15 Ng. 100 Đ. Nguyễn Xiển, Thanh Xuân Nam, Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội 100000
Far from the bustle of Hanoi lies a hidden gem — Da Bac, a peaceful district in Hoa Binh province where misty mountains, emerald valleys, and Muong villages remain untouched by time.
This 3-day North Vietnam Da Bac Off the Beaten Path Trip offers a rare opportunity to step away from the crowds and experience the real Vietnam — slow, authentic, and profoundly human.
From the moment you leave the capital, the scenery transforms: bustling streets give way to tranquil rice paddies, winding mountain passes, and glistening lakes surrounded by limestone cliffs. You’ll travel through small ethnic hamlets, meet Muong and Dao villagers, share meals in traditional stilt houses, and listen to stories by the warmth of the fire.
Sail on the quiet waters of Hoa Binh Lake, often called the “Inland Ha Long Bay,” where floating houses and fishermen’s boats drift across the mirror-like surface.
Trek along peaceful forest paths, visit bamboo weaving workshops, and immerse yourself in rural life — a journey that awakens your senses and soothes your soul.
What makes Da Bac special is its simplicity — no luxury hotels, no crowded markets, just unfiltered beauty and the kindness of people who live close to the earth.
Here, every sunrise feels sacred, every smile sincere, and every moment is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters.
🌿 This is North Vietnam as few have seen it — raw, real, and irresistibly beautiful.
🚣 Cruise on Hoa Binh Lake — a tranquil journey through limestone peaks and floating villages.
🏡 Stay with Muong & Dao families in traditional homestays, experience genuine local hospitality.
🌾 Trek through remote valleys and bamboo forests to hidden villages and rice terraces.
🧺 Learn traditional crafts like bamboo weaving and herbal medicine from the locals.
🌄 Capture breathtaking scenery of mountains, mist, and rural life untouched by tourism.
🥢 Taste authentic home-cooked meals, made from organic ingredients straight from village gardens.
💫 Immerse in community-based tourism that supports sustainable development and cultural preservation.
🧘 Disconnect to reconnect: enjoy peace, slow living, and the rhythm of rural Vietnam.
🌺 Highlight in one line:
A soulful 3-day escape into the heart of North Vietnam — where lakes shimmer, mountains whisper, and every encounter feels genuine.
🌿 Authentic Connection: Stay in real ethnic villages, not tourist resorts.
🚶 Soft Adventure: Easy treks suitable for all ages with rewarding scenic views.
🏡 Cultural Exchange: Learn daily life customs, local crafts, and traditions.
🌊 Nature & Tranquility: Cruise, walk, and relax amid unspoiled landscapes.
💖 Responsible Travel: Your visit directly supports local communities.
In Da Bac, time slows to the rhythm of the mountains. You’ll wake up to the sound of roosters echoing through the valleys, breathe the scent of wildflowers and woodsmoke, and watch as villagers begin their day in the soft golden light.
Each smile you receive is heartfelt; every meal shared feels like family. The journey isn’t just about seeing — it’s about feeling: the warmth of connection, the serenity of nature, and the profound peace that only untouched places can give.
“Join our Da Bac Off the Beaten Path tour for an authentic North Vietnam adventure — where every trail leads to beauty, and every village tells a story.”
👉 Book your 3-Day North Vietnam Da Bac Off the Beaten Path Trip today and uncover the hidden side of Northern Vietnam — simple, soulful, and unforgettable.
Let the mountains, lakes, and villages of Da Bac remind you how beautiful the world can be when it’s real.
HOTELS
Economy 2*+ Hotels
Superior 3* Hotels
First Class 4* Hotels
Deluxe 5* Hotels
Luxury 5*++ Hotels
Notes:
*All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request
Important Notes:
HOTELS, PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
GUIDE/LEADER:
English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian speaking guide can be arranged with on request.
At Golden Trail Travel, we believe every getaway should be as unique as the traveler. As Asia's premier Vietnam holidays tour operator, we specialize in creating bespoke coastal experiences that perfectly match your desires and budget, wherever your wanderlust takes you.
Our dedicated team—comprising experienced local experts, reliable drivers, insightful tour consultants, and passionate travel specialists—is committed to ensuring your escape is seamless, relaxing, and truly unforgettable.
Whether you're exploring solo, enjoying a family getaway, or embarking on a group expedition, we're here to design a trip that's exclusively yours. The itineraries you see are just a starting point; consider them a canvas upon which we'll paint your ideal Asian Vietnam holidays. We invite you to share your ideas, tell us your preferences, and let us know your budget. We'll meticulously customize an existing itinerary or craft a brand-new program from the ground up, adding or excluding elements until it's absolutely perfect for you.
Ready to start planning your dream Vietnam holidays across Asia? Share your requirements with us today, and let's create memories that will last a lifetime.
🚗 Duration: ~8 hours total (including transfers and exploration)
Your journey begins at 8:30 AM, when our guide and driver pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi. Leaving the busy streets behind, we head west toward Da Bac, a hidden gem tucked among the emerald mountains of Hoa Binh province.
As you drive through the scenic countryside, rice paddies give way to forested hills, and small villages appear like peaceful brushstrokes on the landscape. This is rural North Vietnam — tranquil, timeless, and breathtakingly beautiful.
After about four hours, you’ll arrive at Sung Village, home to the Dao Tien ethnic group — a small community of about 400 people who live harmoniously with nature. Their stilt houses, surrounded by lush hills and plantations, create a picture of serenity.
Begin a gentle 3-kilometer walk through the village, visiting Sung Cave and nearby forest trails. Your local guide will share stories of the Dao people’s beliefs, customs, and intimate relationship with the forest. Along the way, you’ll discover how they identify medicinal plants used for generations in traditional healing.
Stop by the community house, where local teachers preserve the ancient Dao language and pass it on to the next generation. Visit a local family to witness the art of beeswax painting and indigo dyeing — age-old crafts that create the tribe’s iconic patterned clothing.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner featuring organic ingredients from local farms, then unwind at your Dao homestay, surrounded by the sounds of the forest.
🌿 Emotional Highlight: Walking through Sung Village at dusk, the soft smoke of kitchen fires rising into the cool mountain air — it feels like stepping into another time, another rhythm of life.
Included:
English-speaking guide
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Private transportation
2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person/day
Accommodation: Da Bac Homestay (shared traditional house)
🚶 Trekking Distance: 8 km | 🚣 Kayaking on Da Reservoir
Wake up to the gentle sounds of roosters and rustling leaves, and enjoy a simple yet hearty breakfast prepared by your hosts. Then lace up your shoes — adventure awaits.
Today’s journey takes you from Sung to Da Bia Village, a trek of around 8 kilometers through some of northern Vietnam’s most pristine landscapes. The first four kilometers follow a small concrete path before winding into a narrow forest trail. As you descend gradually from 530 meters to 120 meters, you’ll cross cool streams, walk beneath towering bamboo, and pass tiny hamlets nestled among the hills.
Your guide will point out native plants and explain how the Dao and Muong people use them for food, medicine, and craftwork. The trek is moderately challenging but deeply rewarding — a journey through nature’s quiet majesty.
At the local pier, board a small boat and glide across the tranquil waters of Da Reservoir, surrounded by limestone cliffs and dense forest. Then, embark on a kayaking adventure — the perfect way to explore this untouched paradise. Paddle gently past floating fishing houses, watching reflections ripple across the still water.
Arrive at Da Bia Village, where the Muong ethnic community warmly welcomes you. Spend the afternoon exploring, chatting with locals, or simply relaxing by the lake. As night falls, gather for dinner prepared with love by your Muong hosts — fresh vegetables, lake fish, and fragrant herbs — before resting in a cozy lakeside homestay.
🌅 Emotional Highlight: The lake glimmers under the fading sunlight as children’s laughter echoes from the shore — a perfect harmony of nature and human warmth.
Included:
English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Private transportation
Kayak activity on Da Bia Lake
2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person/day
Accommodation: Da Bac Homestay (shared local house)
🚗 Return to Hanoi (approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast, take a leisurely 3-kilometer walk from your homestay to the nearby pier. Step aboard a local wooden boat for a scenic cruise through Ngoi Hoa Bay, part of the vast Da River Reservoir.
Often called the “Halong Bay of the Mountains,” this serene waterway is a masterpiece of limestone cliffs, green peaks, and shimmering reflections. Glide across the lake, watching fishermen cast their nets and water buffalo graze by the shore — moments of simple beauty that define life here.
Your driver will meet you at Ngoi Hoa Harbor for the return journey to Hanoi. Along the way, enjoy one last look at the lush countryside and quiet charm of Hoa Binh province before arriving back in the city by late afternoon.
🌄 Emotional Highlight: As the boat drifts through the misty mountains, you’ll feel a deep sense of peace — the kind that only comes from being close to nature and far from the noise of the world.
Included:
English-speaking guide
Meals: Breakfast
Boat trip: Da Bia – Ngoi Hoa
Private transportation
2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person/day
Answer: Golden Trail Travel specializes in offering a wide range of travel packages to Vietnam and other Indochina countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. We offer themed tours including Classic Highlights, Cycling, Trekking, Beach Holidays, Luxury Honeymoon, Short Trips, Family, Off The Beaten Track, Multi-Country, Motorbiking, Veteran, Food, Students, Luxury, Golf, Photography, Cooking Class, Bird Watching, Indochina Cruises, Kayaking, Muslim-friendly tours, Offroad 4x4WD, Indochina MICE Travel, Cave Expedition, and Helicopter tours.
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Answer: Yes, we can arrange tour guides who speak Vietnamese or other common languages (such as English, French, German, Spanish, etc.) upon your request and subject to availability. Please inform us of your language preference when booking your tour.
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