Day to day itinerary
Day 1. Hanoi – Viet Lam - Tay minority Homestay
Pick up at hotel in Hanoi then drive from Hanoi to Ha Giang which is a remote area of the northeast and a relatively undiscovered tourist destination. This is an area where local traditions and culture remain unchanged and is considered a fascinating destination for those with a keen interest in Vietnam’s ethnic diversity. Lunch en route. In the afternoon you will make your way through the villages of Pa Then or La Chi where you will find the minority people of these villages. Upon arrival in Viet Lam you will check in to your home stay house-on-stilts of the Tay people which offers basic comfort but an unforgettable experience. Participate in daily activities and enjoy the local hospitality and then prepare yourself for a memorable dinner with a local Tay family.
Day 2. Viet Lam – Ha Giang
You will have breakfast at your homestay and then there will be a cycling and walking tour around the Hat and Trang Villages through paddy fields and you will be able to observe the local people cultivating the fields and going about their daily business. Time then to drive back to your homestay for lunch before proceeding to Ha Giang. When you arrive in Ha Giang you will visit some Tay minority people at Phuong Do village which is the oldest Tay community in Ha Giang and surrounded by terraced paddy-fields with big houses-on-stilts. You will have a chance to walk around the village to experience a very authentic spectacle of daily life and observe the locals finishing their daily work in the fields and making their way home by buffalo cart and bike through the peaceful twilight. You will be surprised that the hospitality of a Tay family knows no language barriers at all! You will return to Ha Giang in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel.
Day 3. Ha Giang – Dong Van
A wonderful journey as you drive through extraordinary mountainous landscapes and terraced paddy-fields. Up and down the sloping roads around the rocky mountain between 700m and 1,300m in height. Plenty of photo opportunities as you stop at the Quet Tien minority market where the minorities of Nung, White H’Mong, Po Y, Dao Lanten and Tay all gather for trade. Continue on to Heaven Gate and Fairy Mountain before reaching a White H’Mong village specialized in flax weaving where you can stretch your legs with a nice walk. There will be one more stop to visit a village of the Zao Ao Dai (Zao Long Traditional Dress) before having lunch. After lunch, drive up to the altitude of 1,432m to visit an ancient village of the White H’Mong. You will notice that from village to village the culture, costume and inhabitants may change but the smiles and warm welcome remain consistent. You will then proceed to Sung La to discover a typical H’Mong house before visiting a LoLo house and it’s people (the LoLo minority is one of Vietnam’s rarest ethnic minorities and some only exist in this region) Afterwards, visit the impressive ancient H’Mong King Palace before arriving in Dong Van town. Arrive late afternoon and check into the hotel. Free.
an optional visit to the Giay minorities (if time permits) in Yen Minh.
Day 4. Dong Van – Meo Vac – Ha Giang
In the morning, visit the Sunday Dong Van minority market which is one of the most beautiful minority markets in Vietnam. Before reaching the peak of Ma Pi Leng you will be able to admire the panoramic views of rocky mountain, river and paddy-field terraces. Visit Meo Vac market with its cattle market and then proceed to visit the village of Zao Ao Dai before having lunch. Return to Ha Giang with an optional visit to the Giay minorities (if time permits) in Yen Minh. Arrive Ha Giang in late afternoon.
Day 5. Ha Giang – Hanoi
After breakfast drive back to Hanoi by road. Lunch at Doan Hung.
a school and H’Mong village before proceeding another 2km to H’Mong King Palace.