Discovering Tour to Colorful Northern Vietnam in 12 Days

You are greeted upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is an elegant and courteous city that preserves a distinct old world charm and some of Asia’s most impressive colonial structures. The city’s many lakes and parks provide a tranquil ambience. We take a brief cyclo ride through the lively old quarter streets, which are named after the items that were originally sold there (If time permits).

Hanoi Cyclo Tour

The busy streets of Hanoi give way to beautiful rice terraces and farms along highway 32 as you meet your driver at your hotel at 7:30 a.m. On your trip to Nghia Lo, you will leave the Red River Delta in the early afternoon and enter the highlands of Yen Bai province.

Nghia Lo

Nghia Lo is located along a picturesque mountain range that separates the Red and Black rivers. The scenic valleys are breathtaking due to their lush woods, tea plantations, rice terraces, and gum trees. The region is inhabited by Thai, Nung, H’mong, La Ha, and Ma ethnic minorities. Spend the night in a local’s home in order to discuss their everyday activities and hear their experiences.

This day begins with a visit to Nghia Lo Town’s local market, an opportunity to explore and purchase local handicrafts. Today’s trip will take you down one of the most spectacular pieces of road in Vietnam and provide you with some of the most beautiful and lush landscapes imaginable. As you ascend to Mu Cang Chai through the mountain pass, you will encounter H’mong, La Ha, and Dzao along the route. The route, which is not paved and may be muddy and treacherous at times, travels beside the Nam Kim river, which lowers the valley via a series of gorges.

Mu Cang Chai rice terraces

It is time to leave for Binh Lu after repairing the vehicle and having breakfast with a local family. From Than Uyen, the route winds along the base of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, which contains Mt. Fansipan, Vietnam’s tallest peak.

Tea plantations and rice terraces border the Nam Ma river, which runs through this valley studded with Tay, Dzao, and H’mong settlements.

Fansipan Mountain

We encounter Tay, Thai, H’mong, and Mang individuals. We travel across the limestone karts like shark’s teeth that litter the Tam Duong plain.

Sin Ho, which is home to the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang, and Dao ethnic minorities, would be our next destination after seeing a Mang hamlet close to Sin Ho. They have lived there for centuries and still maintain their ancient culture and customs. Occasionally, the journey to Sin Ho is canceled owing to restrictions imposed by the local government.

Sin Ho

A departure for Muong Te in the early morning hours. The Thai, the Ha Nhi, the Cong, the Si La, and the La Hu, among the most diverse ethnic groups in Vietnam, occupy in Da River tributary area. The roads are in very poor condition; yet, the verdant and rugged mountain environment and the vivacious local inhabitants make the inconvenience worthwhile. We stop in seldom-visited settlements along the road, which is a fantastic chance for photographers.

Muong Te

Today, we have the opportunity to spend the whole day exploring the communities of the ethnic minority. Dinner and over night at Hotel.

Drive to Lai Chau via land in the morning. 100 kilometers.

In the afternoon: Take a stroll around the ethnically diverse communities’ villages in the area.

Lai Chau

Take a boat to Pa Uon and explore the island (7 hours). The gorges on the Da River provide stunning views. The boat ride is one of the greatest in Vietnam, with cliffs towering above the river and hill-tribe communities (Black Thai, Xa, White H’mong) strewn along the sandy bank. Pack a lunch to enjoy along the way. Son La is the next stop (65km).

Son La

Pass through Black Thai villages and rice field valleys on your way to Xa Linh (120 kilometers). Try the Black H’mong cuisine at Xa Linh.

Visit the Red H’mong hamlet of Hang Kia (8 kilometers). Historically famed for their poppy growing, the H’mong today make their living via brocade weaving and grain farming. Awe-inspiring scenery and a laid-back way of living draw visitors from all walks of life.

Ethnic Minority

Take a nice route to Hanoi. In Hanoi, the remainder of the day is yours to do as you like. The evening’s entertainment is a water puppet performance, a kind of theater that harkens back to ancient agrarian society.

Water Puppet

There is free time to rest and explore Hanoi more. The journey concludes with the transportation to Noi Bai Airport for departure.