10 Days, Ethnic Minority Villages and Natural Wonder of North Vietnam

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1: TUE. HANOI TO LAOCAI
20:00 Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi & transfer to Hanoi station for overnight train to Lao Cai, departs at 21:15.  Overnight on the Fansifan train with 01 private deluxe sleeper cabin (01 private cabin per couple) 

DAY 2:  WED. ARRIVAL SAPA (B)
Arrive Lao Cai at 5:30am. Pick up and transfer to Sapa, check in the hotel for a freshen up followed by  breakfast, after that, embark on a half day trek to Lao Chai and Ta Van (vehicle is available for those who don’t want a long walk). Begin the 3.5 miles walk by descending into a rice-terraced valley on the foot of Fansipan mountain, with the heart-breaking landscapes. Walk though isolated villages, rice fields, and thatched roof villages where Hmong people live. Observe the Hmong at work and at play in their distinctive dark blue dress. Continue hiking to the village of Ta Van, one of the few villages in Vietnam inhabited by the Zay tribe. Arrive in Ta Van this afternoon, continue exploring the villages nearby.  The rest of the day, explore Sapa town and its fascinating market. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa

DAY 3: THU. SAPA – TAM DUONG THURSDAY MARKET.(B)
After breakfast, start a 1.5 hour drive to Tam Duong Dat market. This is probably the most fascinating drive in the whole country of Vietnam, with the highest road of the country running along Fansipan mountain, which is the highest peak of Indochina at over 10,000 feet from sea level, where you can admire the sea of cloud below the valley dotted with H’mong villages and majestic volcanic mountain ranges.
In Tam Duong Dat, you will visit the local market which happens twice a week with many hill tribes coming from neighborhood villages such as Black and Red H’mong, Black Yao, Zay, White Thai, Lu people…this is probably the least touristy tribal market in Northwest region. Return to Sapa, visit some local tribal villages along the way of H’mong, Black Yao and Lu people.
Arrive in Sapa, rest of the day, enjoy the facilities of the hotel or explore Sapa market. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

DAY 4: FRI. BAC HA – HA GIANG (B,L,D)
This morning, after breakfast, take a full day drive to Ha Giang, the northernmost province of Vietnam, which border to China and well known for its Karst plateaux with colorful hill tribes. The drive takes you to Tuyen Quang, then up to Ha Giang. En route, stop to visit some hill tribes villages or just snap the memorable views of the area. Overnight at Ha Giang hotel, First class room (simple hotel)

DAY 5: SAT. HA GIANG – DONG VAN.(B,L,D)
This 200km long drive gives you an extremely beautiful landscapes of the country, with few dozens of minorities, their villages dotted on the rocky hills along the road, you can also admire their daily life in the rice paddies, along the rivers or just pay a visit to a local family.
Lunch on road, in a local restaurant. Afternoon, continue driving to Dong Van, before arriving Dong Van, visit home of Mr. Vuong Chi Sinh, the last H’mong King in Ha Giang, with its traditional Chinese mandarin style. Dinner at a local house in Dong Van. Tonight, walk to the Saturday night market in Dong Van of the Tay and H’mong tribes. Overnight at Hoang Ngoc hotel, First class room (simple hotel)

DAY 6: SUN. DONG VAN – MEO VAC – HAGIANG(B,L,D)
This morning, have breakfast at local restaurant, spend some time to explore Dong Van Sunday market then drive to Meo Vac, attend Sunday market of Meo Vac, continue to Lung Phin market. All of those happened only on Sunday. Those are considered as the most colorful markets in Vietnam. Lunch at a local restaurant and drive back to Hagiang for overnight. Overnight at Ha Giang hotel, First class room (simple hotel).

DAY 7: MON .HAGIANG – BA BE.(B,L,D)
After breakfast, enjoy a beautiful drive to Ba Be, you’ll pass some breathtaking landscape along the Lo river to Ba Be, dotted with tea plantations, hill tribe villages and colorful markets. Arrive in Ba Be this late afternoon, dinner and overnight at a local house on stilt of a Tay family.

DAY 8: TUE.BA BE.(B,L,D)
This morning, take a boat ride on Ba Be lake to visit the National park surrounded by Ba Be lake, visit Dau Dang waterfall and walk around the park. Return to local house for lunch. Afternoon, drive to visit a giant cave nearby, which is least visited by tourists. Back to local house for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9:  WED. BA BE – HANOI (B)
This morning drive back to Hanoi with stop for sightseeing en route. 
Arrive Hanoi in the late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 10: THU. DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to airport for your departure flight