Vietnam Northern Exploration Tour 8 Days/ 7 Nights

The capital city Hanoi bears the traces of centuries of change in its wide Parisian boulevards and colorful Vietnamese temples. The city is covered in fresh green color of millions of trees which ensure the fresh air and peaceful sights. Further to the northwest, Sa Pa lies among mountains and jungles to maintain a special cultural diversity in a combination of ethnic minority groups’ culture. Ha Giang is still an authentic part of northern Vietnam, offering you untouched nature, fascinating mountain scenery and passes, but also areas that look like about 100 years ago. That is, different villages of ethnic people who occasionally look at you like martians.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Have a whole view of Sa Pa with beautiful terraces and picturesque scenes with diversity of local cultures
• Discover a truly cultural signature of mountainous region – Ha Giang

PLACES VISITED
Hanoi, Ba Be Lake, Sapa, Ha Giang

DETAILED PROGRAM

DAY 1: HANOI – BA BE (Guide / Lunch / Dinner)

After check-out, depart from Hanoi to Ba Be. After getting out of hustle and bustle Hanoi, you will enjoy the scene of the Vietnamese countryside along the road. Depart to Ba Be National Park – the reserve set up to protect the biggest freshwater lake of Viet Nam, Ba Be Lake (Three-Lake Lake). Get on the boat floating along Nang River towards the lake. The first stop is Puong Cave – the home to tens of thousands of bats. Nang River flows for 300m under the limestone among the vertical cliffs and unique stalactites through the cave. Overnight in Ba Be.

DAY 2: BA BE – DONG VAN (Guide / Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

In the morning, drive towards Dong Van. Stop over en route for admiring the scenery and taking some stunning photos of Ma Pi Leng Pass – one of “Tu Dai Dinh Deo” (known as the most four harsh passes in Vietnam with tight turns but beautiful mountainous scenes) to enjoy its magnificent and spectacular scenery. Upon arrival, check-in and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Dong Van.

DAY 3: DONG VAN – HA GIANG (Guide / Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Depart to Dong Van Stone Plateau – recognized by UNESCO in October 2010 as one of just 77 geological parks in the world and second in Southeast Asia. 80% of the surface is covered with limestone, which creates a fascinating landscape. Leave the plateau for the drive by the terraced rice fields and through an incredible landscape of pine forests to the Hmong King Palace – a fortress built 1919-1928 by a local chief named Vuong Chinh Duc. Its architecture is influenced by that of Chinese, Mong and French. Continue your trip to Ha Giang. Overnight in Ha Giang.

DAY 4: HA GIANG – HOANG SU PHI (Guide / Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

You are arriving at Pan Hou Village in the afternoon. Relax in the eco-lodge which is located in the heart of the Song chay mountains adjoining the Yunnan. This natural fortress has long been a refuge for many ethnic groups who have escaped from the Middle Kingdom, his persecution and its famines.

In the afternoon, ready for trekking tour. The bird songs who have found refuge in the gardens of Pan Hou Village adds to the calm of this place in the heart of the Song Chay mountains. Overnight in Hoang Su Phi.

DAY 5: HOANG SU PHI – SAPA (Guide / Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Transfer to Sapa from Hoang Su Phi. Check in hotel and relax in the rest of day. Discover Sapa by night on your own way. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 6: SAPA – FANSIPAN (Guide / Breakfast)

In the morning, the guide and car will pick you up at hotel then bring you to the cable car station and start your trip in Sa Pa by heading up to the Fansipan mountain – top of Indochina. Get on the newly launched cable car – the longest non-stop three-rope cable car in the world. After a ride of twenty minutes, arrive at the stop to enjoy whole view of Sa Pa and immediately love the feeling of soaring through the clouds; leisurely enjoying the magnificent scenery and picturesque scenes of Muong Hoa Valley, Hoang Lien National Park alongside the striking peaks of the Hoang Lien Son Ranger. Climb up farther to the peak to get an even more breathtaking view. Enjoy your own time to breath in the fresh air and take the photos before heading back to town. Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 7: SAPA – HANG DA – SAU CHUA (Guide / Breakfast / Lunch)

Situated on the side of Ham Rong mountain, just about 8km east of Sapa, Hang Da and Sau Chua Villages are home to the Black Hmong people who have been living their traditional and unique way of life in spite of the development and massive tourism in Sapa. Trek uphill for two hours to Sa Seng and Sau Chua Villages, where rudimentary houses, stone wall around homes are still present. In the afternoon, walk to Hang Da Village, which sits at 1,800m height to enjoy a panoramic view of Muong Hoa Valley. Pay visit to some local households to have a closer interaction with local culture.Trek down to Pho Village at the center of Hau Thao Commune, where the car is waiting. This trip perfectly combines the car use with soft trekking through beautiful rural tracks with many stops to admire the breathtaking scenery and explore small and isolated hamlets of the Black Hmong peoples. Overnight in Sapa

DAY 8: SAPA – CAN CAU MARKET – HANOI (Guide / Breakfast / Lunch)

In early morning, transfer to an ethnic market which only takes place once every week to explore and enjoy the beauty of nature and local ethnic minorities’ people cultures. Witness how ethnic people enjoy their lives and dress up in their traditional costumes. Besides normal goods traded in any other market, each mountainous market has its own typical products for sale. You can easily find agricultural products, livestocks, traditional clothes and also typical food and special local alcohols. Back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

PRICE

For further information of the price or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. The price or the program is subject to change depending on the weather conditions, flight schedules, hotel availability or other reasons beyond our control.