We've designed this exciting new itinerary to give you an insider's perspective into the importance weekly markets have in the social and economic aspects of hill tribe life. During this educational journey you'll interact with a diverse range of ethnic minorities as you explore three of Northern Vietnam's most interesting markets.  

This is both a culturally and physically rewarding trip, you'll trek through verdant tea plantations and rice terraces to visit local villages and experience their daily life as it has existed for hundreds of years. You'll not soon forget your experiences here nor the awe inspiring scenery and breathtaking vista views as you traverse through some of the most stunning valleys and mountain passes found anywhere. We encourage you to share your experiences and knowledge with others to help protect this valuable cultural resource that makes this region such a unique place to visit.

Saturday Night: Tour guide picks you up at 20:30 pm in our office, transfer by private coach to the train station for the night train to Lao Cai city. Soft sleeper with air-condition, departure at 21:30pm and arrived at 5:30 am.

Sunday: (B, L, D):  From Lao Cai city, drive upto the mountain road to Sapa city, continue over the Tram Tom Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam at 19.00 pm, down to the town of Binh Lu (~3 hours),. one of the most interesting markets to visit due to its diversity of ethnic minority groups including Dzao (red, black, coin), Day, Meo, H'mong, Nung and Phu La. Continue to drive along the valley to Tam Duong. This vibrant market attracts H'mong dressed in colorful skirts and plaid head dress, Black & Lan Ten Dzao and Nung. After lunch, trek along local roads and trails, through beautiful tea plantations, rice terraces and farmland to local villages of Dzao and Lu people, then down to Ban Hon village and back to Tam Duong for dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Note: The hotel in Tam Duong offers basic accommodation, but it is clean and equipped with hot shower and fan.

Monday (B): After breakfast in Tam Duong, start your ride back up over the mountains to Sapa at 10:30 am and checkin your hotel. Take some free time to explore the town, check out the market and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Hoang Lien Son mountain range home to Fansipan Mt, Viet Nam's highest peak at over 3,100 m high, and its nature preserve, Create a towering backdrop and great setting for trekking. Meet your tour guide at the Handspan office at 13.00 pm and take a Jeep car ride down the valley to visit the Black H'Mong people of Lao Chai village, trek to see the Day people of Ta Van village. At the end of the day you'll be picked up by Jeep to return to Sapa and overnight in the Hotel.

Tuesday (B, L, D): Enjoy an early breakfast buffet before or 6:30 am departure from Sapa to Coc Ly, a small Flower H'mong Village which is the most colorful ethnic group with elaborately embroidered spirals and geometric figures on their clothes and colorful bands for leg wrappings, located on the banks of  Chay River. Head back down to Lao Cai, across to the east side of the Red river and up to the Bac Ha region. Its remote location in this mountain area gives you an appreciation of the harsh geography where these people carve out their agricultural existence. After exploring this vibrant and fascinating market, you'll board a local boat for a 2.5hr trip down the Chay River, stopping along the way to explore the 'Fairy Cave' and enjoy a picnic lunch. You'll be picked up in Bao Nhai then return to Lao Cai for dinner and catch the night train back to Ha Noi.

Upon the time, you can visit the Thuong temple with its impressive 500 year old Banyan Tree.

Trip ends at Ha Noi railway station at 5:30 am.

                                              Price: $ 290 USD / person

Included:

Return soft sleeper with A.C 2 star hotel with mountain view All meals on the tour   Transportation

Distance trek as your request Experience English speaking guide Home stay fee Permission fees