The Far North adventure of Vietnam 11 Days

In the morning you will be picked up at the hotel to meet Daniel - a Hanoi resident and restaurant operator, author of five cookbooks and leader of gastronomic adventure tours in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Then, you are driven to the market to learn about and taste some of the ingredients used in the local cuisine and to watch the buying and selling rituals of a Vietnamese market. Daniel will introduce you to some of the vendors, explain about the ingredients for sale and assist you with purchasing some items to take home. Many photo opportunities will be available in this bustling, vibrant and colorful scene. After that, you will have a chance to enjoy Vietnamese coffee or tea with the locals at Daniel’s favorite coffee shop.

By mid-morning, you are invited to have a quick snack before continuing with a short visit to a smaller neighborhood market/street vendor area to get another look at the food buying and selling methods in Hanoi. Then, you will be taken to have lunch with Daniel at one of Hanoi’s best “Bún Chả” establishments – traditional grilled pork and rice vermicelli noodles with fresh herbs and greens. Very few foreigners ever find this eatery so it is a very special treat. After your lunch, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

In the afternoon, continue to the Temple of Literature, the first University of Vietnam. The temple constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is well worth a visit. 

In the evening meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

Begin this tour with a 07:30 departure from Hanoi for the two-hour drive to Thai Nguyen. En route visit the Thai Nguyen Museum of Ethnology to learn about the tribal people in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam.

Continue 105 km to reach Na Phac and Cho Ra, enjoying picturesque landscapes along the way. Stop for a late lunch in Cho Ra Town. After lunch, head to Ba Be and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Ba Be National Park and Ba Be Lake on a local cruise. At the end of the day, transfer to the village of the Tay in Pac Ngoi. Homestay overnight in Pac Ngoi Village.

After breakfast, drive 79km to Tinh Tuc. Upon arrival, enjoy the stunning scenery of Colia Pass and take a short walk to visit a village of the Zao Tien before having a coffee break.  Head to Bao Lac for an hour walk around the village of the San Chay ethnic people, followed by a break for lunch in Bao Lac.

After lunch, continue to drive along the Gam River up steep mountain grades for 21km to Ly Bon. During the drive, discover the remote lands between Cao Bang to Meo Vac town. Take an hour walk through the fascinating valley of Niem Son and discover the cultural life of Nung ethnic people. Overnight in Meo Vac.

If the itinerary falls on Sunday, spend 2 hours in the morning to attend the weekend market of local tribal people in town. H’mong, Zao and some Lo Lo peoples come dressed in their best traditional costumes for market shopping and socialising.

Transfer back to Meo Vac and drive over the Ma Pi Leng Pass to enjoy its magnificent and spectacular scenery. Continue with a visit to the Ma Pi Leng II village of the Hmong people where limestone rocks and fresh mountain water abound.

The tour ultimately arrives in Dong Van, where it’s possible to embark on an hour walk through this stunning valley. Explore the market and the ancient street of Dong Van before lunch.

After lunch, follow the narrow road through the Ma Le and Lung Tao communes offering marvelous scenery of rocky plateaus. Visit a small village of the Hmong at Lung Tao before heading to Xa Phin valley.

Spend an hour visiting the historical palace of the Vuong family who ruled over the region, controlling opium production and trade until 1945.

After an hour’s drive, enjoy another walk to visit the Lung Cam Tren village where the Hmong people are located. Here it is possible to meet the famous village chief who plays the Khen and performs traditional dances.Leave Lung Can and transfer downhill to the Pho Cao pass for the lush Yen Minh Valley. Overnight in Yen Minh.

After breakfast depart for Lung Tam while soaking up the breathtaking landscapes of the Yen Minh Pass. Arrive at Lung Tam commune, set amidst beautiful natural surroundings and continue with a visit to a traditional workshop. The workshop of Ms. Mai employs over 100 Hmong and Zao women, teaching them the traditional practice of weaving and embroidery as a means to a better life.

Continue the drive over the stunning Quan Ba Pass, which offers fascinating scenery en route to another Hmong village. Arrive in Ha Giang at noon and stop for a lunch break.

Enjoy an hour walk to explore the Me village, situated around a large valley near Ha Giang. Continue with a transfer 105 km to Quang Vinh (Hoang Su Phi). Compared to the rocky land of Meo Vac, Dong Van and Yen Minh and the Hoang Su Phi area have very different scenery. Lying on the top of the Chay River Massif, these two districts are covered by lush, green forest, tea farms and possess the most impressive terraced rice fields in Vietnam. The road winds its way on high mountain sides and offers beautiful landscapes. Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon. After checking in and relaxing, enjoy a dinner on site. Overnight at Pan Hou Lodge in Hoang Su Phi.

If the itinerary falls on Sunday, spend 2 hours joining the local market of Flower Hmong, Red Zao, Nung and Tay people, which is famous for its cattle exchange on the banks of the Chay River.

Leave Hoang Su Phi for the 100km excursion along Chinese border through the Chay River Massif  exploring the local life of the Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung. Spend 2 hours walking through Lung Cai commune which is beautifully set on a high mountain range, overlooking a narrow, steep valley where the Chay River winds its way between Vietnam and China. Arriving to Bac Ha Town at around noon, pay a visit to Hoang A Tuong Castle before breaking for lunch.

After lunch spend the afternoon exploring the mighty Ban Pho valley with the local guide

Overnight in Bac Ha.

Here you will visit Bac Ha Market. This wonderful market is a great place for photos and shopping. You will have chance to meet different groups of ethnic people at the market. After visiting the market take a walk on small paths through the surrounding nearby villages and then drive to Sapa for overnight. Meals on your own. Overnight at hotel. Remark: Bac Ha Market is held only on Sundays.    

After your breakfast at hotel, we start your amazing trekking day to the most impressive areas of Sapa. Drive up to Y Linh Ho Village of the Black Hmong people from here you will hike along small paths down the valley to the Muong Hoa River to visit the Black H’mong village in Lao Chai, one of the biggest minority groups in Sapa area. They are proud of their culture and keep their own traditions and lifestyle. Continue to Ta Van village (1.2 km) to visit Zay hill tribe people, a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam. Zay women still wear traditional shirts with a purple, blue or green color. The Zay houses are built of wood and bamboo with a clay floor. Return to Sapa and then free at your leisure. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.    

Free at your leisure to explore Sapa Town on your own until transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station for overnight train back to Hanoi. Room is at your own disposal until noon time only. Meals on your own. Overnight on train (4 persons/ cabin).    

Arrive back in Hanoi in the early morning; check in your day-use room. Free time at leisure until good time for being picked up at the hotel and transferred by local driver to the airport for your departure flight back home. Meals on your own. Room is at your own disposal until noon time only.