Day to day itinerary
Day 1. Hanoi – Ha Giang
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.
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 2. 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.
Day 3. 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.
Day 4. Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi
After breakfast drive to Hoang Su Phi, famous for its terraced paddy-fields. Plenty of opportunities to stop en route to photograph Vietnam’s best scenery of terraced paddy-fields along the road. October is the best month to visit and to witness the beauty of harvest time when all the terraced paddy-fields turn yellow with ripening rice. In the afternoon, drive to Peo village (Zao Long Dress minority people) for a short walk through rice fields and villages. Car pick up and drive to Hoang Su Phi town. Late afternoon check in at the hotel and free for leisure time.
[Breakfast, Lunch]
Day 5. Hoang Su Phi – Xin Man – Bac Ha
Morning drive to Xin Man town where you will change vehicles to continue your trip to Bac Ha. The sloping road with rocky ascent is next to the Sino-Vietnamese borders which makes the trip interesting and adventurous and a little bit “off the beaten track”. Before arriving at Bac Ha, visit the Phu La minorities at Lung Phinh village. In the afternoon, drive or walk the 1km to Thai Rang Pho to visit a school and H’Mong village before proceeding another 2km to H’Mong King Palace.
Day 6. Bac Ha – Sin Cheng market – Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Hanoi by overnight train
In the morning drive to Sin Cheng Wednesday market to discover this unspoiled minority with its colourful array of ethnic minorities including the Flower H’Mong, Red Dzao, Tay and Nung people, Travel back to Bac Ha for lunch with the rest of the afternoon free to relax at the hotel before being transferred to the train station for the overnight train to Hanoi.
Day 7. Hanoi arrival (No meal)
Arrive in Hanoi in the morning. Transfer to your hotel or the airport.