Vietnam Tours

The North of Vietnam, usually called Tonkin consists of the Red River Delta, rolling countryside and a huge mountaineous system . The north-west region is a difficult access region and was deserted for centuries. Little by little different populations that were chased away from China settled in the area and founded tribal villages. Nowadays the "High Tonkin" is still a world in its own right and dozens of ethnic minorities have still settled in remote forested areas. The trip invites you to unveil one of the most unspoilt areas of South East Asia, stressing on the direct contact with the locals (including overnights in guesthouse). Through rice paddle fields, you will be one of the first traveler to discover the rural life of local ethnic minorities. From one village to another, you can see a big difference in customs and clothes style among the local minorities. The Red H'mong live on hills whereas the Black Thai live in the valley. This original itinerary deals with unknown villages at the borders of Tonkin, the mysterious Babe Lake and the Valley of Sapa.
Day 1 : Hanoi
Our guide will wait for you at the airport of Hanoi then there will be a transfert to your hotel. The rest of the day is free so you can get around and discover the capital at your own pace. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 : Hanoi – Thac Ba
Drive to Thac Ba lake which is the second lake of Vietnam in terms of surperficie. In this unknown area, there are more than 300 isles and this is an absolute paradise for nature lovers. You'll be hosted by the Zao who live around the lake. Overnight in the Zaos' guesthouse.
Day 3 : Thac Ba - Bac Ha
In the morning, you'll take a scenic cruise to discover the Thac Ba lake dotted with bowl-shaped isles. From time to time you can run into a fisherman getting aroung on his sampan. In the afternoon, we'll visit the region of Bac Ha where several ethnic minorities live including the Tay,Black H'mong, Blue H'mong, Nung and Phu La. We'll get through nice roads lined with champs de lataniers and houses on stilts. Overnight in Bac Ha
Day 4 : Bac Ha – Can Cau – Bac Ha
Very early in the morning, we'll drive to Can Cau, a village situated near the Chinese border. The village is famous for its market where the principal ethic minorities of the region come to exhange goods. Then we'll visit the village of the Phu La, a scarce minority who live only in Bac Ha and encounter the Flower H'mong who a famous for their multicolored clothes. Overnight in Bac Ha
Day 5 : Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Sapa
Today we'll visit the market of Bac Ha which is the biggest rural market of Tonkin. Then we'll take a two-hour scenic cruise along the Coc Ly river and through peaceful landscape dotted with houses on stilts . Transfer to Sapa through a mountain way dotted with rice paddle fields and pined wood. Arriving to Sapa, the climate is completely different because this town is situated on 1650m of altitude. Trekking towards the village Cat Cat of the Black H'mong (if enough time). Overnight in Sapa
Day 6 : Trekking in the Valley of Sapa
Sapa is not only an ideal place to relax thanks to moderate climate but also a melting pot of cultures among several ethnic minorities. These minorities include : the H'mong, the Red Zao, the Giay, the Tay...all of them are very proud of their ancestral traditions and imigrated from Southern China at the end of the 19th century. Today they are still autarkic and wear traditional clothes. After the breakfast, you'll visit the colorful market of Sapa.Then get down the valley of Muong Hoa towards the village of Lao Chai and Ta Van where the Black H'mong live. Here you'll receive warming welcome from the local population. Overnight in guesthouse in Ta Van
Day 7 : Ta Van – Tam Duong
Today we'll continue the trekking towards the village Giang Ta Chai and beautiful rice paddle fields of Cau May. Then come back to Sapa and trasfert to Tam Duong. Then we'll go on en excursion in the village of Ban Hon where women wear clothes adorned with metallic jewels. According to the Lus' tradition, women have their teeth lacquered from the age of 10 because black teeth are the beauty symbol! Overnight in Tam Duong
Day 8 : Tam Duong
Situated in a beautifual valley dotted with rocky hills, Tam Duong is a melting pot of several ethnic minorities especially the Zao Tien and the Man Lan Ten. Here the principal economy is not agriculture but hunting. Local people still make traditional bows for their expeditions! The whole day will be spent on trekking in small villages hidden in the mountain. This excursion is an occasion of staring at manificient lanfscapes and meeting . We'll visit a local market in Tam Duong before getting to the Chinese border. Overnight in Tam Duong
Day 9 : Tam Duong – Lao Cai – Hanoi
In the morning, visit the multitethnical market of Tam Duong that takes place every Thursdays and Sundays. Drive back to Lao Cai and take an overnight train to Hanoi.