Nam Hong
Homestay · Nights 1–2
Two base nights in Red Dao country.
Ha Giang · Cao Bang · Ba Be
Northern Vietnam Grand Expedition
Private 14-day / 13-night grand expedition — extended western time, Chieu Lau Thi massif context, Quan Ba / Nam Dam, full east-to-northeast arc including Nho Que, Cao Bang, Ban Gioc and a meaningful Ba Be Lake extension.
— Quick decision facts
At a glance
- Duration
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Region
- Ha Giang · Cao Bang · Ba Be
- Format
- Private trek
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Start
- Hanoi → Nam Hong (Day 1 transfer when confirmed in your quote)
- Finish
- Ba Be → Hanoi or Noi Bai (Day 14 agreed drop-off)
- Your party
- Private party — typically 2–8 trekkers in your private party
— Overview
Private 14-day / 13-night grand expedition — extended western time, Chieu Lau Thi massif context, Quan Ba / Nam Dam, full east-to-northeast arc including Nho Que, Cao Bang, Ban Gioc and a meaningful Ba Be Lake extension. Price on request.
What this trek is.
Private 14-day / 13-night grand expedition — extended western time, Chieu Lau Thi massif context, Quan Ba / Nam Dam, full east-to-northeast arc including Nho Que, Cao Bang, Ban Gioc and a meaningful Ba Be Lake extension. Price on request.
What this walk actually is.
Walking distance and road distance are not the same number. Unverified elevation gain and maps stay hidden. Walking distance versus road distance.
- Start
- Hanoi → Nam Hong (Day 1 transfer when confirmed in your quote)
- Finish
- Ba Be → Hanoi or Noi Bai (Day 14 agreed drop-off)
- Vehicle transfer
- Private support vehicle between walking sections and for main luggage — Hanoi ↔ trailhead road travel quoted separately unless confirmed.
- Walking time
- Extended walking-led arc with additional western and central Ha Giang modules
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Terrain
- Western terraces, Chieu Lau Thi massif context, Quan Ba / Nam Dam, plateau limestone, northeast karst and Ba Be Lake
- Route type
- 14 days · 13 nights · private grand expedition
- Accommodation
- Homestay, lodge, bungalow and town guesthouses as listed — confirmed per departure
- Best season
- September–April preferred
- Private / shared
- Private party
- Hanoi transfer
- Not included unless confirmed for your departure
- GPX status
- No public operator GPX
- Map status
- No surveyed trail map published
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
Operational range — not a surveyed GPX figure
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
From this programme’s operating notes
— On the ground
Western depth, eastern scale.
The fourteen-day arc adds Ho Thau, Chieu Lau Thi lodge context, Quan Ba / Nam Dam and a longer northeast block — each frame matches a real module on the published line.
Ho Thau
Western pacing between Nam Ai and Ban Luoc — locally confirmed walking lines.
Chieu Lau Thi
Massif lodge approach when confirmed — not the one-day-only ridge product.
Quan Ba / Nam Dam
Central Ha Giang limestone and terrace context before the eastern cluster.
Eastern villages
Lo Lo Chai B through Dong Van walking — homestay nights and long limestone days.
— Extended western block
Ho Thau & Chieu Lau Thi
Additional western nights and massif context beyond the ten-day west-to-east arc.
— Eastern block
Villages to Meo Vac
Quan Ba / Nam Dam through Ma Pi Leng-area walking and optional Nho Que activity.
— Northeast extension
Road days toward Ba Be
Bao Lac, Cao Bang, Phong Nam and Ba Be are itinerary modules; verified Ban Gioc waterfall and Ba Be Lake first-party stills are not in the archive batch for this PR — transfer context only below.
— Route
The line on the map.
Route outline
Day-by-day stops are listed beside this panel. A surveyed trail map for this journey will be published once final route data is verified.
Route outline
- Day 01Hanoi → Nam Hong
- Day 02Nam Hong terraces and village
- Day 03Nam Hong → Nam Ai
- Day 04Nam Ai → Ho Thau → Ban Luoc
- Day 05Ban Luoc → Chieu Lau Thi lodge approach
- Day 06Chieu Lau Thi morning → Quan Ba / Nam Dam
- Day 07Quan Ba / Nam Dam → Lo Lo Chai B
- Day 08Lo Lo Chai B → Khe Lia / Thai Phin Tung → Dong Van
- Day 09Dong Van → Ma Pi Leng → Meo Vac
- Day 10Meo Vac → Nho Que River → transfer
- Day 11Bao Lac → Cao Bang
- Day 12Cao Bang → Phong Nam · Ban Gioc visit
- Day 13Transfer to Ba Be National Park
- Day 14Ba Be morning · Hanoi
— Itinerary
Day by day.
Times and stops are indicative. Pace and arrival are set by the slowest walker, the weather, and the village.
Arrival transfer to Nam Hong. Settle into Red Dao village country with light walking if daylight allows. Overnight Nam Hong.
— Highlights
Moments that define the walk.
- Longest published walking arc on this site — distinct from 7-day, 10-day, 4D and 5D western hub products
- Western depth: Nam Hong base, Nam Ai, Ho Thau, Ban Luoc and Chieu Lau Thi lodge approach when confirmed
- Central Ha Giang: Quan Ba / Nam Dam limestone and terrace context before the eastern cluster
- Eastern core: Lo Lo Chai B, Khe Lia / Thai Phin Tung, Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng, Meo Vac and Nho Que River day
- Northeast: Bao Lac, Cao Bang, Phong Nam, Ban Gioc and extended Ba Be Lake time before Hanoi
- Thirteen named overnights — mix of homestay, lodge, bungalow and town guesthouses as quoted
- Price on request — no published numeric total
— By the numbers
Trek statistics.
- 14 days / 13 nights
- Duration
- Private grand expedition
- Format
- Nam Hong ×2 · Nam Ai · Ho Thau · Ban Luoc · CLT
- Western block
- Lo Lo Chai · Dong Van · Ma Pi Leng · Nho Que
- Eastern block
- Bao Lac · Cao Bang · Phong Nam · Ba Be
- Northeast block
- On request
- Price
— Grading
Physical difficulty.
Demanding
Grade 3 of 3
Long days, steep ground and altitude. Best for confident, well-prepared trekkers.
- Grade 1Easy
- Grade 2Moderate
- Grade 3Demanding
— Where you sleep
Accommodation on the route.
Nam Ai
Homestay · Night 3
After Nam Hong → Nam Ai walk.
Ban Luoc area
Homestay / bungalow · Night 4
Western terrace overnight.
Chieu Lau Thi lodge
Lodge · Night 5
When confirmed — massif approach product shape.
Nam Dam / Quan Ba
Homestay · Night 6
Central Ha Giang context.
Lo Lo Chai B
Homestay · Night 7
Eastern cluster start.
Dong Van
Guesthouse · Night 8
After Khe Lia / Thai Phin Tung day.
Meo Vac
Guesthouse · Night 9
After Ma Pi Leng-area walk.
En route northeast
Lodging · Night 10
Confirmed per quotation after Nho Que day.
Cao Bang area
Lodging · Night 11
Town or district guesthouse.
Phong Nam / Cao Bang
Lodging · Night 12
Before Ba Be transfer — Ban Gioc may be a visit, not the overnight base.
Pac Ngoi / Ba Be
Homestay / lodge · Night 13
Ba Be overnight after transfer — lake time honest to arrival hour.
— On the mountain
Safety & support.
- Insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We strongly recommend that guests purchase their own insurance covering trekking and hiking activities, medical treatment, accidents, emergency evacuation, repatriation and trip cancellation. Please ensure your policy covers the conditions of your chosen itinerary.
- Ma Pi Leng and Nho Que
- Ma Pi Leng and Nho Que access follows applicable closure notices, local safety checks and guide decisions on the day — not a guaranteed rim geometry or boat crossing every departure.
Responsible travel.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We strongly recommend that guests purchase their own insurance covering trekking and hiking activities, medical treatment, accidents, emergency evacuation, repatriation and trip cancellation. Please ensure your policy covers the conditions of your chosen itinerary.
- Price on enquiry. Private expeditions are quoted for your party size, vehicle configuration, confirmed accommodation and dates — we do not publish a fixed per-person price for these routes.
- Walking hours and day shapes follow operator planning for your confirmed line — not guaranteed GPS distances, fixed trail names or hotel availability on every night.
- A private support vehicle appropriate to your group carries main luggage and connects sections where walking every kilometre would not be the product. Vehicle kilometres are logistics, not trekking.
- Ma Pi Leng and Nho Que access follows applicable closure notices, local safety checks and guide decisions on the day — not a guaranteed rim geometry or boat crossing every departure.
- Homestay, bungalow, lodge and town hotel names are confirmed for your dates — examples on this page are field types, not a promise of one fixed brand every departure.
- This is not the published seven-day Hoang Su Phi to Dong Van hiking journey, not the western four- or five-day Hoang Su Phi private hub treks, and not a motorbike Loop package.
- Day 13 is primarily a transfer toward Ba Be — lake boat or walk time is offered honestly only when arrival schedule allows, not as a guaranteed full-day Ba Be experience after a long road leg.
- Chieu Lau Thi overnight depends on lodge availability and weather — confirmed before firm booking.
- Nho Que boat or alternative activity is chosen on the day when guests prefer not to boat.
- Not included unless quoted: Hanoi ↔ Ha Giang / Tan Quang road travel and sleeper-bus tickets unless specifically quoted; Comprehensive personal travel insurance.; Alcoholic beverages, tips and personal expenses; Optional extra nights before or after the expedition; Sapa or other province modules unless specifically quoted.
— Planning
How this expedition is arranged.
Each flagship journey is privately planned after booking. There are no fixed group departures and no shared timetable with strangers — the route is confirmed with you, then shaped to your dates, pace and preferences.
Flexible departure point
Your journey can begin from Hanoi, Ha Giang City, or another location we agree with you in advance. Transfers are arranged as part of the plan rather than as a fixed meeting call.
Private by default
Every departure is private for your own party, unless you specifically ask to join or share with others. There is no open group roster and no strangers added to your dates.
A route that can flex
The published itinerary is a proven skeleton, not a locked script. Days can be extended, shortened or combined with other regions where the ground and season allow.
Stays and transport to preference
Hotels, homestays and vehicles are chosen according to how you prefer to travel — from quieter village nights to more comfortable town lodging — within what each stretch of the route can support.
Pace shaped to the group
Walking distance, rest stops and the daily rhythm can be adjusted where practical, so the expedition matches the fitness and interests of those walking it.
A personalised plan after confirmation
Once your dates are confirmed, we prepare a personalised expedition plan covering transfers, overnight stops, pacing notes and what to pack — not a generic group circular.
— FAQ
Common questions.
The fourteen-day grand expedition adds Ho Thau, Chieu Lau Thi lodge time, Quan Ba / Nam Dam, Nho Que and a longer Cao Bang / Phong Nam / Ba Be block with a dedicated Ba Be overnight plus a morning exit day. The ten-day west-to-east expedition is tighter: Phong Nam ×2 with a Ban Gioc day visit, one Ba Be night, then exit — without the western CLT and Quan Ba modules.
It uses the same real geographic components sold on bespoke departures, reshaped into a published fourteen-day private product with Ba Be extension — without publishing guest names, dates or historical invoice totals.
Price on request. We do not publish a numeric fourteen-day total on this page.
No. Comprehensive personal travel insurance is not included. See good to know for the recommended cover types.
— Booking
What happens after you enquire.
This journey page holds the itinerary, pricing and commercial terms for this route. Confirmation and payment steps are handled directly with our team — not through this website.
- Step 1
Enquire
Tell us your route, dates and group size — by WhatsApp from any programme or tour page.
- Step 2
Confirm
We reply with availability, a clear price and the logistics needed to confirm your departure.
- Step 3
Prepare
You receive what to pack and where to meet before you travel.
— Why book with us
Licensed local operator
Hanoi Travel Mate Co., Ltd. (tax code 0110906485) runs every departure listed on this site — not a reseller or marketplace listing. Licensed Local Operator
Local trekking expertise
Ha Giang has no marked national-park trail network. Paths follow irrigation channels, farm decisions, and weather calls made by people who live on the route. Local trail guides from each community negotiate homestay space, read fog on the ridge, and know when a bamboo bridge is safe after rain — alongside English-speaking trekking leads who handle logistics, pace and guest communication.
Transparent enquiry process
No payment on this site. Enquire by WhatsApp; we usually reply within 24 hours with availability, a clear price and what to pack. Booking Terms
No payment on this site
Every departure is confirmed after a direct conversation. Nothing is collected or stored here. Payment Policy
Safety and responsible travel
Comprehensive personal travel insurance is not included in hub programme prices. We strongly recommend that guests purchase their own insurance covering trekking and hiking activities, medical treatment, accidents, emergency evacuation, repatriation and trip cancellation — see each programme's Includes, Excludes and Good to know. Extended journeys and custom expeditions also do not include travel insurance. Community and forest permit fees are included in programme prices where listed and paid to the communes on your behalf. Extended journey and custom permit requirements vary by route. Safety Policy
Community payments stay local
Homestay payments go directly to host families — we do not take a margin on meals or overnight stays. Responsible Travel
— Deposit, cancellation & enquiry
- Enquire by WhatsApp — we usually reply within 24 hours with availability, price and what to pack
- No payment on this site — confirmation steps are shared directly after your enquiry
- Published extended journeys: 30% deposit and free cancellation up to 14 days before departure — confirmed for your departure before you travel
- If we cancel your departure for safety or weather before you travel, we offer a full refund or reschedule
- Weather or safety may require a postponed or adjusted route — we confirm options with you, not through the website checkout
— Verified elsewhere
Independent profiles for the operating company — not on-site guest reviews.
— Trip shape
Which product line fits your dates?
Days alone do not define the trip. A three-day Ban Luoc hub programme and a four-day Hoang Su Phi extended journey cover overlapping geography but differ in pace, product line and booking page. Programme vs Extended Journey.
Hub programme
One to three focused walking days in Hoang Su Phi, Village Treks or Ridge & Cloud — a defined route with schedule and price on the programme page.
Browse programmesExtended journey
Four to seven days across wider geography on a published multi-day route — itinerary and pricing on each tour page under Extended Journeys.
Extended journeysCustom expedition
Private dates, mixed regions or a route that does not match a published programme or tour — designed after enquiry on Custom Expeditions.
Custom expeditions
Local guides
Local trail guides from the communities on the route, with English-speaking trekking leads on every departure. Guide roles & field notes
Community & permits
Homestay payments go directly to host families — we do not take a margin on meals or overnight stays. Community and forest permit fees are included in programme prices where listed and paid to the communes on your behalf. Extended journey and custom permit requirements vary by route.
Insurance & group size
Comprehensive personal travel insurance is not included in hub programme prices. We strongly recommend that guests purchase their own insurance covering trekking and hiking activities, medical treatment, accidents, emergency evacuation, repatriation and trip cancellation — see each programme's Includes, Excludes and Good to know. Extended journeys and custom expeditions also do not include travel insurance. Extended journeys list party size on each tour page — commonly 4–10 travellers depending on the route.
Operator & enquiry
No payment on this site. Enquire by WhatsApp; we usually reply within 24 hours with availability, a clear price and what to pack. Licensed Local Operator · Safety Policy
— Other routes
Other journeys you might love.
— Plan a departure
Ready to walk the Northern Vietnam Grand Expedition?
Tell us your dates and group size. We usually reply within 24 hours with availability, a clear price and what to pack.
Enquire about a departure- Step 1
Enquire
Tell us your route, dates and group size — by WhatsApp from any programme or tour page.
- Step 2
Confirm
We reply with availability, a clear price and the logistics needed to confirm your departure.
- Step 3
Prepare
You receive what to pack and where to meet before you travel.
Quote · 14 days
Quoted on enquiry