The 9-day North Vietnam Tours takes you to the less traveled places of the north western Vietnam where you will discover lots of untouched villages, sites including Ba Be national park, Bao Lac, Cao Bang, Meo Vac, Dong Van highland, Yen Minh, Quan Ba, Ha Giang province, Thong Nguyen, Hoang Su Phi. Extend your Ha Giang travel experience with a two-day tour to Bac Ha, Lao Cai province. There you enjoy a short walking tour to a Tay village, visit the Coc Ly market, open on Tuesday only before taking the overnight train trip from Lao Cai to travel back to Hanoi. This off the beaten path tour itinerary is customized for small groups, family travel and those who look for a off the beaten track trip to the less visted Vietnam.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi – Ba Be National Park (L,D)

You will be met up at your hotel in Hanoi at 8:30am and travel northwards along national road 3 (Please inform us your hotel address).

Stop in Thai Nguyen City after about 2 hours drive for visiting the Museum of Ethnology. Leaving Thai Nguyen and continue the road ride to Cho Moi townlet for lunch break and then continue the road ride to Na Phac junction. Visit a local Dzao village before arriving hotel around late afternoon.

Dinner & overnight in a stilt house (homestay).

Day 2: Ba Be National Park – Bao Lac (B,L,D)

After breakfast,  we will take a short walk to the boat pier and then enjoy the whole morning mainly on boat for exploring the pure nature of Ba Be lake and national park with some highlights including visiting to Dau Dang Waterfall and Puong Cave. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in town. After lunch, transfer uphill for 160 km to Bao Lac with several stops along the way for admiring spectacular scenery of the western part of Cao Bang Province and paying visit to villages of the Nung peoples.

Arriving in Bao Lac in late afternoon, check-in hotel. Dinner and overnight in a local hotel in Bao Lac.

Day 3: Bao Lac –  Meo Vac (B,L,D)

Leaving Bao Lac at about 09.00 for a drive along the Gam River for an hour before turning right and traveling uphill to the higher land, heading north to Meo Vac Townlet of Ha Giang Province. Stop along the way for visiting several small hamlets of the Nung, Tay and H’mong ethnic peoples scaterring along the Nho Que River. Arriving in Meo Vac at about 13.00, having lunch and check in hotel for a short rest.

Spend the the afternoon by walking along the stunning Nho Que River, admiring scenery of the spectacular Ma Pi Leng Pass, paying visit to villages of the H’mong, Zao and Red Lolo ethnic peoples.

Dinner and overnight in Meo Vac.Ha Giang

Day 4: Meo Vac - Dong Van – Yen Minh (B,L,D)

Leaving Meo Vac , you will enjoy one of the most stunning landscapes of the northern mountain - The Ma Pi Leng Pass. Visit a small H’mong hamlet, set amongst the rock field featuring the very tough life on this limestone highland before continuing along the road 4c to Dong Van, the northernmost townlet of Vietnam. Walk along the ancient street of Dong Van before having lunch.

After lunch, enjoy an hour drive to Lung Cu, the northernmost commune of Vietnam, walking to visit a Red Lolo village for half an hour and then driving downhill 24 km to Xa Phin to pay visiting to the famous historical site of the Vuong Family’s Palace famous for its mixture of H’mong architectural style.

Continue our road to Yen Minh where will spend the night.

Day 5: Yen Minh – Thong Nguyen (B,L,D)

Leaving Yen Minh for a drive up and downhill over the spectacular Yen Minh mountain pass with some stops for overviewing scenery and visiting a Red Zao village. Leaving the main road, crossing the Nho Que river by suspension bridge and walk along the bank of the river for an hour through a H’mong village before taking the road ride again to Quan Ba townlet.

Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant en route.

In the afternoon, we will take another short walk in a H’mong village before driving downhill all the way to Ha Giang Township and onto Thong Nguyen.

Overnight in Thong Nguyen.

Day 6: Thong Nguyen – Bac Ha (B,L,D)

Depart for Hoang Su Phi making another stop along the way to visit a Red Dzao village. Continue our drive towards Sin Man with several photo stops along the way. Arrive Sin Man around noon. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in town. After lunch we will have a short rest before getting on our vehicle again for the journey to Bac Ha. Stop en route for another short walk to a H’mong village and Phu La village. Arrive in Bac Ha around late afternoon. Check-in hotel.

Dinner will be provided either in a local restaurant in town or at hotel.

Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 7: Visit Coc Ly Tuesday market. Laocai – Hanoi (B,L)

Travel by car to Coc Ly market which is open on Tuesday only. Every Tuesday morning, minorities from surrounding villages such as the Flower Hmong, the Black Dzao and the Tay, gather here to sell and buy their products.

After visiting the market, travel by boat downstream on Chay river. Enjoy magnificent sight of the beautiful caves and life on the riverbank. You will have lunch at a nice spot or later in a local hill tribe village. The trip will also offers you a visit to Trung Do village of Tay minority, where you can stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. You will go further downstream until you arrive to Bao Nhai Bridge. Here you get on the car for the journey to Laocai.

Take the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

This 7-day North Vietnam Tours is specially customized by the hanoi tour operator Lotussia Travel for individuals, small group tours and family holidays, those seek an off the beaten path tour itineraries in the northern Vietnam. The overland tour begins with a car transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang where you start visiting the beauty of the wild nature, untouched hill tribe villages, corn fields. You meet up with different ethnic people such as the Lolo, the Tay, the Dzao, the H’mong. Stops are made en route for you to take picture, to meet up with local peoples. You travel through Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van,Meo Vac, Saphin, Bac Me to Cao Bang where you visit the giant waterfall before driving back to Hanoi. This trip is provided with English-speaking tour guide, vehicle, basic hotel accommodation, local food. 

Itinerary:


Day 1: Drive Hanoi – Ha Giang

8:00: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to Ha Giang via Tuyen Quang province.

Enjoy natural landscape, green fields, palm hill and villages. Upon arrival in Tuyen Quang town, we can make a stop and visit a village of the Tay. We will arrive in Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. Check into a local house for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Travel Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Dong Van

After breakfast, we will have a short visit of the Ha Giang museum before we continue our drive towards Dong Van rocky highland. We make some stops en route for admiring the scenery and taking pictures.

Lunch will be provided a local restaurant in Yen Minh town.

After lunch, we continue traveling to Dong Van. Stop en route for visiting a local Hmong village in Cao Pho, and the Hmong King Palace in Saphin.

We arrive in Dong Van around late afternoon. Check into a local hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Dong Van – Meo Vac.

After breakfast, we will have a short visit of the ancient town of Dong Van. Then we continue our trip driving to Meo Vac.

We make stops en route for visiting local Hmong village and admiring the scenery, taking picture of  Ma Pi Leng pass.

We arrive in Meo Vac at noon, check into a local hotel.

Lunch will be provided either in the hotel or in a local restaurant in town.

After lunch, we will have a short walk visiting a Hmong village near the town.

Overnight in Meo Vac.

Day 4: Continue traveling Meo Vac – Bac Me.

After breakfast, we  depart for Bac Me. We may have the opportunity to visit the Lung Phin Market, the biggest tribal market in the area. The market is open following Vietnamese lunar calendar.

Lunch will be provided in Mau Due.

After lunch, we continue traveling towards Bac Me. We will pass by rice terrace fields, primary forest and hilltribe villages such as Duong Thuong, Du Gia, Minh Son….

We will arrive in Bac Me around late afternoon. check into a local guesthouse for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Travel Bac Me – Cao Bang.

After breakfast, we continue our trip driving towards Cao Bang. Other stops will be made on the way for you to visit more local hilltribe village, experiencing more their real authentic life.

We will arrive in Cao Ban around late afternoon. Check into a local hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc waterfall – Cao Bang.

Heading out of town, we start venturing into the most remote northern regions of Cao Bang Province. The scenic roads traverse Trung Khanh before arriving at Ban Gioc Waterfall, which boasts the biggest waterfall in Vietnam (although not full of water in the dry season). There is an enormous cave with two main entrances, one branch reaching almost all the way to the waterfalls where there is a second "secret" entrance. On the way back, we may break en route, as you wish, to visit hill tribe villages and take pictures.

Day 7: Cao Bang – Hanoi.

Enjoy full day drive from Cao Bang to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi around mid-afternoon. End of Lotussia Travel service.

This 5-day North Vietnam Tours is customized for individuals, small group tours and holiday tours, those seeking an off the beaten path tour to Vietnam. Begin the tour with a car transfer from Hanoi up to Ha Giang town, Ha giang province where you spend the first night at local home. The following days, you will travel to Meo Vac, Dong Van karst plateau, Sa Phin village. If you arrive there on Saturday or Sunday you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most colorful market in Vietnam where you meet up with different ethnics groups such as the Tay, the Dzao, the H’mong…You will spend one night at My Lan hotspring in Tuyen Quang before you enjoy the drive back to Hanoi. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Ha Noi – Ha Giang.

You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi then transferred to Ha Giang though Son Nam District of Tuyen Quang province. Enjoy natural landscape and green fields, palm hill and villages. Passing Tuyen Quang town, you can visit village of black Tay minority. Arrive at Ha Giang town in the late afternoon. Dinner and Overnight in hotel in Ha Giang.

 Day 2: Ha Giang - Meo Vac - Dong Van.

Breakfast at the local restaurant, and then our guide will take you to highland of Ha Giang province with a stop in Quan Ba District to visit the Bo Y minority village, this area is wonderful weather around year, then process passing Sky gate where you can visit sky, Fairy Mountain, hand weaving village. Break in Yen Minh town. Continues driving to Meo Vac town, visit Dzao minority house and we have chance to view Nho Que river with Ma Pileng point. Arrive Dong Van District. Dinner and Overnight in hotel.

Day 3: Dong Van - Lung Cu - Sa Phin - Ha Giang.

Breakfast outside of hotel. Visit ancient houses, departure for Lo Lo minority village, trekking to Flag tower on the top of Lung Cu mountain about 1km, view ancient valley from the top. After that we go to Sa Phin village to visit former Meo King palace, on the way we can stop to visit Lung Tao a small village. If we come here on Sunday, we have chance to visit local market, it is still remain traditional life of high minority in Ha Giang. Overnight in hotel in Ha Giang.

Day 4: Ha Giang - My Lam hot spring - Tuyen Quang.

After breakfast, we return to Tuyen Quang with some stops on the way for taking photos, and then head to My Lam for some hours at leisure at Hot spring. Check in hotel in Tuyen Quang town. Free time to explore the town & afternoon market.

Day 5: Tuyen Quang - Viet Tri - Ha Noi.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Ha Noi on No.2 national road with a stop at Viet Tri city as a short break and lunch for an hour. After that, we drive straight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon. End of the trip.

This 5-day North Vietnam Tours includes such travel highlights as Ha Giang homestay experience, visit Quan Ba, Dong Van karst plateau, Dong Van old streets, Pho Bang town, Meo Vac, Khau Vai love market, open once a year. This overland tour is only available in March (or April) depending the Vietnamese Lunar Calendar. This overland tour takes you to the less traveled region of the far north Vietnam where you enjoy beauty of the wild nature, karst plateau, untouched hilltribe villages and meet up with different ethnic groups such as the Lolo, thay Tay, the H’mong…The Khau Vai love market is unique and exceptional. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive Hanoi – Ha Giang

8:00: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to Ha Giang via Tuyen Quang province.

We arrive in Ha Giang around early afternoon. We will check into a local village house and have lunch. After lunch, we will have a short walk around this village.

Meeting and talking with local villagers will help you understand more the culture of the Tay ethnic group.

Dinner will be provided at the village. Overnight in a stilt house.

 Day 2: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Dong Van

After breakfast, we will have a short visit of the Ha Giang museum before we continue our drive towards rocky highland in ha Giang. We make some stops en route for admiring the scenery and taking pictures.

Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant en route. After lunch, we take a short break before we continue our trip to Dong Van highland.

We stop en route for visiting a local Hmong village in Cao Pho, Vuong Family Palace in Xa Phin commune.

We arrive in Dong Van around late afternoon. Check into a local hotel and overnight.

Day 3: Dong Van – Meo vac – Khau Vai.

After breakfast, we will have a short walk in Dong Van ancient streets before we continue our expeditions towards Meo Vac.

A stop will be made when we reach the Ma Pi Leng pass for visiting a local H’mong village and taking picture of the Nho Que river.

We arrive in Meo Vac town around noon. Visit to a small village of the Lolo and lunch break, then we continue traveling to Khau Vai.

Arrive in Khau Vai Love Market around afternoon. We take a look at the market.

Dinner will be provided at Market. Overnight in Lung Pu.

Notes: Kindly note the Khau Vai love market is open once a year in March lunar month.

 Day 4: Khau vai – Quan Ba

After breakfast, we continue the road trip to Quan Ba. We make some stops en route for visiting Lung Phin market, one of the biggest tribal market in northern Vietnam.

After lunch at Yen Minh, we will visit a textile cooperative in Lung Tam village. Lung Tam Village has a long-standing traditional craft of brocade weaving, that not only brings income to hundreds of local families, but also contributes to preserving the traditional culture of the Mong ethnic people living in this mountainous area.

We come back to Quan Ba around afternoon. Check  into a local hotel for dinner and overnight

Notes: The Lung Phin market is open following Vietnamese lunar calendar. Ask your Lotussia Travel consultant for details.

Day 5: Quan Ba – Ha Noi

After breakfast we drive back to Ha Noi. Arrive in Ha Noi around afternoon. End of Lotussia Travel service.

This 4-day North Vietnam Tours is the second option we arrange in Ha Giang province. Begin your North Vietnam venture with a car transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang. The journey takes about 6 hours. You spend the first night at local home in a Tay village. The second day you continue your road trip to Meo Vac and then Dong Van through Yen Minh, Quan Ba. If you comes to Dong Van on Saturday afternoon, you have the opportunity to visit the Dong Van market the following morning, Sunday. This is one of the most interesting open air market of different ethnic groups in Vietnam mountainous areas. Visit the old town of Pho Bang before you travel back to Hanoi by car. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Drive Hanoi – Ha Giang

8:00: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to Ha Giang via Tuyen Quang province.

We arrive in Ha Giang around early afternoon. We will check into a local village house and have lunch. After lunch, we will have a short walk around this village.

Meeting and talking with local villagers will help you understand more the culture of the Tay ethnic group.

Dinner will be provided at the village. Overnight in a stilt house.

Day 2: Ha Giang – Meo Vac – Dong Van.

After breakfast, we depart for Meo Vac. We make stops en route for admiring the scenery of the wild nature and the numerous of untouched tribal village.

After lunch, provided in a local restaurant in Yen Minh, we have a short rest before taking road trip to Meo Vac.

Arriving in Meo Vac, we visit a Lolo village. Then continue our journey to Dong Van Karst Plateau. Another stop will be made at the Ma Pi Leng pass. Enjoy great view over the Nho Que river.

We arrive in Dong Van late afternoon. Check into a local hotel. Overnight in Dong Van.

Day 3: Dong Van – Yen Minh – Quan Ba.

After breakfast, we continue our tour traveling to Quan Ba. Stop en route for visiting the Lung Cu flag tower – the North pole of Vietnam.

A visit will also made at Saphin village, the historical vestige of the H’mong King palace.

Then we continue our road trip to Pho Bang.

After Lunch at Pho Bang, we continue driving towards Quan Ba. Stop en route for visiting a local H’mong village in Pho Cao. We will have the opportunity to visit the weaving brocatelle village in Lung Tam.

We arrive in Quan Ba town late afternoon. Check into a local hotel or homestay in a local village.

Day 4: Quan Ba  - Ha Noi

After breakfast, you may have the opportunity to visit the Quan Ba market before taking your journey back to Hanoi. End of Lotussia Travel service.

Notes: The Quan Ba maket is open on Sunday.

The Mong is the largest ethnic group of seventeen ethnics community in Dong Van karts plateau Geopark. Mong people in Ha Giang province is similar to that in some northern mountainous border Viet Nam - China originated from China, then migrated to Vietnam more than 300 years ago. They mainly concentrate in the mountainous provinces, including Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, etc. Mong in Ha Giang account for 32 percent total population of province, comprises two main sub-groups: White Mong and Flower Mong.

 The Mong people are famous for traditional farming milpa, planting rice, maize and other crops. Handicraft productions of Mong ethnic minority achieved high levels of skillfulness such as weaving, knitting, forging and casting, making wooden furniture's.
The H’Mong house is made from earth with three compartments, the middle one is reserved as the altar for ancestor cult. The main and extra doors are opened inward. Traditional clothing of the Mong women are very unique. A suit of women clothes consists of a skirt, a blouse, a shirt parceled at the breast couple with a brassiere, a belt, leggings, and a turban winded around the head. The skirt is usually in the form of a truncated cone with a series of creases which can spread widely. Sometime the skirt is in the form of a tube dress with creases at the two haunches. Decorative patterns on the dress are butterflies, snakes, flower, harrow teeth, eyes of birds, pig feet with the harmony of colour.

The wealth of traditional culture of the Mong people are quite abundant with customs, habits, ceremonies and rites, religion and beliefs. The Hmong families have different ways of ancestor cult. Some principal worships are “ door ghost worship”, “ great mother ghost worship” with different number and content of worship, arrangement, eating and drinking place. the literature and art of the Mong shows their community psychology and awareness, and other issues about nature, society and history. Prominent things are love songs using pan-pipe, flute, leaf-horn, lip-horn. They all are invaluable assets of the Mong community which have been conserved and inherited generations by generations.

One unique and indispensable cultural feature in Dong Van karst plateau Geopark is the kermis. It not only is the place to exchange goods and service consumption demand, but more importantly, it is clearly expresses the cultural identity of ethnics community in the Geopark, where is the interaction of the people here.

They are not necessary go to the market to buy or sell a commodity that they simply go to the fair with need to meet, exchange, give each other a smile, drink together a few cup of wine gathered around Thang Co pans, typical dishes of the ethnic groups in the rocky highland.
Ha Giang often have “back markets”, mainly in communes, because the kermis alternately meets back in term of weekdays. For example, this week meets on Sunday, next week will meet on Saturday, next week will meet on Friday, Thursday, etc.

Dong Van central market takes place every Sunday, Xa Phin market opens every “snake” and “pig’ days; Pho Bang market opens every “horse” and “mouse” days of lunar calendar; Lung Phin market opens every “tiger” and “monkey” days of lunar calendar; Meo Vac market opens every Sunday; Sung Tra opens every Saturday; Khau Vai market opens monthly in the 2nd, 7th, 12nd, 17th, 22nd, 27th of lunar calendar.

Monthly opened on 14th, 15th and 16th of the lunar calendar, to preserve and promote the value of cultural heritages of Dong Van Ancient Quarter, Ha Giang, Vietnam

In these festival, the houses in the Old Street are lighted with lanterns, the cultural and artistic activities is organized in the old market such as cuisine festival, art perfromance, and traditional handicrafts, etc.

 The Mong ethnic group from Lung Phin, Pho Bang, Ma Le perform handicraft like knife and hack hammering, cloth weaving, dye cloth, Ta Phu sewing – traditional clothing of their ethnic minority.

The Co Lao people from Sinh Lung perform the art of making wood chopping – board, types of cake made from corn powder, etc.
The night market in the old Quarter under light of red lantern is like a luminous pearls shining sparkling and fanciful light in mysterious context of a rocky highland, making even the prissiest visitors satisfied and pleased.

The Dao is called by different names such as, Kem Mien, Ku Mien, Man, etc. “Le Cap Sac” of Dao people in Quan Ba Ha Giang is one of the festival reflecting clearly the cultural features of this ethnic minority. “Le Cap Sac” is necessary for the men of Dao ethnic group. It is similar to thanh dinh ceremony of the Mong people which marks the maturity of a man in a family.

 Dao people has custom of opening “le cap sac” for boys at the age of 13 that is requested, the Dao ethnic group has the concept of making the ceremony to thank the god of the forest, water god, the god of new rice, the god of earth…and report to the gods that their son had grown up. When boys are recognized as mature man, they can attend the big works in villages, hamlets and lineage. Mature concept of the Dao is simple enhancement of ethnic pride but it is also a deep spiritual meaning in their intangible culture. “le cap sac” often take place within 3 days and 3 nights with many pigs and chickens slaughtered in a big number depending on the economic condition of the owner. It can be said that “le cap sac” is a mature ritual of the growing-up boys. This is an important part of belief in the spiritual culture of the Dao people.

  Dong Van Highland is situated 1,025 m above sea level and is inhabited by the Tay and H’Mong ethnic groups, Ha Giang. The temperature is approximately 1oC in winter and reaches 24oC on the hottest days. The plateau provides famous products such as Hau plums, peaches, and persimmons without seeds. Dong Van apples are as big as pears. In Dong Van, numerous valuable plants used for their medicinal value are found, including ginseng, anise, and cinnamon.

Dong Van is very beautiful with mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and caves, multicolored orchid forests, plum and peach trees, persimmon orchards, and more. Visiting Dong Van, one can see Pho Bang, also called Pho Bang Street, which was built a long time ago and features multi-storey houses made of clay bricks and tile roofs. Visiting Dong Van on Sundays, one can shop in a very original mountain market where all kinds of goods and multicolored clothes can be purchased.

  The national road No.4C, Ha Giang – Dong Van – Meo Vac, is very sinuous. Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac mount with the length of 7 km, lies between Dong Van and Meo Vac districts where a lot of workers recruited from such provinces as Cao Bang, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang worked very hard for 11 years to build this road. It is, now, invested to build a stop for tourists taking photos of Nho Que river scenery and enjoying a thrilling feeling.


Ma Pi Leng commune is the vast region which is situated in the middle of Dong Van and Meo Vac district, is 16 kilometer from Meo Vac township. This place is considered as “the most spectacular grandiose”.

 During the French time there was no road like we see to day that connected Ha Giang Town with DVKP. Traffic and transportation was all done either by foot or horse and it took 3 days to get to DVKP from Ha Giang Town.

The National Road No. 4C Ha Giang-Dong Van-Meo Vac was decided to be built after North Vietnam was liberated and it took 6 years (1959-1965) to build a distance of app. 300km. So difficult to build and so happy when it was done that the road was called “The Happiness Road”. More than 2 million workdays were spent by youngsters of 16 nations from 8 provinces of North Vietnam. But what is unforgettable is the construction of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, the most difficult pass to build but also the most fascinating and beautiful pass to enjoy in Vietnam. It took the youngsters one and a half year to connect the 24km distance between Dong Van and Meo Vac Towns but the Ma Pi Leng Pass alone already took them 11 months or more than 330 days of hanging themselves on rock cliffs to make it through.

Ma Pi Leng, in Hmong language means “Horse nose bridge”. Some other literature sources argue it actually is Mau Pi Leng, describing the feeling of a mouse when it is going to fall into the clutches of the cat. Both explanations mean nothing else than the dangerous, breath-taking feeling of the traveler when passing by this pass. But perhaps only on this pass can the traveler feel the greatness of Mother Nature, due both to the deep canyon of the Nho Que river underneath and the surrounding high mountains, resulting in the height difference of more than 1km, which is added by vertical cliffs and barren rock deserts all around.

Ma Pi Leng Pass is probably the most worth sightseeing of DVKP, both in terms of landscape and history, but moreover, also in terms of geoheritage. The informed traveller can find here evidence of faulting, folding, karstification, stratigraphic type sections, stratigraphic unconformities, chrono-stratigraphic boundaries and different types of both karst and non-karst landforms – a superbly high concentration of geosites wherefore one would otherwise have to spend days to find. Practically it would not be exaggerating to call Ma Pi Leng Pass a super-geosite. At present a stopover station has been built for the traveller to stop by to enjoy the thrill of the landscape. An explanation board on the geological values of the site was also prepared and a lot more would be provided to completely convince the traveller that he is in the Heaven. The Province is preparing to have it recognized by the Government as a national historic-cultural-landscape vestige to which geological values would be significance addition.

Stand in the peak of Ma Pi Leng, tourists can view the whole scene of huge highland area with endlessly range of mountain of all sizes, particularly interesting shapes. Due to geological changes, a lot of vertical cliffs were formed like giant walls. Bottom the feet of Ma Pi Leng is The Mong’s village loom in the fog, Nho Que river runs like a colorful thread through the cliffs.

Ma Pi Leng not only is beautifully natural landscape but also a historical evidence for memorizing the volunteer youth.

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau valley.
This morning we enjoy a half day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace , the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts  and the One Pillar Pagoda. The following sights are the Temple of Literature and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. We also make stop at  the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities, some of which we will see on our forthcoming days. Heading out of the town, we travel by road to Mai Chau, an idyllic valley populated by the many White Thai people. There are some opportunities en route to visit the Dao Son Dau and the Muong hill tribe groups. O/N in Mai Chau

 Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La.
Upon leaving Mai Chau the roads begins to deteriorate; however many villages dot the hillsides and undulating terrain make for an interesting journey. Along the way we stop in Xa Linh for a two hour trek past many timeless hill villages which are home of the Hmong hill tribe people. Travelling across the Moc Chau Plateau  we catch a glimpse of the many tea plantations and see the Black Thai hill tribe people. They belong to the same Thai ethnic group, but are  different from the White Thai in Mai Chau by their tradition and habits. O/N in Son La.


Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien Phu.
The provincial museum and the nearby old prison are some of this hill town’s major sights. We have a chance to visit these before we leave for our next destination. The winding roads cross over the Pha Din Pass before reaching Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam’s struggle for independence in 1954. After checking into our central located hotel we  enjoy a walk around to see this fast growing town. Our  main stop  is Dien Bien Phu’s Museum which details the event in place. We also pay a visit to the old battle field where the lush vegetation grows behind many war relics including old French tanks and artillery pieces. O/N in Dien Bien Phu .

Day 4: Dien Bien Phu – Lai Chau.
The journey north continues on to Lai Chau Town, our base for exploring the surrounding areas These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. After checking into hotel, we embark on a boat for a two hour trip along the Da River, passing through the stunning mountain landscapes. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way to observe the local lifestyle close up. O/N in Lai Chau.


Day 5: Lai Chau – Sin Ho – Tam Duong.
Today we continue venturing into northern Vietnam with the next stop being Sin Ho which is home land of  the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang and Dao ethnic minorities. They are settled there longtime ago and still retain their traditional culture and habits. The trip to Sin Ho is occasionally suspended due to the restriction of the local authority. Departing Sin Ho we make our way past the hilly region to Tam Duong. This timeless town is surrounded by  stunning mountain backdrops and lush tea plantations. O/N in Tam Duong.


Day 6: Tam Duong – Sapa.
The scenery of the north is unequalled although the conditions are very simple. After breakfast we drive following the main artery of trade in northwestern region. This bumpy road links to many hill towns and villages. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sapa was founded in the early years of the last century as a hill resort for French administrators when the heat on the plain became unbearable. After checking into hotel we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want by spending our time wandering around this charming town and some legacies of the French period. O/N in Sa Pa.


Day 7: Sapa.
The huge range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnam’s highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to the area surrounding this hill station. Today we have enough time to visit the bustling Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We get well off the beaten track as we embark on a walk to discover this beautiful mountain region. Along the way we traverse several rustic villages and see many mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. O/N in Sa Pa.


Day 8: Sapa – Bat Xat – Laocai.

Heading out of town, we make our way through the breathtaking mountain landscape to Bat Xat. The weather  in this region is cool due to the high altitude. On arrival, we embark on a short walk, passing through several villages which is populated by the Phu La, Dao and Giay ethnic minorities. They are very poor, but have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. A part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is the simple joy of seeing hill tribe people. We continue our  trip to Lao Cai border town, our final destination. O/N in Lao Cai.


Day 9: Lao Cai – Bac Ha.
The weekend market of Muong Khuong also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Dao, Thu Lao, Pa Di, Tu Di and  Phu La. After breakfast, we embark on a  two hour drive delivering  to Muong Khuong Town. There is a wonderful experience to wander around this colorful  congregation. In the early afternoon, we travel by roads  to Bac Ha. This is basically an overnight stop to break our long journey. After checking into hotel we can enjoy walk to visit the Hmong King’s former residence and Ban Pho where  villagers make the potent local maize alcohol. O/N in Bac Ha.

Day 10: Bac Ha – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang.
Upon leaving Bac Ha we set off on a full day journey through Sin Man and Hoang Su Phi to  Ha Giang Town. The rough but scenic route traverse a dense jungle before crossing over a pass and dropping down to Sin Man. This day is a real challenge for our driver as we travel by winding roads with many uphill and down hill drives. Along the way we may encounter the Nung Ing, Tay, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi and Co Lao, just some of the many hill tribe groups who have settled there. O/N in Ha Giang.


Day 11: Ha Giang – Sa Phin – Dong Van.
The remote region of Dong Van and Meo Vac is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful hill villages  which are unchanged for centuries.  Today we head north west out of Ha Giang Town towards this northernmost tip of Vietnam. The former H’mong royal house at Sa Phin is a primary attraction of the region but the blend of hill tribe people’s colorful costumes and the majestic mountainous scenery make this long and  bumpy trip an unforgettable experience. O/N in Dong Van.


Day 12: Dong Van – Meo Vac.
The ethnic minority people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. We have time to visit Dong Van Town  before continuing to Meo Vac which is conquered by the Lo Lo and Pu Peo ethnic minority people. They still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. The remoteness and the simple lifestyle of local people are a highlight of Meo Vac although conditions are very basic. We return to Ha Giang via Yen Minh, using a shortcut way.  O/N in Ha Giang.


Day 13: Meo Vac – Bao Lac – Ba Be Lakes.
An early morning start to drive through the rolling hills and the picturesque scenery to Ba Be National Park. The roads are very bumpy and zigzagging however we will have a  chance to meet the Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung ethnic minorities who make for the main population of this region. We are sure to attract their attention as this part of the country receive very few visitors. Depending on road and traffic conditions we arrive in Ba Be by  late afternoon or early evening, but it is till an interesting day. O/N in Cho Ra.


Day 14: Ba Be Lakes.
The legendary lake of Ba Be is just one continuous water body although the name means” three lakes”. Today we embark on a  boat cruising down the Nang River which is the main water source of the lake. This exciting river trip  will give us a taste of the tranquil countryside and an enjoyable exploration of the Ba Be National Park. We traverse  en route the Poong Grotto before stopping at some nearby hill tribe villages and getting off the beaten track to the scenic Dau Dang Waterfalls. O/N in Cha Ra.


Day 15: Ba Be lakes – Hanoi.
Enjoy a full day drive from Ba Be lakes to Hanoi.