Escape the bustle of the chaotic city and set out on an adventure through the stunning countryside of the north-west of Vietnam. This 12-day adventure takes you off the beaten path on a tour through deep valleys and towering mountains to remote hill tribe villages, cascading waterfalls and quaint colonial towns.
Tour Highlight:
Enjoy delicious local food
Tour Detail:
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (L, D)
Our guide and private car will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi in the morning before taking you along highway No. 6 to Mai Chau; a small town nestled in the midst of a lust valley surrounded by emerald-green rice fields.
Along the way you can relax and enjoy the views of the amazingly scenic landscape, littered with pagodas and rural villages. We’ll stop for a quick visit to a Muong tribal community, before continuing on through Thung Khe Pass, where you’ll get to enjoy the most spectacular views of Mai Chau Valley.
After lunch in Mai Chau, it’s time to get off the tourist track, and start our trek along the Song Ma River. As you walk, you’ll be constantly surrounded by rice terraces and small villages, letting you truly discover the natural beauty of the valley, and also giving you the chance to experience the culture of the White Thai people, who live in the region. You’ll stop in one of these Thai villages for a home-cooked meal with a local family and an overnight stay in their home. There will also be live dance and music performances for you to enjoy in the evening.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Moc Chau – Son La – Dien Bien Phu (B, L, D)
After having breakfast with your host family, we will drive you to the village of Son La. En route we’ll make several stops at various villages inhabited by H’mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao people, as well as an orchard and tea plantation on the Moc Chau Plateau, famous as the powerhouse of Vietnamese tea production. The total drive to Son La from Mai Chau will be about 200 kilometres, and we’ll arrive just in time for a late lunch.
After lunch and some rest, we continue along the winding mountain roads through North Vietnam’s stunning countryside, with the clear standout in terms of picturesque scenery being Pha Din Pass, famous for the role it played during the 1st Indochina War.
This charming but intimidating road lies at an elevation of 1300 metres, with no shortage of breath-taking views of the valleys below. According to local legend, the name “Pha Din” means “The Connection between Heaven and Earth”, and it’s easy to see how it gained this name when you see it for yourself. On arrival in Dien Bien Phu, you will check-in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
After breakfast, we will get a transfer to a trekking point for the whole day trek to enjoy Vietnam’s national rice terrace heritage. Our trek will start from Che Cu Nha commune to La Pan Tan Commune. It is around 13 km and takes most of our day. This trek will definitely offer us a good opportunity to see the main spots and admire the beauty of amazing rice terraces that Mu Cang Chai has to offer. We will also be able to visit a few villages of the H’mong hill tribe scattered in the area.
Get picked up by our private vehicle around 4.30 PM. Dinner and stay for the night at your homestay/ hotel.
Day 3: Dien Bien Phu – Lai Chau ( B, L, D)
Nestled in a heart shaped basin near the border with Laos, Dien Bien Phu is the famous historical battleground where the climactic battle of the 1st Indochina War took place, finally dislodging the French colonial occupation. We’ll have an early start to the day by first visiting a local market, where you can meet charming people from nearby Thai tribes, dressed in their traditional costumes, as they shop for necessary supplies. Next up is a visit to the Dien Bien Phu Museum to learn more about the history and culture of the area, before heading over to Dien Bien Phu Cemetery where we’ll participate in a minute’s silence in honour of the national heroes who gave their lives for the victory achieved here.
Other sights we’ll visit on this day includes General De Castries’ Bunker, the Old Muong Thanh Bridge and the serene Nam Rom River. After all this, we’ll have a quick rest and lunch and then proceed with our drive to Lai Chau along bumpy countryside roads, passing a number of ethnic villages belonging to the Kho Mu (Xa), Huoi Chan and Bung Giant peoples. Continuing along these scenic roads, we’ll eventually reach Phong Tho, where we’ll cross the fascinating Chinese-built Hang Tom suspension bridge, which hangs over the confluence of the Da and Ma rivers. From here, the road weaves its way northwards through the picturesque and steadily more spectacular Na River Valley, past more ethnic villages of White Thai, Kho Mu and later Red and White H’mong minorities. When you arrive in Phong Tho you will be free to spend rest of the day exploring the local village in here.
Day 4: Lai Chau – Sapa (B, L)
On the fourth morning you will leave Phong Tho for Sapa.
The road is a bit bumpy at times, but the rough route rewards you with magnificent scenery, including yawning valleys, winding rivers and towering mountains; truly any photographers’ dream. The drive will take you up Tram Som, Vietnam’s highest mountain pass, where you’ll get some amazing views of Fansipan Peak, known as the “roof of Indochina” as it’s the tallest mountain found anywhere in Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia.
The final stops en-route to Sapa will be Heaven’s Gate and the Silver Waterfall, before arriving at your destination in the afternoon. Sapa is nestled in a sweeping valley near the Chinese border, and is Northwest Vietnam’s foremost travel destination. Built in 1922 as a French colonial hill station, this quaint town is now a trekker’s paradise, offering hiking routes through terraced rice fields and enchanting hill tribe villages. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the colourful town on your own before your dinner and overnight stay in Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta van Village (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you start trekking down to Lao Chai village of Black H’mong ethnic people. Here you will discover their daily life. Visit the biggest valley which provides the best view for golden rice terrace fields in Vietnam. Have a lunch at local restaurant. After that, you walk to Ta Van village of Dzay people. It is a small group of ethnic people in Vietnam with a rich culture and beautiful houses located on rice paddy fields. Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages, about 8 km from Sapa town, where black H’mong and Dzay people are living. Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terraced fields, stream, discover and visit some Black H’mong families. In the evening, enjoy dinner with music and join in the party with some wine or soft drinks. Stay one night with a local family in the village.
Day 6: Fansipan Cable Car – Ham Rong Mountain – Sapa (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you leave Ta Van to Fansipan Cable Station for an amazing trip to reach the Indochina Roof, 3143m above the sea level: Starting by cable car and step up to the Peak, enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful landscapes from the high.
11h30 – 12h00 Have a lunch at the local restaurant, check in your hotel in Sapa, free time to relax.
In the afternoon: , you will explore the Ham Rong Mountain with unspoiled scenery and spectacular. At here, you can visit many kinds of colorful orchid garden from Indochina area. Passing two Heaven Gate, visitors will be arriving in the top of Ham Rong is called Pitch Cloud, and have panoramic view of Sapa, then going back to your hotel. You will have leisure time. Dinner is service at the restaurant. Free time to visit Sapa town in the evening. ( If you are lucky, you will meet love market is one of unique market of local people , it is only open on Saturday and Sunday night).
Day 7: Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Ha Giang (B, L, D)
07:30 – 08:00: Breakfast is service at hotel, check out the hotel, then transfering to Cat Cat village. Upon arrival explore Cat Cat villages, inhabited by the H’mong people, a French colonial area and a renowned resort for officials from the early 20th century. Visit the hydro-power station and the waterfall of Cat Cat village. Learn about the culture and customs of H’mong people including traditional crafts such as weaving, carved silver and hand-forged agricultural tools.
After that, you will leave Cat Cat village to Ha Giang. You will enjoy and admire mountain view road. You will have a lunch at the restaurant on the way.
17:30 – 18:00 You will arrive Ha Giang, check in your hotel/ homestay in Ha Giang, free time to relax. Enjoy dinner and Sleep at the hotel/ homestay in Ha Giang.
Day 8: Ha Giang – Dong Van (B, L, D)
Travel to remote places in northeast of Vietnam, H’mong ethnic minority
After breakfast, As we set out from Ha Giang after getting our permit from the immigration office, your journey to Dong Van will be filled with spectacular landscapes in the form of a series of long passes. En route you will stop for lunch at the small and beautiful mountain village of Tam Son, before heading to the majestic “King of the H’mong Palace”, a fortress built by a local chief, Vuong Chin Duc, who allied himself with French forces against the Viet Minh. Built in the 1900’s, this palace was designed in the style of ancient Chinese architecture dating to the Qing era, and it was made from materials such as solid stone blocks, wood and terracotta tiles. You will arrive in Dong Van at around 6pm, at which time you will have dinner at a local restaurant and stay overnight in a hotel.
Day 9: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Cao Bang (B, L, D)
You’ll start the day off with breakfast and a visit to the Dong Van Market (if it is Sunday), where locals come from all the surrounding villages to purchase and trade for essentials they cannot produce themselves. Then you will be making the trek up to Pu Lo fortress which was built in 1890 and evacuated in 1945. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the entire region, before climbing 8 km to the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass, through a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, stone forests, and canyons before descending into the valley of Meo Vac. You will then descend into the valley of Meo Vac, visiting Meo Vac Market before continuing on the snaking road through the mountains, crossing the river, and arriving in Cao Bang. You will have dinner and spend the night in Cao Bang.
Day 10: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfall (B, L, D)
Travel to remote places in northeast of Vietnam, Bangioc waterfall
This day is likely to be your highlight of the tour, as we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam; Ban Gioc Waterfall. The drive here from Cao Bang is roughly two hours, and this breath-taking 300-metre wide cascade sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. While you’re here you can spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the spray on your face, practically sitting at the very edge of Vietnam, so close to China that you can actually touch it. After enjoying the waterfall, you will venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave to discover the rock formations which have been carved by erosion over millennia. After visiting the waterfall and cave, you will travel down a beautiful road which is unknown to many, which winds through the mountains before reaching the Nung village of Quang Uyen. You will be welcomed by friendly local master, having dinner at their house and settling in for the night in this cosy traditional Nung house.
Day 11: Cao Bang – Ba Be Lake (B, L, D)
Travel to remote places in northeast of Vietnam, Puong cave, Ba Be lake
Your day will start with breakfast at the hotel followed by a three-hour drive to Cho Ra where you will stop for lunch. From here you will board a boat and take a trip through the three lakes which make up Ba Be Lake and up the Nang River to Puong Cave, a 300-meter long tunnel through a mountain. If it is hot, you can have a swim in the cool, refreshing water before you visit the stilt houses in Coc Toc, a Tay ethnic minority village, where you will spend the night in local Homestay, set in a traditional Tay House and letting you experience the amazing hospitality of the Tay community.
Day 12: Ba Be Lake – Hanoi (B, L)
Travel to remote places in northeast of Vietnam, green Ba Be lake
After breakfast, we’ll take you on a stroll along the riverfront to visit some surrounding villages, followed by a hike up one of the higher points around the lake, providing you with some impressive views surrounded by limestone formations and mountain peaks. On the way here you’ll pass through Pac Ngoi Village, an especially good example of the traditional stilt house architecture. Following this we enter Hua Ma Cave, famous for its thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. On the way back to Hanoi your driver will take you through a pass known as “Dog Flower Pass”, where we’ll stop and give you a chance to take some great photos of the terraced fields surrounding you. After you’ve taken your photos and enjoyed lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll finish our journey back to Hanoi, drop you off at your hotel around 6pm.
End the tour!
Tour Price:
|
Tour Class |
Tour Price In USD/ 01 pax |
Trip Note |
|
Standard |
35$ |
Big bus, big group, no tea break, no hat |
|
Superior |
39$ |
Tourist bus, smaller group, tea break, free hat |
|
Deluxe |
45$ |
Luxury van, smaller group, tea break, free hat |
|
Premium |
50$ |
Luxury limousine, smaller group, tea break, free hat |
Child Policy:
– Children under 4 years old are FOC, sharing a room with parent/s.
– Children from 4 to 6 years of age are charged 50%, sharing a room with parent/s.
– Children from 7 to 09 years of age are charged 80%, sharing a twin/ double room
– Children from 09 years old will be considered adult
– Only one (01) child under 4 years old sharing room with two (02) adults are allowed for FOC
What need to bring:
– You should bring the most important things such as sunscreen, camera, small local money, An Umbrella or raincoat, medical masks, popular medicine such as Painkillers, Plasters, Diarrhoea tablets, Antiseptic, Fever reducer, Pain reliever, Cough suppressant…
Trip Note:
– Please note, the itineraries and schedules are subject to change without notice, depending on the weather and operating conditions.
– Customers should provide their international flight ticket number for picking -up arrangements.
– All passengers should provide mobile phone or email address to the tour operator. The company will contact you directly after you make your reservation.
– If you are vegetarian or have any special food requirements, please advise the local operator in advance.
– If you have some special require such as would like to change something in the tour program or would like to make a new plan trip, please contact to us, so we can give you more information.
Thank you so much.
Have a great trip with Us!
