Northern Loop (Vietnam)

After touching down at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi, you’ll be warmly greeted by our local team, who will be there to welcome you and help with any initial questions or needs. From the airport, we’ll travel directly to your accommodation, ideally situated in the lively heart of the city — a perfect spot to begin your adventure in Northern Vietnam. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in, we’ll come together for a relaxed orientation session. This is where you’ll meet the rest of the group, get to know your volunteer coordinators, and learn what to expect over the coming days. We’ll walk you through key information about Vietnamese culture, practical travel tips, and how to stay safe and respectful while enjoying everything this experience has to offer.

After breakfast at the hostel, we’ll kick off the day with a guided tour of some of Hanoi’s most important historical landmarks. Our first stop is Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945 — a key moment in the country’s modern history. From there, we’ll take a short walk to Huu Tiep Lake, where the wreckage of a downed B-52 bomber still sits as a striking reminder of the Vietnam War. Next, we’ll explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, home to fascinating exhibits on Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. This visit is the perfect introduction to the cultural diversity you’ll experience first-hand while volunteering in the northern highlands.

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Hanoi and head south to Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land” — a stunning landscape of limestone cliffs, winding rivers, and green rice fields.

Our first stop is a peaceful sampan boat trip through Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glide along emerald waterways, float through limestone caves, and take in the spectacular scenery of lush karst formations rising from the water. Next, we explore Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital during the 10th and 11th centuries. Here, you’ll visit centuries-old temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, learning about the region’s royal past and early Vietnamese history.

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Cuc Phuong National Park - Vietnam’s first national park and one of the country’s most important biodiversity hotspots. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by local park rangers, who will guide you through the park’s conservation efforts and natural wonders. We begin with a stop at the Visitor Center, where you’ll gain insight into Cuc Phuong’s rich ecosystems and wildlife before visiting two of the park’s leading conservation facilities:

The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

The first program of its kind in Indochina, working to protect critically endangered species like the Delacour’s langur and gibbon.

Turtle Conservation Centre

The largest of its kind in the world, dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of threatened turtle species.

After breakfast in Hanoi, we begin our journey north with a 6-hour scenic bus ride to Ha Giang City. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant — a taste of northern Vietnamese hospitality. In the afternoon, the real adventure begins. We’ll switch to open-air jeeps and continue our journey into the mountains, heading toward Quan Ba. Along the way, we’ll stop at some breath-taking viewpoints:

Bac Sum Pass Viewpoint

Take in panoramic views of winding roads snaking through lush green valleys. A perfect spot to stretch your legs and snap some photos.

Quan Ba Heaven Gate & Twin Mountains

Marvel at the iconic Twin Mountains, rising symmetrically from a sea of rice terraces, and gaze out over one of the most scenic vistas in the region.

After breakfast, we head deeper into the breathtaking karst plateau region of Ha Giang, known for its dramatic landscapes and rich ethnic culture. Our morning begins with a visit to Lung Cam Cultural Village, where you’ll explore a traditional Hmong house famously featured in the award-winning Vietnamese film The Story of Pao. It’s a glimpse into local life and heritage, set against a stunning rural backdrop. Next, we stop at the Vuong Family Palace, also known as the Hmong King’s Palace — a striking architectural blend of French, Chinese, and Hmong design. Once the seat of power for the Hmong royal family, it’s a fascinating piece of history tucked into the mountains.

After breakfast, we begin our journey back through the rugged landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, with dramatic limestone peaks and terraced. As we make our way back towards Ha Giang City, we stop at Lung Tam Village, a quiet riverside community nestled among the hills and home to the Hmong ethnic group. Lung Tam is especially known for its centuries-old tradition of textile weaving. Here, you’ll get a firsthand look at the fascinating process of making hemp fabric — from harvesting and softening the hemp fibers, to naturally dyeing them with indigo and hand-stitching intricate patterns that reflect Hmong culture and identity. It's an opportunity to connect with local artisans, learn about their stories, and better understand the deep cultural roots of this mountain region.

After breakfast, we say farewell to Ha Giang City and set off on a scenic journey southwest toward the highlands of Sapa. Travelling by bus, we wind our way through some of northern Vietnam’s most dramatic landscapes — a patchwork of towering mountains, deep river valleys, and hillside farms. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of remote ethnic villages, water buffalo grazing in the fields, and layers of terraced rice paddies sculpted into the hillsides. It’s a long but stunning drive, offering time to rest, reflect, and simply enjoy the ride as the scenery slowly transforms. By afternoon, we’ll leave the rocky karst formations of Ha Giang behind and enter the cool, mist-covered mountains of Sapa, where a new chapter of your volunteer journey begins!