4 Days – 2 Nights | Departure on request
Your journey
Day 1: Ha Noi – Puong Cave – Ba Be Lake
Day 2: Ba Be Lake – Hua ma Cave – Quang Uyen
Day 3: Quang Uyen – Ban Gioc – Cao Bang
Day 4: Cao Bang – Ha Noi
Explore the serene lake nestled within Ba Be National Park, where the dramatic scenery is gently softened by charming ethnic‑minority villages that pepper the shoreline. This northern‑province gem in Bắc Kạn boasts Vietnam’s largest freshwater lake, offering tranquil waters and lush surroundings. While you’re there, don’t miss the awe‑inspiring Ban Giốc Waterfall—Vietnam’s biggest cascade and the world’s fourth‑largest frontier waterfall. Its spectacular 300‑meter stretch straddles the border, with one side flowing in China and the other in Vietnam, creating a truly unforgettable view.
Your tour in detail
Your adventure begins bright and early when our driver‑guide arrives at your Hanoi hotel. We’ll set off on a scenic 230‑kilometre drive toward the heart of northeastern Vietnam, pausing in a traditional Tay village to learn about local customs and rice‑farming life.
Arriving at Ba Be National Park, you’ll hop aboard a boat that drifts down the winding Nang River, threading through untamed, rugged scenery until you reach the enchanting Puong Grotto, where towering stalagmites and stalactites await.
The journey continues along the river to Ban Cam, a peaceful Tay riverside village. Stroll through the hamlet, then board another boat for a leisurely cruise on Ba Be Lake. Here you’ll explore the mysterious Widow Island—named after a local legend—and, if you’d like, take a dip in the lake’s crystal‑clear waters.
Your day concludes in Coc Toc Village, home to the Tay community, where you’ll spend the night at Ba Be Jungle Houses welcoming homestay.
Highlights and activities: Ba Be Lake, 3-hour boat tour, a 3-5km walk
Accommodation: Ba Be Jungle houses
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Start your day early with a chance to paddle a kayak on the lake at your own pace. After a hearty breakfast with your host family, you’ll head to Hua Ma—a striking dry cave adorned with thousands of intricate stalactites. From there, we’ll take a scenic drive around Ba Be Lake, soaking in the lush views.
Crossing the rainforest that borders the lake, we’ll stop for a relaxed lunch in the charming town of Cho Ra. The journey then continues to Quang Uyen, a district where the Nung ethnic minority has preserved centuries‑old traditions thanks to its remote, isolated setting. Here, each village specializes in traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, paper‑making, and incense production. This authentic, simple way of life is what makes Quang Uyen so captivating, and you’ll get to experience it firsthand with an overnight stay in one of the villages.
Highlights and activities: Hua Ma Cave, Quang Uyen, a 3-5km walk
Accommodation: Mr Kim’s Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 is the highlight of your adventure—a visit to one of northern Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders: Ban Giốc Waterfall. This awe‑inspiring 300‑metre‑wide cascade straddles the border between Vietnam and China, set against a dramatic mountain backdrop. Here you can unwind in the sheer beauty, snap unforgettable photos, and hop aboard a bamboo boat that glides so close to the falls you’ll feel the spray on your face, as if you’re standing right on the edge of Vietnam, just a stone’s throw from China.
After soaking in the waterfall’s majesty, we’ll descend into the enchanting Nguôm Ngao Cave, where millennia‑old erosion has sculpted fascinating rock formations. Next, we’ll wander through a bustling local market, where vendors from the surrounding region gather to sell their handmade goods and mingle with neighbors.
The day continues with a hike to Phát Tích Temple, offering a glimpse into local spiritual traditions and providing breathtaking views of Ban Giốc with China in the distance. We’ll finish the day with a comfortable transfer to Cao Bằng, where you’ll spend the night at the welcoming Thanh Loan Hotel.
Highlights and activities: Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, a 3-5km walk
Accommodation: Thanh Loan Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner at local restaurant.
Before you depart Cao Bằng, you can choose to climb the hill to the War Memorial, where a sweeping panorama of the town and its rolling countryside awaits.
Leaving Cao Bằng, we’ll follow the winding Highway 4 through lush valleys framed by steep mountains and stunning vistas until we reach Lạng Sơn, the regional capital and a key trade gateway to nearby Nông Nước. The area is a cultural mosaic, home to the Dzao, Mạn, Thổ and Nùng peoples.
Lạng Sơn’s true charm lies in its two bustling markets—the historic Old Market and the lively Dong Kinh Market—where you’ll discover everything from traditional handicrafts to modern electronics. If time allows, we’ll venture a short distance outside the city to explore the beautiful caves nestled among the ruins of the Mạc Dynasty citadel. Here, Tam Thắng Cave boasts a tranquil lake and panoramic views of the surrounding farmland, while Nhi Thanh Cave is carved by a flowing river and features 18th‑century poems etched into its walls.
In the afternoon we’ll set off from Lạng Sơn back to Hanoi, traveling on a smooth, modern four‑lane highway. You’ll arrive at your Hanoi hotel in the late afternoon, ready to reflect on an unforgettable journey.
Highlights and activities: Lang Son, Dong Kinh Market,a 3-5km walk
Accommodation: Not included
Meal: Breakfast, lunch at local restaurant
Good to know
- Private door-to-door pick-up & -off services.
- All private transfer and transportation
- Accommodation
- Experienced English speaking guide.
- Private boat trip
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- All sightseeing tickets.
- No extra charge after confirmation
- 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
- Pack essentials, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, comfortable walking shoes. Take a small day pack for hiking and trekking.
- It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. We also recommend packing: insect repellent, sun cream, raincoat and sun hat…1 long pants (easy to dry) and 1 long sleeve shirt to wear during the trip (quick dry)
- Tour code: PRT19E
- Departure: On request
- Suitable: Small group, travel with friends
- Duration: 4 days
- Destination: Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc waterfall, Cao Bang Province (Northeast Vietnam)
- Email: info@mrlinhadventure.com
- Hotline: +84936489068
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