Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Mai Chau - Xa Linh Village - Son La - Thuan Chau - Muong Fang - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Tam Duong - Binh Lu - Sapa - Muong Khuong - Lao Cai - Hanoi

Private tour (DS7): Departure every Monday, Friday and Sunday from Hanoi with English, German or French speaking guide 

Ethnic minorities and mountain regions of north western Vietnam

ITINERARY:

Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Mai Chau     (-/L/D)

Day 01 MON /FRI /SUN Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi, transfer to Hoa Binh with visit of Muong ethnic minority village on the way. Lunch en route. Hoa Binh province, approximately 75 km from Hanoi, is home to several ethnic minorities, particularly the White Thai and Muong ethnic group. Their traditional stilt houses are large structures with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the cooking as well as the weaving of the colorful tho cam, the material used to make their clothes, takes place there. Arrive Mai Chau Valley. Dinner and accommodation at Village House, (sleeping on a mat in a common room; own sleeping bag is recommended). Traditional show with Can Wine in Mai Chau can be arranged with surcharge of  US$44 .--/group.

Mai Chau - Xa Linh Village - Son La     (B/L/D)

Day 02 TUE/sat/mon Depart Mai Chau for Son La with visit of Xa Linh (Sua) ethnic village of Flower Hmong, it is a village with the settlement of over 100 houses. Culturally, the Hmong people are one of the north Vietnam's most interesting ethnic minorities, and since the costume of the Flower Hmong people of Sua village is subtlety different from that of the Flower Hmong further north it is well worth making photos here. Lunch at local restaurant at Moc Chau town. Continue road to Son La. Upon arrival Son La, visit Son La Penitentiary and check in at hotel. Dinner and accommodation at simple hotel.

Son La - Thuan Chau - Muong Fang - Dien Bien Phu     (B/L/D)

Day 03 wed/sun/tue Departure to Dien Bien with visit of Hin Thai village and Thuan Chau market. On the approach to Thuan Chau, large groups of ethnic people may be seen making their way to and from the market, laden with baskets of goods. Lunch at local restaurant en route in Tuan Giao. Continuation to Dien Bien with cross the most spectacular pass in Vietnam, which is famously named by local people as Pha Din Pass meaning The Heaven and the Earth, heading to Pa Khoang manmade lake, that is served the Thac Bay hydro-electric plant and the watering purpose of a huge surrounding area.  Visit The General Vo Nguyen Giap's underground headquarter at the height of Dien Bien Phu campaign you will visit the newly-rebuilt bunker of General Vo Nguyen Giap in the Muong Phang Forest. Arrival in Dien Bien Phu and check in at simple hotel. Dinner and accommodation at hotel.

Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau     (B/L/D)

Day 04 thu/mon/wed Visit Dien Bien Phu Museum, A1 hill then visiting the Dien Bien Phu Cemetery to observe a minutes silence in Heroes memory who devoted all their live as the victory of the Historical Dien Bien Phu Campaign then also visit General De Castries's Bunker, Old Muong Thanh Bridge and Nam Rom river. Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to Lai Chau along the bumpy road (approx 180 km). Passing of series of ethnic villages of Kho Mu (Xa), Huoi Chan, and Bung Giat.  Arrive in Lai Chau. Dinner and accommodation at simple hotel.

Lai Chau - Tam Duong - Binh Lu - Sapa     (B/L/D)

DAY 05 FRI/TUE/THU Boat trip on Da River to visit one ethic minority village and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the river banks. Depart Lai Chau town to Sapa along the most spectacular scenery on the way leading to Sapa crossing the junctions of Da and Na rivers by the way of the Chinese - built Hang Tom suspension bridge. From here the road weaves its ways northwards through the picturesque and steadily more spectacular Na River valley, past more ethnic villages of White Thai, Kho Mu and later Red and White Hmong minorities. Lunch stop at Tam Duong town. Leaving Tam Duong area, the National Road 4D climbs steadily, affording spectacular views of the surrounding hills. Once over the summit, the road begins its descent towards the town of Binh Lu, immediately you will begin to see groups of Black Dao people, who villages are located in the surrounding hills. Arrive in Sapa and check in at Victoria hotel. Dinner and accommodation at hotel.

Sapa - Full day tour     (B/L/D)

Day 06 SAT/WED/FRI In the morning, short trekking to visit Ham Rong Mountain, enjoy the minority show performed by the young minority ladies and man, you also have opportunity to overview the whole picture of Sapa town in the clear day as well as visit the so-called tone forest?here. Trekking back to Sapa, then visit local market. Lunch at local restaurant. A scenic 6km drive brings you to Ta Phin village, lying in a hillside meadow, it is home to Red Dzao and Hmong people. Drive back Sapa for dinner at local restaurant. Accommodation at hotel.

Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi     (B/L/-)

Day 07 THU/SAT Morning transfer to Lao Cai train station. Departure to Hanoi by normal day train (hard seats), at 10:10 hrs. Lunch box on the train. Upon arrival in Hanoi Station at around 20:00 hrs, transfer to hotel in Hanoi. (accommodation in Hanoi not included).

Victoria Carriage (sharing comfortable sleeping compartments, superior 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment with air-condition) applied for returning trip on Thursday and Saturday only with surcharge.  

Sapa - Muong Khuong - Lao Cai - Hanoi     (B/L/-)

Day 07 SUNDAY ONLY A scenic 3-hour drive to visit famous Muong Khuong Market, situated on the border to Yunnan. Every Sunday the otherwise sleepy town is transformed into a bustling place full with various ethnic minorities. Here visitors can meet more of Lao Cai's colourful Flower Hmong people, plus Nung, Dzao Tuyen, Tu Di and a number of other ethnic groups such as the Thu Lao, the Pa Di, the La Chi and the highly-photogenic Lo Lo. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to Lao Cai station. By train to Hanoi (soft sleeper 4 berth compartment with air-conditioning). Overnight on board. Arrive Hanoi train station Monday morning at around 04:30hrs. Leave the train and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi (accommodation in Hanoi not included) or transfer for departure flight.

Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours with English, German or French speaking guide, accommodation in shared twin rooms with air-condition and private bath room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), train ticket Lao Cai - Hanoi in shared compartment with 4 soft berths, entrance fees, boat fees.

Not included are surcharges for compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking. Gratuities to local guide & driver.

NOTE: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.

For a choice of hotels in each category available, upon request please

(in the north of Vietnam,  the best available hotel in each destination will be used)