The remote
northwest is one of the most beautiful, unaffected and untouristed areas of
Vietnam. Travellers who come up this way often hire a jeep and driver or do it
by motorbike. Regardless of which method you select, you are guaranteed to pass
through spectacular ravines and over breathtaking passes.
Best known centre is Sapa, there is a lot more worth investigating in this hill
resort town. The remote French firebase of Dien Bien Phu remains a drawcard,
other popular destinations include Mai Chau, Yen Bai and Son La. The interesting
culture of many hill tribe groups and the wonderful mountain scenery of the
north are all on this adventure. The journey is pretty hard, especially in the
wet season. But it is a great chance to explore the remote area and many
colorful markets. A combination of some visits to a wide variety of ethnic
minority groups generally retaining their lifestyle, traditional costume with
high mountains and terraced fields of Vietnam will excite your spirit of
adventure.
Day 1 Ha Noi - Thac Ba lake
Heading out of Hanoi city, we follow the Red River to avoid the city traffic
jams. This windy river road will give a taste of things to come. Our journey
takes you along the river to discover the agriculture civilization of Viet and
Muong people in the Red River Delta. We will stop to visit their traditional
houses and villages on the way. The car stops in Yen Bai Town where you will
take a three hour cruise across the lake, a dugout canoe is provided for an
excursion to Thac Ba Lake containing crystal clear water where there is an
opportunity for a refreshing swim.
Overnight: Hanh Hoa Vien hotel or similar
Meals included: none
ETHNIC MINORITIES OF VIETNAM
There is nothing better than walking amongst the rice paddy patchwork that makes
up the mountains of northwest Vietnam . To awake and wander off from the village
among the clouds and watch as the mist rises from the mountaintops is
unforgettable. Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic minorities and a number of these
have made the mountainous region of the north their base. During our time here
we’ll meet many of these fascinating people and have the privilege of staying as
guests in their villages. As we wander through the mountains we're constantly
met by the delighted squeals and smiles of children and we'll see many members
of the ethnic groups who still wear their traditional dress. We'll meet people
dressed in exquisite hand-embroidered clothes, and others weaving fabrics,
embroidering ancient patterns, dying cloth with indigo and using beeswax to
create a batik design. The ethnic groups are well adapted to the harsh life on
hillsides, and you will see many terraces built into the slopes where rice and
vegetables are grown.
Day 2 Yen Bai - BacHa
Bidding farewell to Yen Bai, we continue further north to Bac Ha - a small town
built on a desolated highland plain west of Lao Cai. Well-known for the
century-old colorful market of the real mountainous people including the Dzao
and the Flower H’Mong. They and the mountains seem to fall in a sleep and time
stands still until Sunday mornings when the Bac Ha market occurs. After checking
into hotel we can enjoy a walk to visit the Hmong King’ former residence and Ban
Pho where villagers make the potent local maize alcohol.
Overnight: Sao Mai hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 BacHa - Cancau market - Sapa
Early this morning we catch our jeep for a 20km drive to Can Cau market, a basic
one but full of the hill tribes with colorful customs. The morning CanCau Market
is close to China border and home to many ethnic minorities such as Flower
H’Mong, Nung, Dzao, they all come down from mountainous, isolated villages
taking along with horses, buffaloes, cats, dogs, chickens for sales, at the
market place you will be surprised and impressed by what they trade and their
colorful clothes. You will have a real discovery on the cultures and lifestyles
of the hill tribes here because they live in a remote and isolated region and
far away from the modern life.
We continue our trip to Sapa through Lao Cai border town, after having lunch and
take a brief look at Ha Khau border gate, we drive up a 30km spectacular pass to
Sapa, arrival in Sapa in the afternoon. At an elevation of 1,600 meters, Sapa
was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French
administrators when the heat on the plain became unbearable. After checking into
hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending our time
wandering around this charming town and some legacies of the French period.
Overnight: Royal hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 Sapa - Cat Cat village- Ta Phin
In the morning we take a short trek to Catcat village, the village of H'mong
tribe in the valley, which remains very generally uncorrupted outside forces.
Excellent views of the valley, the magnificent limestone and paddy fields of
H'mong village. Enjoy some visits to local families and reach their customs.
After the village down into the valley, the Cat Cat waterfall will be visible. A
"White curtain" cascade appears, surrounded by flowery valley and deep-green
pines. The rocks near the river and waterfall provide a marvelous place for
picturesque photos and sunbathing during good weather…
In the afternoon our jeep will take us to TaPhin valley, around 15kms from Sapa.
Here you will see the ruins of the old French Colonial Church by the left-hand
side of this dirt road where we stop to get entrance fees to enter the village.
Leave your jeep at the end of the dirt road then walk into the village to visit
the rich culture and friendly tribes here we visit the villages of the Red Dzao
and Black Hmong minority people, enjoy the view of the valley and visit the
caves in the village's outskirts. Our guide will assist you communicating with
the locals while visiting around the village. Take a ride back to Sapa for
around 30 minutes and you must stop some times on the way to take photos of the
fabulous valley. Many "Kodak moments" are awaiting for you along the way back to
Sapa
Overnight: Royal hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 Sapa - Phong Tho – Sin Ho- Lai Chau
Our first stop today is Silver waterfalls and Heaven Gate on the way to Phong
Tho. From Sapa to Phong Tho you pass through Binh Lu, up over the 1900 meter
Tram Ton Pass , considered the most beautiful stretch of road in Vietnam . If
you happen to be in Tam Duong on a Sunday morning, the town is bustling with
activity as the local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day here. After
lunch in Phong Tho, we keep driving to Lai Chau via Sin Ho. The drive to Lai
Chau is stunning with tiered tea plantations and verdant rice terraces carved
into the landscape. We spend the night in Lai Chau.
Overnight: Lan Anh hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Lai Chau - Dien Bien
The loop continues on to Dien Bien Phu - the site of the decisive battle in
Vietnam ’s struggle for independence in 1954. On the way we see very few other
travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out
about our lives as we are of theirs.
After checking into our centrally located hotel we enjoy a walk around to see
this fast growing town. Dien Bien is only 35km from the border with Laos . Being
the last battlefield of the French during their war with the Vietnamese, which
ended with the fall of the French colonial control in Indochina and the
replacement of the US Army not so long, Dien Bien Phu now returned to be a green
valley inhabited by dozens of the ethnic groups. Visiting the historical sites
in Dien Bien will also make your trip more memorable. To name a few, they are
Dien Bien Museum, A1 Hill, the shelter of the French general De Castries and the
cemetery and memorial of the Vietnamese and French soldiers died during the
fierce fighting. The main stop is Dien Bien Phu Museum which details the event
in place. We also pay a visit to the old battle field where the lush vegetation
grows behind many war relics including old French tanks and artillery pieces.
Overnight: Muong Thanh hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 Dien Bien Phu - Son La
Today we leave Dien Bien Phu for Son La via Tuan Giao. On the way we visit
villages, suspension bridges, take photos and stop over at Pha Din Pass. The
most picturesque scenery is that of Pha Din Pass , which is well-known as a
historical site during the French War in 1954, a high and dangerous pass at
elevation 1,300, and a breathtaking view.
After checking in hotel in Son La, we pay a visit to the provincial museum, the
nearby old prison and the Ta Toong cave which are some of this hill town's major
sights. Have dinner and free time for relax.
Overnight: Cong Doan hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Son La - Mai Chau homestay
Depart to Mai Chau, a beautiful valley inhabited by the Thai people in Hoa Binh
province. On the way we visit Black Thai village and take photos, explore the
hill of tea at the Moc Chau Plateau. After lunch in Moc Chau, continue on the
way. Arrive in Mai Chau around late noon, check in house on stilts of White Thai
at Lac village, and hike around the villages full of house-on-stilts and textile
products of local people to learn about the routine life of Thai tribal people,
who are believed to be homogenous with the Thai people in Thailand and Southern
China . Amongst the 53 ethnic groups of Vietnam, they are considered one of the
most civilized for the delicate dress, for beauty and elegance of women, and for
nice, wide, spacious houses-on-stilts, and above all, for hospitality.
We have a beautiful dinner and enjoy folk songs performed by Thai girls.
Overnight: Thai village homestay
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 Mai Chau - Hanoi
After breakfast in Lac village, trekking around valley Mai Chau, visit Nhot
village and Na Pho (White Thai), return to Hanoi, on the way stop to visit Hoa
Binh hydro power plant, lunch en route. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Meals included: breakfast.
Tour includes:
• Accommodation with daily breakfasts
• Extra meals as per the itinerary
• Private transfer round trip by 7 seater
• Tours and excursions as described in the program
• Entrance fees and permits where applicable during guided time
Tour excludes:
• Pre & post trip arrangements
• Transfers beyond the itinerary
• Local English speaking tour guide (30 usd/day)
• Entrance fees and permits during free time
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Food & drinks not mentioned within the itinerary
• Tips and gratuities
• Expenses of a personal nature such as bar bills, laundry and telephone charges
• Other services not clearly described in the program
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