Hoa Binh
2 days, 1 night
AH-HB08
6/10
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DESCRIBE

This tour is a perfect choice for travelers who want a short but memorable adventure in Hoa Binh, combining water activities, trekking, local culture, and beautiful mountain landscapes in one journey. You will visit the hidden beauty of Dragon Eye Lake, paddle through the peaceful scenery of Ngoi Hoa Bay toward Ba Khan, stay overnight at a traditional Muong homestay in Ngoi Hoa Village, and continue the next day with a scenic trek to Hoa Tien Cave and a panoramic viewpoint over Hoa Binh Lake. This route closely matches how Umove presents the area on its current English Hoa Binh pages, highlighting Ngoi Hoa Bay, Dragon Eye Lake/Hoa Tien Lake, and a 2-day experience built around paddling, trekking, and local culture. 

Highlights

  • Explore Dragon Eye Lake
  • Paddle a SUP board in the pristine beauty of Ngoi Hoa Bay
  • Stay at a homestay in Ngoi Hoa Village
  • Go trekking in Ngoi Hoa Valley
  • 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

07:30 Arrive at the meeting point, meet your guide, and depart for Hoa Binh. Stop for breakfast in Hoa Binh City.

10:00 Arrive at Ngoi Hoa Port. Receive your SUP equipment, learn the basic paddling skills, and begin paddling toward the trekking point for Dragon Eye Lake. From there, take 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, creating a magical and dramatic landscape. With its unique beauty and photogenic scenery from every angle, this is a perfect place for swimming and taking photos. The English naming of this route is consistent with current Umove Adventure pages using Ngoi Hoa Bay and Dragon Eye Lake.

12:30 Walk back from the lake and board the boat for lunch.

14:00 Continue paddling toward Ba Khan. The afternoon destination is a beautiful sunset viewpoint on a peninsula of Hoa Binh Lake. Enjoy a relaxing chill time with cold drinks and fresh fruit while watching the sunset.

18:00 Board the boat to travel to Ngoi Hoa Village. Tonight’s accommodation is a rustic stilt-house homestay that is clean, comfortable, and fully equipped.

19:00 Have dinner at the homestay. After a delicious meal featuring traditional Muong specialties, relax by the campfire with music and cold drinks before going to bed.

*Meal included: Dinner

Day 2: Ngoi Hoa – Hanoi

07:30 Enjoy breakfast and coffee at the homestay.

08:30 Start an exciting trek from the homestay through the valley to Hoa Tien Cave and a beautiful viewpoint where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Dragon Eye Lake and a large section of Hoa Binh Lake.

11:30 Return to the homestay by motorbike taxi to shower and have lunch.

14:00 Board the boat at Ngoi Hoa Wharf. Travel by boat to Ngoi Hoa Port, then get on the vehicle for the return trip to Hanoi.

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

*Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION

Inclusion:

Exclusion:

  • Round-trip vehicle Hanoi – Ngoi Hoa – Hanoi
  • Personal expenses
  • Support boat throughout the paddling route
  • Transportation fee before and after the trip
  • SUP and accessories
  • Beverages during meal
  • Trekking poles
  • Other kinds of beverage unlist in the tour program
  • Meals as the schedule on the itinerary (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)

 

  • Homestay in Ngoi Hoa Village

 

  • English speaking tour guide

 

  • Travel insurance

 

  • Daily drinking water

 

  • Entrance fees

 

THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY

Equipment provided by VAH:

  • Insect repellent
  • First-aid kit
  • Backpack (10L)
  • Reusable bottle
  •  SUP board or Kayak sit – on- top and accessories
  • Life jacket

 

    What to bring: 

  • Hikking shoes / walking sandals
  • Backpack (10L–30L)
  • 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
  • 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

   Also recommended:

  • Hand sanitizer
  • Spare clothing
  • Waterproof phone pouch
  • Multi-tool

 

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 per day.
  • 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.