Hiking and culture in Northern Vietnam - 10 Days

Departure from Hanoi to Sapa by car (approx. 5h30) via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai highway, offering superb views of rice paddies, villages and misty mountains.

After checking in at the hotel, lunch at the local restaurant Red Dzao , offering typical Sapa cuisine.

In the afternoon, set off on a short hike to discover a charming mountain village, rich in traditions, culture and local costumes.

From Sapa, continue to the villages of Sa Seng and Sau Chua , offering the most beautiful panoramic views of the Muong Hoa Valley. Hike for approximately two hours through farmland and terraced rice paddies, following the stream that connects the hamlets. Enjoy the scenery, meet the Hmong people in their daily lives, and visit some local houses. The trail then rejoins your vehicle for a 5 km transfer back to Sapa.

Night in Sapa

Remarks :

1. Suggested departure time: 7:30 am
2. Duration: 9 hours | Distance: 3 km
3. June marks the beginning of the rice paddy season, green until early September, then golden at harvest time (late Sept.–early Oct.).

Departure from Sapa for an 8 km journey to the start of the O Quy Ho mountain pass along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, with several stops to take photos of the magnificent Mount Fansipan and the Sin Chai valley.

Then follow a narrow paved road, passing through forests and waterfalls, to the commune of Ban Khoang , inhabited by the Black H'mong and Red Dzao ethnic groups. Take a walk to explore this isolated village and get a glimpse of local life.

Then, we'll travel to the Ta Giang Phinh Valley, inhabited by the Black H'mong people who live in several hamlets along a peaceful stream. We'll have lunch on the banks of the stream, followed by a two-hour hike through wild and unspoiled landscapes, with majestic mountains and picturesque terraced rice paddies. We'll observe the locals in their daily activities: plowing, harrowing, harvesting, and crafting.

In the mid-afternoon, meet your vehicle and return to Sapa.

Night in Sapa.

REMARKS :

1. Suggested departure time: 8:30 am
2. Tour duration: approximately 8 hours
3. Total hiking distance: 13 km / 8 mi
4. Easy hike, suitable for all fitness levels
5. This excursion can be organised all year round, except in January and February, when the weather is often foggy.

Departure from Sapa to Ha Giang. This scenic route follows the Chinese border and crosses some of Vietnam's most remote and spectacular landscapes, marked by magnificent panoramas, fascinating border towns, ethnic markets and verdant farmland.

Throughout the journey, you'll see members of ethnic minorities walking along the roadsides, carrying goods from one village to another. This northern region is primarily inhabited by hill tribes belonging to the Tay, Red Dzao, Dzao Ao Dai, La Chi, and Co Lao groups . Photo stops and lunch are planned along the way.

Upon arrival in Ha Giang, check-in at the hotel and free time to explore the village at your own pace.

Night in Ha Giang

REMARKS :

1. Suggested departure time: 8:00 AM
2. Tour duration: 8.5 hours

A 145km drive across the Dong Van limestone plateau, designated by UNESCO as one of 77 sites of significant geological and cultural heritage and recognized as the second Geopark in Southeast Asia. Highlights of the day include: a visit to the Quan Ba ​​Heaven's Gate , with a hike to the summit of Mount Co Tien for magnificent panoramic views of the Quan Ba ​​Valley; the Red Dzao village of Nam Dam; the H'mong village of Lung Tam and a textile workshop. After crossing the Yen Minh Pass, enjoy lunch and visit the ancient trading town of Pho Bang and the village of Lung Cam, where you can observe traditional Khen music and dance. Visit a unique, centuries-old mansion, considered a national relic, belonging to the Vuong royal family who once ruled over a vast area of ​​the border region, before checking into your hotel. Free time afterwards.

Night in Dong Van.

REMARKS :

1. Suggested departure time: 7:30 am
2. Tour duration: 10 hours
3. Hiking distance: 2 km (1 mi)
4. Difficulty: Easy

Spend the morning exploring the secluded market town of Dong Van, nestled in a beautiful valley primarily inhabited by the Tay ethnic group. Vietnam's northernmost border town, just 3 km from the Chinese border, Dong Van boasts a local market (open on Sundays), an old quarter lined with charming houses, and other interesting neighborhoods. With the help of your guide, enjoy interacting with local people working in the rice paddies.

In the afternoon, drive to the Ma Pi Leng Pass , where a spectacular panorama unfolds along the winding roads carved into the mountains at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. Continue into the picturesque Meo Vac Valley . Check into your hotel and explore the peaceful village surrounding Meo Vac.

Night at Meo Vac.

REMARKS :

1. Suggested departure time: 7:30 am
2. Tour duration: 8 hours
3. Hiking distance: 2 km (1 mi)
4. Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast at the hotel, if it's a Sunday, you can visit the unique, century-old Meo Vac Market , where you'll find the cultural essence of all the mountain ethnic minorities of Ha Giang. Otherwise, take a short walk to a nearby village to get a better sense of local life and people.

Next, the scenic downhill road will take you to Bac Can province, home to Vietnam's largest natural lake and the heart of Ba Be National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The road to Ba Be winds through the mountains to the Tay village of Bo Lu , where you'll visit a welcoming Tay family in their traditional stilt house. Arrive at a homestay in the village of Coc Toc in the afternoon. Check in for a rest and relaxation for the rest of the day.

Night in Ba Be

REMARKS :

1. Suggested departure time: 8:00 AM
2. Tour duration: 7 hours

Board a boat for a journey along the length of the three interconnected lakes of Ba Be (meaning "Three Bays" in Vietnamese) and up the Nang River to Dong Puong , a massive 300-meter tunnel carved by the river through a limestone mountain. The boat then continues downstream to the small, rustic village of Hua Tang . Enjoy lunch at a local riverside home before a short walk through the jungle to the picturesque Thac Dau Dang waterfalls , a series of spectacular cascades between steep rock walls. Return by boat to your local homestay.

Night in Ba Be.

REMARKS :

1. Suggested departure time: 8:30 am
2. Tour duration: 8 hours

Departure from Ba Be via a scenic route following the river as it winds its way from pass to pass through the hills of northern Vietnam, a route rarely traveled by tourists. En route to Hanoi, a stop will be made to visit the relatively well-preserved remains of a French prison in Cho Chu , built in 1916 to detain Vietnamese patriots and revolutionaries. Due to its secure construction and relatively isolated location, prisoners were brought there from all over the North. Arrival in Hanoi around 6:00 PM and free time.

Night in Hanoi

REMARKS :

Suggested departure time: 8:00 AM

Tour duration: 9 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, free time for shopping before the transfer to the airport for your return flight.

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