Another off-the-beaten path tour package has just been released by Lotussia Travel. This 6-day itinerary is an easy touring trip taking travelers to the less travelled places in Northern area of Vietnam such as Ba Be National Park, Bao Lac market, Dong Van ancient town and colorful local hill tribe ethnic minorities.

The first highlight of the trip will be the boat trip on Ba Be lake, Vietnam’s largest natural lake and is now the centrepiece of an extensive National Park. The park and the surrounding area is limestone country, so lakes, waterfalls, caves and unusual rock formations abound. The whole area is richly forested and home to many ethnic minority communities.

The second highlight will be the local market in Bao Lac. This market offers travelers the chance to meet peoples from some local small ethnic groups only inhabiting in the area such as Black Lolo, San Chay. They always wear beautiful traditional costumes and jewelleries when they go to the market.

The next highlight will be the area of Dong Van with its ancient town and spectacular sceneries travelers will experience along the road. Dong Van is very beautiful with mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and caves, multicoloured 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.

The 6-day trip will conclude with a relaxing and leixure journey in Nam An lake, used to be a narrow and deep valley, built into a lake for water storage to run a hydraulic power plant. Nam An lake now has become spectacular eco spot with a peninsular for eco-tourist sport. Travelers may swim in the emerald clear water or moving around the lake on bamboo rafts or boats.

The trip can also be extended with a beach vacation, a boat cruise or a easy-touring bicycle tour.

Itinerary:

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

You will be met up at your hotel in Hanoi by Lotussia Travel guide, driver and transferred northwards along national road 3. Stop in Thai Nguyen City after about 2 hours driving for paying visit to 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 Ba Be guest-house.

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, Ha Giang
Get up early and attend to Bao Lac market which offers chances for meeting peoples from some local small ethnic groups such as Black Lolo, San Chay,…who always wear beautiful traditional costumes. 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.

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

Leaving Meo Vac at, the clients 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 rocks featuring the very tough life on this famous 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 settle down for 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 – Nam An Lake (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 Nam An eco spot.

Day 6: Nam An Lake – Hanoi (B,L)

Full day road trip from Nam An to Ha Noi along national road 2 with several stops and break along the way. Arrive Hanoi in the afternoon at about 05.00 PM, trip ends.

This 5-day North Vietnam Tours is customized by the Hanoi based tour operator Lotussia Travel in the far north Vietnam where you discover the beauty of the wild nature, meet up with different ethnic groups and experience the rich ethnic culture. Begin your adventure holiday with a car transfer from Hanoi to Tuyen Quang and then up to Quang Binh where you spend the night at a local home (homestay). The next days, you travel through Ha Giang to Bac Me, then to Meo Vac and Dong Van. If you arrive in either Meo Vac or Dong Van on Saturday evening, you have the opportunity to assist to the Sunday market is one of the most interesting ethnic highland marketing in Vietnam. During this 5-day north Vietnam tour, lots of stops are made en route for you to do some easy hike to hilltribe villages. Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.



Itinerary:



Day 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen - Tuyen Quang – Quang Binh ( –,L,D)



You will be met up at your hotel in Hanoi by Lotussia Travel guide, driver and driven to Thai Nguyen. Visit the ethnology museum in Thai Nguyen then move on Tan Trao, called the capital of the resistant forces (Vietminh) in the war against the French from 1946 – 1954. Visit a Tay village in Tan Trao before having lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, continue the road trip to Tuyen Quang. The region is home to several ethnic groups such as Tay, Dao, Cao Lan. Take a short break at Vinh Tuy before taking a back road to travel through the lowland of Ha Giang province. Arrive in Quang Binh around late afternoon. Check in hotel. Overnight in Quang Binh.

Day 2: Quang Binh – Nam An –  Ha Giang – Bac Me (B,L,D)



Breakfast and leaving Quang Binh at 08.00. After a quarter hour, we will arrive My Bac commune where we will stop for a short walk to a local hill tribe village. Continue our drive to Nam An, used to be a narrow and deep valley, built into a lake for water storage to run a hydraulic power plant and now has become spectacular lake with a peninsular for eco-tourist sport. Spend an hour walking around the lake visiting a local Red Zao village. Lunch in a house and relax. It is possible for you to swim in the emerald water or moving around the lake on bamboo rafts . Then continue our road trip to Ha Giang. Have a short walk to a Tay village in Ha Giang. Then drive to Bac Me. Overnight in Bac Me.



Day 3: Bac Me – Meo Vac – Dong Van( B,L,D)



Check out hotel at 08.00 and depart for Meo Vac. The first portion of the road weaves its way along the the Gam river amongst high mountains and thick forests. Crossing the Gam river and following the newly built road uphill, we will arrive Niem Son commune where we will spend almost an hour for visiting the local market and a small village of the H’mong ethnic peoples. Drive uphill through the remote and deserted region to Meo Vac. Getting close to Meo Vac, there appeared some small hamlets of the H’mong built on the immense limestone hill sides. Stop for visiting one of these hamlets for the first impression of the very hard life on this mysterious limestone highland. Arriving in Meo Vac at noon, take a quick look at the market (Sunday)and lunch break. After Lunch, visit to a small village of the Lolo, an ethnic group with only about 4,700 peoples near the town before leaving Meo Vac . Then continue along the road for 16 km to Dong Van. Check in hotel upon arrival and having a short rest. At about 17.00, the group gathers again for a leisure walk around the market place and the old street of Dong Van.



Day 4: Dong Van – Lung Cu - Vuong Palace – Pho Bang – Yen Minh – Quan Ba (B,L,D)



Check out hotel at 08.00 and drive to Lung Cu. Visit a village of the H’mong ethnic and a village of the Red Lolo in Lung Cu then move on to the Vuong Family Palace once ruled over the H’mong in the region and popularly known as King of the H’mong. Continue our drive to Pho Bang ancient town. Walking for about an hour to explore this town which is featured with two storey wooden houses, clay walled, Yin and Yang tiled roofs and leisure atmosphere. Leaving Pho Bang for a driving down hill to Yen Minh. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Yen Minh. After lunch, drive uphill of a long and high mountain pass. Take a break at the foot of the pass far walking to visit a village of the La Chi, another small ethnic group with only over 3,000 individuals in Vietnam whose culture is really unique and strong. Arrive in Quan Ba around late afternoon. Check in hotel for freshen up and relax. Overnight in Quan Ba.



Day 5: Quan Ba – Ha Giang – Ha Noi (B,L,D)



Breakfast and check out hotel. Driving uphill to the top of Quan Ba mountain pass, stop for admiring the great view of Quan Ba valley. Then driving few kilometers further for visiting two more hill tribe villages - one village of the H’mong with traditional living style of the highlander ethnics and the other, a village of the Kinh peoples immigrated to the region in 1980s. Driving for another hour and take a coffee stop at Ha Giang before continue along national road 2 to Bac Quang. Lunch break. The whole afternoon is for traveling along national road 2 for Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in late afternoon. End trip.

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.

Day 1: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Tuyen Quang – Quang Binh

You will be met up with Lotussia Travel guide, driver at your hotel in Hanoi  and driven to Thai Nguyen. Visit the ethnology museum in Thai Nguyen then move on Tan Trao, called the capital of the resistant forces (Vietminh) in the war against the French from 1946 – 1954. Visit a Tay village in Tan Trao before having lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, continue the road trip to Tuyen Quang. The region is home to several ethnic groups such as Tay, Dao, Cao Lan. Take a short break at Vinh Tuy before taking a back road to travel through the lowland of Ha Giang province. Arrive in Quang Binh around late afternoon. Check in hotel for overnight

 

 Day 2: Quang Binh – Nam An –  Ha Giang – Bac Me

Breakfast and leaving Quang Binh at 08.00. After a quarter hour, we will arrive My Bac commune where we will stop for a short walk to a local hill tribe village. Continue our drive to Nam An, used to be a narrow and deep valley, built into a lake for water storage to run a hydraulic power plant and now has become spectacular lake with a peninsular for eco-tourist sport. Spend an hour walking around the lake visiting a local Red Zao village. Lunch in a house and relax. It is possible for you to swim in the emerald water or moving around the lake on bamboo rafts . Then continue our road trip to Ha Giang. Have a short walk to a Tay village in Ha Giang. Then drive to Bac Me.

Day 3: Bac Me – Meo Vac – Dong Van

Check out hotel at 08.00 and depart for Meo Vac. The first portion of the road weaves its way along the the Gam river amongst high mountains and thick forests. Crossing the Gam river and following the newly built road uphill, we will arrive Niem Son commune where we will spend almost an hour for visiting the local market and a small village of the H’mong ethnic peoples. Drive uphill through the remote and deserted region to Meo Vac. Getting close to Meo Vac, there appeared some small hamlets of the H’mong built on the immense limestone hill sides. Stop for visiting one of these hamlets for the first impression of the very hard life on this mysterious limestone highland. Arriving in Meo Vac at noon, take a quick look at the market (Sunday)and lunch break. After Lunch, visit to a small village of the Lolo, an ethnic group with only about 4,700 peoples near the town before leaving Meo Vac . Then continue along the road for 16 km to Dong Van. Check in hotel upon arrival and having a short rest. At about 17.00, the group gathers again for a leisure walk around the market place and the old street of Dong Van.

Day 4: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Vuong Palace – Pho Bang – Yen Minh – Quan Ba

Check out hotel at 08.00 and drive to Lung Cu. Visit a village of the H’mong ethnic and a village of the Red Lolo in Lung Cu then move on to the Vuong Family Palace once ruled over the H’mong in the region and popularly known as King of the H’mong. Continue our drive to Pho Bang ancient town. Walking for about an hour to explore this town which is featured with two storey wooden houses, clay walled, Yin and Yang tiled roofs and leisure atmosphere. Leaving Pho Bang for a driving down hill to Yen Minh. Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant in Yen Minh. After lunch, drive uphill of a long and high mountain pass. Take a break at the foot of the pass far walking to visit a village of the La Chi, another small ethnic group with only over 3,000 individuals in Vietnam whose culture is really unique and strong. Arrive in Quan Ba around late afternoon. Check in hotel for freshen up and relax. Overnight in Quan Ba.

Day 5: Quan Ba – Ha Giang – Ha Noi

Breakfast and check out hotel. Driving uphill to the top of Quan Ba mountain pass, stop for admiring the great view of Quan Ba valley. Then driving few kilometers further for visiting two more hill tribe villages – one village of the H’mong with traditional living style of the highlander ethnics and the other, a village of the Kinh peoples immigrated to the region in 1980s. Driving for another hour and take a coffee stop at Ha Giang before continue along national road 2 to Bac Quang. Lunch break. The whole afternoon is for traveling along national road 2 for Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi in late afternoon.
End trip.

Day 1 : Hanoi – Babe Lakes

You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi. The journey begins as we depart the town and pass through the undulating terrain of tea plantation and the many timeless villages linked to the road which is the main artery of trade between the northeastern region and the capital city. This is our first glimpse of rural Vietnam and sets the tone for the days ahead. Depending on road and traffic conditions our drive will leave us with a mid to late afternoon arrival in Ba Be lakes. After checking into hotel we will have free time to walk around or simply to relax on the lake. O/N in Ba Be.

Day 2: Babe Lakes – Na Hang –Ha Giang

The national park of Ba Be is centred on large Ba Be Lake. This is just one continuous water body although its name means ”three lakes”. Today we embark on our boat navigating around the lake, which gives us a taste of relaxation and an enjoyable visit to the park . Along the way, we make stopover at some hill tribe villages before getting off the beaten track to the Dau Dang Waterfalls. After a short walk down to the waterfall, we start our trek to Na Hang Lake. Lunch will be served by the waterfall or somewhere else advised by our guide on spot. After lunch we will take the boat again to cruise along the river till we reach our vehicle is ready to pick us up and transfer to Ha Giang. Dinner and overnight in Ha Giang.


Day 3: Ha Giang full day Trek


Breakfast at local guesthouse then we get on the car departing for Cao Banh village where we begin our full day trek through many hill tribe villages. Picnic lunch will be provided on spot. Around late afternoon, we will arrive at Me Village where we stop for overnight. Dinner and overnight at village.

Day 4: Ha Giang – Quang Binh

After breakfast, the Lotussia Travel guide will take you either trekking or motorbike riding through the magnificent mountain ranges. On the way up to the mountain top, you will pass through several little villages. This is an excellent chance to get some great photo’s and take in the absolute beauty of the place. After arriving back to the stilt house you will have traditional food with the family and spend the night with them, having fun chatting and may be a few drinks. Dinner and overnight at village.

Day 5 : Quang Binh – Bac Ha

After saying goodbye to the local family we depart for Bac Ha. After arriving in Bac Ha (approx 3 hours) you can visit the Bac Ha local market, is open on Sunday only where there are many traditional foods, drinks, clothing and handicrafts as well as all the local produce such as pigs, dogs, cats, horses and buffalo for sale. This is interesting as you also get to meet all the different Minority people also doing their shopping. After arriving there you check into the hotel and have the rest of the evening at your own leisure.

Day 6: Bac Ha – Cao Son – Lung Khau Nhin

Drive to Muong Khuong; local villages, verdant and rugged mountains along the Nam Thi River. After a couple hours, arrive Muong Khuong; presentation about the region and the expedition. Head southeast for Lung Khau Nhin via Na Phin, Na Nam va Chung Chai Village, friendly H’Mong and Nung people. Lunch in the shade, continue to Lung Khau Nhin, stilt-house overnight.


Day 7: Lung Khau Nhin – Me Village (H’Mong)

Gentle descent o­n single track and dirt roads through forest and remote villages; guide will point out rare points of interest, traditional customs. After three hours hiking, stop for lunch; rest of the day o­n the rugged terrain to Me Village (H’Mong). Sleep in the tents or at the local school.


Day 8 : Me Village (H’Mong) – Quan Than San Village

Following breakfast, trekking through the rugged terrain past rice paddies, local villages. Be prepared to get wet – some streams; picnic lunch; quiet trails to our final point. After three hours o­n the trail, the tiny village of Quan Than San, H’Mong people. Stay the night here.


Day 9: Quan Than San – Bac Ha

Mixture of ups and downs throughout the day, challenging climbs, exceptional views of the Thang Sin Mountains, distant H’Mong villages; trek to Can Cau Village (Cau Cau Market open o­n Saturday); climbing up from Can Cau for about 8km through remote villages; spectacular terrain to Thai Giang Pho Village, lunch in the shade; downhill to Bac Ha hotel stay.

Day 10: Bac Ha – Nam Mon Village

Bac Ha bustles o­n a Sunday – market day. Flower H’Mong, Blue H’Mong, Tu Zi, Tay, Nung and Lo Lo people all converge here bringing life to this sleepy mountain town. o­ne hour free after breakfast to explore the market; photographs and shopping; descend from mountain to village o­n the banks of the Chay River; footpath hike through plum and peach plantations; lunch break o­n quiet roadside, photograph the scenery – good stretch. Finish at Nam Mon Village (Tay, Nung and H’Mong people). Sleep in a traditional Tay house.


Day 11: Nam Mon – Hanoi

Leave Nam Mon; final trekking day; two hours’ hike o­n footpaths to the Chay River; board a small covered boat and enjoy an hour cruise past Hang Tien (Fairy Cave); wander to Ban Du and Cac Cop. Conclude trekking at Cac Cop Village and board the boat to Bao Nhai Bridge; transfer to Lao Cai for standard hotel day room. Dine in a local restaurant before overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 12: Arrival Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi early morning, transfer to the hotel. End of Lotussia Travel service.

Several ethnic minorities, off the beaten track adventure, motorcycle adventures, large colourful ethnic markets, Quang Ngan Waterfall, imposing landscapes, intrepid travels, community baed tourism products, and the Than Thuy-Thien Bao National Frontier Pass.

Ha Giang Vignette:

Adventure and cultural extremes in a setting that, even while sitting on that lookout, there was not one in the group who could describe what we were seeing and feeling with words.

As we roll up to a busy ethnic marketplace on our motorized beasts of burden, in our clunky helmets, coated in dirt, we are a crowd-stopping show. Chickens scatter, children hold their breath, and all business stops. Aliens in an alien world. A scene of speechless onlookers. The silence finally broken, with an exchange of two familiar, not-so foreign greetings common to all - smiles!

 Description:

Ha Giang, 300 km away from Hanoi, located at the highest latitude in Vietnam. The province in borderd by Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai. It also shares a border with China in the north. Many ethnic minorities, including the Dao, H’mong, Tay, and Nung, live in Ha Giang.

The climate is divided in two distinct seasons (rainy and dry), although it tends to vary greatly depending on altitude. Ha Giang is the ideal location to organize activities such as hiking and camping, trekking, motorcyle and 4WD adventures.

Dong Van Highland is situated at 1,025 m above sea level and is inhabited by the Tay and H’Mong ethnic groups. The temperature is approximately 1oC in winter and reaches 24oC on the hottest days. The plateau provides for fruit orchards 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 also found, including ginseng, anise, and cinnamon.

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 traditional mountain market where all kinds of goods and multi-coloured clothes can be purchased.

Khau Vai love market happens once a year - often in May. Colourful ethnic minorities gather and celebrate with songs, and courting rituals. It is also the time when the local tribes meet and sell many local products.