Destinations: Hanoi – Bac Ha Town and Bac Ha Market – Ha Giang – Meo Vac – Ba Be National Park
Starts in/Finishes in: Hanoi/Ba Be National Park
Highlights:
- Get your first contact with the colorful Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung peoples- the biggest groups of minorities in this area
- Stay the night in a Tay family at the center of Ba Be National Park
- Enjoy gentle hike though lush greenery to explore ethnic market activities and festive atmosphere
- Prepare your camera ready to capture magnificent and beautiful landscapes en-route while driving uphill to Dong Van and Meo Vac
Day 1: Hanoi – Overnight train to Lao Cai (No Meal)
You will depart from Hanoi in the evening by night train leaving at 21.10 to Lao Cai near the Chinese border.
Meals:
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Transportation: Private vehicle, Overnight Train
Day 2: Lao Cai Arrival – Weekly Ethnic Market – Bac Ha (B, L)
Upon your arrival at Lao Cai Station, pick up to a local restaurant for breakfast before a scenic drive to one of the regional markets (Sunday – Bac Ha; Tuesday – Coc Ly; Wednesday – Cao Son; Thursday – Lung Khau Nhin; Saturday – Can Cau). Spend the morning visiting ethnic market activities and festive atmosphere.
After lunch at a local restaurant, drive to Bac Ha to check in your hotel and enjoy a short break. Then enjoy gentle hike to explore Ban Pho valley inhabited by Flower Hmong, Tay and Nung peoples. There various hiking routes from 1.5 hours to nearly 3 hours so please discuss with your guide to decide on spot which one suit you best.
Summary: Road transfer from 75km to 125km depending on market to visit/ Market visiting, walk and sightseeing 4 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle
Day 3: Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi – Pan Hou Village (B, L, D)
This morning, drive through the remote region of Bac Ha district which is famous for the spectacular landscapes as well as unique way of life of the Flower Hmong and Phu La peoples. Enjoy 2 hours walking in the morning from Pa Chu Ty 1 to Pa Chu Ty 2 villages. Lunch break in small town of Xin Man, followed by 3 hour drive to Pan Hou Village in Thong Nguyen Commune where you stay the night. The remainder of the day will be at leisure or stroll around the nearby village. You might wish to enjoy a herbal bath at Pan Hou (at additional cost).
Summary: Road transfer 145km, approx. 5 hours/ Walk and sightseeing 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay
Transportation: Private vehicle
Day 4: Pan Hou – Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh (B, L)
Leave for Ha Giang after breakfast and follow road 4C 46km uphill the spectacular Quan Ba mountain pass for about 3 hours including some stops en-route to visit villages of the Tay and Hmong as well as taking photo of the stunning landscapes. From the top of Quan Ba pass which is called Heaven Gate, the panorama of Tam Son valley opens wide below which is highlighted with green rice fields and colorful flower farms, especially the Twin Hills beautifully set amongst immense and walled-up lime stone mountain.
After lunch, your afternoon begins with an hour walking to explore Nam Dam village of the Zao Ao Dai (Zao with long dress) who live their most traditional way in a beautiful village at the foot of Quan Ba mountain range. Continue driving for 42km to Yen Minh while enjoying breathtaking scenery of the terraced fields, probably among the most beautiful sections in the northeast Vietnam. Arriving at Yen Minh at around 17.00, check in your local guesthouse with free time to explore this remote charming town.
Summary: Road transfer 165 km, approx.5 hours/ Walk and sightseeing 3 to 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse
Transportation: Private vehicle
