Overall: Much of the region is wild and inaccessible, yet it contains some of Vietnam’s most awe-inspiring scenery, sparsely populated by a fascinating mosaic of ethnic minorities. Each trip to the remote mountainous area of northern Vietnam has also focused on visiting ethnic minorities who live here. If you take this trip, you will come with them definitely in touch.
Guide and driver meet you at your hotel then transfer to Sapa.
Upon arrival, have lunch at local restaurant then check-in for taking a rest.
Afternoon, a short drive to the gate of Cat Cat village which is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Trekking distance is about 2.5 kms and it lasts for 2 hours.
Come back to Sapa Town. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to discover the town. Overnight in Sapa.
Explore the valleys of Sapa with a trek that takes you to visit the Tay minority and the Red Dao. Drive to Su Pan, the starting point of your trek and commence your walk downhill through picturesque mountain scenery. Stop for a chat with the Tay people of Ban Ho village and see their houses built on stilts. Then cross the suspension bridge over the river and enjoy lunch in a local home where you will get a peek into the daily lives of the people. After lunch, walk through the rice terraces to a Red Dao village for a cup of tea and chat before looping back around to Ban Ho village and walking uphill to Su Pan where the car will be waiting for you.
Overnight in Sapa.
Leave Sapa in the early morning and travel to Bac Ha Village. This mountain town is home to a bustling Sunday market, where ethnic minorities from all over the Sapa region meet to trade goods, food and gossip. The lively atmosphere is awash with vibrant colour as different tribes mingle in their distinctive dress.
Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon take a walk around Ban Pho village to visit a traditional house of a Flower H’Mong minority. Visit the fascinating H’Mong King palace; a unique fusion of western and eastern architecture looming majestically over the valley.
Overnight in Bac Ha.
** Please ensure you have sturdy and comfortable walking shoes as mountain trails can become slippery in wet weather.
Today, leave Bac Ha behind and head off into the untamed northern wilderness of Vietnam. Until recently, this region was entirely untouched by tourism and still remains one of the best areas in the country for a look at authentic daily hill tribe life.
The road to Hoang Su Phi is simply stunning, with twists and turns, valleys and cliffs – all the while watching remote countryside and rice fields pass by below you. Stop for lunch in Coc Pai Village, and enjoy a traditional hill tribe meal.
Overnight in Hoang Su Phi.
** Please ensure you have sturdy and comfortable walking shoes as mountain trails can become slippery in wet weather
Continue on today toward Ha Giang, with the passing scenery becoming more ruggedly beautiful at every turn. This tiny township is nestled on the banks of the Lo River surrounded by densely forested mountain ranges. Arrive in Ha Giang to rest and recharge as the stunning limestone scenery looms impressively in the background.
Overnight in Ha Giang.
** Please ensure you have sturdy and comfortable walking shoes as mountain trails can become slippery in wet weather
Journey to the edge of the world as we travel through the Dong Van plateau to the Lung Cu flag; the perfect place to stand in awe of the Chinese border as the southern regions of this vast republic spreading into the distance.
En route, pass through the emphatically-named Heaven’s Gate, leaving the winding mountain roads behind. Sightseeing along the way includes a visit to the Vuong family building – a mountain outpost built in the ancient Chinese style – and a geology museum that explains this unique geological region.
Overnight in Dong Van.
** Please ensure you have sturdy and comfortable walking shoes as mountain trails can become slippery in wet weather
This morning starts with a heart-racing drive to Meo Vac. Travel along this 22 kilometer stretch of road that is carved into the mountain, as cliffs rise above and the Nho Quy river races below. This stunning gorge is one of the most spectacular natural sights in the region, so the cautious speed of our driver is a welcome chance to savour the view.
Enjoy some sightseeing en route before zigzagging onward to Cao Bang for the evening.
Overnight in Cao Bang.
** Please ensure you have sturdy and comfortable walking shoes as mountain trails can become slippery in wet weather
Head southwest out of Cao Bang to the waterfalls, limestone formations, lakes and jungles of Ba Be National Park. This park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the endangered Vietnamese Salamander, the Crested Serpent Eagle and the Oriental Honey Buzzard.
In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful boat road in the still calm of these surroundings, bird watching and exploring caves used as shelter in wartime. This mountainous jungle paradise is a perfect place to enjoy the hospitality of a local Tay minority family – meet these friendly ethnic minority locals during a homestay in a traditional Tay home tonight.
This morning leave the mountains behind and return to Hanoi. As you return to the hustle and bustle of the city, make a stop at the award-winning Thay Nguyen Ethnology Museum and learn about all the different tribes you’ve encountered along your journey. Arrival time to Hanoi will be approximately mid-afternoon.
