Vietnam Off the Beaten Path 12 Days: Pù Luông, Hà Giang, Phong Nha & Côn Đảo
Walking days in Pù Luông, the Hà Giang loop, a cave in Phong Nha, the Quy Nhơn – Phú Yên coast and two nights on Côn Đảo.
Hanoi → Pù Luông → Ha Giang → Phong Nha → Quy Nhơn → Phú Yên → Côn Đảo
Overview
A twelve-day private route that begins with walking in the Pù Luông valleys, crosses the Hà Giang highlands, continues through cave country and an overnight train to the coast, and finishes on Côn Đảo. Transport, accommodation and an English-speaking guide are arranged throughout.
Village paths, the Mã Pì Lèng pass and a night on the train
Pù Luông and the Hà Giang highlands
You start with two days of walking in Pù Luông, through villages and rice terraces. In Hà Giang you cross the Đồng Văn karst plateau and the Mã Pì Lèng pass, stop in the Nho Quế river area and go up to the Lũng Cú flag tower.
Phong Nha caves and the central coast
After a flight to Đồng Hới you visit Thiên Đường cave or Phong Nha cave. The overnight train takes you to Quy Nhơn for Kỳ Co and Eo Gió, then you drive to Phú Yên for Ghềnh Đá Đĩa, Bãi Xép and Mằng Lăng church.
Côn Đảo: free time and history
You fly to Côn Đảo and have the rest of the day free at the resort. On the last morning you visit the prison relics and Hàng Dương cemetery before the airport transfer.
Road days, the train night and the cave choice
The transfer from Pù Luông to Hà Giang is a long road day, and the Hà Giang program continues with long stretches in the car between stops. One night is spent on the train from Phong Nha to Quy Nhơn rather than in a hotel.
At Phong Nha the cave visit is either Thiên Đường cave or Phong Nha cave. The Nho Quế boat trip, the Phú Yên sunrise photography session and the wellness treatment on Côn Đảo are optional extras rather than part of the standard program.
Highlights
12 days and 11 nights, starting with pick-up in Hanoi and ending with a transfer to Côn Đảo airport.
Two walking days at Pù Luông: a short village loop on arrival, then a longer walk through rice terraces and past a waterfall.
Hà Giang covers the Đồng Văn karst plateau, the Mã Pì Lèng pass, the Nho Quế river area, Đồng Văn old town and the Lũng Cú flag tower.
Domestic flights Hanoi – Đồng Hới and Tuy Hòa – Côn Đảo, plus an overnight train from Phong Nha to Quy Nhơn.
Accommodation runs from lodges and hotels to one night on the train and a resort on Côn Đảo.
From 2,552 USD per person.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Hanoi – Pù Luông
- Pick-up in Hanoi
- Transfer to Pù Luông
- Lodge check-in
- Short village walk
- Viewpoint stop
Day 2
Trekking at Pù Luông
- Trek through villages
- Rice terrace views
- Waterfall stop
- Picnic lunch
- Afternoon walk
- Return to the lodge
Day 3
Pù Luông – Hà Giang
- Depart for Hà Giang
- Long road transfer
- Rest stops
- Hotel check-in
Day 4
Hà Giang – Mã Pì Lèng pass – Đồng Văn
- Đồng Văn karst plateau
- Mã Pì Lèng pass
- Nho Quế river area
- Đồng Văn old town
Day 5
Đồng Văn – Lũng Cú – Hà Giang
- Lũng Cú flag tower
- Ethnic village visit
- Return drive to Hà Giang
Day 6
Hà Giang – Hanoi
- Drive to Hanoi
- Hotel check-in
- Free evening
Day 7
Hanoi – flight to Đồng Hới – Phong Nha
- Flight Hanoi – Đồng Hới
- Transfer to Phong Nha
- Thiên Đường cave or Phong Nha cave
Day 8
Phong Nha – Quy Nhơn by overnight train
- Walking or cave exploration
- Transfer to Đồng Hới
- Overnight train to Quy Nhơn
Day 9
Quy Nhơn – Kỳ Co – Eo Gió
- Arrive in Quy Nhơn
- Hotel check-in
- Kỳ Co
- Eo Gió
- Seafood dinner
Day 10
Quy Nhơn – Phú Yên
- Drive to Phú Yên
- Ghềnh Đá Đĩa
- Bãi Xép
- Mằng Lăng church
Day 11
Phú Yên – flight to Côn Đảo
- Flight to Côn Đảo
- Resort check-in
- Free time by the sea
Day 12
Côn Đảo – historical sites – departure
- Côn Đảo prison relics
- Hàng Dương cemetery
- Transfer to the airport
Included / Not Included
Included
- 11 nights of accommodation
- Private air-conditioned car
- English-speaking guide
- Breakfast and meals as listed in the program
- Domestic flights: Hanoi – Đồng Hới and Tuy Hòa – Côn Đảo
- Entrance tickets to the sites visited
- Overnight train Phong Nha – Quy Nhơn
- Bottled water in the car
Not included
- International flights and visa
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for the guide
- Single room supplement and surcharges for public holidays and Tết
- Travel insurance