Rise early for a seven-hour drive through the Red River Delta toward Ba Be, about 270 kilometers by road. As you head north following curves of the river valley, the landscape turns mountainous. Stop at a roadside village for lunch and to stretch your legs, arriving in Ba Be National Park later in the afternoon. You’ll have time for a quick look around and to catch the sunset. The park’s rivers, waterfalls and caves cover more than 7,000 hectares. You have a lot to explore!

Overnight in Ba Be

After breakfasting at your guesthouse, drive to a jetty and board a private boat for a cruise on Ba Be Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam. Depending on the weather, take a swim in the lake’s pristine waters, or if you’re lucky you might spot monkeys in the jungles surrounding the lake.  After lunch, continue by boat to the Tay village of Pac Ngoi, where you tonight you will stay in a stilted village.  Have a cup of tea and a chat with your hosts to learn more about how their lifestyle is changing. You won’t forget the experience.

Overnight in Ba Be

Say good bye to your hosts and head south towards Hanoi. On the way, pop in to the Tay Nguyen ethnology museum and see exhibits and artifacts from the region.  You’ll return to Hanoi in the mid afternoon.