2 days 1 night self-guided tour to explore the northernmost mountains
Discover the detailed 2-day, 1-night self-guided tour itinerary for Tuyen Quang in 2025, with notable destinations such as Dong Van stone plateau, Ma Pi Leng pass, Lung Cu flagpole, and unique cuisine such as thang co and egg rolls.
Tuyen Quang, the land at the head of the Fatherland, is an enchanting destination with majestic stone plateaus, dangerous Ma Pi Leng Pass, and diverse cultures of the Tay, H'Mong, and Dao ethnic groups. Only about 300km from Hanoi, Tuyen Quang is an ideal choice for a short, emotional trip.
With 2 days and 1 night on your own, you will conquer destinations such as Lung Cu flagpole, Dong Van stone plateau, and enjoy unique cuisine such as thang co, egg rolls. This article provides a detailed itinerary for 2025, practical experiences, and cost-saving tips, suitable for beginners, professional travelers, and those who love to explore.
Why choose a 2-day, 1-night self-guided tour to Tuyen Quang?
Tuyen Quang offers a unique experience with majestic mountain scenery, winding mountain passes, and rich indigenous culture. From Lung Cu flagpole - the northernmost point of Vietnam, to the colorful Dong Van market, Tuyen Quang is a place for you to immerse yourself in nature and people.
With 2 days and 1 night, you can explore the highlights, enjoy the cuisine, and feel the fresh air. Independent travel helps you be flexible with your time, save money compared to package tours, and have the freedom to experience it your own way. In 2025, with improved roads and developed tourism services, Tuyen Quang promises to bring an unforgettable journey.
Frequently Asked Questions:Is 2 days and 1 night enough to explore Tuyen Quang? With a reasonable plan, you will fully experience the highlights and local culture. Let's explore the detailed itinerary below!
Prepare before your independent travel to Tuyen Quang 2025
To make your trip smooth and economical, you need to prepare carefully. Here are the specific steps:
- Ideal timing:March-April (peach and plum blossom season) and October-December (buckwheat flower season) are the best times, with cool weather (15-25°C). Avoid June-August because of heavy rain and slippery roads. Check the 7-day weather forecast via AccuWeather.
- Transportation:From Hanoi, take a bus (200,000-300,000 VND/trip) or motorbike via Highway 2 (6-7 hours). In Tuyen Quang, rent a motorbike (150,000-250,000 VND/day) to explore the pass. If you drive yourself, choose a high-chassis car to easily overcome the pass.
- Finance:Estimated cost 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, entrance tickets). Bring 500,000 VND in cash/person and a bank card (ATMs are popular in Tuyen Quang, but limited in the highlands).
- Accommodation:Book a homestay (200,000-500,000 VND/night) or a 2-3 star hotel (500,000-1,000,000 VND/room/night) via Booking or Traveloka. Choose a homestay in Dong Van for convenient travel.
- Luggage:Bring a warm jacket, non-slip sneakers, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (SPF 50+), first aid kit, personal medication. Prepare a small backpack with drinking water (2 bottles of 500ml) and snacks (bread, sticky rice, 50,000 VND) to save money when traveling far.
- Supported applications:Google Maps, Vietmap for location; Traveloka, Klook for booking bus tickets, homestay; Foody for finding restaurants. Download offline map of Tuyen Quang for use when offline.
- Documents:Bring a border permit (free, made at Tuyen Quang police) if you go to Lung Cu flagpole.
Tips:Check the motorbike before renting (brakes, tires, gas). Bring a raincoat and gloves for safety when going uphill.
Detailed 2-day, 1-night Tuyen Quang travel itinerary 2025
The itinerary is designed to explore the Dong Van stone plateau, Ma Pi Leng pass, Lung Cu flagpole, and enjoy special cuisine such as thang co and egg rolls. Use a motorbike to optimize the experience. Here is the detailed plan:
Day 1: Hanoi – Tuyen Quang – Dong Van – Thang Co
5:00: Depart from Hanoi
Take a bus from My Dinh station to Tuyen Quang (200,000-300,000 VND/trip, 6-7 hours). Stop for breakfast in Phu Tho (pho, banh cuon, 30,000-50,000 VND/meal). Arrive in Tuyen Quang around 12:00, rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day) and get a border permit (free, at the provincial police).
12:30: Lunch and depart for Dong Van
Lunch with egg rolls (VND 30,000/serving), a specialty dish with fish sauce. Ride a motorbike to Dong Van (140km, 4-5 hours) through Bac Sum pass and Quan Ba Heaven Gate. Stop for photos atQuan Ba Twin Mountains(free), view of mountains and rice fields.
17:30: Check-in Dong Van - Ancient Market
Arrive in Dong Van, check in at homestay (200,000-500,000 VND/night). Explore on footDong Van ancient market(free), admire the ancient architecture and bustling atmosphere. Take pictures with the old town under lantern lights.
19:00: Dinner with Thang Co and walking around town
Dinner withThang Co(70,000 VND/serving), traditional soup of the H'Mong people, served with black chicken hotpot (150,000 VND/person). Enjoy coffee (30,000 VND/cup) with a view of the old town. Stay overnight in Dong Van.
Day 2: Ma Pi Leng Pass – Lung Cu Flagpole – Return to Hanoi
5:30: Watch the sunrise and have breakfast
Get up early, ride a motorbike toMa Pi Leng Pass(15km, free) to watch the sunrise on the “king of the passes”. Take photos with the emerald Nho Que river and majestic mountains. Return to Dong Van, have breakfast with au tau porridge (30,000 VND/meal).
7:30: Lung Cu Flagpole
Go by motorbikeLung Cu flagpole(25km, ticket 25,000 VND/person). Climb 839 steps to see the northernmost point of Vietnam, take photos with the national flag. Learn about Lo Lo culture through stalls near the flagpole. Visiting time is about 1.5 hours.
10:00: King Meo's Palace
Go by motorbikeKing Meo's Palace(25km from Lung Cu, ticket 20,000 VND/person). Explore the unique architecture of the H'Mong people and the history of the Meo King Vuong Chi Sinh. Visiting time is about 1 hour.
12:00: Lunch and departure to Tuyen Quang City
Lunch with bamboo rice and smoked meat (80,000 VND/meal). Ride a motorbike back to Tuyen Quang (140km, 4-5 hours), stop to take photos at Sung La valley (free) if there is time. Return the motorbike in Tuyen Quang.
17:30: Shopping for specialties and returning to Hanoi
Buy specialties at Tuyen Quang market such as orange jam (100,000 VND/jar), dried buffalo meat (500,000 VND/kg), Shan Tuyet tea (150,000 VND/package). Take the bus back to Hanoi (200,000-300,000 VND/trip, 6-7 hours). Arrive in Hanoi around 23:30, end of trip.
Compare independent travel and package tours
To choose the right form, below is a comparison table between independent travel and package tours:
| Criteria | Independent travel | Package tour |
|---|---|---|
| Expense | 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person (transportation, food, accommodation, tickets) | 2,000,000-3,500,000 VND/person (including vehicle, food, accommodation, tickets) |
| Flexible | High, free to arrange schedule | Low, fixed schedule |
| Experience | Authentic, close to local culture | Convenient, with tour guides sharing knowledge |
| Suitable for | Young, experienced, love to explore | Newcomers, families, large groups |
Tips for choosing:Independent travel is ideal for those who love to explore and want to flexibly experience the culture and cuisine of Tuyen Quang. Package tours are suitable for beginners or businesses organizing team building (prices from 2,000,000 VND/person). Book a tour through a reputable company to ensure quality.
Tips to save money when traveling independently to Tuyen Quang 2025
To optimize costs, apply the following tips:
- Book early:Book bus tickets and homestay 1-2 months in advance through Traveloka or Klook to save 10-20% on costs.
- Choose the right restaurant:Eat at cheap eateries (VND 30,000-80,000/meal) instead of high-end restaurants. Buy snacks at the market to save money.
- Go in groups:Share homestay and motorbike costs to reduce 20-30% of personal expenses.
- Smart shopping:Negotiate prices for specialties at Tuyen Quang market, buy early in the morning to get fresh products and good prices (10-15% discount).
- Free Points Priority:Visit Ma Pi Leng Pass, Quan Ba Twin Mountains, Sung La Valley to save on ticket costs.
Note:Fill up with gas before going up the pass, check the weather to avoid slippery roads. Bring warm clothes because Dong Van is quite cold at night (10-15°C).
Experience unique cuisine in Tuyen Quang
Tuyen Quang is famous for its highland cuisine. Here are some dishes not to be missed:
- Thang Co:Horse meat soup, offal, served with wild vegetables (70,000 VND/serving, A Phu restaurant).
- Egg rolls:Soft rice rolls with eggs and fish sauce (VND 30,000/serving, Ba Hanh restaurant).
- Baby taro porridge:Bitter porridge from Achyranthes bidentata root, nutritious (VND 30,000/serving, Co Bac restaurant).
- Buffalo jerky:Smoked buffalo meat, 500,000 VND/kg, served with salt and chili.
- Bamboo rice:Grilled sticky rice in bamboo tubes, price 20,000 VND/tube (H'Mong Quan restaurant).
Tips:Go in groups of 4-6 to order combo dishes and save 20%. Ask for prices before ordering to avoid miscalculation.
Fun activities in Tuyen Quang
Besides sightseeing, Tuyen Quang has many interesting activities:
- Conquering the pass:Drive a motorbike through Ma Pi Leng Pass, Bac Sum Pass, enjoy the feeling of freedom.
- Check-in and take virtual photos:Lung Cu flagpole, Quan Ba twin mountains, and Sung La valley are beautiful photo spots.
- Cultural Discovery:Visit Dong Van market (Sunday), experience the life of H'Mong and Dao people.
- Buckwheat flower viewing:October-December, take photos at flower fields in Sung La, Lung Tao.
Tips:Bring spare batteries to take photos comfortably. Respect local culture, do not litter at tourist attractions.
Frequently asked questions when traveling to Tuyen Quang
1. What is special about Tuyen Quang?
Tuyen Quang is famous for Dong Van stone plateau, Ma Pi Leng pass, Lung Cu flagpole, and cuisine such as thang co and egg rolls.
2. Is 2 days 1 night enough to explore?
Enough to visit major spots like Dong Van, Lung Cu, Ma Pi Leng, and enjoy the cuisine with a reasonable schedule.
3. How much does the trip cost?
Self-sufficient about 1,500,000-2,500,000 VND/person, package tour from 2,000,000-3,500,000 VND/person.
4. Are there any special preparations required?
Bring warm clothes, non-slip shoes, border permit. Book motorbikes and homestays early, check the weather before the trip.
5. What to do if it rains?
Check the weather forecast 7 days in advance. If it rains, visit Dong Van market, the Meo King's palace, or stay at a homestay.
Traveling to Tuyen Quang on your own for 2 days and 1 night is a great opportunity to conquer the rocky plateau, explore the local culture, and enjoy unique cuisine. With a detailed itinerary, practical experience, and cost-saving tips for 2025, you are ready to start this adventure. Pack your bags, rent a motorbike, and explore Tuyen Quang today!
