Ha Giang Loop – Cao Bang Extension – 8 Days/ 7 Nights Eco-Odyssey

• Intimate & Personal Immersion: Limited to a maximum of 8 guests, ensuring your connection with the land and its people remains profound and private.
• The “Six Cherished Gems” Included: We have seamlessly woven six of the region’s most spectacular, off-the-beaten-path locations into our route at no extra cost:
  • Phong Nam – Ngon Lon Valley: Serene, untouched terraced beauty.
  • Khau Coc Cha Pass: A legendary 14-storey serpentine ascent.
  • Truc Lam Phat Pagoda: Sacred grace overlooking the frontier.
  • Khuoi Ky Stone Village: A 400-year-old Tay legacy carved in rock.
  • God’s Eye Mountain: A mystical, neotectonic marvel.
  • Cao Bang Nocturnal Tapestry: Immersive evening culture at the city’s vibrant night market
•  Regenerative Adventure: A journey where you ride, reflect, and restore. Every booking supports community-led reforestation and indigenous empowerment.

This Tour Is Perfect for:

• The “Slow & Deep” Traveler wants to see the icons (Ma Pi Leng, Ban Gioc) but also wants to linger in forgotten valleys like Phong Nam and stay in authentic, stone-carved villages.
• Adrenaline-Seekers with a Soft Spot for Comfort, crave the thrill of the motorbike through Ha Giang but appreciate the transition to an air-filtered eco-van for the long-range vistas of Cao Bang.
• Culture & Heritage Enthusiasts are interested in the specific nuances of ethnic groups—from the Dao shamans and Tay weavers to the sacred traditions of the borderland pagodas.
• You value sustainable practices, such as zero-plastic initiatives and carbon-offset contributions to the Tay Con Linh groves.
• The 8-day pace provides the “golden hour” lighting needed for the perfect shot of God’s Eye Mountain or the misty curves of Khau Coc Cha

Not Suitable for:

• Travelers seeking 5-star luxury resorts or high-end urban hotels.
• Individuals with severe motion sickness or a fear of heights.
• Those who prefer short, urban sightseeing over immersive outdoor adventure.

• Fitness Requirement: Moderate health; ability to hike 5km in 1,5 – 3 hours on varying terrain and sitting as a pillion passenger for several hours
• Health: Not recommended for those with severe back/neck issues or extreme motion sickness.
• Age Limits: Ages from 10 to 15 with parents; from 16 to 65: recommended
  * Over 65: Welcome if physically fit (regular hikers/cyclists) and have no chronic back/joint issues.*
• Protocols: Daily safety briefings and weather checks are mandatory
• Gear: High-quality rain gear and protective safety equipment are provided for all guests.
• Risk Management: Guides carry first aid kits; nearest hospitals are identified for all routes
• Adaptability: Mountain roads are unpredictable. We may adjust routes in real-time due to weather or road construction, always prioritizing your safety over the itinerary.

• Accommodation: Private rooms at handpicked ecolodges, hotel, or traditional homestays
• Daily Breakfast: Served at your accommodation
• Lunch: Authentic local dishes at regional restaurants
• Dinner: Hearty family-style meals at homestays or guesthouses

• Transport: Expressway Limousine, Premium Motorbikes with Easy Riders (Days 2–4), and a private 7-seat Eco-Van (Days 5–8)
• Expert Team: English-speaking guide and professional local riders
• Entry: All entrance fees and border permits
• Safety Gear: Quality helmets and protective pads
• Sustainability: Reusable metal water bottle
• Insurance: Basic travel insurance during the tour

• International/ Domestic flight, visa
• Personal drinks (alcohol/soft drinks) and personal expenses
• Tips for guides and riders (Suggested: 200k VND/day/person)
• Personal medication or additional comprehensive insurance

Advance booking is required to secure your spot. Once you reserve, our team will personally follow up with an invoice within 1 business day via email. To confirm your adventure, please deposit 30% to secure your spot within 72 hours.

Payment Methods: We accept Bank Transfers (VND/USD): PayPal, and Revolut (Highly Recommended).

(Why Revolut? It is the fastest way to pay and bypasses the hefty $25–$50 fees typically charged by traditional banks for SWIFT/International transfers.)

💡 Guide: Paying via Revolut (How to Avoid High Fees)

To ensure we receive the exact amount and you save on bank charges, please follow these steps:

• Exchange to VND first: Open your Revolut app, go to ‘Exchange’, and convert your currency (EUR/GBP/USD) into Vietnamese Dong (VND). Revolut offers the best interbank exchange rates.

• Start Transfer: Tap ‘Transfer’ -> ‘New’ -> ‘Add Bank Recipient’.

• Select ‘Business’ and choose ‘Vietnam’ as the country.

• Currency Selection: Ensure you select VND as the sending currency. This ensures the transfer goes through local networks, which is much cheaper and faster than SWIFT.

• Enter Details: Use the Account Name, Account Number, and Bank Name provided in your invoice.

• Reference: Please include your Invoice Number or Full Name so we can track your payment instantly.

✅ After Payment: Your Confirmation

Notify Us: Once your transfer is successful, please send a PDF or screenshot of the receipt to our email

Official Confirmation: Within 24 hours of receiving your proof of payment, we will send a Warm Confirmation Email containing your final trip details, packing list, and everything you need for the journey.

Life happens, and we strive to be as flexible as possible. Our policy ensures fairness for your travel plans and our local team’s preparation:

• Standard Cancellation & Refunds:
  • 30+ days before departure: 100% refund (minus the non-refundable deposit/transaction fees).
  • 15–29 days before: 70% refund of the total tour value.
  • 7–14 days before: 50% refund of the total tour value.
  • Less than 7 days (including No-show): No refund (0%), as all logistics, vehicles, and guides are fully committed.
• Flexible Postponement:
  • 15+ days before: Free postponement! Reschedule your adventure within 6 months at no extra cost.
  • 7–14 days before: Postponement is available with a 30% adjustment fee to cover guide and logistics changes.
  • Force Majeure: includes natural disasters (floods in Ha Giang/Cao Bang), epidemics, road damage, or sudden health issues (with medical certification). In such cases, 100% refund (minus transaction fees ~2-5%) or free postponement.
• Special Benefits & Flexibility:
  • International Travelers: We offer an additional 3-month postponement window if you can provide proof of international flight changes.
  • Repeat Adventurers: Enjoy a free first postponement and priority rescheduling.
• Note on Deposits: A 30% deposit is required to confirm your booking. While non-refundable, this deposit is transferable to any other TVPalm tour within 6 months if you cancel at least 15 days in advance.

We pride ourselves on personalized hospitality and flexibility. Our amendment policies are designed to be fair and stress-free:

• Deposit: 30% of the total tour value (or a minimum of VND 500,000 for day tours), non-refundable in all cases to confirm booking and cover preparation costs. Deposits can be transferred to another tour within 6 months if canceled early.
• Notification: Must be in writing (email, website form, or confirmed message) to record the time.
• Insurance: Customers are encouraged to purchase personal travel insurance. TVPalm provides basic tour insurance (covering accidents and emergency medical), but it does not include personal cancellations.
• Updates: Policy may be adjusted seasonally (rainy season in Northwest from June-September) or per legal regulations (Vietnam Tourism Law 2017). Always check the website before booking
• Free Adjustments: We are thrilled to tweak your dates or customize services for your perfect trip! Written requests made more than 15 days before departure are completely free of charge. (Note: Adjustments within 15 days may incur a small fee of VND 1,000,000 to cover logistics setup).
• Participant Swapping: You may transfer your spot to another person free of charge up to 3 days before departure, provided the new traveler meets our health and fitness guidelines.
• Midway Changes: If you feel under the weather during the tour, our caring guides will support you every step of the way and ensure your safe return. While unused portions of the tour cannot be refunded, your well-being remains our absolute priority.

At TVPalm, we don’t just visit the Northeast; we invest in its future. Our 8-day odyssey is a Regenerative Journey designed to leave the land better than we found it.

Our Core Commitments

• Direct Wealth Distribution: 100% of our stays are in locally-owned ecolodges and heritage homestays. Your visit directly empowers Dao, Tay, and H’Mong families, keeping ancestral traditions alive.
• The Tay Con Linh Initiative: A portion of every tour profit is dedicated to our tree-planting projects. We are actively reforesting sacred groves to protect the watershed and biodiversity of the region.
• Zero-Plastic Mission: We have eliminated single-use plastic bottles. We provide a reusable metal bottle and high-capacity purified water refills throughout the 1,130 km route.
• Heritage Preservation: By including sites like the Khuoi Ky Stone Village and traditional blacksmith forges, we provide the economic incentive for these communities to preserve their unique architectural and craft legacies.

How You Can Help

• Tread Lightly: Stay on marked trails during our “Sky Path” and valley treks to prevent soil erosion in the UNESCO Geopark.
• Cultural Respect: Always ask for permission before taking portraits of ethnic minorities. Your guide will help facilitate meaningful, respectful interactions.
• Support Local Crafts: We visit authentic weaving and forging workshops. Purchasing directly from the artisans ensures their craft remains viable for the next generation.
• Traveler’s Impact: By choosing this 8-day pace over a rushed loop, you reduce carbon intensity per day and allow for deeper, more ethical engagement with the communities that call these mountains home.

• Clothing: Pack lightweight, quick-dry clothes and a windproof/waterproof jacket, as mountain weather can shift rapidly. Don’t forget your swimwear if you wish to cool off in the local waterfalls.
• Footwear: Sturdy trekking shoes or sports sneakers with good grip are essential. For safety reasons, flip-flops or sandals are not recommended for riding or trekking on mountain passes.
• Personal Gear: Sunscreen, insect repellent (DEET 30% recommended), and polarized sunglasses to protect against the mountain sun.
• Luggage: Bring a small daypack for your essentials. Larger suitcases or heavy luggage can be safely stored at TVPalm Ecolodge while you are on the loop.