Northern Vietnam: A Sanctuary Between Nature and Tradition
Tour of North Vietnam – Discovering Unparalleled Charm:
The history of Asia, shaped by the Opium Wars and the Chinese Civil War, drove numerous tribal peoples to seek refuge in the mountains. For 300 years, the Northwestern part of Vietnam has served as an ideal sanctuary for many minority groups migrating from Southern China.
Through this migration, a beautiful mosaic of ethnic minorities has slowly formed. Having resolutely chosen their freedom and remained faithful to their customs from generation to generation, these groups cohabit peacefully in a tranquil atmosphere.
Along the zigzagging mountain trails, we will encounter the H’mong – skilled terrace rice farmers and masters of wooden hunting rifles; the Zao – gifted hands and fantastic weavers; the Lu women, characterized by their lacquered black teeth; and the elegant Thai girls (White and Black Thai) in the lowlands near the water wheels! With the North Vietnam Tour, you have the opportunity to discover all these beauties of Northern Vietnam.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival in Hanoi (-/-/-).
−Hotel
Private car
Arrival at Noi Bai airport with flight ….- HANOI (HAN) at (to be defined). Greeting after baggage claim and customs clearance.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure from Italy with 2 blank pages.
- Tourist visa not required for stays of less than 45 days. Transfer and check-in at the Hotel. Room availability guaranteed from 2:00 PM. Early check-in not included – available upon request with a supplement. Rest of the day at your disposal (guide/transport/visits not included). Meals at leisure (not included) and overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.
Hanoi, the political capital of Vietnam from 1010 to the present day, means “city surrounded by rivers” in Vietnamese, which in this case is the Red River. Hanoi appears as a typical French city of the turn of the century, with avenues, parks, monuments, and a center crowded with small shops and colors.
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Mai Hich (B/-/-)
−Guide
Homestay
Private car
Meeting with the guide in the lobby.
Departure for Hoa Binh, traveling along a road dominated by terraced rice fields. Along the way, you can admire hills covered with tea plantations, rice paddies, and limestone cliffs. Continue toward the Mai Chau valley. Visit typical villages where you will be welcomed by the Thai ethnic groups in their stilt houses; there, you can observe the daily life of the inhabitants, and lunch will be served directly on the floor.
In the afternoon, transfer to Mai Hich, a picturesque village less frequented by tourists in the Mai Chau valley. A walk or a bike ride around the village will allow you to better enjoy the lush landscape and endless rice fields.
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay in traditional stilt houses in Mai Hich. (Basic comfort – mattresses are arranged here, covered by mosquito nets. In the courtyard, there are shared facilities with toilet, sink, and shower).
Mai Chau is located in the heart of a beautiful valley that represents a world far from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. The modern village is an unattractive expansion, but as soon as the rice fields and rural villages come into view, the sight transforms into a true paradise. Here, the majority of the inhabitants belong to the White Thai ethnic minority, very different from those in Thailand, Laos, and China.
NOTE: Musical performance and folk dances with a tasting of local grappa served from a jar with bamboo straws, a specialty of the region (optional for groups larger than 10 people).
Mai Hich - Mai Chau - Son La (B/-/-)
−Guide
Hotel
Private car
Breakfast at the hotel/lodge/homestay.
Meeting with the guide in the lobby. The day begins with a visit to the villages of Poom Cong and Lac, a small corner of peace where the culture of the Thai people—one of the oldest ethnic groups in Northwest Vietnam—is preserved intact. Here, visitors can enjoy an authentic and profound experience in contact with nature and local traditions. You will travel along Route 6 to reach the Moc Chau plateau. Stop along the way to visit H’Mong villages. Continue toward Son La. Located in Northwest Vietnam, Son La is a mountainous province rich in breathtaking landscapes, ethnic culture, and authentic traditions. With its green valleys, misty mountains, tea plantations, and colorful local ethnic groups, Son La offers visitors a unique experience, far from the more beaten tourist paths.
Check-in and overnight stay at a local hotel.
Son La - Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu (B/-/-) (170km)
−Guide
Hotel
Private car
Breakfast at the hotel/lodge/homestay.
Meeting with the guide in the lobby of the hotel/lodge/homestay.
First stop at Son La Prison, a historical site dating back to the French colonial period, where you can discover evidence of the Vietnamese people’s struggle for independence. Stop along the way to visit the Thuan Chau local market, an opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of the local ethnic populations. At the end of the visit, continue toward Tuan Giao.
Lunch at leisure in a local restaurant.
Continue the journey entering through Thai villages. Along the road, you can see the stilt houses of both the Black Thai and White Thai.
Proceeding along the road toward Tuan Giao, you will cross the majestic Pha Din Pass, situated at about 1,500 meters above sea level. According to local legend, this pass represents the bridge between earth and sky, a place full of spiritual and scenic significance.
Arrival in Dien Bien Phu; we will dedicate the afternoon to visiting sites that tell the story of the struggle against French colonialism, including A1 Hill, the Dien Bien Phu Museum, the cemetery of Vietnamese and French soldiers fallen during the battle, the Victory Statue, and certainly the famous bunker of General De Castri.
Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.
The Thai ethnic group, widespread in Northwest Vietnam, is divided into several subgroups, often identified by color names: the Black Thai, the White Thai, and the Red Thai. Each of these groups has cultural, architectural, and clothing characteristics that distinguish them.
Dien Bien Phu - Muong Lay - Lai Chau (B/-/-) (180km)
−Guide
Hotel
Private car
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Departure from the hotel heading north through territories bordering Laos and along the Nam Na River until reaching Muong Lay, formerly known as Lai Chau. Muong Lay is best known for its spectacular landscape, where the mountains are reflected in the calm waters of the river, creating a scenery of rare beauty.
Along the way, encounter local communities (Thai, H’mong, Dao) relocated to the highlands but still deeply tied to their traditions.
Break for lunch at leisure in a local restaurant.
After Muong Lay, continue toward Lai Chau, with stops dedicated to visiting traditional villages inhabited by the White H’Mong (Gia Khau 1) and Black Dao (Si Thau Chai) communities.
Arrival at the hotel.
Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.
Lai Chau - Sapa (B/-/-) (180km)
−Guide
Hotel
Private car
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
We leave Lai Chau and take the scenic road leading to Tam Duong and the Binh Lu valley. Along the way, it will be possible to stop and visit some ethnic villages in the surroundings and a small local market, frequented by various ethnic minorities including the Lao, Lu, Thai, H’Mong, and Black Dao. A unique opportunity to observe the daily life of the local communities, their traditional clothes, and artisanal activities.
Continuing the journey, the ascent toward the Tram Ton Pass awaits us, the highest in Vietnam, situated at 2,049 meters above sea level. From the top, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the valley below and the majestic mountains of Indochina, among which Mount Fansipan (3,143 m) stands out, known as “the Roof of Indochina.”
Arrival in Sapa in the late afternoon and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B/L/-)
−Guide
Hotel
Private car
Breakfast at the hotel/homestay/lodge.
Meeting with the guide in the hotel/homestay/lodge lobby.
You will cross the Muong Hoa River to reach Y Linh Ho, a small village nestled in the valley, inhabited by the Black Hmong ethnic minority. These people, among the most fascinating and traditional in northern Vietnam, are known for their characteristic indigo-dyed clothing, textile craftsmanship, and strong bond with the land.
Continue toward the village of Lao Chai, also inhabited by the Black Hmong ethnic minority. Along the way, you will be surrounded by breathtaking scenery: colorful terraced rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see along the mountain slopes. During the journey, it will be possible to visit some local families, a unique opportunity to closely learn about the traditions and lifestyle of these rural communities.
You will cross rice fields and small streams, completely immersing yourself in the quiet of the Vietnamese countryside, until you reach the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Zay (Giay) ethnic group, known for their hospitality and their houses built of wood and bamboo.
Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Sapa - Tribal Market - Hanoi (B/-/-).
−Hotel
Private car
Trekking
Breakfast at the hotel/homestay/lodge.
Meeting with the guide in the hotel/homestay/lodge lobby.
Departure for the mountainous areas in the province of Lao Cai; during the journey, you can enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and lakes. The Lao Cai region is well known for its vibrant and colorful weekly markets, surrounded by an enchanting landscape of wild nature. These markets are not only for exchanging goods but also serve as the epicenter for cultural encounters between the different ethnic groups living in harmony in this region.
It will be possible to visit a colorful ethnic market that takes place once a week (Alternatives: Coc Ly Market – Tuesday, Sin Cheng Market – Wednesday, Lung Khau Nhin Market – Thursday, Lung Phinh Market – Friday, Can Cau Market – Saturday, Bac Ha Market – Sunday). You can browse through the market and see the products sold, such as vegetables, poultry, horses, and buffaloes. Your attention will surely be captured not only by the liveliness of the market but also by the many minority groups in their most colorful traditional clothes.
After visiting the market, you will take a short walk through some small ethnic villages interspersed with cornfields, cassava hills, clay houses, and plum orchards. Lunch at leisure in a local restaurant. Return to Hanoi. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Hanoi Arrival (B/-/-).
−Plane
Private car
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meeting and transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding the North Vietnam Tour. Safe travels home!
*** END OF SERVICES ***
Price and Policy
SERVICES INCLUDED:
- Hotels of the category specified in the itinerary, based on 2 people per room.
- Meals as mentioned in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
- English or Italian-speaking guides as indicated in the program.
- Private vehicle for all transfers and land excursions.
- Entrance fees for the sites indicated in the program.
- Boats as described in the program.
- Water (01 bottle/person/day).
SERVICES EXCLUDED:
- International flights (not mentioned) and airport taxes.
- Meals not mentioned in the program.
- Drinks, telephone calls… all expenses of a personal nature and those not expressly indicated in the “Included Services” section.
- Tips for drivers and guides. Our suggestion: 1-3$US/person/day for the driver and 3$US-5$US/person/day for the guide, depending on the size of the group.
- Anything not indicated under the heading “Included Services.”
- File management fee (includes medical, luggage, and cancellation insurance).
Northern Vietnam: A Sanctuary Between Nature and Tradition
- 9 Days / 8 nights
- Hanoi→Mai Chau→Mai Hich→Son La→Dien Bien Phu→Lai Chau→Sapa→Hanoi
- Hanoi / Hanoi
