Discover North Vietnam from West to East – Part 1

Make the journey of a lifetime from West to East to explore Northern Vietnam. Take a scenic drive to encounter diverse ethnic groups in quaint villages on hidden hills. Witness the beauty of the famous terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai, Sapa and experience the majesty of the Dong Van karst plateau. Take an excursion by cruise on the spectacular Ha Long Bay… This is an ideal package tour for travelers who love to discover isolated mountains and interact with cultural minorities, also very suitable for photographers.

Detailed program:

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival

Welcome to Hanoi, walking tour in the Old Quarter

Landing at the Noi Bai airport, you are welcomed by a professional tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy a 45-minute drive to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter) with the city’s briefing information about the most visited spots, culture, traffic and cuisine….Arrive in your hotel, check in and have a rest.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Note: Hotel check in time at 14.00

Continue the day with a walking tour. Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da quietly located in a small alley – only a few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism since the 19th century. Your tour guide also takes you to typical streets of Hanoi such as Lan Ong Street selling traditional medicine, Lo Ren Street where metal items are produced … Stop to visit the Dong Xuan central market – the largest in Hanoi. Continue walking to the famous area for night activities and street food – Ta Hien street, where you can see the vibrant streets with a lot of the amazing local foods and drinks. Trying to taste some for an unforgettable experience.

Hanoi Great Cathedral

Dong Xuan central market

End at your hotel.

Note: If your flight arrival late or you are jet leg after a long flight, the walking tour will be moved to the city tour day.

Day 02: Hanoi City Tour

Exploring the center of culture & education Van Mieu, outstanding museum of ethnology, visiting French Quarter and discovering Old town

9:00 AM: Get picked up by tour guide to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century for worshiping Confucius and teaching Royal children. Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage “stone steles” which shows the names of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered as the first national university of Vietnam.

Temple of Literature

Temple of Literature

Next stop at the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours.

Ethnology Museum

Ethnology Museum

In the afternoon you visit the French Quarter – it is a “little Paris” in Hanoi with tree-lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Towards the unique One – pillar pagoda which is one of the city’s symbols. It takes us from 1 to 2 hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of travelers.

Come back to the city center and have a rest before enjoying the water puppet shows that are unique performances, first appearing in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and belief of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well.

Day 03: Hanoi – Nghia Lo

Meeting Thai & Muong ethnic group, green tea plantation

8:00 AM: Meet tour guide and driver at your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Muong Lo via Thanh Son. Muong Lo is known as one of the four most important fertile valleys of the Northwest (Muong Thanh in Dien Bien Phu, Muong Tac in Phu Yen and Muong Than in Than Uyen) in which the Thai ethnic group predominates. The village consists of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts and Thai people cultivate the water rice. Drive to national road number 32 along the black river (Da River) one of the most important rivers in the Northwest.

In Thanh Son, we will make a stop to visit the green tea plantation hill then walk through the stilt-house villages. It belongs to the Muong ethnic group, considered as Authentic Viet. The Muong ethnic group is one of few northern communities that is immune to Chinese influence.

Arrive in Nghia Lo, walk or bike around the Thai village to discover the beautiful rice field valleys and hamlets that still preserve the authentic houses on stilts and meet the friendly locals.

Day 04: Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai

Immersing into nature in Mu Cang Chai La Pan Tan, the best rice terraces, Thai, Dao, Dzay culture

Enjoy breakfast then visit a local market in Nghia Lo then transfer to Mu Cang Chai via Tu Le. Mu Cang Chai is well known for its marvelous rice terrace widely considered as the most beautiful in the world. In 2007, Che Cu Nha, De Su Phinh and La Pan Tan were recognized as outdoor masterpieces on the list of national heritage.

At the exit of Nghia Lo, you will cross the hilly region populated by the Dao ethnic group on the hills. Stop for a chance to take photos and meet the local people on the way.

Arrive in Tu Le. It is possible to trek to the valley where Thai people live in houses on stilts and have some unusual encounters that allow you to immerse yourself into the authentic local life. In the afternoon, continue to Khau Pha pass which offers you a splendid panoramic view of the valley of rice terraces.

Then the car will take you to La Pan Tan which is a legendary route for photographers. You will admire the gorgeous rice terrace masterpieces created by the Hmong peasant artists from generation to generation. Enjoy the majestic landscape and follow the route from La Pan Tan to Mam Xoi. End of the day, check in your accommodation. 

Day 05: Mu Cang Chai – Lai Chau – Sapa

Transfer to Sapa, easy trek in Na Tam, living Laotian & Lu people

After breakfast, transfer to Than Uyen, one of the Thai rice valleys. The splendid landscape of rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai will follow you along the way to Than Uyen. Before turning right to Sapa, we will make a stop to visit Na Tam Village where the Laotian and Lu people live. This is a beautiful, tranquil landscape. Traditionally, the local women are distinguished by black teeth and indigo colored clothing encrusted with silver pieces. Take a 2 hour hike through the river, villages, rice fields, and hills and meet the locals.

Than Uyen

Na Tam village

Meet our driver for a transfer to Sapa, crossing Hoang Lien Son pass (O Quy Ho pass). This is the longest and highest pass in Vietnam, 54km in length and 2047m in height. Stop to relax at the top of the pass and soak up the grandiose landscape. This is also a great place for photos. Arrived in Sapa, a town discovered by the French in 1903, in the afternoon. With a temperate climate, Sapa became an attraction for holidaymakers because of its beautiful rice valley, splendid mountain range and the diversity of minority tribes such as Black Hmong, Red Dao and the Dzay ethnics. 

Day 06: Sapa – Bac Ha

Popular hiking route, visiting Lao Chai, Ta Van villages, transfer to Bac Ha

8:00 AM: Meet tour guide and enjoy a 5km scenic transfer to the west of town. We will start a full day of trekking from Y Linh Ho village. Follow the path downhill, interact with the friendly H’mong ladies and children who live in houses nestled in the valley. Enjoy a bit of relaxation at the cable-bridge with the harmony and beauty of the surrounding nature. If you are sportive and adventurous, follow the uphill trek along the buffalo path with breathtaking views and less tourists. For those looking for an easy trek, embark on a leisurely stroll along the Muong Hoa River.

Y Linh Ho village

Muong Hoa River

Direct to Lao Chai village. Turn on a small path crossing the rice field to a small hamlet. Have a special visit to grandma who is the only craftsman left in the community, traditionally using beeswax for decoration to make the unique Hmong’s indigo clothing. It is also a great chance to learn about their daily life and culture.

Continue to Ta Van village, the charming land of the Dzay people, well located on the hill with amazing views of river, rice terraces and Hoang Lien Son Mountain range. As you leisurely walk, meet villagers who will kindly invite you to visit their homes.

Lao Chai village

Ta Van village

Have lunch at a local restaurant then transfer back to Bac Ha via Thanh Kim, Thanh Phu, enjoy stunning views of mountain, river and hydropower lakes along the way. Located at an altitude of 1000m, Bac Ha is home to several ethnic groups such as the colorful Hmong, Phu La and Tay. Bac Ha region is well known for its weekly, colorful markets surrounded by wild and beautiful scenery. The markets are not only for the exchange of goods but also for the cultural exchange of the ethnic groups for centuries. 

Day 07: Bac Ha – Xin Man

Exploring Bac Ha region, typical mountain market, scenic travel route to the Northeast

7:00 AM: Start to explore Bac Ha, it is possible to visit a colorful, ethnic market ( Bac Ha market is on Sunday. Otherwise we can visit Coc Ly market on Tuesday, Can Cau market on Saturday instead). Enjoy the striking atmosphere with so many goods such as vegetables, poultry, horses and buffaloes while capturing many minority groups in their best colorful clothing of the week. After visiting the market, take a walk through some idyllic ethnic villages, which is a typical Bac Ha landscape, interspersed with corn fields, cassava hills and clay houses, plum gardens adorned by H’Mong women and their colorful dresses will accompany you throughout the trip.

Depart to Xin Man, a town at the border between Vietnam and China. En-route, you will take a trip to the center of Lung Cai – Lan Ma communes. Discover the villages, primary school and boarding school for ethnic children, who stay at the boarding school the entire week. This is a great opportunity to interact with teachers and students. From Lan Ma, we will hike down the Lan Ma pass, passing through authentic Hmong villages, a splendid landscape where you can admire the magnificent rice terrace fields. (This trekking route may be done in the opposite direction to enjoy the descent of the pass).

Enjoy a picnic lunch, then meet our driver and transfer to Xin Man. Stop to take photos of the beautiful wild landscapes and meet the locals. Arrived in Xin Man, the main town of the district that is very difficult to access, and home to a beautiful, well preserved ethnic market on Sunday. This is a place for dozens of ethnic groups to meet and exchange their goods and specialties (housewives, edible goods, crafts, animals). It is also a good way to experience the local way of life.

Day 08: Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang

Discovering authentic features, trekking via Me – Lup – Tha villages

After breakfast, say goodbye to the host then travel to Ha Giang via the Hoang Su Phi district. This part will surprise you with its beautiful landscape of rice terraces and green tea hills in Hoang Su Phi. You not only have a chance of encounters with colorful ethnic groups on route, but also to take breathtaking photos.

Arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the afternoon, beginning a trek to the Me – Lup – Tha Village. Featuring serene beauty, these villages are made up of hundreds of houses on wooden stilts covered by palm leaves. In front of the houses, there are small ponds for raising fish and water hyacinth cultivations for pigs. You will be welcomed by big smiles from the villagers testifying to their legendary hospitality. Visit a typical house and discover the local daily life. Arrive in Tha Village, a village on the palm hills with rice fields where you can rest in the serenity. Check in at your accommodation.

Day 09: Ha Giang – Dong Van

Visiting Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Twin Fairy mountain, traditional house of Hmong & Bo Y ethnic people, H’mong King’s Palace

8:00 AM: Travel to Dong Van with the magical landscapes of this region present along the route. Before arriving at the Quan Ba pass, we will stop to visit a village of Bo Y people in the Quyet Tien Commune. Their origin is from China. The Bo Yis a small community of 2000 people who populate in the mountainous parts of the north. Stop at the Quan Ba pass and take a short break to admire Quan Ba town with the famous Twin Fairy Mountain (Nui Co Tien).

Continue to drive to the Limestone rock plateau zone, considered as mountainous Halong Bay. This majestic natural treasure has been listed in the World Geological Park book. On the way, you will discover “Nha Trinh Tuong” (a special type of house) by walking to the Lung Hoa Village. This is the typical house of Hmong people in the village which is built on sticky ground. 

Next, visit the Palace of the H’mong King (Dinh Vua Meo). Dating back 100 years ago, far from the plain, the regions of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac created an autonomous zone with their own king. They cultivated poppies and their economy was based on the opium business with China. Arrive in Dong Van, check in accommodation and relax.

Read more: Discover North Vietnam from West to East – Part 2

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