Hoa Binh
2 days, 1 night
AH-HB05
6/10
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DESCRIBE

This tour is a perfect choice for travelers who want a short but memorable escape into the natural beauty of Hoa Binh. It combines the most attractive highlights of the area in one journey: visiting the secluded Dragon Eye Lake, staying overnight at a traditional homestay in Ngoi Hoa Village, and paddleboarding through the majestic limestone scenery of Ngoi Hoa Bay with a support boat accompanying the entire route. According to Umove’s current English tour pages, this area is known for its pristine landscape, local Muong village setting, and a route that is suitable for most travelers, even those with little paddling experience.

Highlights

  • Explore Dragon Eye Lake
  • Paddle a SUP board or kayak through the unspoiled beauty of Ngoi Hoa Bay
  • Stay at a local homestay in Ngoi Hoa Village
  • Enjoy delicious local specialties
  • Travel with a support boat throughout the paddling route 
SUMMARY

  • Departure Point: Hanoi

  • Duration: 2 days, 1 night

  • Destination: Hoa Binh

  • Activities: Kayaking

  • Min : 6 people

  • Best time: Year-round

  • Max : 15 people

  • Difficulty level: 6/10

IMAGES / VIDEOS
ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi – Ngoi Hoa Port – Ngoi Hoa Bay – Dragon Eye Lake

12:30 Meet your guide at the pickup point and depart for Hoa Binh. Guests should arrange their own lunch before departure.

14:30 Arrive at Ngoi Hoa Port, where we will board a boat to Dragon Eye Lake. From there, enjoy a short 20-minute walk to reach the lake, a secluded body of water surrounded by mountains. Depending on the water level, the size of the lake can change significantly. During the low-water season, many dead tree trunks emerge, giving the area a magical and dramatic landscape. With its unique natural beauty and stunning views from every angle, this is a perfect place for swimming and taking photos.

16:30 After relaxing and swimming at the lake, we will walk back to the boat and continue to Ngoi Hoa Village. Tonight, we stay at a rustic stilt-house homestay that is clean, comfortable, and fully equipped.

18:00 Enjoy dinner at the homestay. After a delicious meal featuring local Muong specialties, relax by the campfire with music and cold drinks before overnight stay.

*Meal included: Dinner

*Group tours depart on Saturday afternoon. For private tour requests, please contact Umove Adventure directly.

Day 2: Ngoi Hoa – Hanoi

07:30 Have breakfast at the homestay.

08:30 Begin the SUP journey to explore Ngoi Hoa Bay. Throughout today’s 1.5 to 2-hour paddling trip, a support boat will accompany the group at all times to ensure safety. Paddling along the cliffs, we will head deeper into the bay, where the lake becomes narrower and the high limestone walls on both sides create a truly majestic landscape. Along the route, we will make several stops for photos and enjoy swimming in the clear, refreshing water of Hoa Binh Lake.

11:00 Return to the homestay for a shower and lunch.

14:00 Take the boat back to Ngoi Hoa Port, then board the vehicle for the return journey to Hanoi.

16:30 Arrive in Hanoi. End of the tour.

*Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

Exclusion:

  • Round-trip vehicle Hanoi – Ngoa Hoa Port – Hanoi 

  • Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program

  • Support boat throughout the paddling route
  • Transportation fee before and after the trip
  • SUP / kayak and accessories

  • Personal expenses

  • Meals as the schedule on the itinerary (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)

  • Beverages during meals
  • Homestay in Ngoi Hoa Village

 

  • Daily drinking water

 

  • English speaking tour guide

 

  • Travel insurance

 

THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY

Equipment provided by VAH:

What to bring:

Also recommended:

  • Insect repellent
  • Hikking shoes / walking sandals
  • Hand sanitizer
  • First-aid kit
  • Backpack (10L–30L)
  • Spare clothing
  • Backpack (10L)
  • Reusable bottle
  • SUP board or Kayak sit – on- top and accessories
  • Life jacket
  • Trekking clothing: Summer: quick-dry clothing, wide-brim hat; Winter: waterproof windbreaker, fleece or sweatshirt, thermal base layers, trekking pants or quick-dry pants, thermal pants
  • Waterproof phone pouch
  • Multi-tool

 

  • SUP clothing: long-sleeved swimwear (rash guard) or T-shirt and shorts

 

 

 

  • Sun protection: hat/cap, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen

 

 

  • Personal medications

 

 

  • Electronics (Mobile phone, camera, power bank...), appropriate waterproof cases

 

 

  • ID or passport

 

TOUR EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT NOTES

1. SUP paddling/ Kayak and Trekking Notes

  • Distance: The trekking route is approximately 2 km and 5 km for SUP paddling route.
  • Terrain: We will explore a route featuring diverse terrain, from vast open waters to towering mountain ranges that create a striking contrast. The paddling route is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains, lush green forests, and pristine, picturesque villages. The trekking route, on the other hand, is very gentle, with trails that have little to no steep inclines
  • Suitability: This route is ideal for most fitness levels, including beginners. Families arewelcome, children from 6 to 10 years old are eligible to participate.

2. Responsible Travel & Environmental Protection

  • Leave No Trace: We strictly follow and promote the Leave No Trace principles in all our outdoor programs. We encourage our guests and partners to apply these ethics to minimize our impact on the natural environment. [See details about Leave No Trace here]
  • Reduce Plastic Waste: To limit single-use plastics, we encourage everyone to bring a reusable Reusable bottle (minimum 1L capacity). Refill stations will be provided throughout the trip.
  • Local Regulations: We kindly ask all guests to comply with the specific environmental regulations and instructions provided by our guides at the destination.

3. Health & Safety

  • Medical Considerations: Your safety is our priority. If you have a history of cardiovascular conditions or chronic joint issues (knees, ankles, shoulders, etc.), please consult with your doctor before booking this trip.
  • Physical Fitness: Please maintain a regular walking routine of approximately 5–7 km per day in the weeks leading up to the tour to ensure you are adequately prepared for the trek.
  • Transparency: Please inform our tour guide of any existing health conditions or allergies at the start of the journey so we can support you best.