Grand North – West of Vietnam – 07 Days

Early morning:
◾ Begin your adventure by meeting your tour guide and driver at your hotel in Hanoi, then travel to Muong Lo via Thanh Son.
◾ Muong Lo is one of the four key fertile valleys in the Northwest, alongside Muong Thanh in Dien Bien Phu, Muong Tac in Phu Yen, and Muong Than in Than Uyen, predominantly inhabited by the Thai ethnic group.
◾ The village features hundreds of stilt houses, and the Thai people primarily cultivate wet rice.
◾ Drive along National Road 32 beside the Da River, one of the Northwest's major rivers.

Mid-Morning:
◾ Stop in Thanh Son to visit a lush green tea plantation.
◾ Take a leisurely walk through the stilt-house villages of the Muong ethnic group, known as Authentic Viet.
◾ The Muong are one of the few northern communities unaffected by Chinese influence.

Noon:
◾ Arrive in Nghia Lo.
◾ Choose to walk or bike around the Thai village to explore the beautiful rice field valleys and hamlets, which still preserve traditional stilt houses.
◾ Engage with the friendly locals and learn about their culture and lifestyle.

Note:
◾ For a more immersive experience with local people, consider staying at a homestay with basic amenities: clean mattress, pillow, mosquito net, blankets, outdoor WC, and hot water shower.
◾ Hotel accommodations are also available; please contact us for recommendations.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Lunch, Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Bike: Nghia Lo
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day

Morning:
◾ Start your day with a delicious breakfast before heading to a local market in Nghia Lo.
◾ Then, transfer to Mu Cang Chai via Tu Le. Renowned for its spectacular rice terraces, Mu Cang Chai is considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. In 2007, Che Cu Nha, De Su Phinh, and La Pan ◾ Tan were recognized as national heritage sites for their breathtaking outdoor scenery.

Mid-Morning:
◾ Leaving Nghia Lo, travel through the hilly region inhabited by the Dao ethnic group.
◾ Take the opportunity to stop, take photos, and interact with the local people along the way.

Noon:
◾ Arrive in Tu Le, where you can embark on a trek to the valley inhabited by Thai people living in traditional stilt houses.
◾ This trek offers unique encounters and an immersive experience in authentic local life.

Afternoon:
◾ Continue your journey to Khau Pha Pass, which provides a stunning panoramic view of the rice terrace valley.

Late Afternoon:
◾ Proceed to La Pan Tan, a legendary route beloved by photographers.
◾ Marvel at the magnificent rice terrace masterpieces crafted by Hmong farmers over generations.
◾ Enjoy the majestic landscape as you follow the route from La Pan Tan to Mam Xoi.

Evening:
◾ End your day by checking into your accommodation.

Note:
◾ For a more immersive experience with local people, consider staying at a homestay with basic amenities: clean mattress, pillow, mosquito net, blankets, outdoor WC, and hot water shower.
◾ Hotel accommodations are also available; please contact us for recommendations.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day

Morning:
◾ Begin your journey to Dien Bien Phu via Tuan Giao, traveling through breathtaking landscapes of rice terraces and mountains. From Than Uyen, switch to the tranquil National Road 279 towards Tuan Giao.
◾ Upon reaching Ban Chat reservoir, enjoy a brief walk to soak in the serene and picturesque surroundings.
◾ Continue driving to Pa Uon Bridge in Quynh Nhai, crossing the Da River, one of the major rivers in the north. Stop to capture stunning photos and interact with the locals.
◾ Arrive in Tuan Giao around noon and have lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:
◾ Proceed to Dien Bien Phu, passing through regions inhabited by the Black Thai and White Thai ethnic groups.
◾ Dien Bien Phu is strategically positioned near the borders of Vietnam, Laos, and China.
◾ The valley spans 18 km in length and 6 km in width, surrounded by 1000m high mountains, and was the primary battlefield between the Viet Minh and the French forces in 1954.

Mid-afternoon:
◾ Arrive in Dien Bien Phu at 3:30 PM and visit the War Museum, A1 Hill for a panoramic view of the valley, De Castries' command post, and the memorial to the French expeditionary soldiers, symbolizing reconciliation between Vietnam and France.
◾ Check in to your hotel and unwind.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day

Morning:
◾ After breakfast, visit a local market near the historic Muong Thanh Bridge.
◾ Depart for Lai Chau, located 210 km from Dien Bien Phu and home to various ethnic groups, including the Kho Mu. Originally from Northern Laos, approximately 60,000 Kho Mu people live on the hill slopes between the Hmong in the highlands and the Thai in the lowlands. The region is vibrant with the presence of colorful Hmong communities.

Mid-Morning:
◾ Travel through Muong Cha and Muong Lay, encountering local women adorned in their traditional, colorful dresses, often embellished with silver or gold jewelry.
◾ Stop at the villages to engage with the locals and learn about their authentic lifestyles.

Noon:
◾ Arrive in Muong Lay, a relocation area for hundreds of Thai villagers who previously lived in valleys now flooded by the Lai Chau – Son La hydroelectric reservoir.
◾ Take a tea break if desired.

Afternoon:
◾ Continue the journey alongside the picturesque Nam Na River, enjoying the stunning surrounding landscapes.
◾ Discover Thai and Hmong villages along the way, enriching your cultural understanding before arriving in Lai Chau City in the late afternoon.

Late Afternoon:
◾ Check into your hotel and relax.

Note:
◾ You can visit the vibrant local market next to Muong Thanh Bridge in the morning before starting your journey to Lai Chau.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day

Morning:
◾ Depart for Sapa, traveling along the stunning Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
◾ Upon exiting Tam Duong, visit the serene and picturesque Na Tam Village, home to the Laotian and Lu communities.
◾ The local women are easily recognized by their traditional black teeth and indigo clothing adorned with silver coins.
◾ Take a leisurely stroll through the village and engage with the friendly locals.

Mid-Morning:
◾ Continue your journey, meeting your driver for the transfer to Sapa.
◾ Cross the Hoang Lien Son pass, also known as O Quy Ho pass, which is the longest and highest pass in Vietnam, stretching 54km and reaching an elevation of 2047 meters.
◾ Pause at the summit to relax and soak in the majestic landscape, a perfect spot for memorable photos.

Afternoon:
◾ Arrive in Sapa, a charming town discovered by the French in 1903.
◾ Known for its temperate climate, Sapa attracts visitors with its stunning rice valleys and the rich cultures of the Black Hmong, Red Dao, and Dzay ethnic groups.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
◾ Private transportation
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day

Early morning:
◾ Meet your tour guide and set off on a 5km scenic drive to the west of town. Begin your full-day trek from Y Linh Ho village. Follow the downhill trail, interacting with the welcoming H’mong women and children in their valley homes.
◾ Take a break at the cable-bridge, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the surroundings. For the adventurous, follow the uphill trek along the buffalo path for stunning views and fewer tourists. If you prefer an easier trek, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Muong Hoa River.

Mid-Morning:
◾ Proceed to Lao Chai village, navigating a small path winding through rice fields to a picturesque hamlet.
◾ Here, you can meet a grandmother who is the last artisan in the community, using beeswax to decorate traditional indigo Hmong clothing.
◾ This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in their daily life and vibrant culture.

Noon:
◾ Continue to Ta Van village, a charming Dzay community perched on a hill with breathtaking views of the river, rice terraces, and the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range.
◾ As you walk through the village, the locals will warmly invite you into their homes.
◾ Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:
◾ Transferring to Bac Ha via Thanh Kim and Thanh Phu, admiring stunning views of mountains, rivers, and hydropower lakes along the way.
◾ Located at an altitude of 1000 meters, Bac Ha is home to various ethnic groups, including the colorful Hmong, Phu La, and Tay.
◾ The region is famous for its vibrant, weekly markets, surrounded by wild and beautiful scenery, serving as hubs for trading goods and centuries-old cultural exchanges.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
◾ Private transportation
◾ Entrance fees
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day

Early morning:
◾ Begin your day with a journey through Bac Ha, visiting one of its lively ethnic markets.
◾ Depending on the day, you can experience the vibrant Bac Ha Market on Sunday, Coc Ly Market on Tuesday, or Can Cau Market on Saturday.
◾ Soak in the colorful atmosphere, brimming with a variety of goods such as vegetables, poultry, horses, and buffaloes.
◾ Capture the sight of minority groups dressed in their most vibrant traditional attire.

Mid-Morning:
◾ After exploring the market, take a leisurely walk through some of Bac Ha's charming ethnic villages.
◾ The picturesque landscape features cornfields, cassava hills, clay houses, and plum gardens, beautifully adorned by H'Mong women in their colorful dresses.

Noon:
◾ Return to town for a delightful lunch.

Afternoon:
◾ Embark on your journey back to Hanoi, arriving at your hotel around 6:00 PM.

Included:
◾ English speaking guide
◾ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
◾ Private transportation
◾ Two bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per person per day