Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi.

Arrival at Hanoi airport, the guide and the driver will welcome you and proceed to the transfer to the city center.You will feel the rhythm of the daily Hanoian life entering the old quarters. Although the city is becoming more and more dynamic, active and modern, we can still feel past vibrations in the neighborhood of the 36 streets : the Kim Ngan Dinh (communal house jewelry), the old house at 87 Ma May, Hoan Kiem Lake, temple of Jade, the Brush tower. Lunch or welcome dinner (according to arrival time) Included meals: lunch or dinner.

Note: Check in time at the hotel: 2pm

Option: If you don’t want to visit the city right after because of the long flight, we will suggest you a massage. You will have one hour to relax, extra cost of 15$ per person will be ask.

Day 2: Hanoi. Visit of the city

After breakfast, stroll through the residential area where there is the former Palace of the Governor General of Indochina, the house and the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, visit of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. Then you will continue visiting the many monuments and cultural relics thousands of years which are deeply connected to Vietnam history and its legends such as the Literature Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda… These are representatives of the Vietnamese belief. We believe in the real or unreal geniuses as the heroes of the country, famous characters, or even the earth, the mountains, the river or tree geniuses… This genius system varies according to one ethnic group to another and each region. Lunch in a local restaurant.In the afternoon, you will visit the Ethnographic museum in which is retraced the ethnic minorities life in Vietnam. The objects, houses, clothes, documents are gathered among the museum. You will have the opportunity to enter in the long house of Ede, Jarai the Rong house or the earthen house of Ha Nhi… a visit of all the ethnic groups.By late afternoon, you will attend a water puppet show. This is a traditional Vietnamese art which mies both folk music and actions of wooden puppets. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Note: For nightly Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you will have the opportunity to watch the Ca Tru show and have the opportunity to try the Vietnamese musical instruments.

Day 3: Hanoi – Nghia Lo (230km/ 6h journey)

Nghia Lo is a municipal city lying in Yen Bai province, 84 km away in the north of Hanoi. It is 250 meters altitude above the sea level and is covered by high mountains. This is why it has a pleasant climate (with average temperatures of 24-27 degrees Celsius). Nghia Lo is also considered as the cultural territory of the Tay, Muong, Nung, Thai minority population, contributing to the table of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In Muong Lo Valley, people develop their daily lives while retaining their old values of mind : the songs, the dances, the roofs of houses on stilts… all traditional beauties are still present in this municipal city. From Hanoi, you will take the road to Nghia Lo through the following places : Son Tay, Thanh Son and Phu Yen. Also stunning scenery of mountains, green valleys, rice fields and villages of Black Thai minority. Women and black Thai girls go to the rice field or school, they still wear their traditional costume : a long black skirt, straight and tight, very tight bodice, bright color, closed in front by a tight line of silver buttons. Under the bodice, the base of the breasts to the waist, women wrap the torso of a long strip of fabric making corset effect. In may and september, the rice fields are yellow which offers a magnificent panorama. From above, you will have a beautiful view of the valleys and hills. On the road, women go to work and children to school. All the activities are going on within an incredible lightness. Lunch on the road. Arrival at Nghia Lo, you will spend a night with the locals, you can talk with family members. Preparation of the dinner, dining in the traditional home of black Thaïs. They will help you to understand better the locals life. (Basic comfort). Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4: Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai – Tam Duong(240km/7h journey)

On this beautiful day, you will cross the capitals of Tu Le, Mu Cang Chai, Than Uyen… admire the beautiful scenery of rice terraces of North Vietnam and gain heights. At Mu Cang Chai arrival, you will visit a Muong village. Lunch on the road. Arrival in Tam Duong in late afternoon. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Tam Duong – Sapa (110km / 2h50 journey)

The main interest of this place is the district market (Thursday and Sunday), 6 km on the road to Tam Duong Lao Cai. This market is one of the best that you can currently see in northern Vietnam. Sellers and buyers come from everywhere, the most remote villages are more than one day’s walk. The beautiful scenery and the many villages can also encourage to visit the nearby Tam Duong. It is possible for the traveler who has more time to commit to one of the paths, which starts through the hills or from Tam Duong same either from the district market, it’s an experience very rewarding. The trail is experiencing route ramifications, they lead to the hamlets of Hmong and Dao. The nearest villages are within an hour’s walk, some are more than a day. But for you, it will be a shorter walk that take you to the meeting of these populations. The road of Tam Duong to Sapa follows the gorges of the Nam Na River after crossing the Black River. It is a journey into a wild nature, villages are very rare. The road, sometimes way, is quite good. On the way, you will meet women Dao, they wear black or blue pants, tunics covered with embroidery and large black turbans on a skull whose front part is shaved once they marry. Carrying heavy bundles of wood, they come down the mountain by narrow paths as direct as steep, to the outlets installed along the road, they are held by Thai or Viet. Around new houses were built some terraces for growing rice, corn and vegetables. Arrival in Sapa around noon. Check-in at the hotel. After lunch in town, you will start exploring the beauties of Sapa ! You ascend the hill of Ham Rong (Hill of the Mouth of the Dragon) for a panoramic view of the city and its wonderful scenery, then you will enter the Orchid Garden, the ancient church. Continue your visit in Sapa by strolling through the narrow streets to the Sapa market. You will visit a “mall” of local inhabitants, ethnic minorities of Sapa. Dinner in town. Overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 6: Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van

After breakfast, you will go to the village of Y Linh Ho where you will start your day hiking towards Red Dao, Hmong flower and Tay ethnic villages through the magnificent rice terraces.  In august and september there is the rice harvest. All space is covered with the yellow of ripe rice. From above, you will have breathtaking views of the valleys : sources derived nearby hills, roofs balms are hiding in the shade and children laughing in the playgrounds. Picnic in Y Linh Ho. In the afternoon, you will continue the road to the village of Ta Van. Ta Van, which means “the great arc”, is perched on the side of the Hoang Lien mountain. The village is located on the banks of Muong Hoa stream and surrounded by rice fields stepped forming arcs matching the mountain. Beyond the stream, we find the remains of votive steles, place of worship practices in Vietnam in the past. This area of ​​ancient steles has been recognized in 1994 as a historical and cultural relic of the country. It includes nearly 200 stone blocks of different sizes, carved images and ornaments inspired by the ancient mysteries of the culture of Lac Viet. At the end of the day you will have free time to meet the villagers, to ask them questions about their lives. Diner and overnight at homestay or hotel Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7: Sapa – Bac Ha (110km / 2h50 journey)

Located in the mountains, 76 km away from the town of Lao Cai, Bac Ha weekly market is considered by visitors as a unique place, attractive, interesting and authentic. The market operates every sunday, it is the place of exchange of agricultural products essential to everyday life of the North Vietnamese. The merchants gather at dawn on a wide field under small tents with their products, the women sell skirts, hats, belts… handmade with colorful fabric emblematic of the region. Other women shout customers to buy vegetables, fruits, medicinal roots or corn alcohol. This is a strong exchanging place, where young people laugh, sing, dance and play the flute pan. Moreover, this market is considered as a center of trade livestock such as horses, buffaloes and dogs. Lunch in a restaurant in Bac Ha. Then start walking to visit the hamlets around Bac Ha Ban Pho Ban Pho 1 and 2 inhabited by the ethnic Hmong colorful. Visit the abandoned remains of Huang A Tuong, a former head Hmong.

Note : Bac Ha market opens every Sunday, so if your stay does not fall on a Sunday, we suggest you either change the route a bit, or we’ll take you to other authentic ethnic markets as, the market Coc Ly on Tuesday morning, the market Lung Khau Nhin Thursday morning or Can Cau market on Saturday morning.

Included meals: breakfast and lunch, diner

Day 8: Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang – Thon Tha (200km/ 5h journey)

You’ll take the road to Ha Giang crossing Xin Man & Hoang Su Phi. Admire while traveling beautiful landscapes of mountains, carved checkerboard of rice fields and terraces. The slopes traditionally grown after burning are gradually worked into irrigated terraces. Women tend to spend most of their time there, while men are still going into the forest to look for games, or picking mushrooms, berries, wild plants, which are a significant contribution to the usual diet based on rice, corn, beans and cucumbers, as well as chilies which are components of many dishes.  Lunch on the road. Arrival in Ha Giang in late afternoon. Homestay accommodation in the village of Thon Tha. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
Note : the traffic beween Bac Ha Xi Man and Hoang Su Phi can only be possible by motorcycle or car with 7 places and a correct weather. We will offer you another direct road between Bac Ha and Ha Giang for cars that have more than 7 places. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 9: Thon Tha – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Dong Van (140km/ 4h20 journey)

In the morning, you will make a discovery trek in villages around Ha Giang and you will meet local ethnic minorities such as the : Tay, Dao, Hmong. The hike will continue in the green landscape in the middle of rice fields and typical houses. Departure to Dong Van via Quan Ba, the road passes by a neck and overlooks beautiful landscapes of rice terraces. In the middle of a small plain, the largest village in Quang Ba is nestled at the foot of “sugar loaves”. Wrapping around these peaks, rice terraces draw long sensual undulations which gentleness contrasts with the arid surroundings. Visit Dong Van market and depart by road to visit the abandoned house of Vuong Chinh Duc, a former head Hmong.  Lunch on the road. Arrival in Dong Van, to the hotel and overnight in Dong Van. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Meo Vac – Bao Lac  (118km/ 3h52 journey)

Breakfast and departure for Ba Be via Bao Lac, a district of the province of Cao Bang. In this environment, the weekly markets play a very important role for the local inhabitants. As the market in Bac Ha or other parts, it is the common area of ​​exchanges of everyday’s products such as corn, rice, clothing, alcohol, or vegetables, which are essential to the ethnic minorities lives. Weekly markets are intercultural places between different ethnic groups : the Tay, Hmong, Dao, Pu Peo, the Ha Nhi. You will have the opportunity to experience the local residents lives by visiting the weekly market in Dong Van. After having visited the Dong Van market, departure to the Lo Lo minority’s village. Then you will travel to visit the Lung Cu Flag Tower. Lunch. In the afternoon, you will continue the trip to Bao Lac. Installation at the hotel. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11 : Bao Lac – Khuoi Khon – Ba Be (148km / 4h30 journey)

After breakfast, you will go hiking to the village of Khon Khuoi inhabited the Black Lo Lo. For centuries, they live here in small villages in the middle of tropical forests and rice terraces. They possess rice, corn, cotton and other food crops. You will meet on dirty roads and in fields many black LoLo women in traditional costumes.Drive to Ba Be Lake via Tay villages. Lunch on site and overnight in an traditional Tay house on stilt. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12: Ba Be. Visit

Ba Be Lake – Lake of Three Seas, is located in the middle of a national park. It is considered as a nature pearl lost in the Bac Kan forests. It is a site that attracts many visitors thanks to its outstanding biodiversity. The Ba Be Lake is one of the 20 largest freshwater lakes worldwide. Breakfast on the terrace with a view on the nature will give you the needed strength for the today to discover the beauty of the lake. The cruise will last approximately 5 hours during which you will be able to admire breathtaking landscapes. From above, the boat is as beautiful as a sliding leaf on jade water. The An Ma temple, the fairy pond, Puong cave, the Dau Dang waterfall are the sites of the visits mentioned in the walk. In addition, you  will be able to be as closer as possible to the people entering the village of Cam, another place where live the Tay people. Get your camera ready !  Lunch,dinner and overnight. Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 13: Ba Be – Hanoï (220km/ 6h journey)

After breakfast, you will discover the village in a bike ride. The sound of insects, leaves, sources dominate all the pure space. Visit the cave of Hua Ma. Then you will take the road to Hanoi. There will be several stops in order to relax your legs, take pictures, or talk with villagers. Back in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel. Lunch on site, dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 14: Hanoï – Ha Long (170 km / 3h30 journey)

Halong Bay is known as the 8th wonder of the world thanks to its magnificent landscapes, beautiful caves, pure air and rich of biodiversity. Having a 1500 square meters area, more than 3,000 limestone islands, Halong Bay is a truly surprising destination.  Arrival around noon and will board on a traditional junk. Lunch with seafood and exceptional ride junk in Halong Bay, “8th Wonder of the World” with its thousands of islands, islets emerging from the water by taking fantastic shapes according to the ship’s itinerary. Dinner and overnight on board.Included meals : breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 15: Ha Long – Hanoï. Return flight (180 km/ 4h de route)

If Hanoi was Thang Long, The Rise of the Dragon, the Halong Bay was the Descent of the Dragon. The surreal chaos of the Rocky Mountains is the result of the frolics of the dragon, the master of waters.

These hills with strange shapes seem to float on the surface of the water as if they were ate. The silence of the calm sea is sometimes broken by the shout of a bird.  The cruise continues. Then you will have the opportunity to relax on the beach.  After a lunch of seafood, back to the Halong wharf and then return to Hanoi. Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the return flight.

Included meals : breakfast and lunch

END OF THE TRIP.