final day of the journey reveals a softer and more open landscape.

The route first leads to the Ba Quang grass hills (Vinh Quy), where wide rolling fields create a striking contrast to the rocky mountains of the previous days. The scenery here feels expansive and peaceful, with broad views and a very different mood from the plateau regions.

Later, the journey continues to Quang Uyen for lunch before stopping at Pac Rang in Phuc Sen, a village known for its long tradition of blacksmithing. Here, guests can learn about the craft techniques that have been preserved through generations and still produce some of the finest handmade forged tools in Vietnam.

The final highlight is Na Ma Valley and Angel Eye Mountain, one of Cao Bang’s most distinctive landscapes. Surrounded by grasslands, streams, and natural lakes, the mountain with its circular opening has become one of the most recognizable and poetic scenes in the region.

By late afternoon, arrive in Cao Bang City, where guests wait for the sleeper bus pickup. Travelers may choose an early bus departing around 16:30–17:00 for same-day return, or a night sleeper bus departing at 21:00 to travel to other provinces and arrive early the following morning.

Ba Quang grass hills (Vinh Quy)

*****END OF SERVICES*****

✅ WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Accommodations during the tour: twin/double rooms (2 guests/room) as per itinerary
• 1 complimentary pre-tour dorm night in Ha Giang
• Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Drinking water: 2 bottles/person/day
• Local, English-speaking guide throughout the Ha Giang journey (tour lead)
• Transportation during the tour: self-ride motorbike / motorbike with driver / private A/C car as arranged
• Entrance fees & activities listed in the itinerary
• Travel insurance up to 120,000,000 VND per case

❌ WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Single-room supplement (if you require a private room)
• Food & drinks outside the stated meal plan
• Any services not mentioned in the inclusions
• Sleeper bus to Ha Giang & departed from Cao Bang: 750,000 VND/person (we can arrange on request)
• Flights (if any)
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone, etc.)
• 10% VAT invoice surcharge if required
• Border-permit surcharge for foreigners: 250,000 VND/person
• Tips for guide/driver (optional)
• Public holiday surcharges