Vietnam Nord anders

Hanoi Arrival / Sightseeing and City Exploration (A)

Arrival at the airport, 
reception by our French-speaking tour guide and our driver, and transfer to the city center of Hanoi. 

Depending on your arrival time, you will begin your first discoveries in Hanoi off the beaten track :

- Visit the Dong Xuan Market - a commercial, cultural, and spiritual place located in Hanoi's Old Quarter. It is the oldest market in the capital, built in 1889 by the French through the leveling of the To Lich River and part of the Red River.

Then a walk along the Long Bien Bridge (Paul Doumer) , built at the end of the 19th century by the firm Daydé & Pillé (not Eiffel), to whom we owe, in particular, the Grand Palais and the Pont Mirabeau in Paris. It is heavily frequented by pedestrians, cyclists, and motorbikes. It is a landmark of the Vietnamese capital. From the bridge, you can take beautiful photos of the Red River.

Afterwards, a visit to the ancient Citadel of Hanoi (Hoang Thanh Thang Long) . It has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2010, even though at first glance it only represents the structures, palaces and ruins of an ancient civilization, more precisely the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties.

Then  visit the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake (of the returned sword)  with the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain) .

Welcome dinner  at a local restaurant featuring typical dishes from Hanoi.

Hanoi – Hoa Binh / Excursions – Mai Chau / Walks and sightseeing (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meeting point at 8:00 am for departure for a round trip into the mountains of the northwest, via Hoa Binh, which is considered the gateway to the region.

After a 2-hour drive, you'll descend to the Black River Dam for  a boat trip  into the second land-based Ha Long Bay,  surrounded by fairytale-like and authentic landscapes. You'll meet the Muong people on the lakeshore, who will welcome you into their stilt houses with their warm hospitality, smoke a water pipe, and share their customs.

Lunch is available on site.

Afternoon: Continue along the road to Mai Chau,  a beautiful valley surrounded by rice paddies, which is also the land of the white Thais. Accommodation with locals (stilt house).

In the evening, after dinner prepared by the Thai women, you will be invited to  participate in the  folkloric dance performances of the five ethnic groups  and  to taste the local wine  (sticky rice fermented with the roots of medicinal herbs).

Overnight stay with the Thais in their stilt house. 

Mai Chau / Walks – Moc Chau / Walks & Sightseeing (F,M,A)

After a Thai-style breakfast, 
enjoy a pleasant stroll  through the Mai Chau Valley to see the central market, where livestock, fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, and even snails are sold. You can sample dishes from the various ethnic groups, admire brocade fabrics and handwoven traditional clothing, or sip local rice wine.

Continuing our visit to the village of Ban Van, a small village peacefully nestled in a deep valley at the foot of the mountains. The stilt houses are simple but charming, offering fabulous views. Drive to Moc Chau.

Arrival in the village of Hua Tat , where the fresh air offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. You will have the opportunity to explore the agricultural areas and hike to enjoy breathtaking views.

Lunch with locals, followed by a  walk to explore  this H'mong village . You can try authentic Hmong papermaking, embroidery, and cooking classes.

Their hospitality and sincerity are warmly expressed through rice wine!  A stop in Moc Chau allows us to admire Vietnam's largest tea plantation.

Dinner and overnight stay with local H'mong people - Hua Tat village.

Moc Chau – Son La / Sightseeing – Tuan Giao – Dien Bien / Sightseeing (F,M,A)

Breakfast with locals.
Meeting point at 8:00 am on the way to Dien Bien via Son La and Tuan Giao .

Upon arrival in Son La, you will visit the old prison, which was built during the French colonial period .

Then continue to Tuan Giao with a stop to visit the central market of Thuan Chau,  where you will meet not only Black Thais but also White H'mong people who come to trade. The White H'mong women wear colorful costumes: the green long-sleeved shirt and, most notably, the pointed hat decorated with red tassels.

While crossing Pha Din,  Vietnam's longest mountain pass at 32 km, you will admire the splendor of nature. At the foot of the pass, you will visit  a multi-ethnic primary school  in Tuan Giao  before having lunch at a local restaurant.

Arrival in Dien Bien in the afternoon. Nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, Dien Bien lies in the heart of Black Thai country. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at a hotel in Dien Bien.

Dien Bien – Sin Ho / Sightseeing (F,M,A)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Meeting point at 8:00 am for departure to Sin Ho, passing through beautiful ethnic villages of the Black Thai people with their charming stilt houses and slate roofs, as well as the impressive dam.
Lunch at a local restaurant.

Upon arrival in Sin Ho, you will also visit the Kh'mu villages along the roadside. This ethnic group belongs to the Mon-Khmer language group and is the neighbor of the Laotians, but although the women's traditional dress resembles that of Black Thais, the difference lies in their jewelry.
Arrival in Sin Ho at sunset. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in a local guesthouse.

Sin Ho – Lai Chau – O Quy Ho Pass / Photos – Muong Hum / Walks and sightseeing (F,M,A)

After breakfast,
at 6:00 AM you will depart for a large festival held every Sunday morning at the multi-ethnic market in Sin Ho, where you will meet people from various ethnic groups: the White Thai, Dzay (or Nhang), Lü, Red H'Mong, Red Yao, Man "with board," and Man "with horns" (Man is another name for the Yao). They come to exchange their agricultural and handcrafted products, especially indigo, which is used for dyeing clothes. This spectacular festival will enchant you until midday.

A walk and visit to a Dzao village (Ta Phin) , then onward to Lai Chau and Muong Hum .

Lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Lai Chau after visiting the village of Ban Hon der Lus .

In the afternoon you will cross the pass, which is over 2000 meters high – O Quy Ho (or Tram Ton – one of the 4 highest passes in Vietnam).

Stop to visit the Thac Bac waterfall and then arrival in the village of Muong Hum via the highway through beautiful rice terraces.

Arrival in Muong Hum in the late afternoon. Check-in at accommodation with locals.

Dinner and overnight stay with locals in Muong Hum.

Muong Hum – Y Ty / Sightseeing – Lao Cai – Bac Ha / Sightseeing & Walks (F,M,A)

Breakfast with locals,
meeting with the team for walks in the ethnic villages and visiting the village of Lao Chai of the Ha Nhi, who live in their typical mud houses in Y Ty .

Then drive to Lao Cai for lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit the border crossing into China before driving up the Bac Ha Pass to reach the district of the same name. Take a walk in the village of Ban Pho to meet the H'mong people.

Accommodation with locals. Dinner and overnight stay with locals in Bac Ha.

Bac Ha / Ethnic Market (Sunday) – Sapa / Sightseeing & Walks (F,M)

Breakfast with locals,
early meeting around 7:00 am to visit the ethnic market – the colorful folk festival of Bac Ha (every Sunday morning), with the presence of the ethnic groups: Tay, Flower H'Mong, Blue H'Mong, Nung and Phu La.

A cruise on the Chay River to the village of Trung Do , where you will have lunch.

Continue to Sapa . Stroll through the town , followed by a walk in the village of Cat Cat to see the Black H'mong people.
Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay at a hotel in Sapa.

Sapa / Hike to the Muong Hoa Valley: Villages Lao Chai, Ta Van – Village Giang Ta Chai (F,M)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet the team at 8:00 AM and drive to the Muong Hoa Valley, passing through the villages of Lao Chai (the colorful Hmong) and Ta Van (the Dao) . The valley stretches along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and promises unique scenes for your camera: rice terraces that appear like sculptural masterpieces on earth, the roofs of simple houses perched on hilltops, paths winding from one village to the next… In this valley, you will experience a more pleasant and surprising trek, encountering members of numerous ethnic groups: H'Mong, Giay, Dao…!

Lunch with locals in the village of Ta Van.

Then time for a walk in the village and contact with the villagers before continuing the easy hike to the village of Giang Ta Chai , through bamboo forests and waterfalls, where the Red Dao live.

The driver will meet you at the other end of Giang Ta Chai village to take you to Sapa.
Dinner is at your leisure, followed by an overnight stay at a hotel in Sapa.

Sapa – Than Uyen – Mu Cang Chai / walks in the rice terraces (B,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Meeting at 8:00 AM, the road takes us to Than Uyen and then Mu Cang Chai , crossing the O Quy Ho Pass again, with stops in the ethnic villages along the road.

Lunch in Than Uyen. Continue to Mu Cang Chai and then take a walk in the Thai village.
Dinner and overnight stay with locals in Mu Cang Chai.

Mu Cang Chai / Walks & Sightseeing, Ethnic Encounters – Tu Le / Photos and Walks – Nghia Lo / Ethnic Encounters (F,M,A)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet at 8:00 am and stroll through the most beautiful rice terraces . Visit the villages of La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha before driving up the Khau Pha Pass – one of the four highest passes in Vietnam.

Stops for sightseeing and photos at unforgettable locations in the northwest region of Vietnam.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Tu Le.

They continue to Nghia Lo and then transfer directly to the village of Muong Lo. Accommodation is provided by locals.
Dinner and overnight stay with locals in Nghia Lo.

Nghia Lo / Walks – Trac Ba Lake / Excursion to the lake and walks in the village of Vu Linh (F,M,A)

Breakfast with locals.
Meet at 8:00 am and drive to Yen Bai and then to Thac Ba Lake , stopping for sightseeing and photos along the way.

Lunch in Yen Bai, then continue to the village of Thac Ba. Thac Ba is an artificial lake, one of the three largest in Vietnam, created since the hydroelectric power plant began operating in 1970. Covering an area of ​​approximately 23,400 hectares and stretching 80 kilometers, the artificial lake contains 1,300 islands and islets (a kind of mini-Halong Bay) and numerous caves.

Accommodation with locals in the village of Vu Linh, home to the White-Pants Dao people. A walk through the village, contact with the villagers to learn about their way of life.

A convivial dinner with the host family.

Overnight stay with locals, in a stilt house belonging to the White-Pants Dao people.

Trac Ba / Excursion and walks – Hanoi (F,M)

Breakfast with the locals.
Meeting point at 8:00 am and you will take a cruise on Thac Ba Lake through the islands to visit small villages inhabited by Tay and Dao people . More than 300 islands and islets of red earth, some covered with carpets of grass and bushes, others with forests, rise from these waters.

Have lunch with the locals and then say goodbye to the family before continuing your journey back to Hanoi .

Arrival in Hanoi after approximately a 4-hour drive. Direct transfer to your hotel in Hanoi .

Dinner at your leisure and overnight stay in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Halong Bay / Cruise, sightseeing and relaxation with one night on board a junk (F,L,D)

Breakfast at the hotel,
meeting point at 8:00 am for departure by shuttle (without a tour guide) to Halong Bay.

Arrival at the Hon Gai pier . Embarkation on the junk around noon.

Welcome cocktail on board and briefing.

1:00 PM: Check-in to your cabin.

1:30 PM: A delicious lunch of fresh seafood and Vietnamese cuisine will be served while the junk sails into the heart of Halong Bay.

3:00 PM: Arrival at the kayaking area: Cap La Island . You can also swim and relax on the beach!

5:30 PM: Return to the junk to enjoy the sunset party. Anchor for the night.

7:00 PM: Impressive Vietnamese dinner.

8:30 p.m.: Free time for games. Opportunity for squid fishing.

Overnight stay on board the shared 4* junk (depending on the number of travelers / your request).

Note: These two days in Halong Bay, the cruise will take place in Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha, depending on the availability of the junks and your decision and choice.

Halong Bay / Cruise and transfer to Hanoi – Departure (B,L)

6:30 a.m.: Morning Tai Chi session on deck at sunrise (for those who wish to participate...).

7:00 AM: Breakfast on board.

8:00 AM: After breakfast, the junk boat departs for Thien Canh Son Cave , which you will visit. Your guide will explain the history of Halong Bay and this cave, created by Mother Nature.

9:30 a.m.: Return to the junk. Then it's time to freshen up, prepare your luggage, and vacate your cabin.

10:45 a.m.: During the return trip to the pier, you will enjoy a cooking demonstration before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.

12:00 PM: Disembarkation.

Return to Hanoi. Direct transfer to Hanoi Airport for departure.

NOTE: The cruise itinerary in Halong Bay may vary depending on the junk.